Lesser operations would have a queue, but the Dixies run a smooth deal. Each person entering or leaving must state their name, when they last passed the gate. The gate guards are zealous, quickly crosschecking against the records, then holding up a likeness of Valk Tillerman and Segue Tyr to the entrant's face to check for a match. Its the work of seconds, but not even death would get through unspotted.

If you're not on the list, you're not coming in.

or rather you are, but heading straight for the holding cells.

There is a faint yell, from back at the fortress. A guard turns, his eyes widen, he grabs his fellow by the scruff and pulls them both away as the checkpoint explodes into splinters.

A shoddy artillery patrol failed to make safe their weapon, which had just discharged its payload, lethally low, towards the outer gate. Freak chance. The Ballista bolt crashes into the unmanned post as a dozen shocked onlookers dive from the papery explosion.

The grinning mug of Valk floats gently down and lands in the mud, there it is crushed under a knights boot, who quickly slips through the checkpoint, accompanied by six others, while the guards are distracted.

No one looks up as the group crosses the courtyard, towards the central tower.