Through the fog, different architectures of buildings came into view; the buildings formed from sandstone smoothed for a beautifully polished feel; its variety of windows a stunningly-clear glass that reflected the suns rays tenfold.
Eaves of cloth intertwined like trees across the streets, connecting homes and providing shelter from the scorching sun shining above. Markets, doused in native ingredients and goods fuelled the excitement of the mid afternoon rush. A sound of music whistled with the wind that upturned the lips of her stubborn face.
People; the skin in varying shades of brown and tan. The abundance of that shining black hair- another cultures hair.
The eyes that ranged from uptilted to wide and round to slender, in hues of ebony and chestnut and even the rare hazel and green. Free people.
A blend of territories, yes, but... here there were no slurs hissed throughout the streets. Here there be no rocks thrown by children. Here, their sisters children would not feel different... unwanted.
And that part of her, despite her thrown-back shoulders and raised chin as she ran, her knees indeed quaked at the difference between the West, and her very home.
Reluctantly, her eyes shot to the ground as it was a complete contrast by the sandy, course texture currently latching to their shoes as they brushed it up behind them.
What didn't help was the impenetrable, humid heat thickening as their pace grew and demanded them to breathe deeper, faster.
The fog was clearing, which meant that they would be recognised. They needed to somehow get away from the impending crowd... perhaps a building of some sorts that was accustomed to the foreign riff raft entering its gates. As to not arouse suspicion.
Yes. That's what she needed, what they both needed.
However, a moment of concern crossed her face as she glanced back and noticed Liam had lost his cloak. His bare shirt clung to his skin while the satchel wrapped around his front, they were all apparent.. but that dammed cloak must have been lost in the chaos.
Still, she had hers, it's weight nestling on her shoulders as it carried the filth and dirt of others to the sandy floor.
Her eyes snapped back straight, continuing the path they had set themselves while murmuring to herself. How will he not get noticed?
Even being Princess Elianna, who lived a life of solitude in the northern towers, had heard about the charming, smart prince of the south who would make a fine heir to the throne...
He was a well-known public figure to each corner or Caswor, with individual little details about him out for public dictation, and what they did with that information was concerning, which is the exact reason Aloysia cursed to herself.
She couldn't stop her legs heading for an establishment border-lining the south. No. They didn't have a choice, they needed to be rid of the crowd.
Those wooden-tarred gates couldn't have come sooner as Aloysia hooked an arm around Liam, catching him off guard. Music could be heard streaming through the gaps, it's melody a chilling delight compared to the fear of being uncovered, but through it she whispered, "Go in and take a table closest to the entrance"
She ruffled his hair, smearing dirt on his face to hide his features. He reached to stop her but she swatted his hand away.
"What about you?"
She gave him a smile, "I will follow, just don't get noticed or draw attention yourself"
The filth on his face was hardening under the sun, a grimy crinkle when he moved his lips. "You could've just said"
She huffed, raising her hood and giving him a stern glance.
As instructed, Liam pushed the doors open faintly, slipping in as quietly as possible; gently guiding the door shut while he made his way -face down- towards the closest available table.
His heart was beating in his throat. He could already feel a curious set of eyes poking at his side, edging him to face them...
The seat was boiling but he suffered in silence, gritting his teeth and burying the shame and embarrassment on how he currently looked.
It seemed like forever being sat alone, but not for long as that nervous weight relieved itself when Aloysia followed soon after. Not being so quiet as he had, but instead wearing a navy blue cloak, the spotless material drawing the eyes away from him, away from their table.
Aloysia had swiped another cloak from an un-watched stand stationed just outside the bar, her previous one tucked behind her while she approached the table handing it calmly to him, like a gift given at the meeting of an old friend.
"I thought I would return this to you after I borrowed it a few weeks ago" she chuckled. Her voice was slightly different, a much higher pitch than he was expecting.
Was she putting on an act?
"Thank you" he replied gratefully as he took the cloak within his hands. His eyes glossed over it, dirt rubbing into his palms...
"Oh.. I'm sorry for the stains" she masked sorrowfully, pulling on the sleeve of her shirt while burying her head in her lap, "I didn't have the time to clean it myself before I gave it to you..."
She played the part of a considering friend savagely well, going so far as to twiddle her fingers in anticipation of her 'friends' reaction.
Liam coughed to gather her attention. "No need to stress over it" he smiled, "I'll clean it once I return home"
Her face lit up at the comment, grinning childishly that looked so genuine. The acting was on point, not a faltering motive shown.
