That makes all too much sense … unfortunately. “Under the watchful eyes of the arms-commander or his trusted majer or captains.”
“That smells, too,” declares Kusyl. “Another thing … they’ve got blade-training circles, but they haven’t been used, maybe in years.”
“Not a fighting post.” Fheldar shakes his head.
“In a way, that makes sense,” Lerial says. “It’s in the middle of the city. That’s why most of the Afritan Guard is posted on the north or south side of Swartheld. We’ll see what the Harbor Post looks like in a bit…”
Outside of more details that confirm the impressions of all four, the discussion that follows adds little to Lerial’s understanding and concerns.
Less than three glasses after riding out with Rhamuel, Lerial sends word to Polidaar and Jhacub, the squad leader whom Rhamuel has assigned to head the Afritan Guards serving as the day’s escort for Lerial.
When they both arrive, Lerial addresses Jhacub. “We haven’t seen much of the city. Could we take a longer route back to the palace, perhaps riding by the harbor, the Harbor Post, and the trading area?”
The squad leader grins. “Yes, ser. The arms-commander said you’d be doing that. He said to escort you wherever you needed to go.”
“I hope that won’t inconvenience you or the men. It might add quite some time.”
“No, ser. It’s a good change.” Jhacub pauses. “That’ll likely take a glass. Maybe longer. The men wouldn’t mind that. Is that satisfactory, ser?”
More than satisfactory. “That will be fine.” Lerial mounts, as do Kusyl and Fheldar.
From the gates of the post, Jhacub guides Lerial and the others northwest along the road that parallels the shore. There are several cafés west of the road, but none are apparently open, and their awnings are rolled up.
“Those open in the late afternoon?” Lerial gestures.
“They do. They’ll be pleased that your men are posted here. There used to be more than the two companies that took care of the post and headquarters.”
“When did that change?”
“Five years ago … it was after … well…” Jhacub looks embarrassed.
“After the Afritan Guard lost an entire battalion in an ill-advised attack on Cigoerne, you mean?”
“Ah … yes, ser.”
“Did anyone say why?”
“I don’t know, ser. I was just a ranker then. No one said anything to us.”
“What about this part of Swartheld?”
“It’s not what it used to be, ser.”
Lerial can see that. A number of the small buildings look to be empty, with shuttered doors and windows, with the wooden sidewalks in front of them sagging. “Because there are fewer guards posted here?”
“I don’t think that’s the only thing, ser.” After several moments, Jhacub adds, “In another kay we’ll enter the merchanting area. That’s after where the shore road joins the boulevard from the palace.”
After riding past almost a half score more blocks of less-than-well-maintained buildings and a few dilapidated dwellings, Lerial notices that the upkeep of the structures on the west side of the road improves notably and that there are solid if short stone and timber piers extending into the bay. Several have boats tied there.
Three blocks later the shore road merges into a wide stone-paved boulevard.
“That’s what they call the palace boulevard,” says the squad leader. “It goes right to the circular road around the palace.”
The best avenue or street you’ve seen, and it runs straight from the merchanting houses to the palace.
A block later the boulevard begins a wide curve more toward the north, again following the shoreline of the bay.
“This is where the merchanting area and the harbor begin,” offers Jhacub.
The merchanting quarter opposite the main piers definitely represents wealth. The shore road and the palace boulevard have combined into a paved avenue wide enough for three large wagons side by side. Even the sidewalks are of stone, not of wooden planks or brick. All of the buildings have glazed windows and heavy shutters.
“Do you happen to know which one of the buildings holds Aenian House?” Lerial asks Jhacub.
“Yes, ser. You can’t miss it. See the big three-story one in the next block, with the redstone front and the banners flying from those false towers?”