Part 2

“What’s going on?” a man asked a guard stationed outside the sealed Customs Office. “We’ve been waiting here for nearly 2 hours.”

“Even I don’t know.” the guard replied with a shrug. “All I know is there’s an extremely dangerous wanted criminal who’s getting questioned by the Emperor himself. Look, it’ll probably be this way until tomorrow. I can’t authorize you to leave the city, but I’m authorizing the lot of you to go to the market district and wait for this to blow over. Give me your papers and I’ll get them stamped with temporary city-passes.” A few murmurs rose from the gathered crowd of merchants and travellers. “I know I know, you have to get your wares moving, but what do you want me to do about it?”

By the time the crowd dispersed, it was well after sunset, and the evening guards were making their rounds. One stopped outside the Customs Office.

“So what’s going on in here?” he asked.

“That’s what everybody wants to know, it seems. All I know is the reaction orb alarms went off around midday, and it’s been sealed since. Something about a wanted criminal?” the Customs guard responded.

“Sounds above our pay grade, haha!” the other guard replied. “Well, take care of yourself. I think your relief is delayed, so try not to fall asleep.” he called as he walked off.