A/N: Episode 3! I really need to find a theme song for this.

Exploding Sheep

Episode 3 - The Lady Killer

"Idiot," Aema mumbled to herself as Kayden went to retrieve his axe from the back of a fallen forsaken that lay in the dirt.

As per the usual, the two travelers were attacked while on their long journey to Quel'Thalas. Aema just didn't understand it. Did they have a giant sign over their heads that screamed to low lives and robbers that they were begging to be stabbed or beaten? Whatever the reason, it was something she had to deal with and that was that. But in truth, Aema didn't mind most of the time. It gave her a way to release her anger brought forth by Kayden's shenanigans or annoying upbeat attitude.

"Try to find something worth more than two gold coins this time," she barked at him as he rummaged through the fallen robber's person. Kayden muttered something low enough for her not to hear him and continued with his efforts. "Idiot," she mumbled again, miming the human's actions with a goblin dead at her feet.

Pulling out a few items she considered to be worth money, she stuffed them in the travel bag. Kayden walked over with an armful of goods and dumped them in along with hers. As soon as they were in, Aema snatched his axes from his hands and clipped them onto her belt.

"You can just ask me for them, you know," Kayden sighed. "Ripping them out of my hands is getting kind of old."

"Tough shit," Aema replied, picking up the bag and thrusting it into his chest. Kayden breathed hard through his nose in frustration but looped his arms through the straps. "There's another small town just a few miles from here. We'll sell the goods there," Aema proclaimed, looking at her map.

"What's this one called?"

"Don't know, don't care. All towns and inns along the road look the same to me."

Slapping the map against his chest, she straightened her shoulder armor and continued down the road. Making a noise of aggravation, Kayden folded the map and stuffed it into the bag before following her. They past other adventures on their way, a mixture of Alliance and Horde. The two received strange looks as it was a rather rare sight to see a worgen and a human traveling together but Aema simply ignored them. Kayden on the other hand, adhered to his usual cheerful demeanor by waving and offering warm and friendly greetings to all that passed.

The sun was rather high when they reached town, signifying it was mid-afternoon and the small marketplace they entered was quite busy. Kayden set the bag down near a large fountain and wiped some sweat from his face with his tattered and dirty top. He immediately made a face and looked at Aema who was pulling their loot from the bag.

"Can I get some new clothes? These prison rags are starting to get a little ripe." Aema gave him a look. "Okay, riper than usual."

"Deal with it," the rogue told him. "Now stay here while I try to sell this stuff. And if you even think about moving, I'll-"

"You'll rip out my eyes and shove them down my pants so I can watch you kick my own ass?"

Aema glared at him then turned around to find a merchant. She wandered through the square, trying to pay no attention to all the eyes on her. As she continued her journey, she noticed that everyone in the marketplace were women. Women of all shapes, sizes, colors, and Alliance races roamed about and ran the numerous shopping stands. They all turned to stare as she meandered along the shops. There were no worgens in sight which gave her that outnumbered feeling she felt while in Quillback but pressed on.

Aema eventually came to a small merchant stand and decided to try her luck here. A young woman with fair skin and long blonde hair, thickly braided in a ponytail that reached down to her feet stood at the counter. She was arranging various items when Aema stepped up to her.

"Hello," Aema greeted, trying her best to be friendly. The woman looked up and was briefly taken back by the appearance of this black furred wolf. Her hazel colored eyes looked her up and down with caution before settling her hands on the counter. Aema already didn't like how this was going.

"May I help you?" the woman asked, her voice a bit cold and wary.

"I have some items here I'd like to sell," Aema explained, still trying to keep a non-threatening demeanor.

"I see. Well, let's have a look, shall we?" the merchant said, a fake smile on her lips. It irritated Aema to no end but she too faked a grin and pulled out the items and placed them on the counter.

