Gryffen leans over to Ophelia and whispers, "Psst. Who has the stolen items?"

Ophelia

"I might have them on my person...", the half-elf says quietly, directing her wagon forward alongside the halfling's.  "Keep your wits about you if we get searched."

Gryffen nods in response. "You ever play 'Keep Away' as a child?"

Ophelia

"All the time", she grins, "but funnily enough, never with such high stakes."

The city looms closer with every hour travelled, the caravan makes good time and it is clear they will reach Ameni sometime around dusk. Caleo and Damrys keep themsevels to themselves generally, the former staying near Alson near the front of the procession and the latter roaming about the edges of the group.  When Caleo drops back to speak to Damrys about an hours travel from the city Alson leans over to Kai and Gideon who have stayed near him at his instruction and says "If you stick with me I doubt anyone will trouble you, they will probably not have anybody search the guards, but they will search the caravans, we owe those other drivers and traders nothing, if they are trying to bring in anything that causes them problems they are not our problem the second we get to that checkpoint so do not put yourselves in danger for them.  I don't know how much you know about Ameni but it is a rough place, you often don't get two chances so powerful as you both are, please exercise restraint if necessary." He looks back at the caravan spread out behind him. "Speak to as many of the drivers as you can and repeat the message about being on their best behaviour, many have been here before, but it doesn't hurt to remind them."

As the two ride back to share the message the Vipers return to the front instructing Alson to make a slight diversion from the path - the whole caravan moves off the road onto what seems to be a fresh track leading not to the gateway but a small section of the wall that appears damaged.  Several midnight blue clad soldiers wait outside glaives held at the ready, breastplates shining in the dying sun.  A small group of guards wearing a different uniform, this one crimson, come out from the main gate looking as if they are making for the caravan but Caleo and Damrys ride out between and a tense moment ensues as the whole caravan waits to see if something is about to happen, eventually after some conversation amongst themselves the crimson wearing guards turn and head back to their gate, one of them gesturing rudely which only serves to make the two Vipers chuckle before rejoining the caravan.

The whole caravan is then stopped just outside the gate and the party have time to see that the walls have been deliberately opened up here, the three foot thick stone wall creating a large doorway  through which one caravan can easily pass at a time.  One by one the caravans are expected to pass through for inspection. Alson immediately moves to speak to the soldier supervising the process, clearly planning to ask what is going to happen.

OOC - To speed tings up I've skipped past Kai and Gideon speaking to all the drivers but you can now add in any conversations about who is doing what in regards to carrying things, if you are content to leave things as they are in the PM chat then fine, this evening I will come back to this and start the "customs" check.

Kai looks around in amazement - this being the second largest city he has seen. He turns to the Gideon and mutters "not sure I'd be cutting a hole in the wall. Could making defending the place a bit harder than it should be, if they ever need to!"

Grant's post made me think I didn't take the opportunity to describe the sight of Ameni properly so here goes.

As the caravan closes on the city they can all see the wall of the city as it looms ahead.  Twenty five feet high it creates a solid line of defence for the city from land. they can see they are heading towards a large gate, double doored, although only one is currently open each ten feet wide and nearly twenty high, they look very impressive from a distance.  The stone work is all a very dark grey, clearly a local stone, and either side of the gate two large banners hang down, one the Imperial Dragon, a white background and a golden dragon head, the other a crimson background with a white tower and three white balls above it, the heraldry of Ameni.

Beyond the wall the party see several buildings which stand above the line of the wall, one appears to be a tower very much in the style of Dzendalin, an indication that the empire controls here.  The other two buildings are less obvious in their function, one is shaped like a blade rising inot the sky the other a very large blocky building of little aesthetic value.  from their position they can also see that there is a hill somewhere in the centre of the city as further back from the wall they can see a whole district in the distance, although they cannot make out any details one could summise that an area which commanded views like these must surely do must be  owned by those with a more privileged status.

