Chapter 3: TALON

By Namaari's estimation, they still had a few minutes until they would reach one of the many docks leading into Talon. She turned her attention back to Raya after the brief interruption, realizing they were still holding hands on the wooden railing, the Heart princess's fingers interweaved with her own. Namaari couldn't help but appreciate the way their hands seemed to fit together so perfectly and she reluctant to let go as if breaking the contact would also break some sort of spell.

Namaari then lifted her gaze to find that the Heart princess was looking at her too, an unreadable expression on her face. Namaari searched her eyes for any sign of the feelings within but it was impossible for her to tell. Whatever Raya had been thinking it appeared as though she had come to some sort of decision after a moment.

"Let's focus on getting this gem piece and then we'll talk more, okay?" Raya said softly with a warm smile, before giving her hand a gentle squeeze and then releasing it. Namaari watched her make her way across the boat to TukTuk, her hand already felt cold in the absence of the contact, but she was able to breathe again.

Even though she wasn't sure if Raya believed her or not, Namaari had an overwhelming sense of relief that she had been able to speak those words to the Heart princess after all this time. And if she had to make a guess based on the fact Raya willingly held her hand, Namaari thought that maybe, just maybe, Raya could begin to trust her… or perhaps even more?

A rush of emotions swept through her at the thought. If she was honest with herself, Namaari knew she had feelings for Raya the moment she laid eyes on her. At twelve years old she was too young to know the full extent of what the flutter in her chest and the heat creeping up her neck had meant. After everything that had happened that day, she had not dared to allow the thought of having any kind of relationship with Raya, much less a romantic one. Now, that she was faced with the girl as a grown woman there was no doubt those feelings were still there and as much as she tried she couldn't quash the hope she had that perhaps Raya could feel the same way.

"Wow! What a smart way to Druun-proof your house," Sisu's voice brought Namaari back to reality and she attempted to focus her thoughts on the task at hand. "Build right on the water. The people of Talon are geniuses."

Namaari glanced around apprehensively as Captain Boun eased the Shrimporium up to the dock. The tell-tale pink and purple of Talon was everywhere, and the town built over water seemed to glow with it.

"Yeah. Talon may look nice, but it's a hotspot for pickpockets and con artists," Raya replied with a hint of bitterness. She must have been here before.

Raya had moved on to getting TukTuk's saddle ready, her eyes had a faraway look to them as if she were lost in thought. Namaari wished she could read the Heart princess' mind.

"Lucky for me. Empty pockets!" Sisu told her gleefully, holding her arms out, the sleeves of her tunic hanging over her hands, a goofy smile on her face.

Namaari turned to survey the interconnected network of docks and platforms. In sharp contrast to Tail there were people everywhere, shopping, eating out, unafraid of the Druun lurking on land.

It was strange being here. While searching for Raya, she and the other Fang warriors had bypassed most of the inhabited parts of Talon so Namaari had never actually spent any amount of time here. She'd be lying if she said wasn't a little fearful of what the people of Talon would think of someone from Fang coming onto their lands. After all, Fang had broken the world and from what she has heard from scouts in the past was that the other lands wanted nothing to do with them and were usually outright hostile.

Chancing a glance to her left, Namaari was startled to see Raya staring back at her. How long had that being going on? She desperately wanted to walk over there and… do what? Honestly, the first thing that had come to mind was wrapping her arms around the other woman and assuring her they'd get her father back. Namaari fought the urge, knowing that it may do more to damage what progress she had made with her.

The Heart princess quickly looked ahead but if Namaari wasn't mistaken there was the slightest hint of red to her cheeks. And was she side-eyeing her as well? She tried to ignore the fluttering sensation in her chest and the grin that pulled at the edges of her lips.

The other woman seemed full of nervous energy now, pulling her cape over her shoulders and placing her hat on her head. She cleared her throat and addressed them as Boun finished tying off the boat to the dock.

"Okay, so here's the good news. I know where the gem piece is," she said confidently before moving on to, "The bad news? It's being held by the notorious Chief of Talon, Dang Hai."

Namaari only could reference Dang Hai from her memories as a twelve-year-old. She remembered how the large man seemed smug, stroking his long braided beard, while Chief Benja had addressed them all.

"What Dang Hai lacks in style, he makes up in mean," Raya finished folding her arms across her chest with a grim look on her face.

"Gotcha. Now, we're just gonna have turn up the charm. Let's go get him a gift!" Sisu replied with enthusiasm, hopping off the boat and getting ready to march into Talon. Raya caught up to her quickly.

