"Aye, three years ago, unless my memory fails me," Halam replied, watching the man run a hand through his beard. It was a decent beard, for a human, anyway. Halam brushed at one of the two fat braids adorning his own, wondering how cold his jaw would be if he was stuck with one like Mercutio's. Luckily he didn't need to find out.<br/><br/>"Yeah, been too long since I had a good lay. Human women aren't as broad as I'd like, to tell you the truth, but it beats nothing." He urged his mare to the right, following along with the other horse as they reached the wide road that would take them into the city - hopefully, anyway.<br/><br/>In the distance he saw the garrison; a number of heavily armed men stationed around the portcullis, including several on horseback; he was a strong dwarf, and his partner was a capable fighter from what he knew of him, but there was no way they'd be able to fight through that.<br/><br/>"If I'd been forced to cut my way through<span style="font-style: italic">that</span>back in Kilnmarch, I wouldn't be here now," Halam muttered as they began the straight trek forward. "Getting back out of that with a captive, it won't be possible. Unless you've got an army in your pocket you didn't tell me about." The thick walls around the city's perimeter only served to make the place look like even more of a fortress.<br/><br/>Jhoran had chosen a group of two for the job, likely believing it to be a task better suited to stealth than force, but he certainly hadn't informed them of the reception they'd be receiving. As they drew closer to the gate, Halam took a deep breath, preparing for the tense conversation he knew was coming. "They don't look too happy to see their new guests, Merc. Shit, and here I forgot to bring a gift."