Kai continues to speak in an aside to Gideon "I think that the actual ownership of this city might be in contention. We'll need to keep our wits about us!"

Leaning across his saddle " Agreed, although with the talents available within our group it could be used to our advantage" 

Ophelia

As Kai and Gideon approach on horseback, Ophelia beckons them over, nodding to the gap in the wall.  "Interesting setup, I love what they've done with the place.  Any tips for getting through unscathed?", she says, patting the pouch concealed within her leather armour.

The caravan begins to make it's way through the "gateway" the first caravan to go through is one of Alson's, although not the one he is sitting in currently. Several guards are nearby and a pair of unarmoured men jump up and quickly go through the wagon, looking over the items, they show little interest in delving too deeply and are waved through after the driver is told something by the guard and then he replies pointing at Alson "These all yours?" The guard calls out to Alson who explains it is only the first three, the next two wagons, also his are quickly searched and then he is approached by the same guard who speaks in a quiet voice with the caravan master who responds in kind before the party see him hand over a small bag and then move through.  As he goes, he calls out "Guards follow me, quickly, we head for the Journey' End Tavern". The Chief and the other guards all move to follow.

Kai and Gideon, do you follow?  Ophelia's wagon is two away from being looked over, Gryffen's is directly behind hers, Zsena is behind him, the old man Ophelia befriended, using a fabricated identiy is fairly near the back, about four places behind Zsena.    

Kai quickly mutters something under his breath and his horse seems to go lame "drat it" he says as he dismounts. He calls out to the Captain "I think my horse has picked up a stone, I'll be along shortly!"

"Find us at the tavern elf, if you want to get paid that is!" Alson laughs as he rides off with a wave to Kai as he does.

Pulling the reigns Gideon stops  "Don't worry" he says to Alson "I'll make sure we get paid" Cantering slowly forward the Paladin turns in a wide arc before stopping Infront of Kai "we need to take some items onboard, I assume you stopped because you have a plan, or are we improvising?" 

Kai whispers "I wanted to make sure I was around when the others passed through the gate in case there were problems!"

"Let's see how this plays out, if our people look in danger a well placed coin could ease our passing here" he suggests in response. Gideon waits for Kai to remount before taking a position at his side to monitor proceedings. 

The wagons between Ophelia and the guards move through, there is a little grumbling from the drivers, the searches don't take long adn a little haggling can be seen as well.

As Ophelia is waved forward a guard beckons for her to come down ad greets her politely "Ma'am if you wouldn't mind the men will take a quick look over your goods and then assess the tax due. Payment up front and you are welcome to enter the city." He smiles pleasantly as he delivers his well-rehearsed lines. Assuming Ophelia does nothing to stop them two men jump up and move into the wagon emerging a minute later calling out "Leatherwork, I'd say 10." He jumps down next to Ophelia and smiles at her "Well maybe eight if you're feeling kind" he adds with a wink. The guard waits expectantly for the money, smiling at the other man's assessment. 

Ophelia

The half-elf tosses a small pouch with ten gold coins to the guard, and gives him her best smile.  "You are far too kind, sir.  Perhaps if you were to tell me where fine gentlemen such as yourselves drink in the evening, you can use the extra two gold to buy my drinks..."

"Well, we'll be in the Red Drake, no doubt after our shift, it's on Cryer's Street, ask around." The guard nods and waves Ophelia through "See you around milady" He calls as she moves away.  He turns to Gryffen and waves him forward, the group going through the same drill as with Ophelia, if Gryffen doesn't object in any way he is asked for 12 gold as they finish the search.

If Gryffen agrees to pay do you all leave or do you do anything else?

Gryffen sighs. "I have but 10 gold to my name. Will that suffice? Perhaps I can make up the difference with some fine wooden toys for your children or nieces and nephews...or both."

Persuasion: 4

Seeing they are unconvinced, he looks over to Kai. "Good man," he says. "Have you two gold I can borrow? Or perhaps you would buy a few toys for your family?"