"Sisu, I think maybe it's safer for you to stay here on the boat," she said, "Without you, we can't put the gem back together."

Namaari couldn't help but agree with the Heart princess on this one, so she stepped forward.

"I'll go with you," she offered, adjusting her dual swords on her waist and ignoring the soreness in her arm from her injury.

"Uh, as much as I could use your muscle," Raya started but then seemed to struggle for a moment, the hint of pink returning to her cheeks, before continuing," I mean, as much as I could use your help what I really need is for you to stay here and keep Sisu safe."

Namaari frowned. She didn't like the idea of Raya going alone. What if she was captured? Or worse?

Apparently sensing her hesitation, Raya continued, "Plus, as someone from Fang… well, let's just say your presence might draw some unwanted attention. Not to mention you're already hurt from saving my life earlier- thank you for that by the way."

Namaari stepped forward so she could address the Heart princess without the others overhearing. "You don't have to do all of this on your own anymore," Namaari said softly softly, "I realize you're more than capable but I want to help you."

When Raya didn't respond right away she was worried that she had overstepped but then the other woman just grinned.

"I'm not alone. I've got TukTuk and Sisu and you, plus Captain pop and lock over there," she joked nodding her head towards Boun. Namaari huffed a little failing to find humor in the situation despite the fact that the young boy's antics while cooking earlier had been rather entertaining.

Raya unexpectedly stepped forward as well and leaned in to force Namaari to look into her eyes. "Hey, I'll be safe. And I promise when I get back with the gem piece we'll finish that conversation."

Namaari set her jaw and could only nod, unhappy with the arrangement but trusting that Raya could handle herself.

"Okay, guys. I'll be back before you can say, 'jackfruit jerky'," Raya told them, making one last check of her sword and ensuring she had the gem pieces in her bag on TukTuk's saddle before making her way down the dock with the giant fur bug lumbering behind.

Did Namaari mention she hated waiting? She especially hated waiting when Raya's safety might be at risk and yet this seemed to be becoming an unwelcome trend.

After Raya had left, Namaari had positioned herself at the back of the boat once more with Chaiya, stroking her furry head, trying to convince herself it was to calm the serlot and not her own raw nerves. She couldn't stop replaying the conversation she and Raya had just before they arrived in Talon, wishing they'd had more time. It was ironic really. Six years of waiting just to have to wait a couple hours more. But if waiting meant that Raya was one step closer to getting her father back then Namaari could wait another six years if she had to.

Namaari needed a distraction. Tilting her head to the left she could see Sisu on the dock, bouncing on the balls of her bare human feet anxiously. She seemed fixated on getting the Chief a gift and was trying to figure out a way to go about it. Of course, Namaari might not be able to stop the legendary dragon- even disguised as a human- but there was no way she'd let her go alone. Raya had tasked her with protecting her and she would not fail.

Shifting her gaze to the side Namaari could see that Boun was next to her, coiling some of the extra rope. Every once in a while she would catch him looking over at her suspiciously. She wasn't sure what he was expecting her to do. Steal his congee? She also wasn't sure what she would have to do to earn his trust but she hoped she'd have the chance.

"Ah, so it's true," a weathered female voice drew all of their eyes to a few yards further up the dock.

Namaari's eyes narrowed as she spotted an old woman dressed in expensive-looking garb, a tall hat perched on her head. She was flanked by two large, shirtless men who were so similar looking that they must be related.

"What is the Fang princess doing in Talon on a boat from Tail?" the disjointed female voice carried over to where Namaari was sitting on the boat. In response, she shot up to her feet and Chaiya did the same. "You thought you could come to Talon and cause trouble? Well, I hear about every boat that comes across these docks and yours is not welcome here."

One of her impossibly large henchman had grabbed Boun at some point and had him in a loose headlock while the other identical henchman was quickly approaching Sisu.

Namaari sprang into action, vaulting herself over the boat's rail onto the dock. Sisu was backing up slowly, unable to take her eyes off the man in front of her. Namaari pulled Sisu behind her and ordered, "Get back on the boat." She didn't get a chance to see if Sisu heeded her or not.

The lackey readjusted his course for Namaari, hands outstretched, trying to grab her. As he lunged forward she easily dodged his slow, lumbering attack and used his own momentum against him by sticking out her leg to trip him. It worked. He couldn't stop his forward motion in time to keep from falling off the dock and into the water below.

