Myranda, found a half decent spot nestled alongside the wall and after her devotions was quickly asleep. The night and following day would bring with it what the Sisters would provide.

Cassie finished with her throwing daggers, then moved to her hip dagger.  Only then did she set the bandolier aside, slip off her belt, laid it with the sword and the dagger next to her (along with her bow) and laid down to sleep.  Much to her surprise, despite being with relative strangers, she fell asleep immediately.

Being dutifully careful Justin took the first watch, during which he mentally noted the frequency and coverage of the four man foot patrols, along with the positioning of adjacent merchant groups. These details He determined to pass on this information to the next one on watch, when he woke them two hours later.
This message was last edited by the player at 11:54, Sun 28 Jan 2018.

Kr'wyn takes the second watch and listens to Justins observations. When time has ocme, he wakes Haildas for his watch.

..The Night  goes  by slowly.  Guard  Passing,  but at random intervals a single , less armored, guard could be seen slipping through the camps.

 Finally as the   Sun rises   over the north east.. Horns Blare from the walls...Yhe Massive river  Gates  begin to Open.. the small isle in front of the Gat is  easier to see with  small  ballista and catapults and   small , single masted   ships  for  chasing down and/or  boarding ships for inspection.

   An Officer   rides  down the  road , where the   check point is, he repeats the same  message   a few times  as he travels the lenght of those who were left outside.

  Make ready to Move... those who have  paid the overnight search fee may enter... all others   enter  according to your place in line...

  The Side they were on were  began to move   pretty quickly, as  the Guards  simply  marked thier names  and  time of entry...and, what company they  were marked for...

Rising when woken for her watch Myranda, stirs the others five minutes before sunrise, greeting each as she did, allowing them to breakfast and be ready for the gate to open. When the word is given she moves back to the line as required.

Cassie had awakened before the others, as was her habit.  She silently greeted Myranda, then moved off to the edge of the firelight.  There, she went through a series of exercises, stretches and other movements, clearly a daily routine to strengthen and stretch her limbs and muscles.  It was almost like a form of dance, and something that seemed to take all of her attention.

Once they are all awake, she very gratefully took part in breakfast, then packed her things to join them on their way to the city.

She slowed as the orders were give.  "Search fee?  I... I don't understand.  What do they mean, that if we do not pay this fee, we will be searched?"

In reply to Cassandra (msg # 638):

Nay Missie Cassie, Unless there be a new tax I presume the search fee be a tariff applied to yon Merchantiles for goods. explained Justin as the line of visitors began moving again allowing the quintet to progress, yard by yard until they found themselves at the checkpoint.
This message was last edited by the player at 03:30, Mon 29 Jan 2018.

  There was a Middle aged Human  with Corporal stripes   sat in the Booth with a Ledger.

  He  droned on, ( an hour  since the gates opened)....Company Name... Names of  thosewho belong....If no Company.. name and City, or tribe..or Clan...

 A Youngest Dwarf  with a halberd stood   by the  Crossing arm. A Half  orc   would Push down on the Arm to allow  folsk through once they were  cleared.

  From where they tood  that could see wagons  and Carts and Horsemen  moving in  and out of the GAte.. while  people on foot  were permitted to   take the  faster  pathways ( both in and Out)

   from the large Gates.. the  Metal Doos   looked  like  , most other city's walls.. a view of Ironmound could be see  as 100's of people  flowed through.. and the  Stro River glistens  as it mades its  way to the far  River Gate.

 The  Mound of Ironmound count barely be seen... from where they were.. columns  of  Thick smoke  rose in the air from the Ship yards  and other places of Business.

The teenager breathed a sigh of relief.  "Oh, thank the Gods!  I ain't lettin' no man put his hands on me.  Never again."

So saying, she tightened her pack and followed the others.

In reply to ironmound (msg # 640):

Lustin gave the guardsmen a professional nod of acknowledgement as he stepped forward. Good morrow to Thee Corporal We four be of the Crimson Arrows consisting of Miss Myranda of the Glen, Messers Haildas anst Krwyn, One beith Justin Havslane. he informed indicating the Arrows then adding This Fair Elf be Cassandra. leaving any further comment for Cassi to offer.

"Half Elf," she corrected.  "And just Cassandra.  No other title.  And I'm with them."

In reply to Cassandra (msg # 643):

Justin gave Cassandra a fixed look. As thee whilst Missy Cassi. he replied with a nod My appologies Corporal; We made the acquaintance of yon Half Elf Half ? he amended waiting for her to clarify her racial aspects before continuing

She frowned.  "Half Elf, as in half breed, or one parent was elf, one was human, whoever they were.  I guess you could say human-elf or elf-human."

Myranda noted Cassie's annoyance, and was about to suggest she go with the one she feel a greater affinity too, but decided not to after all They'd just met and Cassi's choices and outlook had nothing to do with her.

  The Guard  Looked at Justin  as he mentioned the 4..but has  simply said , Cassie was  with them.

 The Young dwarf looked hard at them, and the Corp, said to the Dwarf...Gop to the other   Shed and ask them  for  thier Company Ledger...

