"Best you keep words like that to yourself," Reid said. He looked back at Niamh, with an expression that showed little patience. "The freedom to practice and preach any religion you want is perfectly fine by us, but if you start insulting people's deities you're likely to find yourself with a sharp object in your soft places." Reid continued the short walk to the post-building. A circle free of milling bodies could be seen. Like a zone of quiet in a chaotic sea. "Our healer uses divine magic that is granted through her prayer and belief in the goddess. So if you don't dull the sharp edge of that tongue, you're likely to go home worse than you are now."
The small building was of fine craftsmanship. The bricks that made up the outside were carved in runes that protected against all sorts of different magics and elements. Two large glass windows were also etched in runes around their edges. The other "windows" were nothing more than slits in the wall that could be fired through by the guards inside. On top of the small structure sat what appeared to be a large wooden basin, reminiscent of a ships crows nest. A ladder inside led up through a hatch in the roof that gave access to the crows nest, though it was unclear to Niamh how it would be useful, since it was not very high up, and couldn't give the guard sitting in it much of a better view.
A woman wearing a mix of heavy plate armor and clerics robes stood at the door holding a large metal shield, emblazoned with the symbol of Kia's religion in Serendipity. In her other hand she wielded a large repeating crossbow. If she needed to, she could fire three large bolts in quick succession before having to reload. It was more likely however that the crossbow would be discarded for the heavy bladed mace that hung at her hip. The image on the shield was repeated on her breastplate in greater detail, and her cleric robes did little to hide the pauldrons and greaves she wore beneath them.
"Ho Reid," the woman called, her silver eyes scanning over Niamh before returning to the crowds. "What have you brought us?" At her words two heads peaked out from the door behind the armored cleric. One, nearly as dark as the woman, and the other, of an olive tone found in Essyrn, belonged to the remaining members of this guard squad. The two men stepped out from inside the post.
The darker one, and clearly youngest of the group, was tall and gangly. He wore very thin leather armor over most of his body. On his back he carried a cluster of javelins, his left arm was heavily armored with a galerus at his shoulder, and a bundled net hung at his hip. He held a visored helmet loosely in his hands as he stepped out. He seemed to be deciding if he should put it on, or if it was acceptable to keep it off. A glance from his compatriot decided it for him and he pushed his bald head into it. Only his violet eyes could be seen through the front.
The much older olive skinned man was armored similarly to Reid. A mix of leather, chain, a sturdy breastplate and a skull cap. Where Reid had a heavy shield and a broadsword, this man had a light shield and a short sword. A short bow on his back and a quiver at his hip, made it likely that he was the one to take the post on the roof. He also carried a baton, whereas Reid had a sap.
The older man was decorated, his distinguished service cord plain to see. The young soldier beside him, took the veterans lead, but the cleric didn't even look to the other men as Reid and Niamh approached. She knew her duty, and she was strict in her adherence to it. Though her face could have been attractive, she wore a scowl and some wicked scars. Neither of which endeared her to the locals.
"As you were squad," Reid said, "this woman caught herself a Scavenger." All three heads turned to appraise Niamh now. The cleric had already noted the religious robes, but now she saw the dirt and the limp.
"I'm surprised she's not bleeding out in the gutter," the older soldier said. The younger man was shaking his head.
"The kid was young. I hope his punishment isn't too severe. He really just needs someone to put him on the right path, but that won't happen in this town." Reid pulled off his skull cap and rubbed at his cinnamon colored hair for a moment before placing the helmet back on his head. "His name was Zipper." Reid flipped the marker to the older man. "She did get a little banged up," Reid motioned to Niamh. "If you could heal her up Bert." The cleric grunted and nodded in response. She turned to follow the other two guards inside, and Reid took up the post outside the door once again.