By nightfall they reached the gates of the city, more pallisade than proper wall. It stretched off into the darkness of the pale moon, rolling over gently country in the shadow of the great city rock.
Though a man of his rank merited a breach of the night defense, the gatekeeper was stubborn. An acolyte argued with him for a substantial part of the watch before return to Oru. He shrugged his shoulders.
The man expected a bribe. Oru lay upon the road before the gate, and his men followed suit. They could hear the man grumbling as they settled themselves.
They awoke to excited tittering. Country and townfolk stood near them in the road, waiting, with especial humor, for the gates to open.