Two days had passed since the attack of the giant wolf. Lumina had helped herself to a few pounds of meat. Eldin had never eaten wolf meat before, and he wasn’t sure how he felt about eating it considering that Lumina was also part wolf. But it did save their food supplies, even if the meat was really tough and gamey.

  While they had easily killed the creature, Eldin could still clearly remember the rush of adrenaline and anxiety that flooded his body. It was after all his very first actual fight against something that wanted to kill him. He was curious if Lumina had felt the same way when she had her deathmatch with his mom.

  He also felt bad for using a spell that had inadvertently injured his friend. Lumina would never complain about it, but he had noticed her shake her head or scratch the inside of her ear frequently. He needed to remind himself to be wary of his ally next time. Especially since they didn’t have access to his father’s incredible restoration magic.

  Despite his impressive control over the elements, Eldin was never able to grasp the ability to restore a person’s injuries. While not a rare skill, it was uncommon enough that people were always looking for a healer. Losing himself in his thoughts he passively followed Lumina completely ignoring his surroundings. By the time he had really started paying attention again, he noticed that it was past noon and off in the distance they saw Gildale Port. A sprawling city with the ocean on the west, and plains and forests on the east.

  Lumina had decided to take a break about a mile away from the city as she reached into her pack and pulled out the cloak Milli had given her. It was worn but in good shape. The dark brown cloth clashed against her predominately blue and white color scheme. She pulled up the hood, but her ears lifted it far above her head. Frowning, she lowered her ears as far as she could leaving the hood close to touching her hair.

  Lumina didn’t know how long she could keep her ears low. It wasn’t difficult, but it required her constant thought, and her tendency to get distracted by new things would undoubtedly be her downfall in maintaining them.

  Eldin watched with amusement even though he knew that hiding her identity was something his parents had warned them about. “Can you tie your ears down? You know like when women wear a bonnet or a ribbon or something?”

  Lumina continued digging through her pack, she wasn’t sure she had packed any normal clothes, then again she had packed it when she was drunk. She wasn’t entirely sure what was in it to begin with.

  As she started to pull things out looking for anything that could be used as a ribbon, Lumina was not able to find anything to tie her ears down except a thick rope. She decided to keep her ears down on her own.

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  With everything packed back up, the two continued on their way towards the town’s front gates. Finding themselves at the back of a short line of other merchants and travelers waiting their turn for inspection before entering the port city.

  As they both waited their turn, Eldin couldn’t help but stare at the people in front of him. A pair of black scaled Scaal towered over them. He had never seen a Scaal before. One of them was bipedal, the other was more of a gorgon shape. At least he thought that was what it was called. Anatomy of other races wasn’t a subject he particularly cared for. But he was pretty sure that was the term for a Scaal who’s lower half was the body of a snake, but the top half was that of a scaled human. “ That is a male Scaal right?” He thought to himself now completely unsure. Without the usual identifying features like breasts or long hair or even a dress, he couldn’t confidently guess the Scaal’s gender.

  The one that looked more human than the other was wearing a pair of cotton slacks and a leather vest that hung loosely on its torso. The other snake-like Scaal simply wore a brown shirt leaving its long lower body and tail completely exposed.

  Eldin quickly looked away when he saw one of them start to turn its head. While he was sure they wouldn’t do anything. He didn’t know what to say if they started speaking to him.

  Waiting in line, they took a few steps forward as the guards started inspecting another group. The wind suddenly picked up forcing Lumina to hold her hood down as Eldin watched a single Taloran gracefully land from the sky next to them.

  He had a large satchel hanging across his bird-like body. It completely ignored the line and spoke directly with the guard. Eldin guessed that the bi-pedal bird with taloned hands and wings sprouting from its back was most likely a mail carrier.

  Eventually he and Lumina were next to be inspected. “State your business.” The closest guard said to Eldin.”

  “We are seeking employment with the guilds in Gildale.” Taking a brief look at Eldin then to Lumina, the guard asked his next question, “What are you bringing with you into the city?” Eldin had never gone through a gate check. He wasn’t entirely sure what to say. “Uhhh… My pack?”

  The guard gave Eldin an annoyed look, “Are you trying to get smart with me young man?” Eldin let out a nervous chuckle, “No sir. It’s just that I have never been checked at a gate before. We are both travelling here from Woodvale.”

  His expression lightened slightly, though he still had a dour look about him. “If you are not bringing any goods or commerce than you can simply state nothing. Who’s this?” He asked pointing to Lumina. “That is my friend Lumina, as I said she too is travelling here from Woodvale.”

  “Remove the hood.”

  Lumina felt a surge of anxiety fill her chest. “How was everyone going to react? Are they going to attack me?”

  Lifting her hands and slowly removing the hood from her head allowing her ears to stand the full four inches. The two guards closer to the gate immediately lowered their spears once they saw her ears, the other one asking the questions glowered at both of them. Lumina couldn’t help but reflexively bring her hand to the sword strapped to her waist.