200 and some odd years ago…

  "I am not sleeping in the same tent as her. It would be improper." The exhaustion of a long day in a carriage made it very difficult for Eun to resist the urge to pinch the bridge of his nose and groan. Uling, who had spent all day in a carriage, with Xeit, was unable to resist doing just that. Xeit crossed his arms over his chest and pointedly turned his nose up, ignoring everyone else's withering glares.

  Kliali, still seated on the carriage's driver seat, leaned down and blew cold air on the back of Xeit's neck. Xeit jumped away from the carriage, slapping a hand over the nape of his neck, and whirling around to glare at the archer. Kliali stayed bent in half at the waist, his chin in his hands. "What do you suggest then? I sleep with the women? Are you sooo sure that's appropriate?"

  Xeit opened his mouth, face red, but before he could speak, Tejara said, "no, and the tents only have enough room for two people."

  "Then she should sleep in the carriage!" Xeit hissed. His shoulders hunched, his body becoming an angry little ball with a single trembling, outstretched arm pointing at Kliali.

  Uling loudly groaned, dragging her hands down the sides of her head, pulling at her skin, "no, no!" she shouted. She stalked up to him, lowering her voice to a hiss, "you are acting like a child in front of the Prince of Kon. Is this the impression you want to give of the Xora noble houses?" Xeit pursed his lips, looking anywhere but Uling's face. Uling's hand shot out and grabbed his chin, forcible turning him back to her, "if anyone is sleeping outside it's you." After a tense moment of no one moving or speaking, Xeit violently pulled away from Uling and reentered the carriage, slamming the door behind him.

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  Kliali let out a low whistle, sitting back and lacing his fingers behind his head, under the ponytail. He opened his mouth with a smug grin like he was about to say a smart-aleck remark but a sharp glare from Uling made him snap his mouth shut with an audible click of his teeth.

  Uling turned to Ves'hil'n and Eun and bowed deeply, "my apologies for that display."

  Ves'hil'n laughed awkwardly, choking on his own spit when Eun elbowed him in the ribs, "we certainly don't blame you."

  Uling nodded, her eyes still downcast, and backed away to join Tejara in setting up their tent.

  Eun turned to stare silently at Ves'hil'n, his lips slowly becoming more and more pursed.

  Ves'hil'n raised an eyebrow at him, "what?"

  "Perhaps you should talk to him." Eun said, ever so slightly nodding at the carriage Xeit was sulking in.

  "Why? He's the one causing problems."

  Eun stepped towards Ves'hil'n, looking up into his eyes, his brows coming together in concern, "because discord means death and you are the closest thing to a leader we have."

  His fingers grazed Ves'hil'n's sleeve as Ves'hil'n backed away, his eyes swiftly breaking contact, "I don't know… whatever, let's just… put up the tent."