The warrior captain nodded and strode to the cart, pulled back the sacking with which it was covered.
"And what have you here? Valuable goods, no doubt, you stole from your dead master?"
"Nay, Noble One. Naught but our common household belongings. Bedding and articles of furniture. Clothing ... utensils for cooking."
The captain, peering into the laden cart, grunted disdainfully and threw back its cover. "The old man speaks truth. The foul cart reeks of rubbish. Very well, old fool, on your way. Report yourself to the guardsman at the Twilight Gate, and show him this pass." He scribbled briefly on something resembling paper, tossed it at Kang. "This will permit you to enter the city. Wait!" A look of cunning stole into the chieftain's eyes. "Of course there is the matter of an entry fee. You have some money?"
Kang answered humbly, "Very little, my lord. Scarce enough to sustain us until we have succeeded in finding employment. Barely five units—"
"Hand it over!" demanded the other harshly. "There are five of you. The entry fee is a unit each. Well, swiftly, slave! Or must I use the lash?"
He fingered almost hopefully the braided whip which dangled at his belt. But docilely Kang withdrew a sweat-stained leather pouch from his garments and handed it to the captain. And without further challenge they stumbled down the road to the entry gate.
Here they were stopped by a sentry, and Kang proffered the captain's note. The sentry read it, Gary thought, almost angrily, and grumbled, "Curse Draliu! I suppose he got what money you had?"
Kang answered meekly, "We had but five units, sir. And that was the entry fee, the captain told us."