The inside of Cici’s tent wasn’t anything grand. Because they were always on the move, Cici had to keep all of their belongings in two small bags that they could strap around their body. Cici didn’t have access to store their things on any of the carts that they used to transport the rest of the troupes' things.

Well, Cici did have access, but Cici didn’t trust the troupe to not rifle through Cici’s things and steal from them.

That meant that Cici’s tent was small, able to be carried by Cici themself, with a few thin blankets to make the hard ground a little softer, two books that Cici used for writing their observations and any new healing things that they found out, and a precious, carefully maintained pillow used for sitting on.

Currently, that was where the new bag was. Sitting on the most precious thing Cici owned.

It was hardly big enough for two grown adults to stand in, but Nayhan didn’t say anything as Cici sat down not on their pillow, but next to it. Nayhan remained standing. Cici didn’t mind. This was a big decision for him.

Eventually, Nayhan let out a long, low sigh before swearing. He looked bitter, annoyed, and a little frustrated.

“Fuck. You’re always able to twist me up like this, Cici.” Nayhan accused and Cici flinched. That wasn’t something that Cici wanted to do to the man. Cici actually didn’t like that they had this kind of control over him. He should be able to do what he wanted, and Cici felt bad that they were taking advantage of the kindness Nayhan showed them.

“I’m sorry, Nayhan.” Cici apologised softly. “Truly. I don’t want to make you choose between the troupe and me.” Cici said. Nayhan groaned. He ran his hand over his face again, spinning in a circle, looking about as frustrated as Cici felt. It was like Nayhan had a direct line to how Cici’s stomach was feeling.

“Fuck. Don’t apologise on top of it! Shit, don’t look all sad like that. Fuck. Is this going to harm the trope in any way, Cici?” Nayhan asked and Cici flinched. They took a moment to gather the right words, playing with their scarred fingers for a moment before they answered.

“I…If this stays here, everyone could turn up dead.” Cici told him softly.

“Fuck Cici! Why the hell did you pick it up then? Are you fucking serious? Is that what those fancy fucks were fighting over?” Nayhan was pissed. Truly angry, and Cici flinched. They never liked when people yelled at them, man or woman. Cici curled in on themselves and Nayhan cursed again. “Shit! Look at me, making you do that fucking shit that I hate. Sorry! I’m just-I can’t believe you put yourself in this kind of danger! What kind of outlaw even are you, Cici?” Nayhan asked and Cici gave a watery smile.

Yeah, what kind of outlaw was Cici? One who couldn’t trust anyone, no matter how kind, since the moment that anyone found out what Cici truly was they all fled. Cici had told two people before and that was how they ended up with scars all over their back.

A painful reminder. A wound that they almost hadn’t healed from. It had cost them a very well-paying job too. Security.

Cici wasn’t an outlaw because they wanted to be one. Cici was an outlaw because there was no other choice for them.

“Nayhan, I couldn’t abandon it.” Cici spoke softly, a complete contrast to the violent anger of the man above them. Nayhan snorted.

“It? It?! What the fuck is it that you’re like this, Cici? I’ve never heard you stand up for anything like this outside of women and children!” Nayhan was shouting, but it was a quiet shout. He didn’t want to alert the whole camp to what was going on. Cici appreciated that.

Cici wondered if that would stay the same once he learned what was going on.

Cici raised their eyes slowly up to meet Nayhan’s angry gaze before they smiled softly.

“Nayhan, are you going to listen to what I have to say? I need to know, otherwise I have to prepare to leave on my own.” That was the only choice that Cici had. Leave on their own with help, or without.

Either way, Cici had to leave.

Nayhan looked torn. Clearly, he didn’t want Cici to leave, but if what Cici was saying was true…

He turned away from them, grumbling into his hands as he paced the small confines of Cici’s tent.

“Shit. Okay. Shit. I’m helping the troupe if I’m helping you. Fuck!” Nayhan was clearly fighting his own demons and Cici let him. They reached out, touching the warm bag next to them, a reminder of what Cici had to do.

Cici looked up when Nayhan slammed his body down onto the ground, his legs crossed, his hands on his knees. He looked pissed, but then again, Nayhan pretty much always looked pissed.

“Tell me what you found,” he said and Cici felt a smile truly touch their lips.

“Thank you, Nayhan.” Cici said. “I won’t forget this.” Cici promised. Nayhan closed his eyes, looking extremely wary of the whole situation.

“Yeah yeah. Now, what is it?” Nayhan asked, looking towards the bag that was sitting in the place of honour. He didn’t look particularly pleased to see it and Cici chuckled.

“It won’t harm us. It’s everything that wants it that will harm us.” Cici said. That only made Nayhan look even more uncomfortable. He glanced between Cici and the bag like it was going to catch on fire at any moment.

“Okay…that’s suspicious as hell, but okay.” Nayhan said. Cici chuckled.

