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''Okay, okay, just get us to the marketplace.'' Your wiggling around just motivates Shigeko to tighten her grip. You won't be walking until she calms down.
''Let's find the militia headquarters! For all we know, a riot might erupt!'' Your direction is exactly what your blue friend needs as she takes off running at a steadier pace instead of rushing through streets without a plan.
--
The sun has almost completely disappeared behind the horizon when you find your destination. A large mansion fortress surrounded by a shoulder-length wall and outside barracks to house far more men than are currently available. A single middle-aged man sits near the gate, garbed in the usual chainmail with the lightning-horned ram beige tabard of the city watch.
''I need to report a serious crime, preferably to your commander!''
He lazily takes his eyes away from his book as he looks at you, then straightens himself upon seeing your ears.
''You're in luck, he's in the training yard right now.''
His gaze briefly strays to Shigeko standing behind you, but he makes no remark and walks away to let you both in. The big yard of the militia is a busy little hive of activity, but the space is far too much for the number of men present. Around fifty tabard-wearing young men are dueling under the stern gaze of a familiar mountainous older man, and that's all the activity you can see outside, servants coming and going out of the barracks or main manor.
''<span class="mu-s">One last for the day, come on you lazy bums!</span>''
A booming voice fitting for the giant of a man a hundred walks away, almost makes you wince. You remember him well indeed. With Shigeko close behind, you jog near the big man.
''Mysir!'' You call to his back. <span class="mu-i">Gods above the stature of him! He's just as big as Shigeko!</span>
He turns like a moving stone, his bald head and naked chin emphasize his hairy brown eyebrows and prodigious mustache, and after a second of looking at you and Shigeko in curious suspicion, his face splits in a wide grin.
''If it isn't the newly arrived young lady-elf! Always in prodigious company, I see! This is your second week here now, yes?''
<span class="mu-i">Huh? What? No, or is it?</span>
He nods to Shigeko, who politely returns the gesture.
''You... You're the city watch commander?'' You can't help but ask. This is the man who gave you and your mom a helping hand during your first day in Eichenwald.
''Ayup.'' He winks. ''Tis my belief that doing grunt work once every few moons is important; older men have this tendency to forget perspectives.''
<span class="mu-i">He kinda makes me think of a friendly grandpa, but he's way too big a man for that.</span>
''Mysir, I need to report an incident.''
His demeanor turns serious as you speak.
''Those boar-headed mercenaries tried to imprison me not even an hour ago for the supposed crimes of my parents extracting Shigeko here.'' You gesture to your blue friend. ''And the mothgirl Seyraphal out of the village that kept abusing them.''