Most of it was random things like rabbit hides, furbolg feathers, hydra teeth, various rations and small tools. But there were some decent things such as a superior crafted knife, a beautiful obsidian stone that reflected a range of colors and a small gem that looked like it once belonged to something similar to that of a crown or scepter. The woman's eyes scanned over the pile in front of her, rubbing her chin in thought. After a minute or two, she looked back up to Aema and said,

"I'll give you a hundred for the whole pile."

Aema felt her teeth clench together and a hot, stuffy, uncomfortable feeling working its way under her collar. "I believe it's worth more than that," she said slowly, trying to keep her temper. The gem alone was worth three hundred at least.

"I can see that you think that but it's really not worth much more."

"Why?"

"It just isn't."

Aema's whole body shook with rage. This was just like what happened with the shop keeper a few days ago when they found that troll. She was being hideously low balled all because she was a worgen. A desire welled up inside her to destroy the merchant stand in front of her but as satisfying as that thought was, it would only strengthen these racist views of them. Instead, Aema let her usual mask of scorn appear and snatched the goods off the counter.

"Then I'll find someone who thinks that it is," she spat at the woman before turning on her heel and storming off.

The woman uttered an insult under her breath that made Aema's ears pin back so far it hurt. Pushing her way past women, who hmph'd at such rudeness, she plodded back to Kayden who sat at the stone fountain, watching a few birds hop around the cobblestone. The she wolf threw the bag down at his feet in disgust. He looked down at the bag then up to her.

"Your negotiation skills astound me," he said dryly.

"Shut up!" Aema snarled. "Pick it up, we're leaving."

"What? We just got here!"

"Then go complain to that doe eyed bitch back there! She offered me next to nothing for this!"

"What about other merchants?"

"It'll be the same result, you dick head!" Aema hollered, getting more and more upset.

Kayden shook his head and picked up the bag. "Maybe you need to try a different approach. Like, try not being so…crabby. People tend to respond better to a more positive and friendly attitude."

"Fuck you, Kayden."

"There, you see, that's exactly what I'm talking about. Let me try. I bet I can get us a good deal," he exclaimed.

"That's a laugh," Aema snorted, crossing her arms. "But go ahead. When she sees you offering her the same thing I just did, she'll know you're with me and offer the exact same thing."

Kayden shrugged in response and headed over to the stand. Kayden stepped up to the counter, the woman having her back to him, and he dropped the same items into another small pile. The woman turned to see a familiar looking heap of trinkets and let out a disgusted breath.

"Look, I told you; a hundred. You're not getting any mo-" The woman's words died on her lips when she looked up, expecting to see the worgen from before and not an incredibly handsome man with a gorgeous smile.

"Hello! How are you this fine day?" Kayden greeted with nothing but politeness and sincerity. The woman felt her face go red as she tried to find the words to respond.

"I…um…Yes, it's a good day. I'm fine…" she replied shyly and trying not to lose herself in the man's shining emerald eyes.

"Glad to hear," Kayden responded, his smile even wider which made her blush increase. "I have some items here that you said were not worth much. I was wondering if we could take another look just to be sure."

"O-o-oh, yes," she stammered, "I-I can do that."

"That's very kind of you, ma'am. I appreciate it."

Brushing away some stray hairs with a shaky hand, the woman looked over the items again. Her eyes lifted up to meet his and he smiled once more, causing her to immediately look down, the heat on her face unbearable. Composing herself, the woman cleared her throat and attempted to look the man in the face again. That turned out to be a mistake as a breeze blew by, causing his hair to flow with it and it only added to the man's unbelievable appeal. The merchant felt as if she had walked into a dream. Someplace far away from her pug nosed husband who picked at his feet all night.

"Well? What do you think?" Kayden asked, his voice echoing all around her.

"I…guess it's worth a bit more…" she mumbled in a daze, eyes half lidded and glued to the man in front of her. Without taking her eyes off him, she reached under the counter and pulled out a coin purse. She dropped it into his out stretched hand and Kayden peeked inside. His face took on a rather surprised look before facing her again.