There was a yell of surprise as he hit the water and a flurry of splashing as he tried to swim back to the dock but now Namaari's attention was on the next man.

He seemed to tighten his hold on Boun, knowing it was his only leverage against her and Namaari didn't dare draw her swords for fear the boy would get harmed in the ensuing fight. But she was surprised to see the man's eyes go wide in fear suddenly, looking at a space over her shoulder. Not daring to take her eyes off of him in case he took advantage of her distraction, Namaari strained her ears to try and figure out what was spooking him. A familiar low growl met her ears over the splashing sounds coming from the other man and she couldn't stop the smirk of triumph on her lips.

Chaiya jumped onto the dock and stalked past Namaari towards the man, her hackles raised and ears flat against her head. The man was backing up slowly, almost running into the old woman behind him.

Boun must have sensed his opportunity because he opened his mouth and clamped down hard on the man's arm, biting it as hard as he could. He yelped in pain and dropped him to the ground. After that many things happened all at once.

Without anyone in her way, Chaiya pounced at the man who let out a high-pitched scream as he turned and ran as fast as his hulking frame would allow. Meanwhile, Boun was losing his footing from where he was dropped and was pinwheeling his arms to catch his balance. Namaari rushed forward and grabbed the boy by the crossed fabric at his chest, pulling him forward and setting him safely on the dock.

The man who had fallen in the water had made his way noisily further down the dock and managed to haul himself up. As soon as he was standing, he ran as well leaving a path of soaked wooden boards in his wake. Now, the only one left was the old woman.

Namaari approached her slowly, still not drawing her weapons. "Who are you?" she asked calmly.

Despite both of her men abandoning her she still looked unafraid, lifting her chin in defiance.

"You better tell her. Princess Undercut here isn't afraid to hit an old lady," the sound of Raya's voice was a welcome one. Namaari glanced past the old woman to the source. Raya grinned, her arms crossed under her cloak and Namaari could feel the now familiar pounding of her heart starting up again.

"I'm Dang Hu. Chief of Talon," she told them evenly. "And you're here to steal my dragon gem piece, Princess Raya."

If Raya was shocked the woman knew who she was as well as their mission her face didn't show it. Instead, she drew her sword and held is loosely in front of her.

"That's right," Raya confirmed and then Namaari was surprised to see her face turn sympathetic. "I'm sorry about Dang Hai. But if you just hand over that gem piece we can work on bringing him back."

"And what makes you think I have my son's gem piece?" the woman countered.

All of a sudden, a small furry creature popped up on Raya's shoulder with the glowing blue stone, sticking his tongue out at her. Namaari recognized the creature as an Ongi, sneaky creatures that were infamous for pick pocketing. Two other Ongis appeared on top of TukTuk behind Raya as well as a toddler, all with smug looks on their faces. Behind them Chaiya came strolling back, a content look on her feline face. Namaari couldn't wait to hear the story behind this one.

It was clear from the way the older Chief's face fell and her hands went to her pockets that the Ongi had stolen the gem piece from her while they had all been talking. Seeming to finally realize her situation and that she was vastly outnumbered, the woman had a glint of fear in her eyes for a moment.

"We appreciate your cooperation," Raya said smugly, taking the gem from the creature and putting it in her pocket before continuing, "Now if you don't mind, we have a pretty tight schedule."

Dang Hu couldn't move quickly by any stretch of the imagination but without her henchmen she seemed to realize that it was wise to leave. With a grumble, she hobbled past the group down the dock back towards the rest of Talon.

The Ongis ran past all of them onto the boat and they all just watched as the feeding frenzy began. Sisu seemed thrilled at the new additions, trying to engage them in one sided conversation with little success.

"I kind of promised them all of the congee they could eat," Raya said with a grimace as Boun just stared at her in horror.

"Well, they are going to be with us for a while then because Ongis have nine stomachs."

"Oh, toi," Raya swore under her breath but tried to recover with humor as usual, "But hey now you have new customers?"

The boy just shook his head in disbelief and instead turned to Namaari. "Hey," he said seriously, "Thanks for your help back there."

"Of course," Namaari gave him a slight bow of her head. The boy seemed to be looking at her in a new light. Gone was the suspicious side eye, replaced by a gleam of respect before he ran off to try and wrangle the Ongis appetites.

