"Sooooooo . . . husband," said Ardasa, smiling broadly despite herself. Rughoi turned a lazy eye toward her. The day was especially hot, and Rughoi had insisted on keeping vehemently to his promise to work on the city alongside his people. Ardasa woke up this morning thinking that she should get to know her betrothed, but was quickly beginning to regret her decision.

"Not for another moon. Kutur promised me that," came Rughoi's gruff response, as he slathered a brick with seal. 

"Well, maybe not, but we hardly know each other! We should get to know each other!" said Ardasa. "Like, say, fields in spring. How do you stand on fields in spring?"

"I know enough. You're the daughter of the Earthen Bears, a valuable one thousand footmen addition to the overstretched army." said Rughoi. "What else do I need to know?"

"Yeah . . . that about covers it, I think," said Ardasa. This certainly didn't go well. "I suppose I'll see you in a moon, then?" There was no response. She turned to leave, but something made her stay and offer one last alternative. "Wait. It's traditional for the betrothed female to issue a demand from the male to prove your loyalty and ability. Anything I want." This made Rughoi stop, and Ardasa congratulated herself on remembering this facet of culture. "Come with me to the coast of Lake Draconis. Get out of the city for a bit. Don't forget - you have toooooo," she teased, turning the last word into a bit of a singsong. Rughoi growled, but nodded.

"Fine. Lake Draconis it is," he said, and went back to the crack in the wall.