Author's note: Sorry I have taken so long to add more to this story. My computer was screwing up for some stupid reason and then I realized it was because I never paid the bill. But--now it's paid and I am back on. So...here is the next part. The story gets better--I promise.
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Esi
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By the time Esi had reached the town in the hills, her feet were sore and her legs felt as if they could carry her no more. She had stopped a few times to rest, but her legs would not move the way she had wanted them to. They dragged along slowly up to the town gates.
When Esi had finally reached the gates, she found herself staring into the eyes of an armored man--if he even was a man. She suddenly felt nervous and incredibly self-conscious of the fact that she looked the way she felt. Her eyes lacked sleep and her face showed hunger in every way. But, as the man kept staring silently at her--she began to wonder if he was even alive, and her nervousness quickly left her.
"Hello," she replied to the cold stare. And when there was no answer, she began to feel foolish for talking to a statue. She stared behind the lifeless man and saw that the gate entrance was closed. But, maybe there was a way in, she thought. She then stepped forward to walk past the still man.
"No outsiders shall pass," the armored man replied to her move. He stepped in front of her and withdrew a large, silver sword. At this, Esi jumped and let out a small yell of surprise.
"I--I didn't know you were alive," she meekly replied.
"You truly are an outsider then," the man sternly answered.
"Excuse me? What does that mean?"
"You have clearly never seen a King's Royal Guard. And that surly means that you are not of this kingdom," the guard explained, "I cannot allow you to pass." Esi winced at this.
"But I must pass. I may not know what a Royal Guard is...but I do know that I need to go in."
"What is your business in Garrior?" the armored man asked, "if you need to enter, you must have a reason to. And that is what I must know." Esi sighed.
"My business is my own," she replied.
"Not to the King of Garrior's Royal Guard it is," the man replied.
"Alright then," Esi sighed, "If you must know.... I need to enter because I need to get food and clothing and all other needful things."
"Why?"
"Because I'm traveling! That's why!"
"There is no need to raise your voice, ma'm," he replied.
"Sorry...but you really are quite annoying," Esi answered. as she pushed her long dark hair back over her shoulder. The guard stared at her strangely.
"A well brought up young woman would never raise her voice to a man...or even talk to one the way you are talking to me," the guard stated. Esi raised her dark eyebrows.
"Ah yes. Well...I'm not a well brought up woman. And I can speak to whomever I want however I want to speak to them. Now would you please let me through?" Esi asked as kindly as she could.
"I suppose. But only after you tell me where you are going. You don't look to much like a bandit to me," the guard replied.
"Thank you. I am going anywhere my feet will bring me. I am trying to escape a---an unreasonable marriage." Esi replied, her smile beaming upon her dark face. The guard nodded.
"We see a lot of that. Many young women...even girls that are escaping from their planned marriages. My sister tried to run away--but then she realized what a great man her fiancé was. They had a great wedding...a few kids came along with it...and then they lived happily ever..."
"Yes, I understand," she interrupted, "and I hope they continue to live well, but..."
"Actually," the guard stopped her, "her husband died. A few weeks ago...but then she married another man....Quite a nice guy..."
"Yes, well I hope they have a nice life. Now will you please let me through?" Esi begged.
"I suppose. But I must warn you that there are many strange beings about...at this time of the year," the guard continued as he began to turn the wheel holding the gate closed to open it for Esi, "It's the trading season. Merchants and gypsies about. So...try to stay away from some of the ones that look a bit suspicious. We've had a few cases of murders and such. These days, people are getting so bad and criminals roam just about every street. Soon we'll be surrounded by them and then we'll have no where to go to escape them. It's such a crazy world." And as the guard continued to warn Esi and explain about the bad times there are, Esi stood about eagerly to enter and fill her empty belly with all of the many kinds of food there were just awaiting for her to come and buy them.
And after a while of talking with the guard and waiting for him to open the gate, it was finally opened and Esi hastily bid a kind farewell to the armored King of Garrior's Royal Guard. He gladly bid a kind farewell to her and explained, "Remember that for you to leave the gates, you must travel to the far east of the kingdom and exit through that gate." She only sighed thinking of the walk she would have to make just to exit the kingdom.
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