The two passengers got out of the cart on the outskirts of Uruk. To anyone looking on, the two were probably an odd duo. One with light features that made it impossible to tell if they were a man or woman with the green hair of the forest. The other a scrawny boy, with scruffy brown hair that barely reached his ears.

Hakuno had to admit, it had been a few weeks, but it was still unnerving looking into a mirror and seeing a boy with Sumerian features look back at her. Not to mention that going to the bathroom and changing have both been unnerving experiences. Even her voice had dropped to a lower register.

She waved farewell to the caravan that was willing to take them this far. It had taken much convincing and all of their coin and even then, they had to work on the caravan to get taken this close to the city. It was a good learning experience for Enkidu and she learned they were unnaturally strong to the point she had to instruct them to pretend to be able to carry less to avoid suspicion.

The first thing she noticed was a construction site right outside of the city proper. Despite the hot sun, people of her kingdom were hard at work, layering stones to create the ziggurat.

"They do not look happy Hakuno," commented Enkidu.

Hakuno shook her head. "No, they do not. And this is so unlike him. We have spoken about this, about not having them work at this time of day. It is too hot, and the slaves will collapse from the heat." She shook her head and looked around cautiously but thank the Gods, no one seemed to be listening to their conversation. "Also remember, what we talked about. Do not call me by my real name while in the city."

Enkidu nodded solemnly. "I need to call you Zaibu even if you do not look different to me."

Hakuno smiled. "That is correct." Siduri had not been concerned when Enkidu insisted Hakuno looked the same to them. Enkidu was not human and the spell was designed for humans. It was odd to think about, especially since Hakuno saw herself with a male body. So, despite her body saying it was male, she still wore the tunic styled clothing instead of leaving her chest exposed as the men usually did.

As they entered the city proper, Hakuno nodded the guards were not as alert as they used to be. They barely paid any mind to Hakuno's quick explanation of coming here for a wedding of a family member.

Inside the city itself, she could tell things were different. It was not something tangible, but everyone seemed to walk with an air of caution to them and weight on their shoulders. Even Enkidu seemed to sense something was off as they looked around with a caution that they did not have in Lagash.

"Ha-Zaibu, where are we going?"

"For some information." She found a tavern in the middle of the city. Nabu's Respite. Not the most reputable but better than the ones found in the slums. In her caravan time, they would come here for information as it was safe, relatively speaking.

"Make sure you keep the hood of your cloak up," she instructed Enkidu before doing the same.

The tavern had the smell of cheap liquor ingrained in the tables. Despite it being midday, there was a few individuals seated. A pair of merchants and a couple of palace guards. They were in normal garb, as they were off duty but Hakuno recognized them as ones that guarded the entrance of the palace.

She chose the table in between the two as if not to appear to care about where she sat. Enkidu sat across from her and it was obvious they were tempering the urge to look around.

The bartender came over as it seemed no one else was working and Hakuno ordered the cheapest liquor on the menu as well as a small plate of snacks.

"Eat slowly and do not drink as much." She had no idea how Enkidu's body could handle liquor, but she did not want to risk them making a scene in drunken stupor.

The guards were talking about mundane topics, wives, family, children. Nothing useful. Hakuno tapped a finger on the table. They were almost to the bottom of their coin and they needed to pay for this meal as well. If they could not find any information, then she would need to figure out a way for them to make some money in the city.

Hakuno was almost done with her drink when one of the guards said. "It is a good thing you married your wife when you did. With how the kingdom is right now…"

The other shook his head. "Apparently there is a wedding happening today." He sighed. "I caught a glimpse of the bride, she is incredibly pretty."

She did not know if the Gods heard her plea and sent her information, but she was not going to question it. She got to her feet and walked over to the guards. "Excuse me, I could not help overhearing that you mentioned a wedding?"

She saw the guards bristle. Oh, that was right. She was a boy right now. A strange boy. "My cousin, she invited me to the wedding. It is the first time for me and my…brother in Uruk so…"

The guards looked at each other and then at her.

"It probably will not be for you to go lad," said one guard gently.

"But I have to see her. My cousin's aunt and uncle passed away last year and she was so distraught in the letters. It took us so long to get here." Maybe it was the fact she had been Queen for a time but her acting skills seemed to have gotten better as the guards seemed to cave.

"I can give you directions on where to go lad but, I would just meet your cousin, say hi and then leave before the couple goes to the bedchamber."

Gilgamesh stormed down the street, his guards struggling to keep up with him. How dare they try to hide it from him! A wedding was happening on this day and no one in the palace knew of it?

No, they did know but they refused to tell him.

