The distant blocks became distinct as they got closer to the settlement, and eventually, they passed under a stone arch into town. The massive djinn towered over most structures, and Juva ate her heart out with all the unfamiliar sights and smells.

They walked down the main thoroughfare, which was a vibrant market. Khorasan heaved a shoulder, giving Juva a fright. Still, it was good that the djinn did, for she suddenly noticed that she’d overextended herself trying to better look at the strange people meandering from stall to shop to eatery.

There were so many different kinds of people, Juva lost count of how all the races she’d seen. Granted, counting wasn’t her strong suit, as back at the Horde, there were only four numbers that mattered; all, many, few, and none. And those were really the only four numbers you needed. The Horde only required to know if the enemy was many or few, and when they attacked, they would take all and leave none.

She saw a couple of wizened beings whose leathery skin had the color of rust, and their long necks sported great beards as white and wild as a foaming waterfall. Juva waved at them, but they did not notice and continued playing their game. She reckoned the one on the left must have won, for he took his black stone and slammed it atop several of his counterpart’s green ones, bleating triumphantly and pumping fat fists into the air.

As they moved on, Juva took in every sight, sound, and smell. At one point, Juva feared they would walk into a tall, stocky-looking creature she recognized as a troll. Surely it had seen the right? For as large as it was, Khorasan was still a head and shoulder taller. She held her breath as the lumbering giant with skin as gray and pockmarked as stone did not veer left or right. Indeed, it didn’t even glance at the djinn, and Khorasan nimbly walked past it, his feline back arching as he avoided crashing into a shop. Khorasan resumed his path like before, and the troll walked on unperturbed.

“How rude!” Juva cried out, but in her bewilderment, she suddenly noticed that nobody had yet looked at them, and she began to wonder.

Shouldn’t all heads turn when a djinn passes through the street? Especially such an imposing one as Lord Khorasan? She’d seen others gape at the troll, even if for an instant. Yet, astonishingly, no one spared Khorasan even a cursory glance. And with a gasp of realization, Juva whispered, “They can’t see us….”

Taken from Royal Road, this narrative should be reported if found on Amazon.

Khorasan’s affirming hum proved she had the right of it. They were somehow invisible to the townsfolk who went about their business as if there was nothing amiss. She stared at them for as long as she wanted, knowing they couldn’t see her. It was like spying on her brothers from behind the cataract, but now she could see everything clearly instead of the shadowy ghosts that shifted in the mist.

These were normal people, doing normal people’s things. And yet, she wasn’t a part of them, and Juva suddenly felt like she didn’t belong and had to return to the grotto.

“Get this dreg out of my establishment!” thundered a voice, and out staggered a man in clothing so stained and ragged, it made Juva’s shirt seem half decent by comparison.

“Watch your—” A young human woman tried to warn, but it was too late, and the drunkard fell flat onto the street. She’d tried, but the damage was already done. The girl folded her hands in front of her kitchen skirt, bowing to the fallen man. “We hope you patron our fine establishment again after you’ve tended to your personal hygiene and when your finances are in better order.”

Juva chuckled as they passed them, and the serving girl’s eyes struck her like a thunderbolt. Her blue hues flashed, meeting Juva’s gaze directly with a fleeting smile. Juva blinked, and it was over. The girl went to tend to another table.

“Wait—that lady!” Juva strained to look behind her as Khorasan strode through the busy street without pause. “Hey!” Juva called out, but the serving girl didn’t raise her head or glance toward them as she became smaller and eventually disappeared behind some silver-backed form that was more width than height. However, Juva remained convinced that the girl had seen her, and not only that, she had smiled at her, and Juva couldn’t shake the feeling they now shared a secret.

Juva had asked a dozen questions, but the djinn’s only replies so far were the occasional grunt or growl, but he kept silent to any question about the girl. So eventually, Juva stopped, and they passed under another arch that marked the end—or beginning of the market street, depending on which way one entered.

She peered one last time over her shoulder, thinking about the girl with the strange blue eyes. Perhaps later, she could revisit the town and meet her. And maybe they could become friends.

The road ahead was still long and dusty, with only a few dwellings dotting the landscape on each side. Herdsmen crossed the road with their flock, again unaware of the djinn patting toward them. It seemed like such a simple country save for the massive keep dominating the horizon. Its lime-white walls glistened in the sun, and atop square towers were domes bluer than the sky that shimmered like the lakes and rivers they’d crossed on their long journey.

It was the most beautiful mountain Juva had ever seen. “Is that where you live?” she asked breathlessly. Khorasan answered with another hum. “It is—it is amazing.” And it was. As one would expect of a djinn’s castle. She couldn’t wait to explore its tunnels.