Outside Ize Bay, the line to enter the city stretched on and on.
A small, frail boy and a lame old man stood before the city guards, their faces full of embarrassment and pleading.
"My lord, we really don't have any money..."
They had come in such a hurry that they had forgotten to bring money for the entry tax.
"If you don't have any, get lost." A city guard seized Lame Bob's arm, ready to throw him out.
Little Smo hurried forward to stop him. "Captain, we know a secret!"
"A secret?"
With the guard captain's attention caught, Little Smo spoke loudly enough for the people around them to hear. "On our way here, we ran into a group of ratfolk carrying the Plague. They're heading for Ize Bay!"
The faces in the crowd changed. A city guard kicked Little Smo to the ground, pressed a Long Musket against his chest, and shouted viciously, "Arrest these two lowlifes for spreading panic!"
"I'm not! I'm not! We saw them with our own eyes—"
Bang!
The guard captain swung his Long Musket hard into Little Smo's cheek, knocking him unconscious again.
"Take them to the dungeon!"
The guard captain swept his gaze over the restless crowd, irritation rising in him.
Damn it... It's getting harder and harder to keep this quiet...
As the guards dragged the two refugees toward the dungeon, the honest old man suddenly cried out at the top of his lungs as they passed an intersection. "Children, the Plague is coming! Run!"
Already vexed, the guard captain flew into a rage and struck the old man across the back with his Long Musket.
Lame Bob stumbled and fell, unable to get up. The city guards surged forward and dragged him away like a dead dog in full view