“We have been banished, as has your kind,” Qurrah said. “How do you plan to sneak us in?”

“Through the front gate, of course,” Aurelia said. “Just give me a moment.”

She chanted again, the words far different than any spell Qurrah was used to hearing. This was no magic of destruction or death. No, it was a much subtler magic. Aurelia’s dress changed from a simple green to an elegant mix of reds and violets. The gold of her skin faded pink. Her ears lost their upturned tips, enlarging and rounding out into human ears. After a quick snap of her fingers, white gloves appeared, covering up to her elbows.

“I look the definition of a rich noble of Mordeina, do you not agree, my servants?” she asked.

“Servants?” Qurrah said. “Surely you jest.”

“Why else would you two accompany me? Keep your mouths shut, and agree with anything I say. Oh, and here.”

Another snap of her fingers, and suddenly large leather bags, clipped together by gold and silver buckles, appeared at their feet. The elf winked.

“A noble doesn’t travel empty handed.”

“You mean a noble’s servants,” Harruq grumbled. He picked up two, grunting at their weight. “What is in here?”

“Rocks. And you forgot a bag.”

He looked at the third, sitting in front of Qurrah.

“I am but an advisor and protector,” the weaker half-orc said. “You would not think I would be forced into physical labor, would you?”

Aurelia laughed into her glove as Harruq shifted two bags to his right hand and grabbed the third with his left.

“Laugh all you want, I’m dropping these things the second we’re inside.”

“You poor dear. Now hurry, we don’t want my delicate skin in the sun for too long.”

They were far enough away from the entrance that Aurelia’s shift in clothes and facial design went unnoticed. Harruq grunted and groaned with every step, his arms bulging with muscle. He felt they would pop out of their sockets if he travelled much farther. He dropped the bags as they halted before the two gate guards, who had barred the entrance with their crossed spears.