Part2:Trials of the sand

The Targari city was alive with movement as Leo and Cassian were led through the streets. Word had already spread that only two of the prisoners had returned—and the villagers gathered, whispering among themselves.

"Only two?"

"Were the others swallowed whole?"

"Perhaps these two are the strongest."

"Or maybe the weakest—the desert just spat them back out."

Some of the older Targari nodded solemnly, believing the desert's judgment was always just. The younger ones, however, weren't as respectful.

As soon as Cassian passed, a group of Targari children gagged and fled, pinching their noses. One boy pretended to faint. A girl cried out, "By the sands! It reeks like a dying sand beast!"

Cassian's face darkened. "Oh, come on!"

Segrit, walking beside him, chuckled. "Don't blame them. You smell like a corpse that was left in the sun for a week."

"It wasn't my fault!" Cassian groaned. "I was surviving!"

Another warrior smirked. "Surviving? More like marinating."

The villagers laughed, a few covering their mouths as Cassian passed. The warriors didn't even try to hide their amusement.

And then—he saw her.

Standing at the edge of the crowd, the noble Targari girl Cassian had flirted with before his capture. She was as stunning as ever—golden tattoos tracing her arms, a jeweled dagger resting at her hip.

Cassian straightened immediately, attempting to look dashing despite his current stench-covered state.

"My lady!" He flashed a lopsided grin, brushing his hair back (which only made it worse, considering his fingers were still filthy). "I told you we'd meet again!"

Her expression shifted from curiosity to pure horror.

"By the gods, what happened to you?" she gasped, stepping back. "You smell like—like—"

Segrit clapped Cassian's back. "Like the love of your life, perhaps?"

The girl's face twisted. "Never." She turned and disappeared into the crowd, leaving Cassian standing dejected and humiliated.

The warriors roared with laughter.

"That was painful to watch."

"Even the desert won't take you, and neither will she!"

"Try again after a cleansing ceremony, lover boy."

Cassian sighed. "I swear, I have the worst luck."

Meanwhile, Leo walked silently, his mind elsewhere, unaffected by the jokes or the laughter. But Nayomi was watching him carefully. She still didn't have answers, and that troubled her more than anything.