Concavenator:

Before the day was over, the sergeant strode in again. Her demeanor was neutral and formal, as if Kukri and Giya had been complete strangers she was now addressing for the first time, and only as required by her office. “The bats have arrived”, she said. “I quote the message as follows. 'Yara Taika-Grati, speaking for the Chaatai chapter of the Guild of Natural Philosophers, answers thus: we confirm that Kukri Taika-Daagru is a member of the guild of good repute and sound mind at the last of our knowledge. We do not endorse the actions that resulted in her arrest but are willing to negotiate a bail if necessary. Of this Giya we have no knowledge, but are willing to accept Kukri's vouching for the time being'. End of the message”.

pinkgothic:

“Mildly more acerbic than I was hoping,” Kukri quipped, attempting to loosen the tension of the moment with some quipped levity. “But I suppose it's not every day the Guild receives messages asking for identification of members in custody. I will say it may have taken Yara a bit of effort to describe me of sound mind with such formality; it is quite normal amongst philosophers to have hefty disputes and thus doubt the same.”

Concavenator:

“So I've heard!” the sergeant replied, a note of amusement in her voice despite all. “You're a puzzling sort, you philosophers. I suppose I should say that with your guild vouching for you, and you vouching for your pupil in turn, I have no more concerns and you are free to go your way. Free to go you are,” (and here Giya gasped) “but I have learned of concerning things nonetheless. With your permission – so to speak – we would keep an eye on your work, philosopher Kukri Taika-Daagru and apprentice Giya”.

pinkgothic:

“Of course,” Kukri said, wholly amicable about it. As long as they were free to leave, there was no particular threat about it, and the way it had been worded was rather more that of curiosity - an emotion she understood, especially paired with scepticism - and so it was frankly worth encouraging, not trying to prevent. “It would be poor philosophy indeed if it did not lend itself to scrutiny.”

Concavenator:

Now the sergeant's voice and posture became somewhat sterner. “I'm glad for your agreement, because if you have spoken the truth – I must agree now that you were sincere; it's not up to me to decide if you are correct – then your work is truly a grave matter. Perhaps one that should be not be left up to disputes and debates – but we shall see. At any rate, I'll have your luggage returned to you, and then you will be free to go. Although I must recommend you to pick more carefully your travel companions. There are officers less understanding than I”.

pinkgothic:

Past her acknowledging nodding, Kukri pondered aloud: “I don't suppose you could point us to some? As you can tell from the manner you came to be acquainted with us, it's not my field of expertise, and I, too, would prefer not to make a fool of myself and my apprentice a second time, frankly wholly independent of whether the consequences would or would not be any less or more unpleasant.” Frankly she still don't know what precisely they had even been doing - she didn't make a habit of looking into people's cargo unprompted, so any smuggled wares were mostly left to her imagination.

Concavenator:

A shrug. “I suppose one learns to see it. Perhaps this sort of discernment not a common skill in your halls, though I wonder if your discreet apprentice could not have learned it by necessity. Until then, you might want to be content with public transportations and licensed drivers”.