Akh'Aegis

Four Gates

Getting to the gates was the easy part. It was getting through as a criminal, that would prove to be a more arduous task.

“We need a plan before we pass through that gate. They will catch us if we don’t disguise ourselves.” Snowfox said as she grabbed a stick and made a plan in the dirt, “I’m gonna need you, Onvyr, to cast a spell to make us look like merchants. Shadowmoon, you will look like a horse, and Tala you will turn into a wolf and act like a dog.  Noll, you are going to be the merchant and Alverdus is going to be your apprentice. We will break up into two groups. Elfii, Shadowmoon, Onvyr, and myself. Then Tala, Noll, and Alverdus. I will ride in accompanied by Elfii, who will act as my younger sister, and Onvyr who will act as my husband.”

“How come Onvyr gets to be your husband? Why not me?” Noll objected.

“That’s is just how I’m planning this. Unless you have any other ideas. Do you?” She replied coldly. 

“I don’t really like the plan that much either, but it’s our best option. I don’t see anyone else talking about their plan. She is also the leader, so what she says goes.” Tala interjected.

“If anyone else has something to say, speak now or forever hold your peace.” She let the sentence hang in the silence. “Now let’s get back to the plan. Noll, Alverdus, and Tala will pull a fake cart, that looks and feels like a real one, but it actually is just a few sticks attached to a rope. If the guards want to see what's in your ‘cart’, you tell them that you are leaving Auglatha because you ran out of items, and that it is empty and you have to return home to get more. If they do not believe you Tala will let out a howl and signal Onvyr to make the inside look like a wagon with only sleeping supplies.” Snowfox said, “ Onvyr, Elfii, Shadowmoon, and I will be not too far behind you three. Shadowmoon will be disguised as a horse that I will ride in on. Elfii your role is to act like you are with child and I am helping you across the border so you can see your family when the baby is born. Onvyr is to be my husband in this rouse, because we are dainty women who need protection. Does everyone understand?”

They agreed and started making their rouse a reality.  They got into their groups and readied the supplies. Onvyr casted the spell, and with a shift in the wind, everyone’s appearance changed. They advanced towards the gates, and started acting.

“Why do you wish to leave the mighty kingdom of Auglatha?” the guard said forcefully.

“We are heading back home to gather more supplies, because we have run out.” Noll said in an ancient manner.

“Ha! a merchant who has ran out of produce. I don’t believe that.”

“It’s true sir, my master and I were just heading out to retrieve more.” Alverdus said shyly.

“Lieutenant! Check that wagon, and make sure they are not smuggling people across the border.” the guard said

The Lieutenant came down the stone steps. Tala howled and the man checked the wagon. 

“Captain, There’s nothing in here but sleeping supplies!” he yelled.

“Pass through, merchants.” said the captain.

Elfii, Onvyr, Shadowmoon, and Snowfox walked towards the gate, and were stopped by the gate guards. Don’t blow your cover Elfii. Just remember you have to act like you are about to give birth.  Snowfox said.

“Stop! Why do you wish to leave the mighty kingdom of Auglatha?” the Captain asked.

“My sister is with child, and we need to get her to our family. We are traveling to Amarillis with my husband.” Snowfox said.

“Why do you travel such distances when your sister is with child.” 

“We need to see our family. It will be easier to travel to them now, rather than going once the child is born.”

“Please let us pass sir.” Elfii pleaded in pain.

“Very well. You may pass.” The captain sighed.

They passed through the gate, and went into the woods to revert back to their regular selves.

“Never in my life have I experienced that much pain.” Elfii said, “It’s like I was actually going to give birth.”

“That’s because the spell I used not only made us look like our character, but made us feel the pain of your character’s body. For example if an old man experiences back, knee, and hip pains. That is what the person disguised as the old man feels. Noll I expect you felt some back pains as well. Did you not?” Onvyr explained.

“Yes, I did. I was tolerable, but it still hurt.” Noll replied.

When they were finished changing, they traveled to the nearest town to get supplies. Once they were out of the country they knew they would be safer, but still have to be careful.