Snippet #800725

The city slowly came into view over the horizon the castle seemed to gleam in the rising sun. Even though it was only dawn the tow was still filled with activity with people scurrying here and there, merchants preparing their stalls for the day to come, guards patrolling the streets and children playing in the alleys. Raos made his way into the town, he was cautious even though his mother had told him that Crix was one of the more accepting kingdoms when it came to the other races, but still yet he was weary of the people and did not tarry long in the outskirts of town. Hunger began to take hold of him as his stomach grumbled and growled he had not eaten at all since leaving home last night. All things considered he arrived quicker than he expected .

Stopping at a meat stall that had already opened a leg of lamb that was hanging on display caught his attention. The stall keeper looked Raos over with a strange look on his face on of fear or possibly curiosity he didn't know. “How much for this?” Raos asked pointing at the leg. The man stood there not answering for a few seconds as if he was mesmerized. “Umm.... ahhh... Two G-Gold pieces.” he said stumbling over his words. He reach into the pouch at his side and produced the 2 requested gold pieces and handed them to the man, and then proceeded to take the meat of the hook himself and walked away food in hand. The man let out a sigh of relief after Raos walked away sweat running down his brow.

Raos had found one of the fliers his mother had mentioned. “So it's being held in the arena is it. Strange place to recruit for an army.” He thought to himself the meat in his hand almost stripped to the bone. “I suppose I should finish this and head there.” he said looking at leg that he had almost completely devoured. Just then he heard a whimpering in the alley behind him and out of the shadow came dog sniffing around it was nothing but skin and bones. The dog look up at him and more importantly the food in his hands he let out a heavy sigh as he gazed upon the dog and threw the bone at it's feet. “ I hope you appreciate it.” he said before turning and walking away.

After wandering around for awhile and asking a couple of guards for directions he finally arrived at the arena many guards were posted around especially the entrance where a huge line was flowing out of. “Other applicants I assume, but just to make sure...” He said under his breath as he walked to the entrance ahead of the line. When he arrived there was a man almost being dragged out while he was shouting obscenities. He stopped the guard on his way back. “Is this really the place where we are supposed to go to sign up?” He asked with doubt in his voice. The guard looked him over and for some reason smiled. “Yes this is the place here come with me.” the guard bade him to follow and he did, but quickly asked. “What about that line over ...?” before he could finish he was interrupted. “Oh don't worry about them just follow me.” He lead Raos toward the inner part of the arena smiling almost the whole way.