How dare they! He should have been all killed, no, he should have them all work on the newest ziggurat as punishment.

He could see the remnants of the wedding procession in the street and he broke into a grin. The wedding guests scattered, all obviously in fear of him. He wondered what this bride looked like. The past few had been alright, nothing worthy to note. This one though, this one was rumored to be "pretty".

Pretty.

Pretty was nothing to care about. The mind was important. A tactical mind-

He broke off the thoughts before the wave of emotions could overtake him.

He slowed to a step as he reached the building where the bride waited for her groom. Usually the path as clear as no one wanted to get in his way. Not this time though.

Someone stood in front of the door. A person, Gilgamesh could not tell the gender due to their long baggy tunic, with soft features and long green hair. Ur-saal? Their green eyes were locked onto Gilgamesh's red ones. It was very unsettling, like he was being sized up by another predator.

How dare they try and stop him!

"Move out of the way," he growled.

"I will not."

Gilgamesh thought about having his guards "escort" them but no. He did not know why but he wanted to fight them himself. He might be a King but he was a warrior. Those eyes were challenging him and him alone.

He removed his King amulets and jewelry and handed it to the nearest guard. "Hold onto these for me."

"My King?"

Gilgamesh ran towards them. He was undefeated in unarmed wrestling. The figure did not go down from the first punch. In fact, he caught Gilgamesh's fist with a hand and squeezed slightly. Such force behind it.

Gilgamesh struck with his leg into their leg and they released Gilgamesh in surprise but quickly recovered and countered his next blow before striking with one of their own. They were fast, Gilgamesh realized as they traded blows. Fast and yet strong.

He growled in anger and tried to push against them. However, no matter what he threw at them, they countered and attacked. The blows were strong but not something Gilgamesh could not handle.

It infuriated him though. Why was there someone that could match him in hand to hand combat?

He aimed a punch at their head, but they ducked under it before slamming the palm of their hand under Gilgamesh's jaw.

His teeth clacked together dangerously, and he knew that was going to bruise tomorrow. A grin broke out on his face as he began fighting harder, not bothering to hold anything back. The mysterious stranger did the same.

No matter what Gilgamesh did, the stranger was able to keep up with him.

What, what fun!

He laughed as they fought.

The night was deep before he collapsed to the ground, exhausted from the fight. The stranger was exhausted as well and laid on the ground a small distance away and took a few deep breaths.

"You fight well stranger." Gilgamesh massaged his jaw. Well, good to know it was not broken.

"You do as well. I have not met my equal in a fight."

Gilgamesh laughed. "I have not as well. Where did you come from stranger?"

"From the mountains."

The mountains? Probably explained the strange hair. The people out there were odd from the few he had encountered. But nothing like this stranger. "Do you have a name to call you by?"

A beat. "Enkidu."

Enkidu. Odd name. "Well Enkidu, I feel like I must grant you a boon for giving me some entertainment as I have never felt that happy in…a while. What will it be, land? Horses?" He grinned.

"I do not seek any of those things my King. Instead I search for knowledge...and perhaps friendship."

Friendship. A foreign concept. A flicker of a memory but he pushed it away. "Friendship huh?" He sat up and Enkidu did the same. His guards had lit lanterns, so he was able to see the stranger. Gilgamesh grinned. "Alright, I will accept your wish for friendship. As long as we spar like that in the future again." His expression darkened for a moment. "And you do not touch my political position."

"I have no interest in things like that."

He had a feeling that Enkidu was telling the truth. It was odd but there was something unnatural about them, now that he could examine them at his leisure. He could not put his finger on what it was. Gilgamesh stood and held out a hand to his new friend. "Well, where are you staying in the city my friend?"

Enkidu took the hand and stood. "I arrived in the city today. I have not figured out where to bed yet."

Gilgamesh chuckled. "Well, I am sure I can house you in the palace, my friend."

Enkidu's face lit up. "Thank you. Oh, but I need my companion to come with me."

"Your companion?"

Enkidu gestured to someone sitting on the stoop of the nearest home. They got to their feet and stepped into the lamplight.

A boy, incredibly scrawny. There was something odd about his eyes though. In the mere moment they glanced up to look at the King, he felt like the boy was not looking at him but through him. Strange. Although Enkidu was also strange.

What use was a scrawny boy like this for someone like Enkidu? "If you must," said Gilgamesh crossly.

"Thank you my King," said the boy softly. "My purpose is to help take care of Enkidu. A slave if you wish to refer to me as that."

A slave? Oh. Well, that was different. "Come, it is growing late, and I hunger for food."