"Thank goodness!" she remarked, quickly bursting to unfold and wrap the stained cloak around Liam, with his assistance of course.
Finally, situating the hood over his face, Aloyisa allowed her hands to linger there. "Better?" She whispered. Her hands returned to her lap as he nodded calmly. "I didn't even realise I lost it"
"Next time, be more aware please" she smirked.
"Next time? Who says there will be a next time? I'm certainly not one to want to actively try and get killed. That's all you"
Aloysia held back her laugh, cupping her mouth in support.
He grinned at his own comment, watching the way she fidgeted.
"I don't know how you do it" he whispered, regaining his steady breath back, and leaning closer to the sandstone carved table, "but you somehow escape every time"
Aloysia smirked deliciously, those red eyes gleamed in pride at his words, "Well of course, I've been doing it for most of my life"
"I'm serious" Liam stated, "it must be draining to be a public figure and an assassin so elite all kingdoms want your head"
"Well.." she sighed, leaning deeper into the cushions of her padded chair, "when you put it that way, it is quite exhausting"
Noticing the intentional elongation of the word, Liam rolled his eyes at her cocky ness. "You know what, now I wish I hadn't said anything" he laughed.
"Well, I'm glad you did"
"Whatever, you're so full of yourself"
This was the lightest she had felt in a while, it was as if they were back in that garden in the freezing snow, walking aimlessly without the burden of the world to care about.
"Thank you for showing me kindness Liam, I wouldn't be the same without it"
A heartfelt compliment... "wait- did you just praise me?" Liam scoffed, holding back a snicker as he peered into Aloysias wide-eyed expression.
The heavenly music accompanied the low chatter around them, lightening up the mood.
Aloysia looked shocked with herself before bursting into a playful manor, "perhaps I did Liam" her lips carved into a beautiful smile, "...perhaps I did"
There were so many fleeting emotions behind those eyes that he could hardly see... so many secrets that he could swallow himself hole into. But he knew he couldn't, he couldn't get lost into that no matter how much she was an enigma to him. A true mystery.
"Well I'm glad that I have such good protection from you, when even my own bodyguards want to kill me"
Aloysia silenced herself. "Unlike those guards, I don't take bribery's to kill a successor"
She grit her teeth at the mention, blinking innocently, "I would just do it outright"
His demeanour turned rigid, eyeing her subtle movements. "You wouldn't kill me right?"
Aloysia sat upright, wiping off the sand from her boots. "Why would I? I have nothing to gain."
He gulped, eyes fixated on the sandstone table.
"Plus, it would be a shame to loose you, who else would be crazy enough to fix this mental world?"
"You do have a point there" he dragged out, watching the way Aloysia reached for her shoe.
The boot was bloody engraved with sand, even leaking into the footwear itself. Liam could see her frustration with it.
She sighed, retreating her foot to the floor in surrender. "You would help people instead of trampling them underfoot" Aloysia eyed a swirling glass, the alcohol bubbling in its hold, "I can't see things getting any better without someone like that, the world needs people like you to set it right"
"So what's your plan?"
"What?"
Liam leaned on his elbows, face scrunching while his fingers played with his chin. "Why did we come here for if not to escape, because Aloysia if you have other intentions, you better tell us"
Was he baiting her? How rambunctious of him.
She hummed, matching his expression with a smirking eye; thinking over his demand with an approving sigh.
She'd bite.
"The west in knowledgeable, known for getting information by any means, and it has a few things about its special heritage that could help me, help us to achieve our goal"
"What goal?"
He was really leaning into that line, greedy with just a little resistance...
Could she tell him her true intention? No.
She glanced around the room, the chatter, the music.
No. This wasn't the place. Too risky.
Bringing her eyes back to him, she whispered. "You'll see, but right now, we shouldn't discuss this in the open"
He frowned. So she was hiding something.
He couldn't help the sting of her unforgiving smirk.
Edging himself back, he mulled it over... what could it possibly be? What could she keep hidden from him?
Diligently, he studied her body language, but she wasn't showing him a dam thing. She was too calm and collected to give any hints; arms crossed and able to read Liam's intention like a book.
So much for that.
But truth is, he also had his own agenda. The bag wrapped around him containing the contents of his mother's will, clasped closely by his side.
He wanted answers. What was that dam ring? And why the hell did silver appear in his eye? It had vanished soon after, almost like blinking away tears... but it was real alright.
He remembered it's shine in Teren's sword... and his mother's words... everything was connected, had to be, it wouldn't make sense if it wasn't.
This was greater than he knew.