Kingdom of Hallos, Elegliss, Present day.
Xeto paused as he took in the new info Anaria had gathered. "So the streets are being locked down at sundown?"
Kis spread herself across the bed as she yawned. "Everything interesting always happens outside these walls." She quickly glanced at Xeto. "I don't mean to offend, it's just that we've heard stories about what's going on around Hallos."
Xeto leaned against the room's back wall as Roy sat beside Diala, his hand caressing her hair. To his surprise, Anaria seemed unaffected by her surroundings. He wished for her calm constitution like hers, maybe then he wouldn't be warm-faced around women.
Anaria kicked her feet as she leaned on a cushioned seat. "What kind of stories?"
Kis rested her head on her arms. "Well, like you've heard, the streets are to be clear by sundown because of all the ill stories of monsters appearing as of from nowhere. That's why King Alvion asked for Zuland's aid."
"What?" exclaimed Xeto, putting up a hand. "The Kingdom of Hallos has always kept to itself. Swimming in its pool of wealth reserved only for the nobles here."
"Not true," said Diala. "King Alvion has opened many trade routes with Zuland in the passing year."
Roy smiled down at her. "How is it a sweet flower like you knows so much about the kingdom's dealings?"
"I don't," she replied, as she rested her head on his shoulder. "But the mistress said that all of our recent wine and grimwater came from Zuland."
Xeto focused on the girl. "What's grimwater?"
"It's a tonic," answered Anaria quickly, though she winced at the mention of the word. "It's a tonic used to help…unburden one's stress. Grimwater is looked down upon by most alchemists because of its ingredients. It's a lot like ale or wine, its rather addictive and can cause massive damage to the body if used continually."
Xeto scoffed. "Of course, I found it bit odd how I didn't know anything about these supposed supply lines Hallos established." He let out a sardonic chuckle. "Instead of helping Loradel with medicines for its countless refugees, they trade in alcohol and addictive tonics. So, it seems the stories of Hallos being nothing but a kingdom of nothing but unsavory whims are true. The poor wilt as the nobles indulge themselves with orgies and festivities."
"Why so serious?" said Kis. "Many of our clients are nobles from every end of the Allied Kingdoms. Loradian soldiers and commanders aren't a rare sight, especially here in the Gold Feline."
Xeto shook his head. It wasn't a far thought to think of the wealthy traveling all the way from Loradel just for relaxation. But he refused to believe men of the crown were clients. No man of Loradel would waste his profits on sexual entertainment, not when there were people that needed it more. Loradians were proud and would sooner gift the tunics off their backs to those in need.
Kis shrugged. "Even so, we never get to go out, even during the day. The Zuland guards are very directive and oh-so dull. If you all go out, you'll be caught and put in the dungeons—worse yet, you'll be put to work on the walls."
Roy pulled Diala in closer. "What a shame—a true infernality really," he said, tongue-in-cheek. "Now we have to remain here with you two.
Kis nearly jumped at the thought, pushing up on her palms. "Really?" she turned to Anaria. "If you'll be staying longer, you'll have to let me tress your hair, darling."
For the first time Anaria blushed lightly. She shrunk as she fiddled with her hair. "What's wrong with it?"
"Nothing, darling. You're a fruit, but with a little maquillage and scented threads you'll be a doll."
Xeto pushed off from the wall. "I don't think that—"
"Don't worry," assured Kis. "She won't be entertaining any guests; I just want to pamper her. I did it all the time for my sister."
Xeto shrugged, defeated. "Perhaps its best Anaria stay here while Roy and I find a way to get out and meet with General Taloz."
"Do I have a choice here?" asked Roy.
"No, now get up, we need to keep moving."
Diala sighed. "But only guards are allowed to roam freely."
Xeto paused on the facts as he rubbed on his chin. Maybe he could sneak about through the alleyways. No, even then, he didn't know the streets and would get lost.
"Wait, I know!" yelled Kis. "Only guards are allowed outside. So, all you two have to do is dress up like Zuland guards."
Xeto crossed his arms. "Where about will we get Zuland uniforms?"
Kis chuckled. "Oh I think I can round up some clothes for you. Did you forget where you were?"
Xeto frowned as realized what she was suggesting. Yet another unsavory thought.
"Ooh, I'll help," exclaimed Diala as she raised her hand. "This is so exciting." She giggled aloud before planting a kiss on Roy's cheek. "Won't be long, darling. Keep the bed warm."
"Don't you worry about that," he replied.
~0~
Just as Diala had said, it only took a matter of minutes for them to acquire two sets of Zuland uniforms. They were a bit different than the usual ones he had seen. They consisted of a large-collared crimson tunic beneath a dark steel chest plate. Almost elegant gilded markings snaked around the chest piece and shoulder pads.
Xeto grimaced at the Zuland emblem that was painted on a silver badge that rested on the right breastplate. The goddess must have been gifting fortune to them once more, seeing as the ladies managed to find a set of uniforms that were the right size for he and Roy to wear. The pungent smell of scented smoke lingered in the silk. The smell combined with the fact that he was wearing the colors of his enemies made his stomach churn.
"Lighten up, lad." Roy tapped his shoulder. "How about we go find your General. The faster we do that, the faster I can come back and occupy Diala's bed."
Xeto licked his lips with a slight smile. "Fine then, let's get going."
"Good fortune, you two," said Anaria from atop of the bed.
Kis sat behind her with a handful of Anaria's golden brown in her hands as she weaved it like silk. "By the time of your return, I'll have her outfitted like a queen."
Kis' wink and Anaria's lovely smile were the last things Xeto saw as he exited the room alongside Roy. He struggled to find a comfortable place for his sword on the foreign armor as they trekked down the halls.
A sudden echo of shattering glass came from a room just down the hallway.
Roy grinned. "Seems someone likes doing the deed a bit rough eh?"
There came another loud crash followed by a man's wallowing scream.
"Guards! Help me!" yelled the voice beyond the door.
Xeto shared a glance with Roy who now was short of a smile. He gritted his teeth. It seemed the more he wanted to eschew attention, the more he'd attract it. Damn it all. He rushed towards the frantic voice. With their combined strength, he and Roy bashed through the door to find a room similar to the one they had just left.
An older man lay half-naked and in a pool of blood with a shortsword buried in his neck. He spasmed shortly before his body went limp.
A courtesan stood over him with cold eyes. She took a firm grip of the handle and slowly pulled as the flesh squelched aloud. Blood dripped from newly freed blade. She spit on the man's corpse. "That'll teach you to cross me…"