"Uh, there's like, eight hundred gold pieces in here. Are you sure it's worth that much?"

"Sure…worth every bit," the woman sighed, still stuck in place far from where she really was and even farther from the thought that this pile of goods belonged to the worgen she had no interest in buying from.

"Gee, thanks!" Kayden said, his smile back and bigger than ever. "You're very generous and I'll be sure to recommend you to anyone I meet in my travels."

"Uh-huh," the woman mumbled, chin resting in her hands as Kayden waved goodbye and headed back to the fountain. A few more women stopped and whispered to one another as he passed before bursting out into bashful giggles. He found Aema still stewing while she sat on the edge of the fountain. Upon his arrival, she looked up at him and scoffed.

"So what horse shit deal did she make you?" she wanted to know.

Kayden grinned and held up the coin purse, dangling it in front of her. "I didn't realize that eight hundred gold coins were considered to be horse shit."

Aema's eyes widened and she snatched the purse from his hands so she could look inside. Eight hundred was almost double what she was expecting to get for that loot. She stared at the money in shock before she looked up at him, scowl returning to her lips. "How the hell did you swing this?"

"I told you; a positive and friendly attitude," Kayden smugly told her.

"I don't believe you," she hissed.

"Well, believe it, Aaliyah."

"…Not even close," Aema informed him.

Frowning, Kayden looked off to the side. "Thought I had it with that one," he mumbled to himself.

"Seriously, how did you sell that crap for this much?" she badgered.

"How many times do I have to tell you? I was just nice and polite."

"No one gives eight hundred gold pieces to someone because they're nice. You stole this when she wasn't looking, didn't you?"

"No."

"Then how? It doesn't make sense."

"You want me to show you?" Kayden asked her, tired of the argument. He reached into the travel bag and pulled out a horn that was made from the tusk of some animal. "I picked this off one of the robbers from yesterday. Practically every raid party in Azeroth has one of these things so scouts can signal if there is trouble ahead. It's worth about five coins but if you're respectful and courteous, sometimes that's all it takes to raise something's value."

Kayden then turned and headed back to the shop stands. Aema grunted but followed him. The human found his way to a different merchant, this time a much older woman, a bit on the heavier side. She looked mean and proved it by yelling at some children to stop playing in the marketplace. Aema stood to the side, resting her hands on her hips and smirking.

"This should be good," the worgen thought to herself.

Aema watched as Kayden approached the woman. He greeted her, causing the bad tempered merchant to look up at him from the fleeing children. It was then that Aema felt her smirk disappear as the woman's disposition completely changed. Her angry and hard looking features melted into a look of bashfulness. She even covered one side of her cheek in embarrassment as Kayden complimented her on how organized her stand was. Kayden then showed the woman the horn, asking her how much it was worth. The merchant pulled out a small coin purse and practically shoved it into his hands. Kayden thanked her and walked back to Aema, the woman watching his every move, a dream like stare stuck on her face.

"See?" Kayden spoke tiredly. "What did I tell you? She gave me fifty coins for that thing."

Aema's face scrunched in confusion. What the hell was going on? How did he pull that? He didn't say anything out of the ordinary and she refused to believe it was because of some nice words. Aema looked back to the woman and saw she was still staring at Kayden, not even bothering to yell at the same children who were running through the street with a ball. She looked around her and suddenly took notice of the fact that many of these women were staring at Kayden. A group of young maidens all giggled and blushed when Kayden smiled at them as they passed by.

"Oh, you have got to be joking," Aema sighed in disbelief when it finally dawned on her.

"What?" Kayden questioned in confusion.

"Those women didn't give you fantastic deals because you were polite. They gave you this gold because they think you're attractive," she explained.

Kayden made a face before slowly shaking his head. "No, I don't think so."

