Chapter 18: Interrogated
He didn't even look in the room, Irwin thought as he quickly followed the guard, his boots in hand.
It took him only a few moments to sense another of the changes the body tempering had brought him, as he had a much easier time keeping up. He was still out of breath by the time the guard stopped in front of an intricately crafted door with a beautifully crafted handle, but at least he'd not had to ask for a break.
I wonder if anybody is going to figure out something is different, he thought.
There was also something else that he knew… he needed a thicker coat. He couldn't recall if the tower had felt this cold. Luckily, it was nothing compared to the cold he'd felt before, and he was pretty sure that a coat would be enough. Perhaps he could buy one with the coppers Bronwyn had gifted him?
"Alright, put on your boots and go inside. Oh, and make sure to act like you are talking with the most important people you've ever met, who can make or break your life in an instant. Because you are," the guard grunted.
Irwin looked at the boots, his shoulders dropping. "They don't fit after I combined my cards," he finally said honestly, getting a surprised grunt from the guard.
"... that won't do," the guard grumbled, moving towards Irwin and sticking out his hand. "Give them."
Irwin handed his boots over, unsure what was happening, and the man stepped away, raising his left hand. There was a bright flash, and a long, gleaming sword appeared. Irwin swallowed, afraid he was going to get gutted, but the guard just held out the boots. With a single, quick slash, he expertly slashed away the front toe area, which clattered to the floor.
Irwin's mouth fell open as he accepted the boots.
"Now, put those on and make sure to use their titles when addressing them!"
"I will," Irwin said, still startled. He sat down and put on the boots, staring dumbly at his dirty toes as they stuck out from the open end. As he got up, he wanted to thank the guard, but the man was already stomping away, his sword gone. He'd been brusk, but in the end, he had helped without complaint.
I guess I'll need to find a way to determine who is and who isn't nice here, Irwin thought as he sighed.