The palace had no gates, and was covered with ornamental stone work.The palace had no gates, and was covered with ornamental stone work. Jessica scoffed silently. Dark Hold, although impressive, was not quite impregnable. This palace, on the other hand, seemed to be built to aid the entry of thieves. They pulled into the courtyard and brought the wagon to a stop. A guard stepped out of the gatehouse, buckling his sword around his waist as he exited. Inside, Jess noted two more leaning nonchalantly against a wall, with no weapons visible anywhere near them, regarding her with only casual interest. Years of peace had made Tavect's soldiery soft and complacent, it seemed, while the size of the military remained the most impressive in the region. As the lone guard approached, Jess suddenly focused her full attention on him; she recognized him from somewhere. The reference was obscure and distant and she could not place him, but she never forgot a face. She knew him, just as the tingling down her spine warned her that he was out of place here and something was subtly wrong. She eyed him suspiciously, then quickly averted her gaze to avoid staring and drawing attention to herself. There was the chance he would recognize her first, and do a better job of placing a name and occupation with the face. For once, she was glad she had left her trademark belt of coins back at the Inn of the Hippogriff's Egg in Lupa. The proprietor had been paid well to guard it. Should the guard manage to identify her, she and Janesse would be leaving Tavect sooner than expected. "Name and business, please," he requested, stopping before the cart and scrutinizing it and the occupants, letting his glance linger longer than necessary on Janesse's attractive features. "My name, sahr, is Virna Minkoil and this is my sister, Virsha. We have traveled far to see if any of our meager wares might interest your glorious princess," Janesse whined ingratiatingly in a northern accent, while taking quick notice of her mother's stealthy hand signal for danger out of the corner of her eye. The people north of Tavect on the river were trappers and hunters. |