"Believe me, I can't understand why anyone with a brain would consider you attractive either, but you're getting eye humped left and right here."

Kayden looked around and any woman he made eye contact with immediately blushed and looked away. He looked back to Aema and shook his head again. "I don't see it."

"You're joking, right?" Aema questioned in awe. "You're seriously telling me that all these women staring at you isn't some sort of clue? What about all that 'ladies' man' talk back at Quillback?"

"I was just goofing around," Kayden admitted. "I'm not that great with women to be honest."

Somehow that statement didn't surprise her but that did not deny the fact that Kayden was being stared at like a piece of meat in a lion's den. It was then that an idea struck her. A marvelous and brilliant idea. A wicked smile slowly crept along her muzzle as she locked eyes with Kayden. He grimaced at her expression.

"You look like you're plotting to kill a mountain of babies," he said uneasily.

"I've just thought of a way to use these women's bizarre attraction to you to my advantage."

"How so?"

Aema dug through her bag and pulled out all the spare items she had. "By doing what you've been doing," she claimed, stuffing the goods into his arms. "Just go to every merchant you can and if they're as seemingly desperate as every other woman here, they'll drool all over you and pay out the nose just like the last two."

"That's not right," Kayden uttered, frowning deeply at her. "I can't take advantage of them like that. Not knowingly."

"Well, I can. People like them have been screwing me over for years so it's about time for some reparations. And I take mine in the form of gold."

"I don't think this is a good idea. What if it back fires?"

Aema cuffed him upside the head, causing him to stumble forward, nearly spilling the contents in his arms. "Rule two, dumbass," the rogue reminded him.

Kayden glared fiercely at her but groaned in defeat as he begrudgingly trudged his way towards the stands. Aema grinned and made her way back to the fountain where she sat down, pulling out her daggers and a sharpening stone. She worked on her blades humming a gentle tune. She could still feel eyes on her but she paid no mind. It made her feel much better knowing that those eyes would soon be looking at empty wallets.

"Score!"

Kayden watched with disapproval as Aema gleefully scooped up the bundle of coin purses in his arms. The plan had gone off without a hitch. Every stand Kayden visited, the woman behind it became all weak kneed and pretty much just gave him whatever money they had no matter how low the value of what he was selling was. He had even gotten forty gold pieces for a broken kettle. The whole thing made him extremely uncomfortable. Knowing that these women were attracted to the brown haired man flattered him to no end but he was never one to use a woman's feelings for personal gain.

"Now what?" he interrupted the coin counting worgen.

"Now we buy supplies," she answered, flipping a coin in the air then catching it.

"But we just sold all of our supplies!"

"And now we can afford to buy better ones. With you around, we should get them dirt cheap."

"Really? More of this?" Kayden vexed.

"Stop whining," Aema ordered. "We're getting a break here so keep quiet and don't blow this." Aema began to whistle a happy tune as she strolled back into the market. Kayden sighed but followed her.

Again, he was forced to watch as these poor women became blinded by emotion and hand over what Aema wanted for next to nothing. And the wolf made sure to use him to whatever advantage she could. She made him flex or bend over for a ridiculously long time to pick a 'dropped' coin. She even made him spill water over himself and fling his hair about like a wild stallion. He never felt so cheap in all his life. But it worked and soon their travel bag was full of brand new supplies and goods.

"Gods, if I could package that dumb face of yours I'd be set for life in this town," Aema proclaimed as they entered the local tavern. Kayden merely grunted in response as they sat down at a table. "I'm usually not one for considering such a thing, especially when you're around, but I suppose I should consider it good fortune that we came into a town full of women."

"There are men," Kayden said as a tavern girl set down some ale for them. She smiled shyly at Kayden before shuffling off to the next table. "They all work at a rock quarry a few miles southeast from here. The women run the market while their away."

"How do you know this?"

"While selling all that cheap gear of yours, I asked," was his answer, taking a sip from his mug.

