[Poor Grallus, the Rogue – 12]

Punkins, the normally sparky little orange nosed cat, hangs back more than a few steps as he and Grallus walk toward the huge 40′ tall wooden double door that guards the city. As they shorten the distance to the door, the more Punkins begins to walk behind Grallus, all of his previous happy energy seemingly gone, or drained from the fuzzy little black cat.

The door is massive with several large coiled ropes running across the expanse of the door for obvious additional security. As he gets within 20 meters of the door Grallus sees to his delight that the door is slightly ajar allowing for enough room for trade carts to cross the door’s border. The huge ropes are hanging high above and across the break in the door.

Now closer to the door, he notices a short line of people being questioned by two heavily armed guards, after a pause he also sees that so far everyone is being let in. Turning around looking at Punkins, “See look they are letting people in, that’s a good sign.” Punkins doesn’t look up in response, although his ears seem to curl a little. Grallus pulls his heavily woolen hood down over the top of his brow as he gets in line behind a woman carrying a sleeping infant. She is dressed in a dirty white tunic with frayed fringe and a long drab dress which is noticeably mud-stained at the bottom. Looking ahead he notices that just about everyone is dressed in a similar fashion.

Tapping the girl on the shoulder he says, “If you don’t mind me asking, what city is this?” She doesn’t turn to respond. He steals a quick glance at Punkins but he sees he is lazily batting his paw at the end of Grallus’s robe. Tapping her shoulder again, “Uh ma’am what uh… is this city called?” With still no response he tries a different tact, “Cute baby.”

She only turns her head slightly but makes no eye contact, “I don’t know you.” Grallus notices how her long curly hair shines golden in the sunlight, and what he would imagine is a beautiful face hidden in the shadow of her hair.

Smiling under his hood, “Oh, well my name is Gra…” he stops abruptly feeling a sudden swat at his calf. Looking down he sees Punkins looking up at him. Turning back around, “Uh sorry yeah um Grallum… my name is Grallum,” he says extending his hand. Proud at his response he again steals a quick glance at Punkins who is just sitting at his feet slowly shaking his head at him.

Realizing she is now second in line she ignores his outstretched hand and moves forward. After a short pause she says quietly, “Tristel,” then looking at the feline at his feet she smiles a little and says, “Cute cat.”

Ignoring the compliment but smiling much wider he says happily, “Oh Tristel well that’s a pretty name, nice to meet you.”

Keeping her gaze forward but still smiling, “No no, not my name… Tristel is the name of the city.”

Grallus feels the blood quickly rushing to his cheeks in embarrassment, “I see, thank you.” The feeling doesn’t last long as the guard bellows at the girl in front of him.

“Name, position and reason for entry or reentry!”

Not skipping a beat she keeps her head low and responds as if she has been through this many times, “Daphne Mavia, midwife and housekeeper for the Lavinia family, reentry please.” Grallus notices the guard next to the interviewer constable is flipping through a tie-board with what looks like hundreds of pieces of parchment.

Furrowing his brow the interviewer asks, “Why were you outside city limits to begin with?”

Again quick to respond she says suddenly flustered, “I was picking up or really dropping off a… well the Master wanted me to…”

Interrupting, obviously finding what he was looking for among the pile of paperwork, the constable says gruffly, “She’s here, go ahead and pass.” She puts her head down, a small ‘thank you’ is heard and she hurries through the door without looking back.

[568] Words : Cats…