They're as ready as they can be. Faces set and determined beneath their hoods. Stratos holds up a finger to them before they leave, though: with a brief shift of his hands, the older Imperial is replaced with a Nord man of similar build in rough fur armor.
"I thought it better to avoid any questions among prying neighbors," he explains. "There's little for amusement in Bruma at this time of year. So, Felix may take his husband sightseeing a little in the countryside, and I am merely your guide and guard. Hopefully we won't be stopping to talk with anyone, though."
He pushes the door open, letting them out into the cobbled street and passing Felix the key to lock the door behind them. The main part of the streets have been swept and shoveled clear of snow, but drifts are left piled up around the houses: it's not deep winter, any more, but up this high the cold has yet to fully loose its grip. The men tug their fur-lined hoods closer as they stride through the streets, along a route even Jim has come to know pretty well. It's not long after dawn, most people busy on their own errands or hurrying to get to work. They pass unremarked among the townspeople, though the foot traffic falls off as they approach the north gate. All trade and messages come through the south gate these days. The only other people heading out are a couple of trappers with smelly but empty packs slung at their backs.
Beyond the gateway, though, waits Uncle Terentius, well bundled-up himself with a quartet of stocky horses in hand. The older man looks very relieved to see them.
"Not a moment too soon, lads. I'm not used to handling this many beasts at once. Think the chestnut was dreaming up some mischief for when my back was turned." He's only too glad to hand off the reins to most of them.
"I'm sure he's just curious to find himself round this side of Bruma for a change," Felix remarks with the flash of a small smile.
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"I thought it better to avoid any questions among prying neighbors," he explains. "There's little for amusement in Bruma at this time of year. So, Felix may take his husband sightseeing a little in the countryside, and I am merely your guide and guard. Hopefully we won't be stopping to talk with anyone, though."
He pushes the door open, letting them out into the cobbled street and passing Felix the key to lock the door behind them. The main part of the streets have been swept and shoveled clear of snow, but drifts are left piled up around the houses: it's not deep winter, any more, but up this high the cold has yet to fully loose its grip. The men tug their fur-lined hoods closer as they stride through the streets, along a route even Jim has come to know pretty well. It's not long after dawn, most people busy on their own errands or hurrying to get to work. They pass unremarked among the townspeople, though the foot traffic falls off as they approach the north gate. All trade and messages come through the south gate these days. The only other people heading out are a couple of trappers with smelly but empty packs slung at their backs.
Beyond the gateway, though, waits Uncle Terentius, well bundled-up himself with a quartet of stocky horses in hand. The older man looks very relieved to see them.
"Not a moment too soon, lads. I'm not used to handling this many beasts at once. Think the chestnut was dreaming up some mischief for when my back was turned." He's only too glad to hand off the reins to most of them.
"I'm sure he's just curious to find himself round this side of Bruma for a change," Felix remarks with the flash of a small smile.