The low down on Highport

We made it to Highport. It wasn't easy, but it could have turned out really bad.

After one day of quiet traveling, we encountered patrol after patrol. Groups of orcs led by humans wandered the roads.

"Unusual," Marc said. "Orcs would not be willingly led by a mere human."

"Me neither," Anna said, winking at me.

We watched the first patrol from the woods. They moved in formation, but they didn't appear to be looking for anything in particular (but who can really tell, it's just a patrol). You'd think they'd keep an eye out on the surrounding woods if they were expecting trouble. The fact that they haven't probably means these are just random patrols.

Or so I hope.

We continued our trek through the woods, and we encountered five more patrols. All of them consisting of orcs and led by one or more humans.

Highport is right along the coast, some five miles from the tree line. The ground in between the trees to the city is flat. Approaching across country during the day would be bad news, unless we blend in with the numerous caravans going back and forth. The problem is we don't know these people and Highport being the "wretched hive of scum and villainy" that it is we can't risk trusting those people. Night is the best bet.

"After midnight would be the best," Saul said. "Anna and I will probably see the orcs before they see us."

"And when we get into the city, then what?" Audry asked. "We don't know where to go or who to talk to."

"Or who to trust," I said.

"We trust no one," Saul said.

"Same as always," Anna said. "We need to look the part. You two," she pointed at Saul and I, "are the muscle."

"I'll be the merchant, I suppose," Marc said.

"And we'll be, what?" Audry asked. "Not slaves."

"No, no," Anna said. "Someone'll try to buy us and then get curious when we're not for sale."

"Audry, I guess you'll be Marc's wife," I said.

Audry raised an eyebrow. "I beg your pardon?"

"Don't be like that, dear," Marc said. "What would the kids think?"

"More importantly," Saul said, "what would everyone else think." He looked at me. "They make a cute couple."

"Very well," Audry said, exasperated. "And Anna?"

"The servant, of course," Marc said. "Every well-to-do merchant needs one."

Anna opened her mouth to retort, but stopped herself. "Okay, you're right. I'm the comely servant."

"Who said anything about comely?" Saul said. He laughed as Anna punched him in the arm.

So that's the plan. For a moment I wondered how well it would work, but the more I think about it the more plausible it seems. On Earth there'd be cameras to worry about, not to mention computer records of purchases and so forth. There's none of that here. They can watch the main gates (which is why we are sneaking in), but once inside it'll be hard to spot us.

Getting the disguises is another matter. One of us will have to dress up and go out to pick up the appropriate costumes while the rest of us hide somewhere. Well, all plans have their wrinkles.

For now, I'm going to try and get some rest. It could be a long day, if we're lucky. If it's a short one than it means we screwed up big time.