🎀 Wisteria 🎀 Auto-translated

The Price of Loyalty.

“I still have some tricks up my sleeve from my circus days. Hey, boss, want to see a better trick?” Zerek shuffled the deck of cards and then laid them out in front of the guard. “Here, look and remember one.”

The guard put his hands on his hips. — Well, have you remembered?

“Aha.” Zerek gathered the cards and began to shuffle the deck with elegant movements. “Hey, old man Darbon, come over here. You were just searched, so be a good sport and check your left pocket.” He said this as the astonished old man approached the adventurer. The wizard hesitated for a moment, but then pulled a card out of his pocket. “Ta-da!” Zerek showed it to the guard. “Well, chief, is this the one?”

— I don't understand anything, but okay, you can pass. Have a nice journey!

Now that's a leader, I respect that.

The Lisliar people who had been waiting went through the checkpoint.

“What can you do? Being misunderstood is the bitter fate of artists,” Zerek said, spreading his hands. “Thank you very much, and have a good day!” Rogdan said goodbye.

— Hmm... — The border guard scrutinized Raphael's face. — Hmmmm.

Raphael smiled broadly and dazzlingly.

“You have a great mustache,” Dun Dun remarked, “mine grows downwards, and there’s nothing you can do about it.”

- But why not? I've met many people who look good with a mustache like yours, especially with such a manly beard. As you can see, I have a slightly different build, somewhat expansive, you might say. And they probably wouldn't hire me for service with a beard like that.

“Yes, you’re right, what matters most isn’t the exterior,” the captain said, casting an interested glance at Kai and Viola, then involuntarily remembering Louise. “It’s what’s inside…” He checked Raphael’s documents and informed him that he could pass through border control without further questioning. Before that, however, he inspected the merchant and his companions’ belongings and goods. At the end of this procedure, he also mentioned that a customs duty is usually imposed on the import of any wholesale goods intended for sale, but everything had already been paid for Raphael by his acquaintance. “That’s all. Have a good journey, and may your time in the empire be unforgettable!”

- Thank you, - the merchant gave a polite bow. - And I will definitely try to fulfill your wish. Good luck with your further work!
He nodded to his companions and, rubbing his hands together contentedly, left the room.
- It's good when everything goes smoothly, isn't it? And could it have been any other way? - he asked his companions rhetorically, and addressed Eim separately. - Learn, young one, how to navigate life. A little grease here, a little flattery there - it makes things easier for everyone, reduces headaches for us, and provides a bonus for respected people, and all within the law.
Taking a deep breath on the other side of the border, he patted his stomach.
- Zakharka, pour me a drink from my flask, for good luck. The one with the intricate design, you remember it. And let's get going. Where are our people gathered?..

Eim listened intently to the wisdom his master generously shared, and then quickly poured him a glass of wine and brought it to him without spilling a drop.

Rafaël ruffled the boy's hair and, with pleasure, drained a mug of chilled, low-alcohol beverage, finally feeling that they had arrived in Airisufir. "The baron was right, the view is magnificent," he said, gazing at the sprawling landscape. "Well, let's move on!" They headed towards Voldemar, Rogdan, and the other companions. "Gentlemen! I assume no one had any problems with the transition? Can we continue on our glorious journey?"