It took them a while to reach their destination. They tried all sorts of tactics: bartered their way onto farmer's wagons, shoving themselves into alleys if there were any royal guards, and at one point, Jurauk had to disguise himself as a girl to blend in with a gaggle of aristocratic women.

     Zora had teased him endlessly. He trashed the dress the first chance he got.

     Arriving at Etharia's capital Rodath was a blessing. They walked side by side, trudging through the bustling streets. Zora had her hair tied back in a gentleman's tail, and a hat with a low brim was seated on her head. The eyepatch fit snugly against her face. Their boots slapped into water puddles, sending up sprays of brown-tinted droplets.

     Merchants shouting out wares with their multicolored stalls were squeezed against the stone buildings. They were so crowded, it was difficult to tell where one stall ended and where another began. It was high noon, and the sun shone relentlessly. No clouds were benevolent enough to shield them. Jurauk felt hot and stuffy inside his clothes, his sweat causing the wet cotton to stick to his body.

     When he fumbled for his canteen, he found he had less than a quarter left. He would need to refill it soon.

     "Jurauk, you stand out," Zora commented. Jurauk arched an eyebrow, tucking the canteen back by his waist. He wiped his slick palms on his shirt.

     "What do you mean? I think I'm dressed perfectly normal."

     "Yes, you are. It's just that, you're much taller than most."

     "What, jealous of my stature?" He made a show of looking around. "I can see everything!"

     She smacked his arm. "It was just a statement, haha. You didn't need to degrade my shortness."

     This playful banter was becoming more frequent, and while he had at first found it to be insurmountably difficult to stay calm, he now enjoyed it. Found it endearing, even.

     He turned serious. "I know I'm a super magical being with wicked physical abilities, but I still need a game plan. Any ideas?"

     Zora tilted her head to the side. "Good question. Gregori will have a horde of guards surrounding him, there's no doubt. Other than that oath magic thing –" she wiggled her arm for emphasis "– any other qualities I should know about?"

     A flash of black caught Jurauk's attention. When he tried to see its source, all he found was a single ebony feather floating to land in a puddle of water. "Ah." He glanced at her apologetically. "There may have been a teeny tiny bit of information I forgot to tell you."

     Zora crossed her arms and sighed. "It's important, isn't it. Spill."

     "I can talk to ravens?" He voiced it like a question.

     She snickered.

     "Hey!" Jurauk protested. "What's so bad about it?"

     Zora was nearly shaking with laughter. "Sorry," she gasped, "I'm being rather mean. It's just when you mentioned that, an image of one of those fairytale princesses popped into my head. You know, that ones that talk to all the cute forest critters as they hang up laundry or open windows."

     Jurauk stuck out his tongue. "I'm not a damsel, Zora. I'm part of hell's brood. Besides, I doubt it will help us much. It's only when I'm in danger that I can hear them."

     "What do you mean?"

     An orange teetered and topped off a cart, but Jurauk effortlessly snagged it midair and tossed it back, earning a grateful smile from the elderly woman pushing it. "May the gods bless you," she murmured. Jurauk didn't know how to reply, so he just returned the words with an awkward smile.

     Zora nudged him. "Well?"

     "Right. As far I know, it's only occurred twice. The first was when I was about four or five years old. I fell off a cliff, and a murder of ravens swooped down and saved me. They were complaining about being hungry. The second was right after I got this." He touched his side, well-healed by now. "They attacked my captors when I couldn't."

     Zora tapped her chin in thought. "Interesting. If we could somehow harness your ability, I'm sure we can devise a strategy. Why don't you try calling one right now?"

     "For a human, you're strangely tolerant of such magic. I suspected you would be screaming your head off."

     She waved a hand. "I've met you, somebody that doesn't exist. Magic is smeared up and down my arm. So what?"

     Jurauk scratched the back of his neck. "I've never tried it before. I'm not sure it would work."

     "You never know until you try. Just strike a conversation. Talk about how nice the weather is."

     Jurauk closed his eyes, until his mind became a pinpoint of shadow surrounded by white light. The humans were floating white blobs, but in the trees were smaller shadows. The ravens. He forced his own shadow to stretch out to meet theirs.

     The moment he touched one, conversations filled his head.

     You feel that, Alexei?

     Feel what? Mm, the beetle in my beak?

     No, you mentally challenged ball of feathers! It's that Nefari kid. He's calling us.

Huh? The little one with red hair? Aw shucks, here we go again.

     His eyes flew open, and he heard Zora gasp. The townsfolk shrieked as dark shapes erupted from the leaves, cawing with zeal. There was the beating of wings as they sailed into a dark alcove near Jurauk and stared intently at him.

     This better be good.

     Jurauk laughed nervously. "Ha, erm, my bad. Didn't mean to. Go back to your business?"

     One raven's beady eyes glinted menacingly. You made me drop the beetle!

     "...sorry?"

     Upon seeing there was no danger, the flock dispersed, leaving behind only feathers. Zora exhaled in amazement. "I've got it," she announced, tugging eagerly on the hem of Jurauk's shirt.

     "That fast?" he questioned, bewildered, hyper aware of the strange looks they were receiving. Zora grinned and stood up on her tiptoes.

     Jurauk bent down a little so he could hear her words.

     A puff of warm air on his ear, and that was all.

hellooo my lovelies! here's the long awaited update. i'll probably be updated less frequently now, because school is a bitch, but it'll be okay!

sorry if all my chapters are so slow, haha.

heyyyy you should totally go check out my historical Chinese/wuxia story #shamelessselfpromo XD it's got badass girls and swords

Discussion Questions: What do you think the plan is? How will the ravens be involved?