From Ashes and Dust (Book One)

Chapter 3.2

"We might as well be," Vatra commented. "Foregoing the vows, I'd say we are pretty much everything an old married couple is. The long walks, the jokes and arguments. I know way too many of his bad habits, and he knows mine. We do everything together, too."

"Minus the intercourse," Spyro interjected in a plain tone.

A loud cough erupted from Hisato, tripping him up in his steps. He spun his head to Vatra, as if expecting her to be embarrassed, but she only shrugged at the statement.

"As I said, I agreed with you that we're like an old married couple. I'm hardly surprised by what he's going to say," Vatra said.

She folded her arms and looked around the narrow corridor they were walking down. Bleak metal lined with the faint glow of white lights; it was the back alley behind the hangars. The hall was cold, and she ached to get out into the main rooms of Belltower.

Hisato cleared his throat after a few moments of silence. "So, you've both remained alone?"

"I've been alive too long to worry about something as trivial as love. I've seen mortals die chasing it, and gods start wars over it. I've never been fond of the idea, anyway. And Spyro's as romantically uninterested as a pot of rice," Vatra said.

Stopping to the left of Spyro, Vatra cocked her head to the side. "Are you in love, Hisato?" She pressed her inquiry after realizing there was a judgmental tone to Hisato's question. As if it were wrong for them to be alone.

If only Hisato could see the incredulous look crossing her face. She yearned to hear all about the details of this supposed long-lost love. It was the most interesting thread she'd been able to tug at in a while.

The three of them huddled beside a door.

"Maybe I'm not as cynical about the idea as you," Hisato said, waving his hand by the door. It shot to the side, bringing in a warmth over them.

"I didn't say I was cynical," Vatra mumbled, following close behind Hisato. She remained beside Spyro, nearly bumping shoulders with him.

Her thoughts were shut behind a wall of noise and bustling crowds. Belltower was particularly busy for not having any new arrivals for so long.

A wide path before them navigated an abundance of shops set up in an open market. The dozens of stalls were tucked away on either side, using the floor of the level above them as their make-shift ceilings. Cooking food sizzled and popped from the closest stall, sending a waft of perfectly grilled meats. Vatra's mouth watered.

"I thought Belltower was not on the permanent residency list," Spyro observed. "I believe it is on trade only."

Hisato chuckled. "It is trade only. And that's all I'll ever say it is." He stepped forward, leading them on into the steady streams of people buying their supplies. "What food are you looking for?" Hisato asked over his shoulder.

Vatra didn't register his question and stopped in front of a clothing stall. She dragged her eyes over fine Katherian silk, feigning the urge to reach out and touch its rare fibers. The merchant, hardly a Katherian herself from the blue tint of her skin, flickered a forked tongue over her teeth before leaning out over the table that displayed her wares.

"Ninety credits," the merchant said. Double eyelids flitted over her golden irises.

"Really?" Vatra asked.

It was a steal, and she knew real Katherian silk from a fake anywhere. If the merchant herself knew the difference was another story. The rest of the merchandise was rather questionable. If anything, the piece was worth twice that.