Rhiann, Iyaca, Captain Donovan, Commandant Longbeard, and Archer Dibbit walked among the Castellan’s deputies. Rhiann felt a subtle tug on his cape. Unmistakable pleasant pheromones besieged his senses. Maranna was near. Touching him did not betray her invisibility. Innate abilities differed from spells. Had she been made invisible by a sorcerer, her action may well have exposed her. Suddenly one of the deputies went sprawling. His armor and weapons clanked loudly. His curses filled the air. His comrades laughed and one commented something along the line of “two left feet.” The Gnomes fought back laughter. Then another deputy stopped laughing and stared off idly into space. His colleagues started shaking him, but the hulking centurion did not respond.
In the confusion Maranna whispered in Rhiann’s ear, “I only gave him a little kiss. He’ll probably come around in a couple of days.”
Rhiann, Iyaca, and the three Gnomes made their way on to the massive outer curtain. Donovan received many greetings along the way. The Gnomish Captain had made many friends and helped many outer warders with tasks during his short tenure in Thynna. Two deputies caught up with the small party. Sergeant Redbrick met them at the gate and returned their weapons. One of the deputies started to object. Suddenly he stopped talking, smiled, and stared off idly into space. His comrade began shaking him. Sergeant Redbrick gave Donovan a vigorous handshake and slap on the back. Redbrick then opened the gate. Rhiann and Iyaca stood by Redbrick as the Gnomes exited.
The new gatehouse clerk who called himself John Money stood just outside the gate and said facetiously, “Sorry to see you leave, boys. Be sure to turn in your temporary papers. Remember you’ll have to see me to get papers to enter the city in the future. I’m scrutinizing all visitors. Oh my. Young Rhiann Klarje. Are you harboring an undocumented visitor? That’s a punishable offense! You’ll have to go before the Council. He must…”
Suddenly the tall man stopped talking, smiled a silly smile, and smiled off idly into face.
benjamintowe 