As our motley group moves from village to village, I observe the situation repeating over and over again. And by the time dusk approaches, I am a fuming mess of disappointed, agitated, irritated, sexually confused bundle of nerve endings.

They have lost count of the number of times I have muttered Fuck under my breath. LiFen would for sure have felt disappointed in me today. The fact that she was not with me now was a blessing, to be honest. She was, after all, almost like a mother to me and one of the two people whose feelings I gave at least few fucks about.

When we were done with my mission to walk through the entire kingdom, barring the palace and the inner circle, my stomach growls again.

Zhan sighs, and without a word, starts pulling me towards a nearby inn. I have neither the patience nor the politeness to act like I am not starving. The prospect of filling my stomach with a good portion of roasted chicken sounds lovely after a day filled with nothing but negativity. Moreover, I am not a fruit and salad kinda girl...boy... man... Fuck!

We pick out a spot in a less crowded part of the inn, and Weredra takes a seat between us.

Oh yes, she was very much with us throughout the day, but unlike how she had acted in the morning, during our time surveying the villages, Weredra had stayed silent for the most part. True be told, none of us had been particularly chatty. Uncle Kua and his incompetent way of ruling my kingdom had made sure of that.

As we sit minding our own business, a petite girl walks towards us and recites the menu.

There are only three items on it. 

1. Herbed potatoes with steamed rice. 

 2. Salted fish with steamed rice. 

 3. Yellow wine. 

 Zhan sighs. I have come to understand that he does that a lot. He shakes his head as if surrendering to his crappy fate. "Salted fish with steamed rice, please." He orders, with as much enthusiasm as a dead fish, and looks at me, "And you?"

I look at the impatient tiny girl, and with a withering look that mirrors my crush, I place my order as well. 

The girl nods and walks away.

As soon as we are alone, I hear the now familiar cough and side-eye Weredra.

"She didn't even bother to ask me what I would like to eat." The ancient creature cribs.

"We can share." I blurt out irritably and immediately regret it.

Zhan quirks his eyebrow. He gives me a 'what the hell are you talking about?' look. I shrug and pretend like I had said nothing.

He tilts his head dumbfoundedly, and I can't even begin to tell you how adorable he looks right now, without it sounding like I am fangirling...fanboying.... fan-maning... Fuck!

"Stop ogling at that fine piece of meat. You are embarrassing me!" Weredra mutters under her breath and pokes my side, successfully stopping me from making a fool of myself.

Thank fuck.

"We need to take shelter for the night," I state, trying to salvage the situation, and he nods solemnly.

"How much money do you have?" He enquires, and I dip into the pouch LiFen had given me.

As I rampage through the items, some more things become clear to me.

First, that LiFen was short-sighted. For she had assumed that I would reach my maternal uncle's place before the day was up.

Second, that I was stupid as hell. For, it had not occurred to me even once that now that I was on my own, I would need money for food and shelter. If I was smart, I would probably have wished for an eternally full pocket of coins.

"So, is it enough for food and accommodations?" Zhan questions, pulling me out of my musings.

I sigh. Maybe Zhan is running off on me already. "I just have enough to pay for dinner," I inform, giving him a withering look.

He purses his lips and nods. "We can't stay here then."

"No, I don't think we can." I agree.

We sit in silence, each of us contemplating our next move, till our food arrives.

After paying for the food, we exit the inn and start making our way towards the village square. We had decided to beg for shelter in exchange for lending our muscle.

I send a small prayer to the almighty Buddha and approach a medium-sized home. I knock, and the door is opened by a middle-aged man, "Yes?" He asks curtly, looking at me with what-the-fuck-do-you want kinda look in his eyes.

I smile and bow before enquiring, "Sir, could you spare us a room for the night?"

The old man looks past me and gives Zhan a once-over. "Do you have coin?"

I had somehow expected him to ask me that, so I was prepared with the answer, "Sir, we are able-bodied, if there is any manual work..."

"Son, " The old man shakes his head condescendingly, "I think you are new here. We have nothing to spare. Not even kindness. I don't mean to be rude, but I am afraid you won't find a roof in this village if you can't pay."

With that, the man closes the door on our face.

"Tsk. Tsk. How rude!" Weredra bites out, pursing her lips.

"I am sorry, Zhan," I say, looking over my shoulder. "It was my fault to assume that people would help... I guess people have lost more than hope and faith."

For a second, I think about asking for help elsewhere, but somehow I know it would be futile.

With a heavy heart, I turn around, only to find Weredra smiling at me. I give her a questioning look, and she gestures to me to follow her.

Zhan, who looks like he is in a world of his own, misses our little mute chat.

"Zhan."

"Mn?" He shakes his head as if clearing his thoughts and looks at me, "What is it?"

"Nature calls," I reply, casually walking to where Weredra was waiting for me impatiently.

This time, however, it doesn't feel awkward to use this excuse.

Why? Simple. We are bros, after all. And I am well aware (don't ask me how) that bros don't mind talking about such things.

Zhan nods and walks a few hundred meters to give me space.

*Such a gentleman.*

"Do you want my help, or would you prefer to sleep under the stars?" Weredra enquires, and I give her a do-you-even-have-to-ask look.

She smiles sweetly; it kind of looks fake, but that might just be because I know what she is. She looks me in the eye, "I was wondering that it would be better for all of us if I could tag along with you...for real."

"Mn?"

"I mean, I want to accompany you in this form." She suggests, pointing at herself. I crouch down next to her, "Are you kidding right now!?" I ask, trying to sound calm and failing miserably. It sounds rude and cold.

"Princess!" Weredra bites out, "Just because I am being nice doesn't give you the right to talk to me this way! Have you forgotten what I am and what I am capable of?" She retorts.

I shake my head, "Sorry, please continue." I bow respectfully, trying to salvage the situation.

"I will make it look like my parents were taken by the King for not being able to pay taxes. Don't worry, I will make it look believable. All you have to do is suggest that you want to take care of me. Zhan won't be a problem. He looks like a kind man. He will gladly agree."

"I have never taken care of a child before," I state stupidly before realizing that Weredra is, in fact, not a child.

Weredra gives me a second to reflect upon my stupid words and continues, "I know a place we can call home. It's not far from here. I will guide you there. Then, I will go on ahead and scream. You will follow my voice and find me there."

"What exactly do you mean by 'A place'?" I enquire, and an idea starts to take shape in my mind.

{Word count: 1400}