Orn adjusted his “new” clothes and grabbed the bag that now held his uniform and sword. It had taken hours to gather the things he would need for the trip to the town of Mutton.

“Thank you for keeping watch,” Orn told Kao as he left the alley.

“Of course, I do not want my knight to get caught trying to sneak out of the city,” she replied keeping an eye on the crowd moving slowly down the street. “I still cannot believe they are trying to keep you all here.”

Orn pulled the hood of the cloak up to hide his face. “It is probably to ensure everyone either ends up working or back at the barracks,” Orn said knowing that the crowd would be less likely to think he was talking to nothing if they could not see his lips moving. It is not as if they can make out what I am saying over the noise.

“And you are suddenly opposed to going back?” Kao’s voice came from his left as he eased into the crowd.

“No, but I need the practice,” Orn replied. “Everyone else is is finding work based on their skills. Clay even got me an introduction at the guild because of my special circumstances.”

“I am rather confident he wanted you to run letters. He even told you not to take this job,” Kao said leaning over to look at him up the deep hood. “Are you sure it is not some sort of rebellious attitude because of what the boy at the gate said?”

“Clay said the job did not pay enough. I am feeling charitable since I do not need the money,” Orn replied. “The fact that I can get one over on jerk from south barracks is coincidental, I assure you.”

“Oh really?” Kao asked smiling.

“Really,” Orn grinned. “The fact he made repeated disparaging remarks about west barracks, when we passed by earlier is completely irrelevant. Besides I technically do have a duty to ensure that other officers are doing their jobs. Walking right past him is a good way to test if he is doing his. It is my duty as an office of west barracks.”

“Of course,” Kao replied chuckling. “I wonder how the self proclaimed ‘best catcher of west barracks fools’ will do?”

…

Approaching the gate they saw a line of wagons and carriages, while the crowd of those on foot slowly moved past on both sides. Orn could not see what caused the issue closer to the gate, but joined the throng moving down the street.

“Well this is a mess,” Kao said as those headed toward the gate were forced closer to each other in the narrow space.

Orn was a couple carriage lengths form the gate when everyone came to a stop.

“ENOUGH! EVERYONE GET BACK!” a gruff voice boomed from ahead. The group around Orn milled about and a few stepped back letting Orn see a group of guards working to free a heavily built wagon’s wheel that was caught in a gap between the paving stones. The guard who yelled gestured people back. Once he felt he had enough room he turned back to the other guardsmen struggling to get the wagon freed.

Orn saw a new guard appear with a long iron bar from the direction of the gateway. The group just managed to place a large rock as a fulcrum when a sudden rustling to Orn’s right nearly made him jump. The curtain of the ornate carriage he was standing beside was shoved out of the way and a head stuck out.

“What is taking so long?” the square jawed woman called out in a false sounding high voice. She loomed above Orn taking in the scene before her and sneered. “Just prod the oxen you fools. If the wheel breaks, so be it. I do not have time to spare, I have meetings to keep!”

“We cannot do that,” the loud guardsman replied. “That could destroy the wagon, not just the wheel. We cannot ruin the man.”

“I do not care who it ruins,” the woman snapped back. “If you do not hurry up, I will ruin you.”

The crowd between Orn and the guards backed away to not be caught in the middle of the exchange. Orn tried to follow, but was not fast enough. This left Orn in the front, as the guards all turned to stare at the woman. With the crowd moved Orn could now see the south barracks officer standing beside the guardsmen.

Oh no. He will see me, Orn thought feeling the attention of the everyone near by focusing on the noble woman who he could not back further from. It is only a matter of time until the jerk notices me.

Orn turned to stare at the street beneath the carriage hoping the hood would keep his features covered enough to prevent him being recognized. Orn silently wished the noble would return to her carriage so the guards could get back to work.

“Her wig is about to fall off,” Kao muttered, causing Orn’s attention to snap up.

“Her wig?” Orn’s voice carried across the space in the silence left by the noble’s threat. Orn immediately dropped his gaze down as the noble’s hands raced to her hair.

Around him Orn heard murmuring. Then someone laughed, and like a dam breaking the crowd roared with laughter. A few hands gently pulled him back into the crowd. Once hidden from sight Orn felt a couple hands pat him on the back, and a few mumbled words of congratulations.

Knowing he was no longer in the front, Orn peeked at the carriage. The noble was gone and the curtain over the window was closed. Good, he thought as he heard the guards returning to their task.

A few minutes later, Orn heard loud creek of wood followed by the sound of wheels rolling on the paving stones. A cheer went up from around Orn and he knew the wagon was freed. Orn felt himself moving forward with the crowed as they pressed slowly forward.

Orn was nearly at the gate when he found himself beside the carriage again. He heard a voice from inside. “Do not lie to me. They…” the voice cracked with sobs. “saw. Why am I cursed to be this?”

Orn flinched at the words. The pain in the voice was almost palpable, and Orn suddenly felt he had done something terrible. Orn was tied up internally debating if what he did was right when a hand grabbed his shoulder.

Orn froze as the hand tightened, and felt a flush of panic. Orn looked down, hoping to see the brown pants of the guard’s uniform. Instead he had a sinking feeling as he saw the same style of pants he had shoved in his bag earlier that afternoon.

“That was hysterical,” the voice said releasing their grip and slapping Orn on the shoulder. “Her face was the funniest thing I saw all day.”

Orn silently nodded and slowly continued out the gate. He looked up to see the carriage picking up speed as the crowd moved to let it pass.