By the time Ginger made it back to the market, the twin stars were still up, but they had already begun their descent. It took a while to get back here even with Thatch's help in slipping through obscure alleyways and unconventional pathways to avoid encountering those armored knights.

"Here, I did tell you we wouldn't be long" Thatch said as he looked at the twin stars, and smiled "See, they're only about a hundred degrees apart"

Ginger rolled his eyes. Within mere hours, he had escaped death and had his whole worldview torn to shreds. For Thatch however, it seemed like any other after-twin-noon.

Or rather, Ginger would believe that if he hadn't seen Thatch shaking at the slightest sound of hoof or clatter on their way here. Ginger himself was doing no better, but at the very least, those knights weren't looking for him, and that was something he could be relieved by.

"I don't have any money at all right now, but if we meet at the alley we passed by four turns ago tomorrow at zero degrees, I can give you clothes like these" Ginger said as he pinched the fabric of his wet, muddy clothes. He frowned as he did so. This was going to be another problem.

"If I survive till then" Thatch said

"So I'll see you tomorrow" Ginger turned and faded into the crowd, not having registered Thatch's words, mind clearly elsewhere.

By the time he left the markets and was about to pass into the affluent inner city, the guards at those tall and unnecessarily gaudy gates stopped him.

They didn't say a word; one of them simply readied their spear to strike if he came any closer. Right, Ginger knew. They would strike. Even an innocent child.

'Of course they wouldn't let me in like this' Ginger sighed. He had been concerned about how he was going to get into the inner city, let alone back inside the castle, looking like a complete mess. He didn't have anything that could serve to identify him - he had no name yet after all, and no one would believe him even if he did explain who he was.

Not many people had seen the High Seat Azroth's only son, and he wasn't supposed to even be outside until he was named. He really hadn't known that passing a mere gate would be so tough.

He supposed at this point, he didn't have much of a choice.

"Ah, excuse me gentlemen, my mother must be looking for me. We got separated and I was beaten in the streets and had my money taken from me. Her name is Trista and she's probably looking for me right now, worried sick" Ginger gave a polite bow, and spoke with a composure unbefitting of his age.

The guards, of course, were completely taken in by Ginger's demeanor, and their stances subconsciously relaxed. This boy was definitely from the inner city. But even so, he looked too dirty. Maybe he was trying to con them?

"Sir Alex" one of the Guards called out to a man idly picking his teeth with a twig beyond the gates.

"What a bother... Can't get a break today" Alex replied noncommittally, but then paused, thought of something and then smiled with an implication towards the two guards "Hey, if his mom is..."

"Ah, whatever. Make sure it's not someone important first" the Guard said

"Heh, a lot of people inside these walls are important. You might just get unlucky" The other Guard said with mockery.

Ginger listened to this conversation. And with great effort, held his tongue and his smile. They made the assumption that a child wouldn't understand a thing. What was with this conversation? Why did everything today leave a bad taste in his mouth?

"Ah, I forgot to mention, our family is in the graces of High Seat Azroth. That may help you find someone easier" Ginger spoke as if he had just remembered this detail.

Alex, who was about to leave, paused for a while, and then quickened his pace. "Ah, of course, we'll bring your mother right to you. don't you worry"

The guards laughed aloud and gave the boy a second look.

Ginger hated them. He was going to have them killed. Yet he still kept his smile. He needed to get inside the inner city before he could do anything.

What was with this helplessness?

Ginger waited. People passed through the gates, and Ginger recognized the faces of some affluent merchants and diplomats. However, Ginger also observed that even any well dressed individual was allowed passage through, no questions asked, besides a cursory examination. And yet he himself could not pass. Is this why Thatch wanted clothes? There's a gate for such a stupid reason? How did he not notice this before?

He saw a young dark-haired girl in a rough tunic try to blend in with the crowds passing through before she was stopped by one of the guards. He saw the guard's eyes. He saw the girl's fear. She attempted to turn away with an apology but was forcibly taken for inspections. And the passers-by simply smiled or laughed in mockery.

Ginger observed everything. When he woke up this morning, he felt like his eyes were closed. Here, they were wide open, unblinking, uncomfortable.

After a while, Alex returned with a dark look on his face, and Trista trailed behind him. When her eyes landed on Ginger, she ran to him and shouted with anxiety clear in her tone "You're here!"

Before the guard could even say anything, Trista grabbed Ginger and left through the gates with him. The guards wanted to intervene, but Alex hurriedly stopped them.

"It's fine" He said with a seriousness completely unlike his previous flippant attitude

"What? Were they really a family serving the High Seat?"

"Yeah..." Alex frowned and thought back to his meeting with that maid. She had shown the brand on her shoulder; proof that she was the personal servant of High Seat Azroth, and she also mentioned that she was serving his only son. At that point, any indecent thoughts had instantly left Alex's mind.

"Haha, you really lucked out, eh Sir guard captain?"

"Shut up"

"Well, you came just in time, we have a young one in the inspection chamber you might like" The guard laughed, trying to console Alex.

"Oh? I'll go inspect, then"

"Have fun"