 The Dwarf looked up  and  the  fellow , but simply nodded  and  went across the  Road to the   merchant's check point.

 The  Corp then looked over  the edge of his  booth to Justin, and his eyes shifted to Cassie,.Look..its  early..and with   any damn luck in the world the lines might be gone  by evening fest....Now?  when the Lad  Gets  back with the Ledger.. i will tell him i found mine...But when i open that ledger... the young one  there has to be in your Company...or she'll have to go thropugh the 'loner ' processing......it will take her  another  hour  or so to get in...but  it'll go bad for her if she's picked up for something without a company to stand for her.

 he takes  a look at the  dwarf that seems to be in a debate  with the other checkpoint  officer. His attention is shifted  to CAssie...now?  Little Miss. In the Loner Processing your  goods  will be searched  for  items listed  as stolen..and  they'll have to check wanted posters and descriptions...but... you may get lucky and a Company might have a recuriter there...or.. you  can get signed up for the River Guard...the navy..or the Town watch..but if you get in trouble... if you are in the wrong place at the wrong time.. you could end up in the arena...

 The  Young Dwarf  is  hustling over  with   the Other Ledger.....Neverminnd!.. I found mine!...

 The young Dwarf  stopped, clearly  frustrated..and turns   with the  ledger to take it back to the other officer.

Justin acknowledged the Corporals statement with a nod then glanced at Cassandra. One can'st brief Thee about the Arrows Terms if Thee be interested however it be Thy Choice.

To be sure, Cassie wasn't she understood everything that was said.  But as the man explained, her cockiness faded, as did the color in her face.  She unknowingly took a step or two back, bumping into Myranda, holding up her hands as if to ward off the tribulations promised in the regulations.

"I... I am with you. No matter what."  She looked around.  "Please, tell them?"  The cocky voice was gone, replaced by one filled with fear.
This message was last edited by the player at 15:04, Mon 29 Jan 2018.

  The fellow looked at the  young dwarf that was trying to hurry back. His eyes shifted from Cassie to Justin.

  He Pulled out the Ledger, and  gave  Justin a questioning look.

In reply to Cassandra (msg # 649):

Justin produced a tin from his hip pouch opened it to reveal a handful of crimson pins. Quickly providing a brief of the terms and conditions for the Company he held out the tin for Cassandra to select a pin that she'd would wear.

Brief
As Arrows, you wear the Arrow proudly. Should the  time Come, you wish to not be considered an Arrow, please ...send, or bring the Pin back to Reedrick at The Plank... Most of the Pins have been worn, by many an Arrow. Some Arrows have died in Battle, Some had retired from the fight... but each time a new person, takes up a pin, those  people get to fight..a little longer.....should  an arrow be lost, and the Pin not reclaimed... then the whol 'line' of that Pin, rests in peace
The Crimson Arrows are a Mercneary Compmay, who's principal goal is to exterminate  any slavers, Bandits and Cursed Red Isle Halflings we meet...any foes of Ironmound, are foes of the Razorhawks, inturn, it makes them foes of The Arrows as well...We are not out here to 'save them'..nor 're-educate them'... we are here to kill them collect the bounties, and make certain, they never ruin another life again.

ooc Cassandra, I hope you aren't overly concerned by what is happening here; I'm responding to the Posts as they appear. Which have all the aspects of Press ganged into service.
This message was last edited by the player at 20:21, Mon 29 Jan 2018.

Cassandra looked at the pin.  Everyone could see a thousand thoughts go through mind as she considered both the responsibility, the requirement that she join a group (which was difficult for a loner), the consequences if she denied it...

And then she looked at the men and women she had chosen, who had not questioned her, had not belittled her, had not judged her...

She reached for a pin.  "I accept, and gladly become an Arrow, to do all I can to aid and give... and give justice.  With my life."

She looked up at Justin, hoping he accepted.

OOC: No problem, Cassie is a handful no matter what. :)

Giving Cassandra a smile and nod giving her shoulder a friendly pat, as one does a comrade in arms. Hurrumph... Pray excuse my error Corporal One apparently still be fatigued by the journey here anst the lack of correct sleep this night past. Did One say there be four Crimson Arrows, When'st there be the Five of us.

  The  Dwarf  made it Back as   the  Corp turned the ledger  to him,..dipped  the  pen in ink and says,..Please Make the Corrections I may have.... messed up the names....

  Justin sees the  Pages   devoted  to  Arrows.. many of them are lined out with a  small skull net to the name... some have X's which means   they do not know...

  there are a few new  Names.. including  some of the last folks to join them

Kr'wyn grins as he witnesses the exchange between Justin and the grizzled veteran corporal, both trying to give the newfound addition to their group a safe way to enter the city without showing it to much.

In reply to ironmound (msg # 654):

Justin promptly complied, by providing the name Cassandra. Justin took the opportunity to look at the list of names, noting any additions or deletions he hasn't seen. Justin informs the Corporal what he heard about Javal, suggesting the fellow be marked as unknown.
This message was last edited by the player at 23:38, Mon 29 Jan 2018.