No, and Barrowden Beckons.

You make good time of the journey, and as you set out at the crack of dawn, you arrive at your destination just past midday.

Barrowden is a bustling, busy town, having a population of about 300 people, if what the matron told you is right. This was a lot more than River's Edge, which only had about 20 families. Guards manned the gate, though it hung open on it's hinges. Doubtless they shut it at night. Their spears crossed the open entrance, and they looked to be vetting anyone who came in and out. They looked around suspiciously. From the look of it, you doubted that a simple wooden gate would be able to stand long against a even half-determined attacker. Though the existence of these guards, and their suspicious expressions, gave you a strange bit of hope and excitement. This must mean that the town is going through hard times, and that you'll be able to help! And it's close enough that word might just reach River's Edge back home! Momentarily chiding yourself for enjoying other people's hardship, you continued looking around.

From your view just outside, you were able to see into the main square, with stalls erected all around. Peddlers yelled about their wares, the great prices and peerless quality of their merchandise. And only theirs. You could see that some of the merchants clearly didn't get along, judging by the scowls that were sent and returned seemingly every minute. Surrounding the square, there were a multitude of wooden and thatched buildings, some seeming to be other businesses, but most seemed to be little houses. Each had a stone chimney, with smoke gradually rising into the sky. A few feet away from the main square was a large wooden building, with a rather familiar sign hanging down, swinging to and fro in the light breeze. It was a tankard, filled to the brim with ale. Giving it a small smile, you reckoned you might spend a few nights there, and maybe have your first taste of ****. Just outside of the inn, you saw something made a big smile spread across your face. It was a large, wooden plank of wood, covered in papers. A noticeboard! There would be quests there! A big smile plastered over your face, you happily walked towards the guards, your armour glinting in the midday sun.

As you walk forward to the gate, the guards spot you. It wasn't hard, your metal boots made loud clattering noise with each step. And that wasn't to mention that with how well-polished your armour was, the sun shone and reflected off your resplendent form. Clearly, you weren't going to win any battles by surprising the enemy.

There are two guards manning the gate. One, which seems to be the subordinate since he wears no helmet, is a rather short fellow, only a few inches taller than your 5'4 stature. He seems to be in his early 20s, judging by the barest wisps of a moustache and somewhat gangly look. His eyes constantly dart around, from either boredom or worry you weren't sure, but when you walk into view, his eyes are completely focused for once. He stared at you, eyes widening for a moment, before giving you a sideways look. It was clear he didn't trust you, and perhaps didn't recognise your holy order, or perhaps he did, and disliked it. Lucretia wasn't a faith that was widely known, and some people who did know it didn't respect it. Lucretia's ideals of motherhood and free love was often spat upon by the other, more prudish faiths, which turned a fair few people against it.

The other guard, the senior by your guessings based on his rather plump belly, official looking hat and better quality armour, soon turned to look at you as well. The man looked to be in his late 40s or early 50s, his balding hairline was desperately, and unsuccessfully covered up by what small hair he had left, combed forward. His small, rather foppish moustache moved as his jaw opened for a moment, a look of shock and surprise plastering his face. But that was quickly changed by a look mirroring his younger colleague. His eyes narrowed, and you thought you saw another... Different glint in his eyes. Was it lust...?

Undeterred, you step forward between them, a few steps away from their crossed spears.