Kingdoms of light

A gray air of gloom and depression hung over Karpluvy Towne.

Small squads of soldiers and armed citizens patrolled the streets.

A worried Oskar whispered to Mamakitty. "People are staring at us. What are we doing wrong?" "Nothing, I wager," she replied after a moment's consideration. "I think we just stand out a little bit from the typical townsfolk.

They probably fear any strangers, concerned that they might be spies for the Horde." Oskar studied their little party.

Were their nonhuman origins showing? Everyone was careful to resist their innate urges. No one dropped to all fours. How could they possibly stand out? True, Mamakitty was more muscular than the average woman. And Taj blonder than the blondest northerner. As for Cezer and Cocoa, it was difficult to tell which was the more beautiful, or who drew the more surreptitious admiring stares from the otherwise downcast crowd...