Jezebel grew frustrated at the villages they'd passed. It's been two weeks since hoping for the best and they barely got by. They entered a good sized village; the guards stared at them as they walked in the muddy streets. I don't like the look of this. people were staring at them. Almost all of them,

“What are you doing here?” a rude man asked

“We are just here to get supplies then leave” Hector replied he stormed off in a huff

“We should leave” Jezebel said

“No we need the supplies let's just get this over with” Safiya said clearly unhappy about this they dismounted at the market and began to beg for food and coppers Jezebel breathed into her hands trying to warm them up I can barely feel my fingers why can’t we stay somewhere warm? After an hour of begging and getting eleven coppers and Safiya’s lunch there was a commotion nearly fifty villagers welding wood axes, pitchforks, and spears came towards them at an alarming speed

“Time to go” Jezebel said hurried to mount her moa as did her friends

“Get out of our town half breed filth!” a woman called, waving her pitchfork

“Leave now!” Someone else called, riding out of the gate as mounted villages made sure they were gone for good as fast as possible. Why do they hate us so much? Jezebel thought in despair after riding for several miles they stopped so their moas could rest.

Jezebel Safiya and Hector stood near a sign that read Westray up ahead. looking at the large town just up ahead. The last place before they head into the wilderness and scale the mountain Hector and Safiya looked at the town walls with grim expressions as did Jezebel last time left them all with a bad taste in their mouths

“what if this fails do we steal?” Safiya asked worriedly

“It will be fine,” Jezebel said

I don’t care if I have to steal. I haven't sacrificed everything I had to fail just before reaching that mountain!

“it won’t come to that I’m going to regret this” Hector said what does that mean? The town got closer and the hilly terrain became more flat as they passed farms and fields. The sun was high up but gave little warmth. When will spring arrive? I’m tired of this cold weather it's warmer than up north that was brutal but still

They huddled near together for warmth because their cloaks are too light

“this sucks” Safiya said “you always say that” Jezebel replied

“Can I have some peace and quiet?” Hector said annoyed

“were not being that loud” Jezebel said Hector had to look up to look Jezebel in the eye

“It’s the arguing I can’t take which you two do a lot”

“You know what let's just ride into town” Safiya said, walking away from them and mounting which they followed her example,

though Hector complained about the length of the brake insisting that it wasn’t long enough. as they passed through with only the one guard who paid them no attention but the townsfolk looked at her with judgment and then I knew it wasn’t going to be a picnic

“what are you looking at!” Jezebel screamed as they hastily looked away and refused to make eye contact walking down the icy streets

“what did you do that for!” Hector scolded riding in front of her

“look at them they don’t like us” Hector tossed up his hands

“Maybe but now we certainly won't get their sympathy. We might as well go home” Safiya looked at her with disapproval gripping her reins till her knuckles turned white looking at her clawed hands. Why is everybody against me? Why? I’m doing my best

“Fine I just won’t speak” Jezebel said on the edge of tears they seemed satisfied with that. What is wrong with me? riding father into town it was a rich town with simple brick homes of one and sometimes two stories and tiles roofs Safiya rode closer to her “I’m sorry but we can’t show aggression no matter what or else will give them the excuse to string us up” Safiya said coldly her large eagle eyes on her then she looked forward. Everyone has been against me ever since I was a child. If anyone, I should be the one to ascend to godhood. I just have to claim it before Safiya does and halfbreeds everywhere will be treated like everyone else stopped at the market if it could be called that a squire with a few booths and hardly anyone buying or selling it looked sad

“So now what?” Safiya asked

“Now we see if a friend of mine is here and if she can help,” Hector said, riding straight through the market and straight for the large castle. with its stone walls and and big gate it wasn’t very big but it was rich indeed

“How are we going to enter that?” Jezebel said pointing at the castle

“We don't exactly look like we have much to offer and she probably doesn't want any beggars” Safiya said

“she will want this one” Hector replied with a pained expression on his face and not turning to look at them. Jezebel looked at Safiya but she looked as confused as her. as they got closer to the gate four gourds with halberds and mail stood at attention and they did not look friendly

“We don't take beggars so go away” the far left guard said, flinging his halberd in a shewing mosin

“my name is Hector and I want to speak with lady Rea” they paused looking dumbfounded then suspicious they muttered among themselves

“what are they saying?” Jezebel asked

“I have good eyesight not good hearing” Safiya whispered back

“come with us leave your mounts behind” one of the guards said as one of the other guards started taking them away and the gate opened as they dismounted and followed into the courtyard one guard in front and one behind there were frozen gardens boxes along the walls it would be a beautiful garden in the summer

“this place is huge” Safiya whispered in awe

“it’s not that big” Jezebel whispered back Safiya looked at her dumbfounded

“I grew up in a palace” they entered into the castle through a side door. The hallway was of gray stone with tapestries decorating the walls and a red carpet.

