35 Immaculate first impressions

First impressions are important in many relationships. Both personal and business. Knowing this, Zanir had set a plan in motion. Hopefully he would be able to gain entrance to the city, and get some free publicity at the same time.

He instructed some of the men to stay behind, with a cart containing some of the vegetables. He'd have Bruce, the Ogre, pull the cart in. Having a tamed Ogre would definitely bring attention, both to his product, and his business.

The display of power would also deter anyone with less than honorable intentions. After being absorbed, Bruce was now much calmer. He could say his name, and a few simple phrases. With some basic armor, and a safety helmet, he looked adorable.

Bruce and the workers would follow up in this simple delivery cart. Zanir and the guards took the armored carriage out first. They would be the vanguard, approaching the guards to greet them, and initiate the inspection.

Having touched up the guards armor, clothes, and weapons, they were ready. Riding alone in the carriage, forty guards marched in front. They were about to astonish this small, outlying city. It was the closest, but also one of the smallest.

Even so, a city was city. Thick walls encircled it, their massive size deterring human and animal attackers alike. The two guards assigned to the evening shift had expected another quiet night. It was a remote area, not much happened around here.

Heck, one of the guards was even sleeping, his arms folded onto the desk he was sitting at. His head buried into his arms, as an occasional snore was heard. He had been the watch captain for over a decade, the two younger guards let him sleep, after all, they were busy playing card and dice games.

Hearing the sound of footsteps marching, one of them quickly hid the games, while the other ran outside to the gate. It didn't take long for him to call out the other guard.

"Hey Jake, get out here!"

With the games hidden away, the other guard, Jake, appeared outside. He saw for himself what was coming. There were forty men, dressed in strange, dark armor marching in front of carriage. The uniforms were crisp and clean looking.

Upon closer inspection, they noticed that, in addition to the lustrous armor and equipment, the men were well groomed. Earlier, Zanir had the space trim everyone's hair, beard, and mustaches. These unruly guys had surprisingly cleaned up very well.

When they had reached the gate, twenty men lined up on each side. Stomping their feet twice, they each gave out a salute. Both of the guards were stunned. Had royalty shown up?

One of the guards, at the end of the line, ran over and opened the carriage. Stepping out, Zanir walked down the aisle formed by his men, towards the city guards. As he stepped by, they dropped the salute, returning to a regular standing position.

With such an entrance, saying that he stole the show would be an understatement. The two city guards were so shocked, they sat in silence for several seconds. Coughing politely, he brought both of them out of their stupor.

"Esteemed sir, I'm required to ask, that you state your name and reason for visiting Trostin?"

"Well met guards, my name is Zanir. I'm a traveling merchant, I've come to do business. I have produce to be sold, only the finest that you have ever tasted!"

Hearing that he was a merchant, both guards were taken aback. Using such an entrance, these kinds of wealthy traveling merchants usually had powerful connections. It wasn't wise to offend them, as they could make entire families disappear with a single word.

On the other hand, they were known to tip generously. What might be a small amount to them, could be years of a guard's salary. It wasn't worth trying to blackmail someone who might be connected, so they might as well make a good impression.

"Sir, we have to inspect the cargo. Please don't be offended, but it's required to prevent any contraband from being smuggled in. More a formality than anything else."

They'd hoped that he wouldn't be one of those spoiled types. Sometimes rich nobles, or people with connections, would throw a fit when they proposed a search. The guard had tried to phrase it as diplomatically as he could, hoping a gentle approach would avoid any issues.

"Haha, that's just my personal carriage. I rode ahead, to greet you fine men. The goods are on the way now, along with the rest of my men. You can take a look, all you like, as a matter of fact let me leave some for you as a gift."

Hearing this the guards were surprised again. They thought that the carriage was loaded with goods. Looking at it again, they noticed it was made of metal. Curiously they asked about.

"How come that carriage got metal all over it? Doesn't it slow the thing down?"

"Ahhh that's armor my friend, it can stop a sword, arrow, or lance. Even if it takes me longer to get where I'm going, isn't being alive worth the delay?"

"Suppose you're right, I've never seen anything like it before. Thought I'd ask on account of that."

Before they could continue, marching was once again heard from the distance. It was Bruce and the boys coming with the produce cart. He wanted to see how the guards would react. One of them took out a small telescope, gazing into it.

"Oh shit! Jake, sound the horn, an Ogre's coming for the town"

Panic could be seen, but he called out the guards quickly, to avoid a disaster.

"That should be my men arriving, the Ogre pulling the cart is Bruce. Don't worry he's been tamed."

The men couldn't believe what they were hearing. A tame Ogre? Looking through the telescope, he confirmed the men, the cart, and the Ogre all had similar armor.

"Aye, they've got the same outfits as these lads."

"I think we'd better wake the captain."

"Yeah, this has gone above our pay grades."

Moments later, they returned, with a yawning older guard. His receding hairline and creased brow lent him an authoritative aura. Having heard the younger guard's explanation, he was curious as to who this young trader was.

"Hello, I'm Captain Carter. What can I do for you young man?"

"I wish to enter the city and trade. I've got the best produce you've ever tasted, what do you say?"

"Let me see the produce, many have bold claims like you, but the rubbish they bring isn't even fit for the bins."

Soon his workers arrived, leading the way, they escorted Bruce and the cart of produce over. Noticing an Ogre, the captain was momentarily startled, grabbing the handle of sword by instinct. Seeing the reaction, he assured the captain.

"Bruce is very well trained, I can assure you, there will be no trouble."

Opening up the gate, the captain and both guard came out, to inspect the produce. As they got closer to the cart, Bruce called out to them.

"HAI, I'M BRUCE"

The guards were amazed, the first time, but it quickly wore off, as he repeated the same phrase several times. It was similar to a small child who was learning how to talk, except the kid was several times the size of grown man.

Checking the produce, they were all impressed by the quality. Offering them one of the carrots, they quickly munched it down. With the entrance, and such quality goods, they knew this merchant was a man of some importance.

"I take back what I said earlier, young master Zanir. These really are the best I've ever seen. I'll have the guards escort you into the city, they can take you directly into the city prefecture. I'm sure the city lord will be interested in purchasing these directly."

"Very well, let's proceed. Let me leave something for you and your men though, as a token of friendship and goodwill."

"I must apologize in advance, the city guard are restricted from taking anything, as it could be considered a bribe."

"How about this, Big Brother Carter, since you've already decided to let me into the gate, I'll send a basket back later. That way, no one can say that it influenced your decision."

"Haha, alright, but only because you called me big brother, instead of uncle. You know how to make an old man feel young again, brother Zanir."

Seeing the captain and merchant getting along like old friends, the guards quickly sprung into action. It didn't take long for a squad of guards to approach the gate. They would escort him directly through the various checkpoints.

"Watch the post, I'll be escorting out guest"

"Yes, sir!"

A few of the guards stayed back to protect the gate, while the rest joined the procession of troops. Zanir and the captain went onto the armored carriage. With such a large assembly of men and town guards moving through, it didn't take long for news to spread.

Citizens moved out the way, as everyone took notice. People could be heard discussing the strange event, as they looked out their windows and shutters. They made their way further into the city, towards the inner part, where the government prefecture was.