The Unit leaders came over and glared at Karl and the Chieftain.
“If you’re done conversing in your own language, we have come to a consensus on the status of the suspected foreign spy.” The Demon leading the first team that had met Karl informed them.
“Alright, lay it on me. It had better not interfere with my work, though.” Karl replied.
The Demon sighed and shook his head. “The risk that you really are the spy from the Golden Dragon Nation is too high, we can’t let your team leave until we have brought you before the trouble seers for an assessment.”
Karl sighed. “So, it’s going to be a huge pain in the ass, then? I take it you’re all planning a long walk back to your fortress and then an undefined duration of imprisonment on arrival?”
The Orc Chieftain gave a low chuckle, and the three Monarchs gave Karl a suspicious look.
“The council of Overlords has the right. They will determine what will happen until you can be brought before an Oracle.
However, if you are truly innocent and concerned about your business, we can allow your guards to continue the business of escorting the Dragon Clerics on their pilgrimage, along with a small escort from our wilderness forces.”
Karl looked at the wagon for an answer.
“We will wait in the city for the decision. It is safer for us if we aren’t travelling without one of our primary combat assets. Karl was chosen to escort us for his capabilities, not just because his wagon was in the right spot at the right time.” Tessa insisted.
“Alright, we will bring you all back to the Bethoke fortress, and you can wait for the Council representatives to make a determination on the situation with Merchant Karl. If he is determined to be a spy, there will be questions for the rest of you as well. After the incident is settled, we will assist you in finding a new escort if necessary.”
Tessa nodded. If things got that far, it was going to be a real mess, but there were nearly a thousand soldiers here right now, and they suspected Karl of being a spy, which meant that the Dragon Clerics were certainly under suspicion as well.
The soldiers were just too polite to say it, as nobody wanted to insult the Gods if Tessa and Lotus were really on a pilgrimage.
Karl shook the Orcish leader’s hand. “Chieftain Kilgore, it was a pleasure meeting you. Enjoy the supplies, and perhaps we will see you the next time that we are both in the same region.”
Kilgore patted him on the shoulder with a smile. “Be careful as you leave. The Overlords have a touchy temperament. They have a habit of ganging up to attack any Orc that gets too powerful so that they don’t have to admit that the Clans have better potential than they do.”
Karl’s laughter brought confused looks from the Monarchs of the Newbon Army.
“He’s just explaining that the Orcs don’t have the best opinion of the city dwellers.” Karl relayed.
The orcs close enough to have heard the whole conversation did their best not to laugh at the difference between Karl’s version and what had actually been said.
“That’s enough delay. The portals will be open in a few seconds, so please return to your wagon and prepare to travel to Bethoke fortress.” The slender Demon Monarch insisted.
True to his word, a set of portals opened, and soldiers in fancy uniforms rushed out. The first six of them surrounded Karl’s wagon, then the soldier on his right gave a nod, indicating that he should start moving.
Karl waved goodbye to the Orcs, who laughed and waved back.
The entire Clan understood that he was being accused of being a spy, which could lead to his execution. But the fact that he wasn’t showing any fear multiplied their respect for him.
Thor passed through the portal, and Karl felt them enter a barrier on the other side.
It restricted something, but Karl couldn’t immediately tell what.
[I think it’s intended to limit the level of abilities used in the city, so that nobody can challenge the leadership. If they can use Royal and Monarch Rank skills, but you can only use Awakened or Ascended, what threat can you pose to them?] Cara suggested.
The soldiers visibly relaxed as they followed Karl’s wagon through the portal into the open cobblestone courtyard that appeared to be the parking area for the stables.
[Sorry, Thor. They’ll realize that we’ve been lying right away if you return to your space.] Karl apologized as he realized his mistake.
[As long as they have good food, it’s fine. I will just talk to the other mounts here.]
Karl looked into the stables and saw a large number of reptiles that walked on two legs with their tails extended behind them. They were a bit larger than an ostrich, but with powerful legs.
The army units hadn’t been using them, but there were dozens, or even a hundred of them here in the stables.
They greeted Thor with bugles and keening cries, which he replied to with happy Thor noises and a few snorts of amusement.
[They’re friendly, and they’re all part of one big hunting pack. That’s weird for carnivores.]
[They’re not going to try to treat you like prey, are they?]
Thor laughed in Karl’s mind. [No, they’re all Awakened Rank. They know that I’m not edible. But they’ve been trained to follow orders and not to hunt independently, they don’t really behave like predators.]
[Let me know if you have any troubles with them. I suspect that we’re about to be escorted to a comfortable prison cell.]
That prediction was confirmed when a group of grooms came out of the stables to get Thor comfortable and put the wagon away.
As they approached Thor, Karl noticed that someone was missing. Remi had recalled her bodyguards, or perhaps the barriers on the city had deactivated them. But they were definitely down by two Naga Warriors.
Karl didn’t say anything about it, and instead focused on more urgent problems.
[Remi, the disguise won’t wash off when they polish his scales, will it?] Karl asked.
[Nope, it’s a magical effect. It won’t wear off his scales unless Thor wants it to.]
It didn’t change the surface or sensitivity of his scales, only the visible colour, so Thor had no problem staying black instead of green and gold. If the grooms were going to polish his scales, he would happily let them.
“We’ve been on the road a while, he could use a full rub down and his scales scrubbed, if you don’t mind.” Karl relayed to the grooms.
“Of course, Sir. Your Cerro will be ready when you call for him.”
When Thor left with the grooms, the guards moved around Karl and the others. “Please follow us. We have a suite prepared for you while we wait. I believe that the Oracle will have time to meet with you today.”
The building they were led into was undoubtedly the most ornate and opulent building that Karl had ever been inside. There was gold everywhere, jewels studded into the frames of paintings, magical armour suits in alcoves all down the walls, and the oppressive feeling of the spell that was restricting their magic the whole way.
“Please wait here. The maids will be along presently with appropriate attire and refreshments.” The guard informed them.
Karl nodded, and the guard stepped outside to lock them in the suite. There was no sound of footsteps, and Karl could see his heat signature through the grate of the viewport in the door. So, they were locked in and under guard. But the room was beautiful, and Lotus had already changed to clean robes and slippers to stretch out on one of the divans.
“There should be bedrooms to the side if you want a proper nap.” Tessa suggested.
“I’m not sleepy, I just wanted to enjoy the sofa without getting it dirty.” Lotus laughed as she shifted to get comfortable.
Karl admired the rest of their holding area. It was certainly a guest room, even if the windows were barred and the walls were reinforced. But it was just as richly decorated as the rest of this palatial estate.
There were gold fittings on the cabinet doors that kept dust off the bookshelves, fine crystal glasses on the bar with a small selection of liquors and juices, and the furniture had high-quality padding, if Lotus’ happy noises were anything to go by.
Then again, after travelling on the wood bench of the wagon, everything might seem comfortable.
