Onward!

After what you went through just to cross a bridge you are not about to turn back. You set off with Lenny close behind, trying to ignore the sticky squish in your panties as you walk. It is deceptively far to the gatehouse, probably two or three miles more from the bridge, through hills and past small woods and fields of flowers.

The wall that confronts you is made from pristine white stone that is almost so bright in the afternoon sun that it hurts to look upon. Shielding your eyes you approach the large gatehouse that protrudes from the wall. It overlooks a wooden portculis gate large enough for a heavy wagon to pass through the wall. There is also a small iron door set flush with the wall beside the portculis.

"Who goes there?" calls a woman's voice.

"Um, we're travelers!" shouts Lenny before you can answer.

"Travelers, eh? I thought you might be here to help the queen. Well, wait a tick, we'll be right down."

After more than a minute you hear locks being turned and the iron door opens. You are confronted by a mismatched pair of figures wearing forest green uniforms with gold thread trimming them. The smaller of the two - a bit shorter than you - is a very beautiful woman with model-perfect features, a slender build and short, boyish hair of platinum blond. She wears a military style cap cocked to one side and there is a sort buckled at her waist.

The other figure is much larger, a muscular brute with a perfect, body-builder's physique bursting from his sleeveless version of the uniform. He is at least eight feet tall. His head is that of horned bull complete with a golden ring in his nose. He has a double-sided ax strapped to his back. He snorts as he looks down at you.

"I'm Mur," says the woman, "and this is Fenrich. We guard the gate to the Palisidum, the City of Wonder. We don't let many in."

"Not many," agrees Fenrich in a voice so deep it shakes your chest.

"So you either are here to help the queen and we'll escort you there or you've, eh, got something else to offer." Mur looks you both over. She seems glad to see you and, surprisingly, Lenny as well. "So what have you got to offer?"

"What are we gonna tell them?" whispers Lenny in your ear.