"Whatever," Aema disregarded. "They must be a pretty disgusting bunch if their wives are ogling you."

"Yeah, I get it, you think I'm ugly."

"Ugly is too kind a word for you."

Kayden ignored her and went back to his drink. For another hour, the two stayed at the tavern finishing their drinks and enjoying a hot meal that the female chef had so generously added extra portions to. She blew a kiss at Kayden who blushed and buried his face into his mashed potatoes. Aema took a bite out of her drumstick and shook her head at him.

"Be thankful for that meal because I ain't feeding you anything near this good when we get moving," she told him.

He leered up at her from his plate but knew that she was right. This was the first real meal he has had in six years. Perhaps it was better not to squander it. The worgen and man ate in silence as the sun began its descent outside. Finishing the last crumb on his plate, Kayden rubbed his stomach in content, feeling full for the first time in many years. That feeling was removed, however, when Aema bopped him on the head with her drumstick bone.

"Go to the fountain and fill up the canteens," she commanded, flicking away some meat stuck between her teeth. Grumbling, Kayden pulled out some canteens from their bag and left the tavern. He kicked a rock along the street, the tiny pebble bouncing violently.

"Do this, Kayden. Do that, Kayden," he said to himself, mimicking Aema's voice. As he approached the fountain, he could see a rather large group of men in what looked like a confrontation with a group of women. Dipping one of the canteens into the fountain, he heard an angry voice cry out.

"You did what?!"

The men all stared dumbfounded at their wives who all wore masks of shame and embarrassment. A draenei woman stepped forward and awkwardly rubbed her arm. "It all happened so fast! We…We didn't realize…"

"How could you not realize you were giving away all of our money?!" a night elf cried, pulling at his long green hair.

"Who was it?" a man with a bald head and bushy mustache demanded to know. "Was it some blasted mage who put a spell on all of you?" The women all collectively looked down at their feet. "Well?!"

"He wasn't a mage," a gnome girl, pink locks falling past her shoulders, spoke up. "But…he sure seemed like he was magic," she sighed. All the other women repeated the action in unison.

The men all looked at one another in confusion. A dwarf waddled up to his wife near the front and gawked at her in question. "Agnes! What in the bloody hell is wrong with ye?! Yer talking pish!"

"He was a fine looking man…" she responded dreamily, looking past him into nothing. Her husband rubbed his head in bewilderment until something sparked in his mind.

"Wait a bloomin' minute! Yer talking all gaga for another man, ain't ya?! Ye all are!" The other men all looked at their significant others and saw the shared look of whimsical yearning. "That's what happened! Sum' bastard seduced 'em all and took our money!"

"Uh-oh," Kayden said to himself.

The group of men suddenly exploded into raised voices and cursing.

"Let's find this son of a bitch!"

"No one hits on my wife and steals my money!"

"I'm gonna eat his face!"

"We should bury him alive in the quarry!"

That last comment received a loud response of cheers. The bald headed man stepped forward to the ladies and pointed a rigid finger at them. "Who was it?! Is he still here?!" They all looked at one another before shrugging or shaking their heads. The man growled and turned back to his fellow irate husbands. "Spread out! Look for any new faces and shout out if you find one! Let's get this scumbag!"

Kayden was almost running back to the tavern as an enthusiastic cheer rang out. He cursed the worgen and her avarice for getting him into this. Rounding the corner of a tailor shop, Kayden came to a sudden stop, skidding along the street. On the other side near the entrance of town, a man on horseback rode in wearing the very recognizable uniform assigned to those at Quillback Prison.

"Shit!" he hissed and ran as fast as he could to the tavern before he could be spotted. He burst through the door, eyes scanning the place for Aema. Finding her at their table still, he bolted over, almost knocking over the tavern girl. Aema looked up and jeered at him.

