Lowell

Chapter 5

They stayed in Capua Torim almost month. Hanna had been lonely from staying in the ruins of an abandoned town. She needed people and Lowell had agreed. When his wife didn't smile neither did he. It was the longest they ever stayed in a town. And therefore, the most dangerous thing they'd done.

Hanna did her best to hide her face. She couldn't hide her pregnancy though. That much was clear. She had already been a few months along. People noted her and asked about the father. She lied for his sake. Said, they were cousins. They stayed in a room in a rundown inn. Lowell did his best to hide the antennas and large ears that gave himself away. But, it probably was quite noticeable. The innkeeper knew. He kept it a secret and did what he could.

"You won't turn us in?" Hanna had asked him as she helped in the kitchen to help cover their board.

The middle-aged innkeeper should his head. "I only call on real criminals. Lately, the Empire's persecuting Krytians for the sport of it. Just because you did something dumb doesn't mean you should have to die." Hanna had sighed in relief. "Besides, my mother was half-Krytian and I turned out fine."

That month had been pleasant. The two were comfortable in a strange sense. Everything fell apart though when the knights saw them together. They recognized Lowell as a Krytian and tried to arrest him. They ran. Or at least Lowell ran and Hanna was carried on his back. She wasn't much up for running these days. They barely made it out of the city. The two only made it out because some of the few people who knew them helped to sneak them out.

In the few hours that Yuri had been with the Scifos ground rules had to be firmly established. One was no biting. The other was that the two couldn't fight unless it was outside and didn't involve fists. Or biting. They had to establish a lot of rules on that matter. Mostly, because Norien thought that if the children were going to constantly fight they should do so in a civilized manner befitting a gentleman. And because she didn't want them breaking the furniture.

Flynn in the short time had come to understand that Yuri was the most annoying person in the world. Especially, because the halfer would purposely only behave when he knew Norien was looking. It was beyond frustrating. His mother only laughed it off as play, but the two boys knew better. Neither could stand the other so they'd sit across the house and glare at each other. To a child, this was a battle. To an adult, it was amusing.

The affair went on till Norien asked if any of the boys would like to help with dinner. Both rushed to help and she put them to work peeling potatoes. The children kept their feud as they worked. Yuri would peel a potato and Flynn would follow suit. They were so caught up in their fight that they demanded more tasks. In the end, Norien didn't actually have to do any of the actual cooking. And, so the scheming wheels turned as the boys competed to see who could set the table better.

Common sense told her to make sure the two boys sat as far away from each other as possible for a peaceful dinner. But, Norien knew this type of feuding and understood that cure was to tire the two. They sat across from each other and continued their intense staring contest.

Flynn gave a hard kick to Yuri who kept a steady pace as he hit back. Yuri growled as he kept his eyes steady at the blonde. Flynn put his fork down. "Stop growling! It's creepy."

"I always growl! Deal with it." Yuri spat at him as he took another large bite. He kicked Flynn again for good measure. There weren't any rules on kicking.

Flynn kicked back once more and two were now involved in a foot fight under the table.

"Flynn don't call people creepy. That's rude." Yuri chuckled and grin spread on his face. "And, Yuri no growling at the table. It spoils the food."