For a few more hours of travel along the River, the terrain changed into the Serranin desert. Trees became more sparse until only the most durable of shrubs could inhabit the inhospitable climate. The ground turned from green and brown to tan and red, then rose up around them as they descended into a canyon carved by the same river countless years before.

Despite traveling along a river, the travelers were plagued by the neverending wind, sand, and scorching heat, so it was a relief to them both when Zasai finally announced that they were getting close.

Zasai motioned for Astietara to meet her on the thin rocky bank she'd been 'running' along. He didn't bother slowing down, pointing his fingers down and yanking his arms up to launch himself up toward the ground. He landed a bit clumsily, taking a few steps to slow down.

"Please tell me we're almost there," he panted.

Zasai batted her eyelashes at him. "Is the Good Lord getting tired?"

"My skin is tired of being assaulted by sand," he grumbled. "I'd like to find a shelter."

Wimp. "We've gone as far as we can along the river," she reported. "We'll have to travel a bit on foot to reach Catsen's 'estate'."

If he noticed the way she said 'estate', he didn't comment. "How long is 'a bit'?"

"It depends on how long you spend whining before we start walking."

"Which will only be prolonged until you properly answer my question."

She sighed. "Half an hour if we move quickly." Spinning around, she started at a brisk pace across the barren terrain.

Astietara huffed, then walked quickly to catch up to her. In the bright desert sun, Zasai noticed a singular bronze earring dangling from his left ear.

"Where'd you get the earring?" she asked.

"It is my attempt to fit in with your kingdom's fashion standards."

She scoffed. "My sister would tell you that you have to be asymmetrical on both sides. Otherwise you look off-balance in the wrong way, she says."

"You have a sister?"

"Have you not seen us entering events together? She always makes sure to fasten herself to me, rather like a leech."

He raised his eyebrows. "Well, it sounds like the two of you get along spectacularly." As if to punctuate his statement, he took a long swig from his water flask.

Zasai didn't respond to that, continuing to walk. They traveled in silence for a few good minutes, focused on moving quickly. Eventually, they approached a group of squat buildings, built out of red stone. It was a tiny village, really more of an encampment, but a good number of people bustled about in the standard Serranin loose clothes.

"Who are we looking for?" Astietara asked, glancing around.

"Catsen Cafycan," Zasai answered. "She was born in Charis, but moved and became one of the most renowned and feared mercenaries in Serran. Her alias is Quicksand, but everyone knows her real name. Her mercenary identity is her identity." She felt a pang of jealousy at that, but quickly shoved it down.

"What's her power?"

"She's a Shaker, and a good one. She also uses a double-bladed battle axe."

Astietara whistled. "She does sound useful, after all."

Zasai gave him a sidelong glance. "I will also give you a heads up: she's transgender. She also excels at making people's lives a living hell if they cross her. So I suggest you don't misgender her."

Astietara smiled ever so slightly. "Got it. I think I'm going to like her."

"Oh, you will," Zasai told him. "I mean, she drives me insane. But she's also awesome."

As they moved into the avenue between the buildings, the ground became more solid, formed into a barely-road that was still covered in sand.

Zasai's ears caught the sound of footsteps approaching fast from her left. She whipped around, to find... a little pile of sand jumping up and down on the road, seemingly with no cause.

Here we go again.

A whirl of sand kicked up around the travelers, obscuring their vision, and then they were both shoved to the ground.

Zasai blinked as the sound cleared, lifting her head, but the street in front of her was empty -- it looked like most of the people had scattered.

"Took you long enough," a loud baritone voice said from behind her.

Zasai picked herself up gingerly, turning around to see the person behind her.

Her eyes were a warm chocolate brown, but the glint in them was wild enough to rival the electric red hair that came down to just above her shoulders, and a badass-looking scar on her left cheek completed the image. She was barely an adult — eighteen years of age — but was well-muscled and stood right between Zasai and Astietara in height. Her clothing was simple brown and yellow, made of cloth that was designed to be loose and cool. To Zasai's surprise, the battle axe was missing, but she was certain it was somewhere nearby.

Astietara stood with a groan and turned to the woman. "I take it this is Catsen?"

Catsen Cafycan — Crazy Evil

"At your service," Catsen said with a low bow. "As long as you pay," she added with a raised finger.

Before any of them could speak further, she motioned sharply, then turned and led them into one of the nearby sandstone buildings. It was bare except for a mattress in one corner and a few cupboards. "Alright, who's this?" she asked Zasai once they were inside, jerking her head at Astietara.

"This is Astietara," Zasai told her, deliberately using only his first name. "The person looking to hire you. He's Inferno, in case you couldn't tell from the five-syllable name."

"Nice to meet you, Astietara," Catsen said with a grin. "I see you've met my favorite walking block of ice."

Astietara coughed in annoyance. "Yes, I have. And 'Lord Danonzar' will suffice."

Zasai felt her lips twitching toward a genuine smile. As infuriating as the Serranin bounty hunter could be, she had an energy about her that always made Zasai feel lighter.

"Right, right," Catsen responded. "Lord Danonzar. How much are you offering?"

The lord raised his eyebrows. "Straight to the point," he observed.

"Well, I like to be as clear as possible," Catsen answered cheerfully. "We wouldn't want any confusion." She said it like she really wanted confusion.

"Then I will be clear as well," Astietara said. "I don't know exactly how much I'll be able to pay for your services, but I know it will be substantial."

Zasai had to resist the urge to smack her palm to her forehead. If there was any way not to deal with Catsen, this was it. "I'm going to be causing trouble in Inferno, since they're already on edge. Astietara here is going to catch me and collect the bounty that will have been put on my head. So you see where you come in."

Catsen's face split into a grin so wide it was almost disconcerting. "I do."

Turning back to Astietara, Zasai said, "This is how you deal with Catsen."

"Are you saying you manipulated me?" Catsen demanded shrilly.

"Only because it's best for you. If you'd listened to this moron, you'd have missed out on the fun."

"True, true. So what are we doing now?"

"We're getting Birchet."

If possible, Catsen's grin widened. "You really are getting the whole gang, huh?" Then her brow furrowed. "I'm surprised they agreed to something like this."

"They haven't yet," Zasai admitted. "But they said they're willing to talk."

"You didn't tell me that," Astietara interjected, looking put-off.

"I implied it. I just assumed you were perceptive."

"I just assumed you knew how to properly do your job," he retorted. "I am paying you for this, you know."

"Yes, yes," Catsen said. "You're paying an unspecified amount for an unspecified job. What more could a mercenary ask for?"

He huffed, but didn't let himself get pulled into that conversation. "Let's go find this Birchet. The sooner we get there, the sooner we know if they say yes, and the sooner we can get on with this."

"Whatdya know?" Catsen remarked, bumping Zasai's shoulder. "He actually does have some common sense."

"Only the tiniest bit," Zasai added. "Come on, let's go."

A/N: I just want to say that Catsen is by no means supposed to represent the entirety of trans women, or trans people. She is portrayed on the evil spectrum because this is a villain book and she's one of said villains. Trans people are people and have different personalities just like other people do, and Catsen is a person who has an iffy moral compass because of her past and because that's how she is. She also happens to be trans.

Catsen is also not very stereotypically feminine, because trans people are not required to conform to stereotypical gender roles any more than cis people and this in no way invalidates their gender.

I just wanted to spell this out clearly to avoid any misconceptions. Thanks for reading!! :)