"Payment has been made. The transaction is complete." Duke's voice was calm and even. "No additional reward is necessary."
He could also see that this caravan did not have much wealth to spare. The payment they had offered meant little to him.
"This—" Hawk still felt somewhat guilty.
Duke changed the subject. "However, once we enter Goosepeak Fort, there may be some matters I need you to handle for me."
"Yes, yes, sir. Just give the word, and we'll get it done!" The moment Hawk heard that Duke needed their help, he eagerly agreed without even asking what it was.
The caravan finally arrived before Goosepeak Fort's enormous oak gates, studded with iron rivets.
It was already dusk, and the gates would soon close. Soldiers stood guard at the entrance.
A squad of guards clad in gray-brown studded leather armor and armed with spears stopped them. Their captain was broad and sturdy, with a vicious scar across his face. His eyes were as sharp as an eagle's as he scrutinized the travel-worn group.
"Stop! Caravan name and trade permit!" Scarface's voice was harsh, carrying the vigilance and impatience unique to border soldiers.
His gaze swept over the caravan's wagons and the still-shaken workers, carefully observing every detail.
Duke remained seated in the middle carriage and did not show himself, lest he attract unnecessary trouble. Hawk would handle the matter of entering the city; he was already quite experienced at it.
Still, he had not expected entry to be far stricter this time than before. The soldiers wanted to inspect every person and every carriage for suspicious individuals.
Naturally, Hawk did not dare obstruct them. The more he resisted, the more suspicious he would appear. He could only hope they would not deliberately make things difficult.
When they inspected Duke's carriage,