"Finally. What took you so lo-"

Aema didn't finish as Kayden grabbed her arm and yanked her out of her seat. "We gotta go! Now!" he cried, dragging her towards the back entrance of the tavern. Aema wrenched her arm free and bared her teeth.

"Keep your hands off me! What the hell has gotten into you?!"

"We need to leave!"

"Why?"

"Because you're greedy little plan back fired! The husbands of those women came home to find all their money gone and now they've formed an angry mob that's pretty enthusiastic about castrating me!" Kayden yelled at her.

Aema closed her eyes and pinched the bridge of her muzzle. "Of course, why not?" she moaned.

"Oh, it gets better!" Kayden hollered. "Not only do we have to deal with that but we also have a Quillback scout snooping around outside!"

Aema grabbed the sides of her head in agony. This was her punishment for ever thinking she could fall into the graces of good fortune. But to make matters worse, Kayden had been right in his warning. This had back fired on them and back fired hard. Not only did they have to escape an angry mob but they had to avoid one of Savard's men at the same time.

"I told you this wasn't right and look what happened!"

"Shut your hole!" Aema roared. "They're a bunch of quarry workers! We can fight through them easily!"

"Are you nuts?!" Kayden wailed in disbelief. "There's a mob of them! They'll over power us by sheer numbers alone! Not to mention all that scout has to do is see what's going on and he'll race back to whoever Savard has got hunting us! We won't survive the night!"

"Well, then what do you suggest we do, genius?!"

Kayden didn't respond right away. Instead he maneuvered his way over to a window where he took a peek outside to the streets. The group of men were all over the place, looking in houses and shops. They were getting dangerously close to the tavern. Crossing the room, he looked out the window on the other side of the building to find the scout still searching the area. Kayden exchanged looks between the two sides, biting his bottom lip.

"Well?!" Aema snarled.

"They're looking for the guy who screwed them out of their money, right?"

"Um, yes!"

"Then let's give him to them."

"This is ridiculous," Aema said with a shake of her head as Kayden checked for the items he needed in their travel bag.

"It'll work," he assured.

"How? No one is that stupid."

"Just trust me on this, okay? I know that's insanely hard for you to do but it's really our only option."

Aema sighed deeply. As much as she hated to agree, he was right. There was really no other way out. But she still didn't think anyone was going to fall for it. Kayden peeked out from the side of the tavern to make sure the coast was clear. They could hear the commotion from the men all around them but the street was bare for now.

"You remember what you have to do?" he asked her. Aema simply growled at him. "I'll take that as a yes. Wait for me to enter the house then do your thing." With that, Kayden hoisted the bag over his shoulder and removed himself from their cover. Cautiously he made his way down the street and to a house on the other side. Propping a window open, he fumbled his way inside.

Aema stealthy crept over to the back of the tavern where she found the scout, horse trotting the opposite direction. Stepping out into the open, she pulled out a tankard she had taken from the tavern. Turning her back, she dropped the mug and bounced off the street with a loud clatter. The scout reared around in his seat at the noise and his eyes widened upon seeing the worgen he was searching for. He turned and was about to take off to report to his superiors but paused. Turning back, he could see the wolf stumbling about, holding herself up against the walls of buildings. She seemed to be making rather loud hiccup sounds as she clumsily wandered down the street.

The scout knew a drunk when he saw one and this worgen was no different. It was then that he considered the possibility of actually capturing her. In her intoxicated state, it would be child's play. If he rode back with her in his custody that would certainly mean a promotion. Perhaps she would even lead him to Althane. Savard would surely make him captain for such a deed. Turning his horse around, the scout slowly followed the drunk she wolf as she rounded a corner. She tripped a few times and hummed a few bars of a song he didn't know, but she eventually came to a house where she awkwardly forced the door open.