Next came the tiny girl that had come with the three Ongis. Wearing the pinks and purples of Talon, her jet black hair pulled into rows of little pony tails she hobbled over to her and seemed to size Namaari up. Would even a baby judge her for being from Fang? After some apparent consideration, she lifted her short arms up to her in the universal baby gesture of wanting to be picked up.

"And who might you be, little one?" Namaari asked, bemused she reached down and lifted the child up with her good arm and settled her on her hip. It was something she had done many times with the children back in Fang and she didn't give it a second thought. She could see on the collar of her shirt, an embroidered name: Noi.

Noi grabbed the dangling part of her earring and gave it a slight tug. It was a little painful but the child was just exploring and testing limits, so she reached around with her other hand and removed the piece of jewelry. "You want this?"

Noi took it with a slew of babbles before gesturing to be put down. As soon as her feet hit the dock she was off towards the boat and a meal as well.

Namaari glanced back to find that Raya was staring at her with an odd look on her face.

"What?" Namaari asked self-consciously, glancing down to make sure the child hadn't left some kind of body fluid on her tank top or pants. Why else would Raya be looking at her like that? Finding nothing she turned her attention back to the Heart princess, only for it to be her turn to give Raya a strange look.

Chaiya came up behind Raya and brushed her head against her with an affectionate purr. The Heart princess seemed a little taken aback by the sudden gesture but gave the serlot a gentle scratch behind the ear regardless.

"I was on my way back when I found this one. Can we keep her?" Raya mock-pleaded, her hands pressed together and pouting.

Namaari gave a little laugh and a shake of her head, tearing her eyes away from those incredibly distracting lips of hers.

Noi came charging back towards them at the serlot, hands extended to grab her fur. Chaiya's eyes went wide and she leapt clear over the child and bounded back onto the boat. She promptly climbed up to the roof, settling herself on top of the giant shrimp sculpture's back where she could be safe from tiny hands.

"Do I want to know how you went into Talon looking for a gem piece and ended up with three Ongis and a baby?" Namaari teased, as they both turned and walked side by side down the dock back to the boat.

"Nope, what happens in Talon, stays in Talon, " Raya replied simply eliciting a chuckle from Namaari as they stepped back onto the boat and Boun shoved off.

As much as she wanted to talk to Raya, Namaari realized the boat was getting rather crowded, making private conversations almost impossible.

Boun had made them all dinner- several dinners for the Ongis- and they sat at the table in the center of the boat talking amiably. It had already been late when they left Talon but by the time they were done eating they were all exhausted. Boun had allowed Namaari, albeit somewhat begrudgingly, to take a shift at pushing the boat along while the others got some rest. Raya would take the next shift and then Boun would get them the rest of the way. Sisu could get them to Spine in no time easily, but Raya didn't feel it was worth it to risk blowing her cover. They weren't quite ready to let the others know her true identity.

Namaari peered into the darkness, watching for anything that may come their way. The Kumandra River was fairly wide here so she was less concerned about running aground or into something than she was about possible bandits. She had stationed herself on the port side of the boat so she could primarily use her left arm to push the boat forward with the bamboo pole. Her right arm still protested the motion but the pain was much more manageable than it had been.

Her ears perked up at the sound of light footsteps coming towards her from the front of the boat. Her heart picked up its pace because she'd recognize the sound of Raya's foot falls from a mile away.

"Hey," the Heart princess's soft greeting did nothing to calm the pounding in her chest.

"Hey," Namaari echoed, giving the boat another shove forward to try to distract her from the emotions swirling inside her. There was a slightly prolonged silence after that. When it was broken they both spoke at the same time.

"Can't sleep?"

"How's your arm?"

They both laughed at their awkwardness, looking away from each other. Namaari glanced back over at the other woman, their gaff dissolving some of the tension.

"My arm is good, thanks to you," she answered Raya's question. The other woman seemed to swat the air as if the compliment was a fly she could shoo away.

"I'm sure you could use a break," Raya offered.

"You should be resting. We agreed your turn wasn't for at least another hour," Namaari countered. The truth was that she had no intention of waking up the princess for her shift but now that she was awake she was curious about the reason.

"Yea, I couldn't sleep through Sisu's snoring. Dragons, am I right?" she joked but Namaari could see the dark circles underneath the princess's eyes even in the gloom around them. The weight she must be carrying, being so close to getting all of the gem pieces and finally seeing her father again.

"You know, you're right. I could use a break," Namaari said suddenly, lifting the pole out of the water and setting it down quietly inside the boat before continuing, "but so could you. Come on."

