Sonhu chased after Ketra. She was walking down the main street of the town. The man’s howls could still be heard even from outside the inn. The few people in sight watched with persecuting stares. A lump was forming in his throat. The villagers’ gazes were fixed on him as if he was responsible… and maybe to some extent he was.

When Sonhu reached Ketra, he reached out and pulled at her arm. She turned, her body tense, with a violent glare. Sonhu let go of her arm. When she noticed it was Sonhu, her glare became soft, her body relaxed. Still agitated, but not as on edge.

“Where are you going?” He asked her in a quick, hushed voice. Observing the villagers as they watched.

“To the dock.” She said plainly. “Like we agreed—remember?” She said her tone became slightly annoyed.

“We don’t know when the next ferry is, and I don’t think we’ll have the time to wait around and find out,” Sonhu told her.

Ketra tilted her head then said, “But it will be faster if we go by boat, even if we have to wait a little.”

“That’s not the…” Sonhu sighed, his tail twitching, “Where are you trying to go?”

“Somewhere safe-”

“Do you have a specific place?” Sonhu pressed.

“I will know when we get there.” She said her tone became more commanding, her stance shifted, and she was still a little taller and more domineering. Sonhu’s breath hitched, and he wondered if he had pressed too far. No. I can’t give in.

“If we continue going South and following the river, we will only go further into human territory.” Sonhu refuted. “They become more centralized, their cities bigger, laws… everything more structured. We… I am not safe in those places.”

Ketra seemed to think on this. Her intensity left her face, and doubt seeped in the corners.

“I know places safer, if we go further East. Maybe you can blend in more with the southern cities, but I will stick out like a sore thumb, and that will only cause trouble.” Sonhu argued.

“But if we go that way, will I be safe?” She asked.

“Yes, maybe a few strange looks, but… humans aren’t uncommon there, whereas Beastfolk are human settlements.”

“That’s not what I mean.” She said, frustrated. “I mean, will there be people like the yellow one?”

“Goblins?” Sonhu said, confused… No, she means people close enough to me to be a concern to her. Sonhu thought realization dawned on him.

“No… well…” Sonhu began, parsing his thoughts together. Ketra raised an eyebrow skeptically. 

“There won’t be,” Sonhu continued more confidently, “and if there are… let me handle it.” 

Ketra’s posture loosened again, and she thought on it. Skepticism still clouded her face. Sonhu struggled to think of the right words. 

“Please,” Sonhu said, holding out his hand, “Trust me. I will make sure no problems arise.” An appeal to sympathy and trust. She seems most vulnerable to those.

She stared at his hand for a moment, lost in thought, before taking it.

“Fine. I’ll trust you.” She said her tone was icy with threat, but beneath it, longing.