Less of a story more of a couple funny thoughts that rattled around in my head 🙃
Gilans there tho... so thats fun
"May I see your face please, sir?"
The guard looked up at his liege. "My lord?" This was not going to go well. Ed could already tell. He'd only been a guard for this specific noble for a few months now. And he already knew, this man did not take kindly to being interrupted... or really addressed at all by anyone he considered below him.
The noble stuck his face out of the carriage, "What?! Do you know who I am?"
The road patrol stared at the noble for a moment, then at the parchment in his hands then at the noble again. He was clearly fighting a smirk. "Yes, I think I do."
Ed craned his neck to try and see what the parchment had on it. But only saw the words "WANTED" in big bold before the road patrol stuffed it away.
The road patrol guard pointed, "Take a left up here, that'll get you where you need to go. The rights dealing with road repair."
Ed narrowed his eyes, but nodded. The road patrol backed up to let them pass. "On your way."
Gilan gently guided Blaze to a stop beside the road patrol. He flashed his silver oakleaf, "Did either of you fine men happen to see a particularly bratty nobleman come this way?"
The road patrol grinned, "Oh you mean this one?" He held up the wanted poster.
Gilan raised an eyebrow, "Did you arrest him?"
The road patrol snorted, "Arrest him? With two men? He had ten guards! I'm loyal to the crown but not suicidal."
"Thats fair. Which way did he go, did you see?"
"Well..." the guard stifled a smirk, "If he followed the *very* specific directions I gave him."
"You gave him directions?"
"Thats my job, ranger! Keep the roads safe! Guide people away from collapsed or dangerous ones!"
"And which roads did you tell him to go down?" Asked Gilan catching on
"The ones that led right to the nearest outpost, of course!" The Guard finally let himself smirk, "No safer road."
Grinning, Gilan laughed, "You're not wrong!"
Gilan swung down from his saddle. "Do you have him?"
"Yes we do. Came right up to us in fact. Was that your doing?"
"I can't claim credit, a clever road patrol gave him *helpful* directions down a *safe* road." Gilan strode past them then paused, "Wait..." he turned pointed to one of the guys sharpening his weapon on a bench. "Thats one of his guards. I recognize you."
The guard glanced up, "Don't look at me, I just work for the man. I'm not gonna fight this. I didn't ask to get sucked into a conspiracy plot."
"Not very loyal are you."
"Really the opposite." Replied the guard dryly, "I was never informed that by guarding this noble that meant I'd betray the crown."
"Yes, I don't suppose they'd advertise that. Hiring experienced guards, competitive wages, travel opportunity, treason experience recommended." Chuckled Gilan