They Move on to the Next City

They packed up their things that day, readying to leave. Samia sighed with relief that the job had been a success and she had not been left behind like she had back in Vernia.

“It seems you are skilled at distraction,” Lexo said.

She merely smiled back at him.

“Reynaldo might be entranced by you, Samia.” He took a firm grip of her arm. “But I see right through you. I know you have secrets. I will be watching.”

He let her go, leaving behind a sting in the arm and the faint smell of pipe smoke. What had that been about? Jealousy perhaps? Or did her really know her secret?

They walked the snaking path towards the city of Jocia, the final human settlement this far east. The others had gone on ahead. They moved in small groups, pairs or threes, entering the city at different times. It wouldn’t do for people to discover them.

The city came into view as they rounded the final hill that was covered in long grass. There were three mountains in the distance behind it. The huge tower stood over the far side of the city, dozens of spires sticking up from it. There was an archway and a large bridge that served as a walkway for guards to defend the city from orc invaders. There were other defensive fortifications on the hills to the left and right too. There hadn’t been an attack from the orcs for a while, but they did happen at times.

They arrived in the city; it was a nice place, a long, curved road fed through the centre. There were shops with canopies over their entrances. The rooftops were red, the walls painted white and black.

Reynaldo and Samia arrived in the city last. It would be easy for them to blend in as a young couple in love. He looked so rugged just now. He’d shaved yesterday, and now the dark stubble was growing a little thick. She loved it when he rubbed it on her breasts, scratching at them with the sharp hairs.

“We have a place,” Lexo said when they arrived.

They headed up to their new hideout. They’d been given a room with a view of the street below. It’d been days since they’d had any privacy, or a nice bed for that matter. Samia laid down on it right away.

It was a small room, but it felt like a palace compared to the cold, hard ground they had been sleeping on for the last week on the way from Novilla. She couldn't help but smile as she lay down on the soft mattress, letting the stress and exhaustion of their journey melt away through the soft feathers beneath her.

Reynaldo joined her, his eyes shining with curiosity as they took in the simple yet cozy surroundings. There was a small window near the ceiling, through which the city's flickering torchlight cast shadows on the walls. The air was filled with the faint scent of smoke and spices, a mix that was both familiar and comforting.

Lexo, entered without knocking and looked around the room. He spoke, breaking the silence.

"This will be our hiding place until the time is right. We'll wait for the others and gather our strength. But we must remain vigilant, my friends, for the city guards here are the best in all the land."

As Lexo's words echoed in their minds, Samia couldn't help but feel a sense of dread. The city of Jocia was known for its strict laws and harsh punishments. They would have to be extra cautious if they wanted to avoid being caught.

Reynaldo, ever the optimist, took a deep breath and said, "We'll be fine. We've made it this far; we can surely make it to the end."

He couldn't help but smile at Samia, his love for her shining in his eyes. She returned his smile, her heart swelling with affection.

Samia stared at Lexo, who eventually left the pair of them. He left the door wide open though.

She went over and closed it, wanting to be alone with Reynaldo.