You travel upriver from Raus's lands to the border of Sun County without incident, and are stopped at the border by the usual militia border guard, which this time is reinforced with a sizeable number of Templars and other troops, including lighter-armored skirmishers in boats (a new thing for Yelmalions!) and fast horse archers. Word has come far in advance of your approach, and you've been expecting some sort of trouble. True to form and expectations, the guard is waiting to tax you and all others that bring Cradle gold upriver from Corflu. They've certainly stopped others passing through and taken their cut for crossing their borders. They inspect all river and road traffic thoroughly, and levy a tax of 7% on large amounts of gold passing through. They give no explanation, apology, or justification except presenting an edict from Count Solanthos, and being backed up with lazy but well-equipped troops nearby.
[After much discussion about how to bypass the toll ...]
You ride up as an entourage and pay the 7% tariff, then ride to Pavis unaccosted and are there by day 22.