Even though the men were being forced to give up on their decision to try to drag them apart, Navia felt an immense need to be close to Théadan’s side, so his hand reaching for hers was most welcome. Her other hand even moved to cradle the top of his, encasing his hand with both of hers while she watched the older man demand his son and his friends go home instead of making fools of themselves. It was the way they had so resolutely decided they were going to harm Théadan paired with how the man had had the audacity to grab her that had unsettled her so much. She was most grateful the elder man had appeared to talk some sense into his son. The three of them stopped retreating long enough to shoot hateful glares in their direction and despite his father’s demands they leave, the son yelled out at Navia they would be back.<br/><br/>It didn’t matter if they tried to return; Navia knew they would be gone as soon as the sun rose the next morning. Even without speaking to Théadan, she knew neither of them would not want to spend any longer in Puri than necessary. With the men in the distance, Théadan was turning his attention to the older man, speaking to him after receiving a nod of confirmation Navia would translate if needed. Despite how kind and respectful her lover’s words were to the man, he turned around and looked upon them with derision on his dark, wrinkled features.<br/><br/>“You no speak,” he shook his head before pointing a weathered finger at Théadan, “<i>Avezanas </i>ruin Khlurios, you kill my family.” The man then spit into the ground near Théadan’s boots before his angry eyes shifted to Navia, “You bring shame, no belong with<i>Avezana</i>.” Before either of them could say otherwise, the man left them, taking his time to follow after his son and leaving them standing in the street outside the inn.<br/><br/>It was nearly more than Navia could bear, being berated by her own people for remaining at the side of the man she loved. She watched the man walk off without another look back at them and took a deep breath. As she released it, she shook her head while she fought back the urge to try to force the man into seeing how good of a person Théadan was and how he shouldn't be judged for his past or his country. “Let’s go to bed,” she finally suggested, wanting to done with the day. She glanced up at Théadan before turning back to the inn and leading the way to the heavy wooden door. It was obvious once they stepped inside people had been watching through the windows to see what would happen and as soon as the door shut behind them, the occasional jeer was shouted at them as Navia kept hold of Théadan’s hand and weaved through tables to reach the stairs leading to their room on the second floor.<br/><br/>The wooden stairs were aged, narrow, creaking under foot, and ended on a modest second floor with half a dozen doors. They’d been given the first on the right, so it was there Navia paused so Théadan could open the door. Her expression was still stony, eyes distant while she wondered how many more times they would have to endure Khluri anger before they reached Mandira. It would be different once she reached her family; they would be safer. Until then, it was difficult to not dwell on how terrible people had been to them that day alone. Thinking back on it, of all the crude words that had been said to her and of her, of how unwelcome they'd made Théadan feel, of the argument she and Théadan had had earlier, kicked up all the fury she had all over again.<br/><br/>Once the door was open, Navia stormed into the modest room and before she fully realized her actions, she slung the burlap sac she carried at the far wall as hard as she could. It smacked against the wooden wall just to the left of the small single window, then dropped to the floor. She strode forward after it, then spun to pace, too wound up to stay still until her livid eyes landed on Théadan. She paused a moment there in the center of the room, regarding him for only an instant before she knew what she wanted. The room was small, fitting only a bed and table, so it only took a few steps and she was placing both hands on his chest and shoving at the same time they grasped his shirt. He was pushed against the door, she went colliding into him, and Navia tugged Théadan into a desperate kiss to remind them both they were not going to be separated by anyone, especially not by a few angry Khluri.