The guards exhorted them to a pair of doors of fine polished oak painted red. The guard went inside to inform his lady of their presence.

As Jezebel waited she couldn't help but notice the guard behind her was a tall man but he was nervous because of her height and demon blood. Some sweat dripped down his face a little and he clutched his spear tightly. great just what we need. the other guard returned

“Lady Rea will see Hector now” Hector entered then the doors closed again

“So do you think Hector was her servant?” Jezebel asked

“Maybe” Safiya said the guards looked at them funny for some reason. It would be great if anyone told us who Hector’s past was. but being a halfbreed gets you no respect. waiting for what seemed like forever. When the doors opened to reveal a serving girl about sixteen with blonde hair and blue eyes in a plain white dress

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“They can enter,” she said about time Jezebel thought as she entered the room. it was quite large library books of every size on oak bookshelves Rea was a short woman even by Safiya’s standards with a silk red dress she must love the color red she appeared forty maybe in her late thirties with dark brown hair chatting with Hector the door closed with the guards standing by them should there lady need anything.

“Where have you been the last eleven years, may I ask?” Rea said in a high pitched voice she sounded like a teen then a grown woman

“I can not but will you help an old friend?” Hector said

“possibly but first you must look presentable you look like you haven’t bath in years and your friends” Rea said “stay and have refreshments tomorrow I will tell you my answer but I must admit it's nice to see the mighty Hector begging me for help”

“acceptable” Hector said simply ignoring that last comment then he walked out of the room on his own maybe he was a mighty warrior I don’t know much about the kingdom of Saxohdale

“excuse me” the young girl servant said looking up at her with wide eyes

“come with me and you will get new cloths and a bath”

“thank you” Jezebel replied following her out the room with Safiya following at her heels thank goodness I can look pretty now and not smell like something died on the road

“At least we get a hot bath” Safiya said as she led us to a set of pine wood stairs to the next floor and to a hot bath. She immediately undressed and hopped in scrubbing all the dirt and sticky stuff from who knows where and they scrubbed each other's back after they were clean. Jezebel and Safiya sat in the warm water enjoying it too much to get out yet

“this is the life!” Safiya said head back resting on top of the tub

“it does feel nice” Jezebel agreed “now if I could do something about my hair it’s a rats nests” feeling the knots in her hair when the water cooled of she found new clothes on the bench for Safiya brown slacks and a green shirt but nothing for Jezebel because they probably don’t have anything in her size but her clothes were washed how long were we in there? Putting on her leather leggings and black shirt then now freshly clean brown wool cloak over her shoulders.

Then they walked out into the hallway where golden light was seen through the windows. It's almost sunset! A serving girl who was different then the one who should be here. she entered the hallway through the nearest left door.

“oh you're finally done here Hector thought you would want this” she said as she handed Jezebel a hair brush “Hector is waiting for you follow me” she walked as she brushed getting the tangles out it was a painful process when they entered the waiting room a lord was waiting for them sitting down in some nice chairs

It was a nice room, big but not large chairs of polished pine wood. a low table for refreshments then stopped in mid stroke. The lord in front of her was Hector in rich clean breeches, shirt, and coat. With his long hair now cut to just below the shoulders and his chest long beard was now neatly trimmed and short he was handsome and strong he looked everything a lord should be someone to depend on and his eyes they looked as if they could search your soul and find something no demon could

“yes?” Hector asked her cheeks burned

“you look nice” Safiya said

“thank you it’s been a while since I’ve groomed” Hector chuckled then he looked sad for some reason

“So how do you know Rea?” Safiya asked

“from years ago” when he didn’t say anything for a minute. I guess he won’t tell us. Jezebel thought frustratedly. brushing her hair. Why? What is he hiding? He looked at Jezebel with those hazel eyes full of mystery but why is the question nothing came to mind. The only sound was her brushing for a minute.

“So will Lady Rea help us?” Jezebel asked breaking the silence

“I have no idea it’s been over a decade since we seen each other”

“That long?” Safiya asked

“Probably there weren't many ways to tell time besides the seasons but there was just survival” Hector said, eyes going distant A decade in the wilderness he must know how to hunt surviving all those winters.