“There is no easy way to say it, so I’m just going to do it. That, Nayhan, is what the dragons are looking for.” Cici said. They watched as Nayhan processed what Cici said, short circuited, and then tried again.

He opened his mouth, closed it, then opened it again.

“You’re not pulling my leg?” Nayhan asked and Cici shook their head.

“That would be a terrible joke.” Cici commented and Nayhan nodded.

“Yeah. Terrible.” Nayhan said, before licking his lips, swallowing, and then glancing outside. “I understand why you threw up now. I want to throw up. Fuck! That thing is holding that monster’s kid?” Nayhan asked and Cici flinched. Yeah, that was how most humans reacted to other creatures. Cici should have expected this from Nayhan. Even if it hurt.

“Yeah. It is. It’s warm too,” Cici said, then they swallowed. “It’s also why I don’t want to let the rest of the trope know. They would think of it as an opportunity to get money from the dragons. It’s not. He’s made it clear that any human that tries to bring the egg back dies,” Cici said and Nayhan’s eyes went wide.

“Cici, what the hell are you saying? You’re human! If you do that, you’ll be killed!” Nayhan was yelling again, and Cici gave a warbled smile. He was partially right. Cici would likely be killed, but not because they were human.

“I…I didn’t want to say anything before, but I know a few humanoids. Creatures that look like humans but aren’t. I’ve saved a few of them with my healing so they are a little kinder to me. I’m planning to find one of them to deliver the egg to the dragons. I just want this war to stop, Nayhan. Our lives are hard enough. Why make it harder with a war as well?” Cici asked, pleading with Nayhan.

Cici needed Nayhan to agree with them. If they didn’t get Nayhan’s approval it wouldn’t be the end of the world, but it would make everything that much harder.

Nayhan put his head in his hands again, rolling back and forth on his butt before he groaned.

“Shit Cici. You never give me any easy choices, do you?” Nayhan accused and Cici just smiled awkwardly. Cici couldn’t exactly argue with him about it. This was a tough choice. Cici had struggled as well with what they were going to do.

Nayhan didn’t need to know that some of the things that Cici was telling him weren’t true. Luck would have it that Cici and Nayhan would probably never meet again. If Nayhan helped Cici or not.

Nayhan got up to his feet and Cici thought that was his answer. Cici was a little disappointed, but they understood. It was a big risk.

“Where the hell do you need to go?” Nayhan asked gruffly. “Where’s the place that you think you need to be? What do you need? I can get your more rations, but anything else will be hard. I can’t get you money,” he told Cici, and Cici looked up at him in surprise.

“You…You’re going to help me?” Cici asked, shocked, and Nayhan looked pissed to hear that.

“What? Did you put me through all of that emotional turmoil and expect me not to fucking help? I thought we were at least friends, Cici,” Nayhan said and Cici blinked, before a goofy, wide smile crossed their face.

“Oh. Friends. I didn’t think you thought of me that way. Thank you, Nayhan. I truly appreciate this,” Cici told him, and Nayhan’s cheeks turned pink. He scratched his cheek.

“Of course. It’s what friends do. Besides, a small girl like yourself is doing something fucking insane, so the least I can do is help out a bit. When are you planning to leave?” Nayhan asked and Cici blinked.

“Probably…tomorrow morning?” Cici offered. “I’m planning to just…go down the opposite side of the fork in the road that we’re going to come across soon,” Cici said and Nayan frowned.

“No. You need to leave before then. Tonight. I’ll go get you your extra stuff. You got any loot besides that bag from the bodies today?” Nayhan asked and Cici quickly turned and looked through their bags. They’d found a little bit extra. Wasn’t really planning to keep it for themselves. Nayhan grunted as the few rings and coins fell into his open palm.

“Is that what you need?” Cici asked calmly and Nayhan nodded.

“Yeah. Lucas was asking if you found anything else. I’ll pass this over to him while on my way to grab more rations.” Nayhan said and a shiver ran down Cici’s spine. Lucas had not trusted Cici that afternoon.

From the way that Nayhan was looking at Cici, with a mixture of pity and understanding, Cici understood what he wasn’t saying. Lucas had planned another night raid on Cici’s tent.

“When I come back, I’ll help you pack up. Take the bag and your pillow and head out to the creek. About 200 paces upriver, Cici. Nothing less.” Nayhan told them and Cici nodded. Cici was already getting to their feet and Nayhan gave an approving nod. “I hope you make it out of this, Cici. Truly. I would hate to come across your body someday,” Nayhan told Cici.

Cici gave him a bright smile.

“Thank you, Nayhan. Truly,” Cici told him, and he grinned. He reached out, pulling Cici’s hood down and ruffling their black hair.

“No worries, friend. Go now,” he reminded them before turning and leaving the tent. Cici scrambled to do exactly as Nayhan had ordered.