Frightened Knights!

Kael walked along the trails that would lead him out of the forest and towards the nearest town. The scenery around him changed rapidly, the trees and dense silence of the forest giving way to open fields and a paved road leading to the city. The smell of the city seemed denser, the air charged with a mixture of aromas of food, people and the incessant activity going on. 

Finally, as he turned a corner, he spotted the city gates. What immediately caught his eye was the queue forming in front of the gate. Armed knights, with their shining armor and swords at their waists, were on standby, carrying out an identity check for all comers. Security seemed tight, as if the city was protecting itself from something.