Namaari nodded towards the front of the boat and made her way to the prow, Raya following behind her. She eased herself down, letting her legs dangle over the side and then she watched as the other woman did the same, leaning back on her arms instead.

The momentum kept the boat moving steadily forward and Namaari allowed herself to take a deep calming breath, the crisp night air filling her lungs. She could tell they were getting closer to Spine the way the temperature was starting to drop as they moved north.

They sat in a comfortable silence for a while, Raya looking up at the stars, Namaari glancing ahead with her hands settled in her lap. She wanted to speak up but simultaneously she didn't want to shatter the peaceful moment with the woman beside her. Her legs were close enough that if Namaari adjusted in the slightest they would brush against one another.

She wasn't sure how much time passed, probably no more than a minute, but eventually Raya sat forward, mirroring her position now. The bare skin of Raya's arms brushed against her own and stayed there. She was grateful the Heart princess wasn't looking at her because she was certain she would see how Namaari had temporarily forgotten how to breath and how her entire body had frozen, scared of making the slightest move that would break the contact.

"I have something that belongs to you," Raya said suddenly, pulling an expensive-looking red cloth out of her pocket. Namaari watched intently, curious, her brow furrowed in confusion. What could she possibly have of hers?

Raya handed her the cloth and she carefully pulled back the folds to reveal an instantly recognizable object.

Namaari couldn't stop the gasp of shock at seeing her Sisu pendant, laying in her palm, just as it had looked the day she had given it to Raya.

"I tried to take good care of it," Raya told her softly.

Namaari could feel Raya's eyes watching her as she ran her fingers over the gleaming metal surface. To know that not only had Raya kept her gift all this time, but through all of the hardships she had faced she had kept it in pristine condition….

Her chest tightened and her throat seemed to close up with emotion. It took her a moment to reply, having to clear her throat when she did so, "I never thought I'd see this again." Namaari dared to look into Raya's warm eyes when she spoke again, "I never thought I'd see you again."

She could feel the burning in the back of her eyes, tears threatening to fall at the meaningful gesture. Instead, she wrapped the pendant back up and placed it back in Raya's hand, holding it there for a moment so she could feel the warmth there.

"It was a gift. Please. Keep it," she told her, removing her hand reluctantly.

Raya stared back at her now the one seemingly speechless, so Namaari reached into her collar and pulled out the other woman's hair ring that she had tucked there earlier, easing it over her head.

"I actually have something that belongs to you too," she told her, "I haven't had it nearly as long. In fact, I found it this morning when I was searching for you, but I thought you might want it back."

Raya smiled at her with what Namaari could swear was affection, before glancing down at the piece of jewelry in her palm. She picked it up and examined it for a moment, her eyes seemingly lost in thought. After a moment, she took the leather string and looped it back over Namaari's head, adjusting it so the ring sat centered on her chest.

"You keep it," Raya insisted with a soft smile, "it suits you much better."

Namaari could feel the heat in her cheeks as Raya's hand hovered over her heart, the ring still in her fingers. She was having a difficult time focusing on anything but the feeling of having Raya so close to her.

"You know," Raya began softly, tilting her head to look over at her, "I think I knew."

Namaari still wasn't sure if she could breath. This was the conversation she had been waiting to finish all afternoon and evening and here they were.

Before she could formulate even the most simple of responses Raya continued, looking down at her hands now as she spoke. "I was scared and hurt and angry and I needed someone to blame," Raya revealed, her voice just above a whisper. Even through the darkness Namaari could see the turmoil in those bronze eyes as she seemed to remember the hardship of the last six years. "But in my heart I knew you hadn't betrayed me."

Namaari was speechless. She had no idea how to respond. Relief flooded through her that, not only did Raya believe her, but that a small part of her had known all this time. All she could manage was to meet Raya's gaze, her eyes searching for what? She wasn't sure.

Their eyes were locked on one another and Namaari felt drawn to Raya as she had never been with anyone else. Their arms and legs were fully flush against one another's now and all Namaari would have to do would be to lean in mere inches to kiss her.

But then Raya stood all of a sudden, her face losing its intensity and transforming into one of awkwardness as she spoke again, "Uh yea, there's no way you can fake that level of dragon nerd. Oh, and sorry for punching you in the face earlier by the way."

Namaari made no move to stand, instead releasing a loaded breath, laughing as if she hadn't just been thinking about kissing the woman next to her.

"I'll survive," Namaari tried to joke but she wasn't so sure.