The ride back to Alder city the following morning was... quiet. Gideon kept finding himself wanting to talk about what happened that night, but when looking to Urgran's face he couldn't find himself to do it. He wasn't embarrassed, or ashamed, it was everything he'd wanted to happen, but... Something at the back of his mind nagged at him.
The Wizard's face turned into a scowl, his robes flapping in all directions as they walked the path to the human capital, Alder City. What was this feeling? Why was he so screwed up about it?
As the duo continued to travel the familiar front gates of the city came into view, with it's usual steady stream of merchants, visitors and residents entering and existing without any trouble. The human capital was known for it's fortifications, a large wall encircling the city with only a few ways to enter or exit. When he was younger, Gideon thought this was the safest place in the world, but now older and having travelled, realized just how much it could stifle.
"HALT!"
An unfamiliar voice rang out as the two got closer to crossing the massive portcullis, a group of guards rushing over to them both. Gideon could feel his face turn red, checking his pockets for him and Urgran's re-entry paperwork. He had forgotten to make sure everything was ready, with how distracted he'd been.
"Papers?" The Guard walked over to Urgran, looking him over a few times and ignoring the human wizard entirely. He soon found what he was looking for, quickly passing them over to the Orc and then to the guardsman.
The guard flipped through the paperwork without really giving it any attention, his eyes focused on the Orc. "Hm. These look forged to me, don't they boys?"
The Guards, almost 10 of them, had started to surround Urgran, some of them laughing to themselves as the Orc tried his best to keep a straight face. Gideon knew that look - It was something he was used to, and knew if the Orc said anything, even to defend himself it might just make the situation worse.
"You shouldn't be here greenskin. Even if these papers are legitimate I won't let something like you in here." The guard hissed, his voice just low enough for the duo to hear them.
"But if they are, I'm entitled to strip you down and make sure you aren't smuggling anything in. Get a nice good look at you."
The Orc's eyebrow twitched, trying everything in his power to remain calm as GIdeon swooped in, grabbing his arm and not letting go. He couldn't let this happen again, and just sit by while his... friend was accosted again.
"I'm a free citizen of Alder City, and this is my protection! His paperwork is in order, and I hope that we don't have to involve my family in this."
The Guard rolled his eyes, the guard and the others swarming them grabbing them by the shoulders. "Fine. We'll take you both in."
"Take off your armor"
The Orc did as he was told, slowly shedding his armor and and throwing it to the ground. The holding cell they where taken to was damp and dark, with the only people here the guards getting chuckles at seeing an Orc naked in front of them. Gideon sighed, doing the same, he had gotten them into this mess, the least he could do was go along with it.
The wizard could feel the eyes of the Orc on him, despite his own embarrassment - Getting undressed in front of his friend was something he didn't do often, despite the other getting naked all the time it felt like. His expression softened as he watched, the lithe human throwing his clothing down to the floor, albeit with a slight flourish compared to the Orc.
They stood there for what felt like hours, the guards looking over the paperwork over candlelight while the human couldn't help but shudder from the cold. Soon enough the captain emerged, and with a chuckle gave them the stamp of approval to enter the city.
"Be on your best behavior, greenskin. Your friend here is the only reason we're allowing your kind." The captain spat to the floor, leaving with the others while the duo dressed in silence.
It was almost evening now, Alder City shining in the darkness like it always did, it's stressed calmer now, with most off having dinner or just getting out of the cold. Gideon tried to keep up with the Orc as he made long strides, keeping a low profile as they attempted to head back to the inn.
"Thank you." The Orc said simply, still looking ahead as he marched. "You've never done that before."
"What, get you in trouble?" The human wheezed, his shorter legs barely keeping up. "I've done that loads of times, haven't I?"
The Orc shook his head, giving a soft smile. "You've never gotten in trouble WITH me. It's a nice change. Thank you... for trying to defend me."
The wizard could swear he saw a small flush on the Orc's face, convincing himself it was a trick of the light. He smiled in return, making their way to safer refuge.