The immense building of the merchant guild stood imposingly at the back of the plaza, guarded by golden banners.
But when they reached the perimeter and observed the main entrance, they noticed a very restrictive access pattern.
There was no crowded multitude or a bustling line waiting to get in. People arrived occasionally, forming in very small groups of two or three individuals at most.
They stopped in front of the door attendants, exchanged a few brief words, were identified one by one by checking documents, and finally passed quickly into the interior of the enclosure.
Karol, Ryan, and Beatrice did not approach the entrance immediately. In a coordinated movement, they veered off the main path and stayed behind a decorative stone wall.
In a blind spot where they were not visible to the auction guards or to the nobles stepping out of their carriages.
