87 The Captains Homecoming (2/2)
Soon, they reached the heavy, ornate oaken gate of southern Puscanacra. In its front stood four well-equipped warriors who spoke to small crowd of ordinary looking commoners, possibly farmers. Just as Corco was about to send a warrior for questioning, Tamaya, once again, did the work for him.
”Go ask the commoners what's going on,” the girl addressed a short, muscular man in brown rags. Most of the emperor's ghosts were dressed simple outside of combat. It had helped them blend into the crowds of Arguna's inner streets. Here again, their common appearance would prove useful in getting honest answers out of the ordinary folk. Despite his experiences over the last few weeks, it was important for Corco to remember that most Yaku people weren't lords or warriors. As he watched the warrior hasten ahead to ask the peasants with the wood-laden oxen at the end of the queue, the king warned himself to remember that. After a bit of thought, he decided to take off his crown and handed it to Tamaya.
”No point in the thing. I'm here as Atau's cousin and Sonco's nephew,” he answered Tama's confused look. By the time the warrior was done with his questioning, their group had reached the end of the queue.
”King Corco, it seems like the city is closed off due to Lord Saqartu's arrival. No one is to be let in,” the warrior said while he kept pace with the group.
”What's your name?” Corco asked in a casual manner.
”Replying to King Corco, this servant is named Quato.” Quato's eyes went large in surprise, before he bowed his head deeply, aware of his rudeness. Corco only smiled in response, something he hoped would make him look lordly.
”It's fine, Quato. Let's see what the warriors at the front have to say on the matter.”
As they passed by the peasants and merchants, they received a few curious, and many suspicious, stares. However, in the end, no one deemed it necessary to talk to them. With the simple cloth most people in their group were sporting, the commoners would have considered them rich merchants at best. No one noticed as their rightful king walked right past them. Once they had reached right in front of the gate, they found the four Saqartu warriors built up with broad stances, scanning over the crowd.
One of the men, wearing a red robe with long sleeves down over his hands, spotted them first and walked towards them, away from his colleagues.
”My apologies, dear visitors. The city will remain closed on this day of mourning. The dead need to be respected.”
”Do you even know who stands before you?!” Tama called with an impish smile on her face. She really seemed to enjoy her role more and more, but Corco would rather avoid the commotion when the commoners found out his identity, so he appeased Tama before he turned to the warrior.
”It's fine. Your loyalty becomes you well. However, this man here is the son of Sonco Cauca Saqartu, and I am Lord Sonco's nephew. As family of the governor, we only wish for entry to pay our respects.”
The warrior seemed not surprised by Corco's identity. Uncomfortable, he looked back to his colleagues, who ignored the crowd and stared at them from a distance.
”This warrior is inconsolable, but that will not be possible. King Corco does not carry the Saqartu name and thus cannot be let inside.”
”Then what about my cousin?” Corco frowned. In response, the warrior pressed his lips together, before he glanced back one more time and gave his shocking answer in a whisper.
”...King Corco, we are under strict, specific instruction to not let Master Atau into the walls. We cannot defy our orders. Please understand our plight.”
”Ahaha, I knew it!” Atau shouted over the crowd, hand already on his axe as his face displayed a dark grin. ”The little one won't even let me see my own father, is that how petty he has grown in seven years? You sure you won't let me through?”
Even under threat of his life, the warrior only took a step back and raised his hands, unarmed.
”Master Atau, please. This warrior has no intention to-”
”Stand aside and let the men pass, these are instructions from my own person.”
Without anyone's notice, the gate had been opened. From the inside had come the graceful figure of a woman. Covered in blue cloth to mourn the death of the governor, she still held onto her posture and the strength in her voice. Though her face was veiled, the gray streaks within the pitch-black hair which escaped from the cloth showed her age. Even with her face hidden, Corco immediately recognized the alto sound, smooth as silk.
”Mother!” Atau called. Sonco's wife, Governess Guanca Ogulno had arrived to prevent a catastrophe, just in time.