“So with your knowledge can you just lead us in the wilderness?”

“No, not with two people. times were tough out there with one mouth to feed and the wilderness I’m use to fewer monsters and I’m not too familiar with the area which will not bode well we may hunt better then Falkner but he has magic one of the few in the whole kingdom. which will help him out a ton you forget I was there when magic was around and trust me even with Jezebel’s strength getting there before a godling is going to be hard” he fell silent when a servant brought them refreshments. When he left we sat in silence for a moment “as I was saying with her help it can be possible” Hector finished Jezebel got up and looked out the nearest window. the lights of the town as the last rays of sunlight went out as night fell. The town wasn't very big but it did seem like a fort. The walls were bigger than average on closer inspection and the houses were in neat rows that bottlenecked the enemy

“worried?” Safiya said she didn't hear her approach.

“Yes,” Jezebel whispered,

“she will help us, you will see.” Safiya didn't sound so sure. placing her hand on Jezebel’s shoulder in confort was still nice.

“Hector looks good” Jezebel said smiling

“yes he does look handsome” Safiya agreed

“but be careful men don’t like stronger women”

“what?” looking at her

“I know and I understand just be careful” Safiya said then

Walking back to sit back down and took a slice of bread from the tray buttered it and pop the whole slice in her beak.

Jezebel leaned against the windowsill in thought. I’ve never been this far from home and I don’t regret a thing. mother isn’t here to berate me. I do miss my father a little but having friends is much better than the castle. But do I like Hector? He's older than me and I can’t bear children. ah forget it. Once I get more men friends my attraction will wear off. if I meet any other man, if I meet another man who respects me. he may be my only option to have a husband I should think about other things shaking her head

“Once we get the goddess of air out of her prison then what” Safiya said

“prison? she’s dead” Jezebel said still looking at the town below

“nonsense you can’t kill a goddess and for your other reasons us mortals must have done something to anger the gods that’s what my mother taught me” she was about to argue father when Hector raised his hand and mouthed

“don’t argue” so she kept her mouth shut, angry muttering to herself of her being a fool.

“I'm going to get ready for bed” Hector announced, without saying goodnight left the room through another door. then the one they used and were left alone

“how do people live like this and not get lost?” Safiya asked

“you get used to it” Jezebel replied Safiya shook her head

“we should go to bed too”

“Wait, it’s not the hard ground so let's go” Jezebel said with a huge grin showing her sharp fangs. Practically running into the hallway the same way she entered

“Where are we sleeping anyway?” Safiya shrugged.

“Don’t run like a girl you're making us look like a fool” Safiya scolded. Jezebel frowned but did as she said. wandered the hallways looking for a bed or someone to show where they could sleep but there were only empty gray hallways and they had little light, only a few candlesticks on the walls. They finally found a servant who led them to the servant quarters and got a small room to share without rugs and floor with only one bed. A small table and chair in the corner.

Jezebel went for the bed and found that her hooves stuck out of the bed which was annoying. but didn’t care, it was way softer than she was used to. It felt like she was sinking into the bed. Safiya laid down on the bed. They laid there trying to sleep but unable to. tossing and turning but finally settled into a deep sleep.

In the morning Jezebel got up. brushed her hair until she felt presentable. then returned to Lady Rea’s main room with Safiya in tow where Hector was already waiting. I wish we could have breakfast. I didn't get dinner.

“Can I get any meat here?”

“quiet” Hector muttered, so they waited in silence till Rea entered and took a seat on her big chair. witch looked a bit silly “I have thought over your plea Hector and I will help you this once with supplies and a moa to help carry it”

“thank you you don’t know how much this means to us” Hector said giving

A bow

“I do like that” Rea muttered

“but what about my breakfast” Jezebel muttered

“Safiya will hunt for you today” Hector said

“Why me!?”

“Because you have a sling and you need to learn how to use it,” Hector said as they left the castle to pack up for the last stretch of their journey. They waited by Rea’s stables, where their mounts were. Safiya was stroking her moa’s neck and whispering soothing words. As did Jezebel who was getting attached to them as Hector saw them as nothing more than a ride to mount Iroswell.

servants brought sacks of dried meat, cheese, some bread, and a sack of dried ham all loaded on their new moa and for their packmoa with thick gloves and cloaks and soon they were off eating in the saddle. After hours of riding and a failed hunt from Safiya which she was angry about and promised to hunt more in the coming days, they tugged on their rains and found themselves on the southwest side of the mountain. then headed straight into the woods and their destiny.