The scout got off his horse and drew his sword. With his mind full of the possibilities of promotions and larger wages, the Quillback employee slowly and quietly entered the house. But if his mind hadn't been so preoccupied with such things, he might have noticed the same worgen slip out the window on the second level of the house and dropped down silently back onto the streets. Aema carefully hurried her way down the street and turned another corner to find a few of the husbands exiting the tavern and joining the mob.

"The bar girl says he was here with some worgen," the night elf said.

"Maybe they were in cahoots," a draenei theorized.

"You boys looking for that gold stealing son of a bitch?" The mob turned their attention over to Aema who approached them. "That dirt bag stole all of my money too and I want to break his face just as much as you fellas," she claimed, smashing her fist into her palm.

"The bar girl told us you were eating dinner with him," the bald headed man stated warily. "Sounds a bit romantic. You in on his little scam too?"

Aema made a face of disgust for saying what she was about to say. "He used his…ugh…charm and…Gods…devilish good looks to blind me just like your wives. Then he took my coin purse and ran off into a house down the street!"

The mob all uttered a cry of surprise. "Ye know where he is?!" the dwarf burst out, pushing his way to the front of the group.

"That's right! Follow me and let's get this bastard!" she announced, pumping her fist in the air. The husbands all joined her and followed Aema as she led them down the street and to the house Kayden and the scout were in. "He's in there!" Aema hollered extra loud and pointing to the front door. The mob shouted in anger and made to knock the door down but all stepped back in surprise when a body came tumbling out from the door and spilled out onto the street.

The bruised and blackened face of the Quillback scout looked up in a daze to see a herd of townsfolk all gawking at him. There came a shrill scream from inside the house, catching everyone's attention. From the doorway out stepped a woman. Or at least, a poor representation of a woman.

The 'woman' was actually Kayden. He had removed his rags and used Aema's cloak as a make shift dress, stuffing the chest with cantaloupes. It appeared he had added some make up by using the ashes from the fire place for eye liner and smeared what looked like tomato on his mouth for lipstick. An old handkerchief was tied around his head in the fashion of a castle maid. He looked completely and utterly ridiculous.

"Oh, you wicked, wicked man!" he cried out in a terrible impersonation of a female voice.

Everyone stared dumbfounded. Aema slapped a hand over her face, the sound being heard quite clearly. She knew this wasn't going to work.

"This beastly man tried to ravage me then take my money!" Kayden wailed, covering his forehead with the back of his hand as if he were going to faint. "Won't a brave man aid a poor maiden in distress?!"

Again the men just stared and Aema felt her whole body tense up. That tenseness released, however, when she heard the dwarf shout out, "He's at it again, boys! Get the varmint!"

The mob all shouted in unison and swarmed the scout. They dragged him up to his feet and began to lead him out of town. "No! I didn't do anything! I'm from Quillback Prison! That woman is a man! He's the one you want!" the scout protested, pointing at Kayden.

"Well, I never!" Kayden scoffed, snubbing his nose upwards.

"Nice try, thief!" the night elf scorned. "How dumb do you think we are?!"

"Aye!" the dwarf concurred, "ye've bungled yer last married woman, ya son'uv a hoore!"

"No! I'm a Quillback scout and those are prisoners!"

"So you think a fancy man in uniform has the right to steal from lowly working peasants like us, huh?" the bald headed man raged, ignoring the scout's accusations. "If you're so accustomed to prisons then you're gonna love the one we're going to make for you at the quarry!"

The mob all cheered and carried the kicking and screaming man down the street and out of town just as nightfall had settled in. Aema watched them go then looked over at Kayden who joined her side. "So, what did we learn?" he asked, hands on his hips.

"That my life is going to be a never ending circus with you around."

"I think you meant to say that being greedy is wrong. And that you need to have more faith in my ideas," he boasted with a victorious smirk.

"Dumb luck," Aema snorted. "Those men just happened to be idiots. Like anyone could ever mistake you for a woman."

