Entering the premises of Ugburg was a vastly different experience than that of Higrove or for that matter, any other city on Eora. For one, it wasn't guarded by high, and towering stone walls, but was like a constantly spreading virus or bacteria, gobbling up more and more of the surrounding lands as its blight, the dilapidated-looking worn-down and raggedy huts and buildings dotted the underground hall all around.
The outer regions, consisting of four main sectors, namely the Northern, Western, Eastern, and -as one might have already guessed-, the Southern Suburbs.
They were denominated as 'Suburbs', or residential districts, although it was a gross overstatement, exaggeration to refer to them in that highly respectful manner. They were nothing more than the Slums of Higrove. Dirty, muddy mostly lawless districts where the town guard only occasionally made their presence known.
Even then, it was mostly for show, they rarely cared for the residents of these four Outer sections of the city. These poor, wretched souls, the bottom-feeders, riff-raff, and low-lives were nothing more than the first ring of protection for the city itself. They had no value other than being used as living meat shields for those higher-ups in their twisted, corrupted society.
Thus, Aiden's 'refugee' caravan entered Ugburg's outer regions without any obstruction, they barely met a soul along their almost 8 hours of journey. With the day now reaching way past lunchtime, the group started to feel their stamina reaching critical levels. They felt exhausted and had a growing pang of hunger.
The situation was similar to little Tolliah as well. Due to the nature of their mission, she had to settle for riding on the cart and couldn't overtake his favorite position, her rightful throne: her Papa's neck. Still, despite not having to walk all the way, she was growing quite tired by now, and if she weren't growing fidgety due to the overwhelming hunger, she would probably have long since fallen to sleep.
As the caravan just entered the Western Suburban district and passed by some decrepit stone huts, Aiden felt a gentle, weak pull on her sleeves. With a warm smile pushing the aged skin on his current reptilian-looking visage upwards, he reached out and patted the little girl's hood-covered head and asked in a muttered tone of voice.
"[Reptilian] What is it, Tolliah? What is bothering you?" Though he had a hunch of what troubled her, as well as the rest of the team. Just judging by the pained, troubled look on their faces, it didn't take a genius to deduce the cause. Unlike him and his unique nature, the rest couldn't go without substance for too long, they needed to somehow recuperate their lost energy.
With wide, round eyes that glimmered with a pleading look, little Tolliah pursed her lips and pouted as she looked up at her Papa's ignorant smile. She felt aggrieved at his reaction.
"[Reptilian] Papa… I'm hungry…" She muttered, her voice barely audible. Her acting was perfect, she perfectly portrayed the hurt and slightly spoiled child. Fortunately, the little frowns at the tip of her cute nose due to the penetrating stench that was most likely the unholy mixture of dirt, grime, blood, piss, and whatever else the streets have carried over the years have only added more validity to her claim.
However, contrary to what she would have expected, Aiden only smiled at this reaction of hers. Nodding, he chuckled at her theatrics, saying.
"[Reptilian] That is perfect then! We all should be feeling hungry, exhausted… weary from the long and arduous journey escaping from our original home." Noticing the growing, emerging pout on his daughter's face, Aiden gently tapped the tip of her cute little nose, adding a few more words to his previous statement.
"[Reptilian] Remember dear, we should be refugees, escapees of a scuffle between two warring tribes. We are seeking shelter here. We should be penniless, hungry, and tired, that just adds more to the authenticity of our claims when the guards inevitably notice us and come with their questioning."
"[Reptilian] B-but…" Tolliah wanted to complain, but before he could, Aiden's smile turned serious for a moment and added.
"[Reptilian] Remember our mission, my dear. If you want to get your Mommy back, you need to be strong and behave. Do your best, if nothing else than for her. Okay?"
He said as a small slice of dried red meat appeared in his palm the next instant. He presented it to the little girl along with his previous, caring smile reappearing on his expression once again.
Yet, to his surprise, Tolliah didn't take the offered food, but closed her eyes and shook her head, pushing his hand away.
"[Reptilian] N-no, Papa! I have to be strong, just like you said. I don't want it, I'm a strong, big girl! I will save Mommy from the baddies!" She exclaimed, acting confident. However, the grumbling coming from her tummy betrayed her brave stance in the next instant.
Her cheeks turning red from embarrassment, she hurriedly turned her head away, not wanting to even look at the food, even though she was salivating already.
Seeing how much she tried to act tough and brave for the cause and that no longer complained, Aiden could barely hold back the chuckles. He smiled at her as he replied.
"[Reptilian] It's okay if you understand. Still, not to mention your Mommy when she hears of this later, but also your Aunties and Uncles would beat me to death if I would keep torturing. Eat it up, and if you feel generous, you can even share it with others. You need to be at your best later tonight when we start executing the plan!"
Though at first, she wanted to refuse as to prove that she was not a small helpless child anymore but a big girl, in the end, she still accepted the offered slice of lunch, albeit reluctantly.
Looking at the small slice of dried red meat, she tore it into roughly equal halves and gave one part of it back to her Papa. Her previous, bright smile once again illuminated her face, she said.
"[Reptilian] Here, take it, Papa! You need to be strong, we all need you!" Turning over to Madam Dara walking silently at their side she added. "Also, share it with Auntie as well! She also must be hungry!"
Startled by her words, Madam Dara turned to the little girl riding the carriage.
"[Reptilian] H-huh? What do you mean by that, dearie? Why do I look hungry in your eyes?"
Her next words, caused Madam Dara to turn shocked as well as hide her face in embarrassment.
"[Reptilian] You keep on looking at Papa, stealing glances every now and then! Also, your heart is beating faster ever since you took her side! You must be anxious, right?"
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