Thane, Bigby and Rand are arriving at the gates Verunian city. The three, still on the have a little farther to go before the passage clears up from the thickness of the woods. "So what if our theory is right? What if there really is a traitor amongst the Rotek?" Thane called up to Rand,he was leading the group onward. "What if the palace is being attacked right as we speak!? We should go back and tell Marian of this!" Bigby added on. "Unlikely. I doubt our enemies would attack the palace without its secrets, it's far too fortified. Plus, we have the map, therefore, we have the upper hand." Rand said coolly as the three warriors came to a clearing. There were trees all around them but a small spring of water was at the center, the water fresh. Bigby walked over to the water and scooped up some to drink "Verunian WILL give up its secrets." Bigby muttered to himself as he slurped the water down. "We must tread carefully, for subtlety is our friend." Rand said as he sat himself down on a rock. "Haha! Bigby knows not what subtle is!" Thane laughed as he rested against a tree next to Rand. Suddenly footsteps were heard in the woods, and they were approaching at a steady pace. "Shh. Someone comes our way." Rand said quietly and quickly. A young man with short, dark hair emerges. Carrying a dozen swords on his back, wearing a black cloak and a silver shield imprinted above the heart. This is Gisbourne, the Roteks blacksmith, him and Thane attended the same courses during their recruitment training. "Oh. Good day fellow Rotek! Wasn't expecting any company out over this way! What brings you on your way to Verunian?" Gisbourne asked lightly as he set his swords down and started to drink from the creak. "No, just a search and rescue for a merchant." Rand said quietly, glancing at Bigby and Thane. "Ohhhh yes. I remember Marian mentioning something about a bread merchant getting lost. Did you ever find the lad?" Gisborne asked as he stood up and walked over to the join group. "Yes! Turns out he was a -" Thane was cut off by Rand suddenly "-aaaaaalready dead! Killed by a palakee. We were too late" Rand exclaimed giving Thane a glance. "Shame.. the fool shouldn't have gone off alone!" Gisborne said sharply. There was a long, sudden pause between them, suddenly getting more and more awkward as time passed. "Well, these weapons won't make their way to Dokerly village on its own. I must press on" Gisborne said as he picked up his weapons and started to walk off. "Safe travels Gisborne!" Thane called out. "And to you three!" Gisbourne called back as he vanished into the thickness of the woods. Rand suddenly grabbed Thane and forced eye contact. "We are not to speak of what has transpired with our merchant, or the map, or the subject on our potential traitor. We keep this to ourselves until this is sorted out" Rand said sternly. "I understand." Thane said as the eye contact was broken. Bigby walked over to Rand and Thane and said "Are we going to sit here and keep secrets or are we going to crack some skulls?" Both Rand and Thane looked at him in amusement, they both shrugged and all three started towards the Verunian gates.
The the gates were tall, and made of very thick wood that was lined with metal. "Impenetrable.." Bigby said in amazement. As he ran up to observe the gate, Bigby turned to look back at Thane and Rand. "How do you suppose we get in?" Bigby called back. "Did you knock?" Thane said sarcastically. "HEEEEEY!" Bigby hollered at the large gate. "Bigby, what the heck do you think you're doing?" Thane asked as he ran to shut his friend up. "Trying to get in, what does it look like I'm doi-" Bigby was cut off to a loud thud, then by the doors swinging inward towards the city. "My friends, I bring you Verunian city. Land of the contained." Rand said as the gates opened to reveal the city. Buildings made of stone, and a long line of markets down the center of the road. "Well, let's get started" Rand said. He led his fellow friends into the city as three of the Verunian guards greeted them. "Welcome to Verunian, members of the Rotek! What brings you to our city without consulting with our council?" The tallest one asked. The guards seemed a bit uneasy at the sight of the three Rotek members. Thane and Bigby looked at Rand, waiting for him to answer. "A vacation." Rand said with a smile. "Armed? And still wearing your official robes?" One of the other guardsmen said. "We dare not travel unarmed, traveling is dangerous these days. Many creatures migrating south and crossing into the territories paths... I'm sure you won't mind." Rand said, as both Thane and Bigby stared at the guardsmen waiting for a response. Thane noticed the guards were wearing black uniform, and on the chest there was a silver hammer. [Odd choice of weaponry] Thane thought to himself. "Well of course, just don't go troubling our peace." The third guardsmen said with a forced laugh. "Of course not." Rand gave a smile as the guards let the three Rotek members pass. The guardsmen watched them walk until they disappeared into the crowd. "Whew, what the heck was their problem?" Bigby asked Rand. "Their reaction to our presence was.. Different." Rand said as they stopped walking. The three warriors stood by a well, which was planted in the middle of the city market. There were four different paths, the north, south, east, and west road. "What's the plan Rand?" Thane asked as the crowd moved around them. "We split up and ask around. But be discrete. We meet back here in three hours." Rand said sternly yet casually. "Im taking the north road. I can get information from the bartenders, maybe even a free drink!" Bigby hollered and turned before Rand and Thane could protest. "I'm going to take the west road and talk among the locals. Maybe they might know something they shouldn't." Rand said to Thane as he turned towards the west road. "Guess that leaves the east for me, the boring old businesses..." Thane said to himself as he started treading towards the east.
