I looked around the cell, all of the occupants were women in varying states of cleanliness.
"Good day," I greeted them politely.
"Not lately," remarked one of them wearily, "what'd they bring you in for then?"
"Camping without a permit, not being registered, and apparently I lied to the guardsman."
"The City Guards wouldn't know the truth if it jumped out and bit them," commented another woman sarcastically.
"Well there was no evidence to prove I wasn't lying," I replied with a shrug, "my partner wandered off without telling me he was going, next thing I know I'm being woken up by some twit with a sword."
"They're using any excuse to get unregistered performers off the roads."
"Only near the cities," I told them, "Sallan and I were on the roads and among the villages for near a month with no trouble."
"Sallandarandas the centaur?" asked a female voice from the corner, the other women stepped aside to allow the new comer through.
"As you say, madame, that is indeed my companions name."
My first thought, as she stepped further into the light, was that the speaker was extraordinarily tall then her foot hit the stone floor instead of the straw lining it.
"You are a centaur," I guessed out loud, even before she reached the lighter area.
"Indeed I am, Karlinallisallia - Karlina to humans," she added contemptuosly, I said nothing for a moment studying the woman. She was the same height as me, which seemed to surprise her as she examined me equally as closely.
"I would wish you Good Day, but it seems inappropriate in these circumstances. I am Lheorayhanni - Lora to other humans."
"You are Sallandarandas' travelling...companion?"
"And lovely assistant, also a musician. We met in a village, I forget which, and combined our talents."
"Where is he now?"
"That is a very good question, he was injured, not seriously, this morning we were resting out side the city and, as I said, when I woke up he'd wandered off."
"what in the Gods' name are you two babbling?" snapped the woman who had taken charge.
"Apologies," I replied automatically (childhood habit that).
"Mistress Karlina and I were discussing a mutual acquaintance."
"Not that it's your business," snapped Karlina.
"May I ask, how long have you all been waiting to see the magistrate?"
"Oh we've all only been here since this morning. Most of us are from the same troupe," explained the leader, who then introduced herself as Anthella Corrandi, the co-leader of a group of Travelling performers.
"We started setting up outside the city as normal and they arrested the lot of us," she explained angrily, "35 of us including the children!"
"Barbarians the lot of you," muttered Karlina.
"Alright you lot, shut up and sleep. You'll see the magistrate in the morning, and I'll have no misbehaviour or you'll be in here another week," the guard shouted from outside the cell, the women - including myself - quieted down immediately, none of us were the type who enjoy being shut in.
"Magistrate's going to be busy," was the last comment made before morning.