Not long after, the carriage began to slow, and the steady rumble of its wheels was soon joined by the muted voices of men outside.
Gradually, Ruvian opened his eyes — waking from a brief nap — when he heard one of the city guards addressing their coachman near the front of the carriage.
"State where you came from, and your business in Valcavein at this hour."
"From Natoris Town," the coachman answered, pulling the reins until the horses came to a complete halt. "I'm carrying two passengers into the city, and we'll be lodging here for the night."
"Natoris?" the guard repeated. "Long road to be riding this late. Roads give you any trouble?"
"No, nothing worth mentioning. We didn't run into anything along the way."
The guard pressed him with a few more routine questions, his tone curt and practiced, before finally stepping aside.
"Fine. Keep to the main road once you're inside. Northern gate closes completely before midnight, so don't expect to leave again until morning."
