Riven

A routine border check.

Nothing to feel nervous about.

Riven patiently awaited his turn while he examined his claws, his posture relaxed and expression carefully neutral. As the line of wagons and carts and bustling traders alike slowly crept through the heavily defended checkpoint, the smuggler fought the urge to let his gaze wander. Darting eyes are what usually piqued the unwelcome curiosity of the guards. Who, as it was, were a pair of incredibly large Imperials.

Puffing a soft sigh and ruffling his wings, the Wild Claw reached out his talons, gently patting the flank of the elderly elk lashed to his cart. The beast snorted softly before slowly trudging forward, cart lurching along with him, when the guards called for the next inspection.

It would be Riven's turn soon. He swiftly assessed his rickety wain and the wares within, taking care that nothing of importance was visible...

He stepped towards the guards, confidently maintaining eye contact and pulling from his sash the necessary admittance papers. The Imperials barely sniffed at his crates and waved him through, clearly eager to get through the massing line of merchants.

Riven smiled to himself as he trundled through the gate. Turns out that this was an easy run after all.

Just a routine border check.

Nothing to feel nervous about.

credit to @Kinged