Kim wasn't sure this was a good idea, but at the same time, the news they'd received certainly made it clear that there really wasn't any other option. Unless they wanted to go through some shady deals, and Kim was pretty sure Jonas would be better at that. Only, Elwin was in charge, by vote of their combined groups and she didn't feel like enlightening Elwin about that fact.
Especially since she seriously doubted that he'd pay it much mind in the first place.
At the gate to the king's palace, Elwin tried speaking to the guards, but they were trying to explain to him that he couldn't speak to the king. That he was too busy for petitioners. Which only seemed to confuse Elwin, since it wasn't like they were here to petition the king for anything. At least according to Elwin.
Kim wasn't sure how long he'd be at it, but she did at least admire his persistence. Though, eventually he seemed to wear the guards down, or maybe the guards were trying to find a different tactic to get rid of him.
"What exactly are you here for if not to petition the king for something?" one of the guards asked.
"We were trying to sell some teeth that we found after we killed some flowers that were trying to eat us," Elwin explained. "However, we were eventually told that we'd need the king's permission to sell them, if we don't sell them to the king."
"So, you're here as a salesman, huh?" the other guard mused. "In that case, you're still a petitioner and the king's too busy to speak with you."
Elwin seemed shocked at that response. "Hey, we don't have to speak to the king himself, right?" Elwin asked, clearly trying to ease his way past the guards. "Maybe there's a smith or something that already has permission to buy things like that or that works for the king. I could always talk to them."
The guards exchanged a look. Kim wasn't sure if they'd give in with Elwin's suggestion or if that was already a 'no go' sort of situation.
"Look, we'd like to help you out, but there's nothing we can do. We don't know of anyone who already has permission for that, nor can we let you in to even speak with one of the smiths present who works for the king," the second guard told Elwin, in an almost apologetic tone. Then, in a firmer tone, he continued, "So, we'll need you to leave. If you're distracting us and something happens, we'll have to assume that you were a part of whatever that 'something' turns out to be."
"What if I told you I have a system?" Elwin asked, sounding like he was trying to be more impressive than he actually was.
"'System?'" the first guard snorted. "What the hell's that?"
Elwin blinked, clearly not expecting that response. Kim couldn't say that she was surprised, though she did wonder what tactic Elwin would try next. Especially as she heard horses approaching. Indicating that Elwin's time was quickly running out.
Kim was standing more to the side of the gate, watching Elwin flounder and wasn't paying close attention to the riders approaching, so she was surprised when she heard someone call out to her.
"Kim!" a young girl called out to her.
Kim looked instinctively, unsure what it was about, only to see a familiar face riding one of the horses. The others were clearly guards there to protect Samantha from any threats.
Samantha rode up and stopped by Kim, not paying her guards , or the guards at the gate any mind.
"When'd you get back?" she asked, as if Kim was supposed to have notified her that she was returning.
"Just today," Kim hedged. She wasn't sure if she should mention how they camped within sight of the city the night before. "We were looking to sell some teeth we found in some flowers that were trying to eat us."
"You have to tell me all about it," Samantha gushed, looking like she was more in danger of falling of the horse than anything else right then.
Kim hesitated with her response. She wanted to agree right away, but at the same time, she wasn't sure if that was a good idea. Largely because she was certain that Samantha would then also want to see Elin and likely have dinner together, considering what time of day it was, and also have them spend the night.
All of which Kim was certain would just get them even more delayed than they had been so far. That it would ensure that they'd likely find out if they were suspects in whatever kidnapping those soldiers had been looking into.
Not that she could think of a way out of it right then. Or at least not unless she could convince Samantha to listen to it 'later.' Even if she wasn't fully confident that she'd be able to pull off such a feat.
"I'd love to tell you," Kim replied, glancing over at Elwin, who had stopped arguing with the guards and were all watching Kim and Samantha. "But we're also kind of in a hurry. We're trying to sell the teeth because we need money to buy food, which we're rather low on ourselves."
Samantha looked at Heather then Elwin from her high perch before returning to Kim. It was clear to Kim that she wasn't convinced, even though it was completely the truth. Although, part of her wondered if she should have expected anything different with dealing with this girl.
"If you'd like my help, you're going to have to tell me that story," Samantha replied, a smirk on her young face. "Not only can I help you get those teeth sold, but I can even help you with your food supply." Samantha paused for a minute as she looked around again. "Though, I would also like to speak with Elin. Where is she?"
"She's waiting outside the city with the rest of our group," Kim answered, not seeing the point in hedging or flat out lying about the matter. "Though, for a number of reasons, she's waiting outside the city for us to return."
Samantha's face fell. "Would you at least be able to let me see her before you leave?" she asked, almost looking like she'd cry if Kim said 'no.'
"I guess," Kim sighed, feeling like this might be difficult to arrange without other issues being addressed. "Though, you'll need to provide an escort of your own, since we can't protect you when you turn to the city afterwards."
Samantha seemed undeterred by Kim's condition. "No problem. I'll just need to go inside and get a few necessities. Then I'll help you with whatever you need."
Kim sighed. If they weren't being accused of kidnapping before, she had a feeling that this could lead to them getting accused of that. Although, she hoped that Elin would help back her up on getting Samantha back inside the city when it was time for them to leave. Otherwise they might need to use other means to get the girl back here without getting themselves in further trouble than they've already done so far.
"As long as whoever's your legal guardian is okay with it," Kim replied, hoping this wasn't going to lead to the problems she was afraid it was. "Then meet us outside the Ox Gate."
Samantha nodded eagerly. "I'll do that. I'll also have some travel rations for you when I get there."
Samantha had gotten so excited that she'd already turned her horse away and heading towards the gate, causing Elwin to quickly step aside. "I'm ready to enter now," Samantha announced, as if the guards had been waiting just for that.
"I'm sorry, but we've been instructed to keep this gate closed until the king arrives for the evening inspection," the first guard informed Samantha.
"And what'll he think if I'm left waiting out here?" she asked, sounding rather annoyed, and Kim couldn't help but think that Samantha really had a point there. Unless the king had specifically exempted her from any exceptions. Which Kim seriously doubted.
The guard paled, confirming to Kim that he hadn't fully thought it through. Although Kim had to wonder if the king knew, or at least remembered, that Samantha had gone out for a ride or something. Kim wasn't sure herself, but it wasn't like it mattered as much as them getting through this without any unnecessary delays like this search for selling the flower teeth had pretty much been.
It was merely a matter of minutes from there when Samantha rode through the gate with her guards and the gate was closed again, as if had never been opened.
However, it at least made it clear that they could leave now. As Samantha had pretty much promised that she'd buy the teeth in addition to bringing some food supplies for them when she showed up outside the specified gate.
"So, looks like we can leave now," Kim told Elwin, who looked more annoyed with the guards than anything else at that moment. "Samantha promised to bring us some travel rations and is willing to purchase the flower teeth, I think."
Elwin scowled at Kim as if this whole situation had been caused by her. Even though Elwin had been the one pushing the issue with the guards and so it couldn't be laid at her feet. As she had nothing to do with that at all.
"How certain of this are you?" Elwin asked, his annoyance melting away to show just how tired he was.
With all the bluster he'd gone through throughout the day so far, Kim couldn't say that she was surprised. Not only had he been pretty much going non-stop from one business to another, but with how he'd been going off on the guards at the gate, Kim had been wondering how long he'd have been able to keep it up before something finally gave.