"Aw, sounds like someone's jealous that I just happen to be a much more alluring female then they are," Kayden remarked, striking a pose. Aema responded my slapping at his chest, causing the cantaloupes to fall out and splatter on the ground.

"At least I don't stuff my top," she told him before walking away.

He leered at her as she walked away. "We all can't have flawless, perky, big boobs like you, you know!"

"Eat shit, Althane!" Aema replied, throwing a middle finger above her head. Kayden pursed his lips and snapped his fingers in arc like motion.

"Bitch got no class."

"This should be a good spot."

Kayden set down the travel bag in the small clearing that they had found in the woods. After coming across that scout, they decided they would stay off the road for a while. For now they would set up camp but leave first thing in the morning to try and stay ahead of their would be captors. Kayden grunted as he pulled out all the supplies in order to pitch Aema's new horse hide tent. One of the many items she had purchased with Kayden's 'assistance'.

Despite his feelings on the matter, he had to admit it was a good purchase. The tent was large enough to fit two people and came with extra soft furs for bedding. That was especially good as their old tent was only big enough for one person and Aema forced him to sleep outside. Not only was it extremely uncomfortable, but he had to listen to the worgen go on about slicing him open if he tried to sneak off in the night. Like he had anywhere to sneak off to. Besides, it might be better this way as he often heard her talking in her sleep again from time to time and it didn't sound like she was having good dreams. Kayden finished hammering in the last spike and stretched out his neck.

"Oy, I am ready for bed," he yawned.

"Good. Better find the most comfortable dirt pile you can," Aema informed him before entering the tent.

"But that tent's big enough for two people! I thought that's why you bought it so I wouldn't have to sleep on the ground anymore!"

Aema let out a laugh. "Like I would share a tent with you."

"Really? After I bailed your ass out of the fire tonight?"

"I would have figured something out."

"Just like you figured out how to escape Quillback?"

Aema regarded him for a minute with an annoyed stare before sighing out through her nose. Looking back at things, she supposed she did let herself get a little carried away today. She also supposed that he might have helped her out of that mess as well. Her head disappeared into the tent and Kayden heard her grumbling something about 'getting soft' before something was flung into his face. He pulled it off to discover it was one of the fur beddings.

"There," she said from inside the tent, "but don't go thinking it means anything. One good job doesn't make up for all the past, and I'm sure, future problems you cause. You're still a moron."

"Yeah, yeah, I know but…thanks," Kayden said with sincerity. There was no response from the tent. He lay the fur down and nestled in comfortably on it. It was no feather bed but it was a thousand times better than dirt and grass. After a lengthy silence, his sat up and said, "Hey, can I ask you something?" There was a groan from the tent and Aema's head popped back out through the flap.

"What?" she asked through clenched teeth.

"Do you really think I'm ugly?"

"Are you serious? That's what you're keeping me up for?" Kayden offered a look that suggested he was still waiting for her to answer the question. "Yes! You're as ugly as a mule and twice as dumb! Now go to sleep!"

"Jeez, no wonder the guys are all over you," Kayden murmured under his breath. Aema narrowed her eyes at him as he turned on his side to go to sleep. She watched him for a minute before retreating back into the tent.

The wolf removed her armor and clothing before pulling a blanket over her and nestled into the furs. She lay there for minute before she began to toss and turn, her brain wanting her to admit what she already knew. Aema let out a frustrated sigh before looking up at the ceiling of the tent.

"Okay, he has a cute butt," she thought with a roll of her eyes before turning over and finally falling asleep.

A/N: Only Kayden could get away with such a stupid plan. Probably helps that that town was just as stupid. If you're wondering why there haven't been any fights between Horde or Alliance representations, it's because I started writing this after Mists, which is more or less the timeline for this series. I assume that(at the time) while there is a truce between the two factions, relationships are still rocky but not as much fighting occurs. Anyways, Episode 4 is on the way!

Episode 4 - You Make Me Sick

When Aema falls ill it's up to Kayden to help her out.