"Last I checked, explosives went boom, and cheese just sat on your tongue," said Jurauk, snapping the reins. "Actually, I don't think sugar cheese is an actual thing."

     Zora gave him a small smile as she slid her aching feet out the pair of boots she'd stolen from Lorez. "I suppose the one good thing that came out of being a girl was the King's ignorance. I always snuck under the table whenever they held war counsels, and they continuously talked about 'sugar cheese'. Finally worked up the nerve to ask Pyter, and he explained what it was."

Jurauk frowned, gently guiding the horses down the dirt road. "Pyter? Was he like every other male in your country?"

Zora vigorously shook her head, dark tresses bouncing. "No! He's my other brother. If anything, he's the kindest guy I know and has the best manners too. Compared to you, you're a dead fly."

"Your compliment flatters me."

"It wasn't meant to be." Zora leaned back on the bench. Her hand drifted over the tarp. "I feel back for those fellows we left behind. You're sure your people don't travel this far, right?"

"The Nefari are a lazy and dwindling race. We usually go for smaller villages or kingdoms that are closely and not as guarded as Etharia."

His stomach rumbled. Zora inched away. "Don't you dare," she warned.

"I know, I know. Hands off this human." Jurauk gave her a playful smirk.

Zora turned her attention to the road. "There!" she exclaimed, pointing. "I see lights! The first village."

Indeed, as they rumbled closer, they could see red lanterns strung across trees and rooftops. A crowd of people walked through the streets, bustling with energy, noise, and joy. The lanterns gave everything a soft, rubicund hue. Children giggled as they darted in and out of the crowd, shouting nonsense babbles.

Everyone wore threadbare clothes, but this did not seem to deter anyone from celebrating. They were laughing, drinking, and eating to their hearts' content. This felt like a warm and inviting atmosphere.

Jurauk paused the wagon, gazing at the sight. It was so unlike the typical Nefari celebrations that were filled with cool, calculating nobles, and wine too fine for the average person. He glanced over at Zora, and his heart stumbled. Her green eye was huge, swallowing up the festivities with the eagerness of a child. Her face had an awestruck expression. Surely it was the lights that enticed her.

Upon closer observance, he saw tears pooling in her eye. "Oi, what happened?" Instinctively, his claws slid out, ready to slice away at the unseen enemy.

Zora, equally stunned, rubbed away at her cheek. "It's nothing."

"Obviously it's something, woman." The second the word left his mouth, he realized the source of her tears. There were mostly men in the streets. Many were stumbling around drunkenly, waving around empty flasks of liquor. Although the children were playing, they had jagged, wary looks to their young gazes.

There were only a few women dotting the roads, likely the wives of the richer menfolk. They wore decent clothes and held hands with their children, but they were constantly aware of their surroundings.

His sharp vision penetrated the dark shadows of alleyways, and he saw huddled shapes crouched by the walls, just out of the light's reach. Their faces were gaunt and sallow, framed by stringy strands of hair. Raggedy clothes sagged on the women's boney frames, dirt and muck staining the hems.

Jurauk risked a glance at Zora. She strongly resembled a turtle trying to hide underneath its shell. Her proud spine was curved inward, and her shoulders were hunched. Long black bangs made her expression nearly impossible to see.

"I wish I had something to cover myself," she said. Already their wagon was attracting glances, although most of the men were likely too drunk to notice Zora.

"Let's just ditch it," Jurauk urged. "We can find other ways to reach Etharia's heart."

Zora sighed. "I didn't realize how large this godforsaken kingdom was! I thought it was only a few hours, but it must have been a few days' worth of travel to reach the walls from the castle!"

Jurauk steered their horses away from the crowd. A few glances were cast their way, but no one stepped forward to intercept them.

The river ran directly beside the village, its rushing current drowning out the celebrations. Jurauk hopped off and deftly unhitched the horses from the wagon, tying the beasts to a nearby tree to prevent escape.

Meanwhile, Zora was trying her best to shove the wagon into the river; the explosives could not be removed due to the chains securing them to the wagon floor. She threw her small frame against it, but the wheels remained in place. With a low laugh, Jurauk reached over and effortlessly completed the job.

With a wide eye, she stared at his arm. "Unfair," she mused. "Nefari strength does indeed outrank humans. Oh well. Shall we find a tree to sleep in?"

"Hah! Fat chance. You'll likely roll out and break your neck." He rolled out a crick in his neck. "Besides, I'm sick of sleeping on the ground. How about a real inn?"

Even as he said this, Jurauk was reluctant, but both he and Zora were exhausted. They could use a bath to cleanse their bodies of grime. Immediately, she brightened.

"Food and a bed!" she exclaimed, thrilled. Her white, ropey scars gleamed in the moonlight. Jurauk pulled a few locks of her hair to cover them.

"Don't draw attention" he whispered. Her cheerful humming paused as she touched her cheek.

"Right." The word was barely more than a puff of air. Before he could stop himself, Jurauk slipped her arm around his.

When she gave him a questioning look, he said, "In case you get lost. Human men are untrustworthy creatures."

They emerged back amidst the villagers. Zora huddled closer into Jurauk's side as more men did doubletakes. "Hey!" one crowed. "She for sale? I promise I'll give her back in the morning."

Jurauk resisted the urge to snap his teeth animally. "No, she isn't," he said curtly, subtly moving in front of her. He tugged along swifter.

Zora gave a sharp cry, and he whirled around to see a hulking man with a chest the size of a barrel with a hand clamp around her upper arm. He leered at the dark-haired girl.

"She's a whore, brother. Can't be worth that much."

He grunted as Zora stomped down on his foot, but he didn't relinquish his hold on her. Jurauk inhaled. Once. Twice.

"Release her. Please." He ground out the last word. The big human male laughed harshly.

"As if." He made a move to hit the Nefari.

He hadn't even moved an inch before he was sent flying backwards, blood gushing from the stump of his arm. Jurauk was holding a blade he'd snatched from the man's waist. The man wailed and retched, curling into the fetal position.

Cries of horror ripped out of the townsfolk.

Disgusted, Zora pried the fingers off her arm and tossed the limb into the mud. A gust of wind blew away her hair, and the people around them gasped. A little boy burst into tears and ran behind his father's legs.

Before anyone could say a word, Jurauk grabbed Zora and ran as fast as his Nefari legs could go, leaving behind the astonished onlookers.

*looks at last update* omg it's been so long... HEY EVERYONE I'M NOT DEAD. so sorry for the long wait. I lost inspiration for a while, and school work was just too much -_- the good thing is summer is coming, so hopefully I will have more time to write!

is it getting boring? I feel like there's too much dialogue, and there are so many mistakes in the plot XD

Discussion Questions: Did Jurauk make the right choice in running away? How will they infiltrate the castle now?