The castle walls stood tall in the moonlight. The territory was the oldest in history and the strongest throughout mankind, led by generations of war between countries. If his family and friends knew he was in the Nacho Cheese territory they would exile him from their lineage. And If the officials caught him...he would get banished from the Kingdom of Cool Ranch. That was a risk he was willing to take.
He couldn't last forever staying hidden within the slums of the city. Pulling his hood over his head he continued towards the inn he had slept the past three nights. Splashing through puddles of mud as he marched through the darkness. The fires all extinguished by merchants and sellers who bartered throughout the day. The roads were dark with only the moon lighting his path.
Being the only Cool Ranch to enter the city walls since the flavored wars 200 years ago he was always tense. His kingdom wasn't as poor as the Ranchero Kingdom who struggled to keep their walls protected. No, he was from a poor family of farmers south of the Cool Ranch Kingdoms walls. Barely being able to scrap by which had forced him to leave his land in search of riches to bring to his family.
He was by no means an adventurer. He didn't have the royal seasonings like the Tier 1 Ranches who lived in the upper walls of their kingdom. He was a Tier 3 who couldn't even defend himself against a sword. He relied on his wit and trickery alone which had gotten him past the border. It was the reason he survived countless nights with no money and hunger that clawed at his stomach.
He had decided to walk along the outer walls to make a map of the slums leading up to the border of the castle. Fewer people during the night to run into who would realize he wasn't a Nacho. It had gotten dark, so dark that he had to turn back before he could finish his layout of the slums.
Pulling the hood tighter around his head he pushes the inn door open. Laughter floated through the room as he walked towards the counter. His stomach growling he gave his best smile before talking to the innkeeper.
She was a middle-aged woman, divorced and from his understanding for a good reason. She was bitter but it hadn't stopped him from kissing her ass for a room or a hot meal.
"Hey Cheddar looking lovely as usual, what's today special? Anything good?"
"Oh, it's you." She says frowning. "Today's special is queso sauce with barley bread."
"That sounds delicious, the usual price right I'll take that at the corner table in the back."
Scowling she snatches the coin before walking away. Sitting in his usual seat he ran his eye's over his map. The layout was almost complete and soon he'd finish and begin his task.
Sneaking into the Nacho Castle wasn't an easy task. For him who had never been in the upper levels of a city, it left a knot in his stomach. He was after the seasoning that all Tier 1 Nachos had, with it he could sell it in his country and no longer live in poverty. Of course getting passed the guards and finding it in the castle wouldn't be an easy feat.
"Blue your meals ready."
Looking up a familiar bright face smiled at him. The server Feta daughter of Cheddar brought over his meal. Her orange hair spun in a single ponytail that traveled down her back which he admitted suited her. Her timid personality being the reason she was the only one who knew his real name.
"Thanks again Feta, this looks good." The smell was nauseating as it traveled up his nose. Being in the Nacho Kingdom he hadn't realized they used cheese with everything. He had eaten enough cheese to the point it made him want to vomit. Of course, the locals loved the endless cheese so he had played the part.
"No problem Blue, you should stop eating with your hood on at the table. Some people have started to complain about it." Laughing she walks away avoiding eye contact with the other customers.
Of course, it was strange for him to eat with a hood on. He never took it off unless he was safe in his room away from prying eyes. Every Nacho had a distinct characteristic, their orange hair. His was a deep blue being from a different land.
Simply put they would imprison him on sight if they caught him even if it made him look suspicious it was a necessary risk. He noticed the eyes watching him as he struggled to swallow his meal and headed to his room.
Unclothing, he falls into the bed staring out the window at the moon. "Only one more day."
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