Chapter Seven

Fostering sympathy for armed guards…

Seymour took a deep breath as he approached the gate. Just as he had planned, Lady Yuna's group was first to arrive, and were stopped there. Despite himself, a smile crept over his face as the young woman regarded him. "Lady Yuna?" he said, feigning surprise like he had rehearsed, "It is nice to finally meet you, though you seem troubled."

"Well…" the summoner hesitated, her gaze unconsciously moving to the gate.

"Yes, of course, I understand." Seymour walked to the guard posted there without another word.

"Maester Seymour!" the guard saluted, "Please, this way to Mushroom Rock."

"Just a minute." Seymour said, halting the guard in mid turn, "I have a request. The summoner behind me and her guardians, I would like them escorted to the command center, if that is not too much trouble."

"But…but Maester," the guard protested, "I have express orders from Maester Kinoc that no…"

"With all due respect," Seymour interrupted, masterfully hiding his irritation, "I gave you an order as well. All I ask is that you let them through, no one else." He raised his finger to stem the sentry's further arguments, "Trust me, I will take care…of everything."

The guard hesitated, then saluted and stood aside without another word, "It is done, friends." Yuna bowed in respect, but the Maester's attention was pulled away by one of the guardians, a young blond man scowling at him. Seymour smiled wider, assuming that stare was one of jealousy, and turned to silently saunter off the Highroad. Yuna's cadre followed close behind, unaware of the third group that marched from the Oldroad.

"Ooooooohhhhh… E ys payd!" Zafam complained, though only Arthas showed a hint of sympathy, being the only one who understood her.

"Jonas," he said, "Do ya think we could slow down at some point? Zafam's getting tired, and so am I."

Jonas was admittedly tired himself, "We'll find somewhere to rest after we get past the checkpoint."

Sain pulled ahead, "Well then, let's get past the checkpoint. The sooner the better, I guess." He approached the guard, "Please stand aside, my good man. We're a summoner's party."

"Sorry kid, no one's allowed past here except the Crusaders."

"You're kidding!" Sain raised an eyebrow, "You just allowed a summoner and her guardians past you. You can't honestly tell me that wasn't."

The guard shook his head, "That was an exception. Look, don't make this any harder for me, kid. I've had to deal with every belly-achin' summoner and their grandma, I've been getting orders that conflict each other… Listen, normal travel through this road will resume after we're done with the Operation up ahead. Now step aside before I lose whatever's left of my patience with you."

Sain walked back to the group, livid, "That stupid guard's got the way blocked, and now no one can get through. No one except that special group of course!"

Zafam's eyes widened, "Aaaaaahhh! Hud kuut! Hud kuut!"

Arthas tried to calm her down, "Fryd? Fryd ec hud kuut?"

A few minutes of frantic chattering ensued. Sain and Jonas exchanged glances as Arthas' face in turn grew more concerned.

"Well?" Sain asked when Arthas turned to face them.

"She says she's got a 'feeling'." He explained.

"A 'feeling'?" Both wizard and summoner said at once.

"Yea, don't ask me, but she says she thinks something bad's gonna happen just ahead. She says that she has been able to sense danger when it comes, and she's worried 'cause so many people are over there."

"Able to sense danger, huh?" Sain remarked with incredulence, "Yes, it's done her so much good up until now, especially with that fiend." Arthas winced, glad that the woman behind her couldn't understand. Sain sighed, "So what are we going to do about it Jonas? Given the circumstances, I'd rather enjoy annoying that guard to get past him."

Jonas thought it over for a while, partially dreading what he was about to say next. "We can't just stay here if people are in trouble. Still, unless we can get past the guard without starting too much, we're out of luck."

Sain smiled evilly, "Leave the guard to me guys."

V

The guard sneered, "What is it this time, kid?" he spat to Sain as he began to approach again, "I ain't letting ya pass, so you'd better not…"

"Peace," Sain began, trying to placate the older man, "I just wished to apologize for my callous behavior earlier. Also, I was wondering if you could help settle a little argument myself and my friends here were having."

"An argument?" The irate vigil replied, "It ain't my job to settle measly squabbles. Get out of my face before I am forced to remove you myself."

"Peace!" Sain repeated, hands held in a dismissive gesture, "I assure you it won't take too much of your time, and I'm sure I can make it worth the trouble." Without further delay, he reached for a bag of Gil and held it in front of the guard. He simply responded by pushing the wizard's hand aside and saying, "Keep your money and make it quick, kid."

Sain nodded, secretly glad he hadn't looked into the sack. He tucked his spell components away and continued. "Well, you see…" he began, "During our travels, some colleagues of mine found a most unusual glyph." He knelt to the ground and began etching it in the dirt, explaining, "I told them that the glyph must stand for some kind of ancient city, but they insist that is must be related to a feind." He stood from his crude work, the symbol for water on the ground, "What do you think?"

Sain wasted no time. While the guard bent down to examine the glyph, Sain recited a low key version of a spell. At his command, the nearby brush went into light. Convincing acting did the rest, "Sir!" he called out, "There is a fire! Over there in the bushes!"

The Crusader spun about, cursing and stamping at the flames. Sain took action too, the second cantrip already flying from his lips. His foot unconsciously slid to the drawn glyph, which reacted to the spell, and soon that same brush, as well as the poor Crusader, was doused in water. Of course, while this was happening, the other three had made a quick rush into the gate. Sain ran too before the unfortunate guard had a chance to recover.

"Hey! Get back here, you rotten kids!" The guard chased them for a short while, but eventually stopped, "I don't get paid enough for this…" he grumbled as he shuffled back to his post.