Gate of the Citadel [POST HERE FIRST]

The Citadel Guard, clearly far better trained and equipped than the soldiers they met at the river crossing, stood to attention. Their officer, who held the rank of Gatekeeper, came out from a small office from behind the Citadel walls and made his way up to Aia and her shield-sisters.

"You wish entry, hm? Well, you may feel free to enter. We can't accommodate all of you right now, as we currently have another large party, but you can bring a couple of soldiers to act as your personal guard. Enter the Citadel through this gate, then make your way to the central keep and then to the main hall. Lord Ildesias is currently there in an audience with other refugees, and should hear your questions immediately."

Strike-Fist had accompanied the clothing of one of the Free City's civilians on it's outskirts. There wasn't much to be noted except that he caught someone his size wandering too far from society. What might be found somewhere was a piece of tissue from being sliced to hundreds of pieces for the wolves to feast on. No blade would be found on Strike-Fist, which was yet another reason to avoid suspicion.

With a slight wave at the guards, Strike-Fist kept moving with the crowd. He was hoping to slide in without hesitation, as he did his best to blend in by using clothing and a nonchalant attitude. If he could, he'd wander through the Citadel, 'exploring' it if anyone asked.

Ildesias rode through on a white horse, stopping just outside the Citadel Gates with thirty mounted horsemen following behind him. It wasn't the most significant force, but several advisers had all but forced Ildesias to take a guard larger than he would have liked. There was no telling how many bandits, or criminals, might try to kill him when he left the safety of the city. As such, the mounted guard each were medium-armoured and were equipped with cavalry swords and shields, with one in every five men also holding a long, spear-like flagpole with The Free City standard flying.

"We are ready to ride," he told them.

"Perhaps. Still, it's better to be safe than sorry. My arm is still injured, after all, and I would rather avoid using it if at all possible. Anyway! Lead on. I'll be right behind you," Ildesias spoke, as his men entered a column.

Ildesias rode out, following with earnest.

Levi would wander out and see the centurion, recognizing he was one that was with the princess. He hailed the centurion with cheer, "You, soldier. Where has the princess gone? I got carried away mingling and she seems to have wandered off somewhere."

"Oh no... that really doesn't sound good. We can't afford to get into any fights right now when we're on a diplomatic mission." Levi folded his arms and put on a serious expression. "Ildesias went with a Phoenix State representative actually to look at some fort. From what I gathered, they are in some sort of cooperation agreement and they share ownership of a fort to the south."

Levi began walking, "Where are the Solarians? I need to go get Nyx now and maybe prevent a scuffle."

Nyx arrived at the gate of the Citadel. She was embarassed, angry, sorry and generally agitated by the events that played out earlier. She spoke to the guardsmen, "I would wait for the lord inside."

She looked at the man with suspicion but before he could touch her hand a loud boom echoed from the southeast. She looked in the direction of the sound. "The refugees!" She all but ignored the man who tried to approach her and took off toward the southeast.

<exit to Solarian Refugee Camp>