Dark Queen

xxvi.

     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.