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"I'm not....sure. I have not been unescorted in this part of town, and..." He looked about as they walked, trying to remember something-- anything-- from when he had been riding through here before, with his family and royal guard. He had looked down upon the city from tall towers, but...

Tugging Kael, he began to lead him off, "We'll find it one way or another. I guarantee we're already in trouble, so we might as well take our time out here."

Of course, it didn't take much time at all for them to finally figure out where to go. The sun was blazing hot, but Kuryan could barely find a problem with it beating down as it was. The sand under their feet was hot as well, the faces before them twisting in smiles. Foreign faces to them; wealthy faces Kael and Kuryan were... Their jewels fine. The pale prince was getting the most attention for his complexion, and Kuryan noticed, quickly pulling the boy tight to his side with an arm securely wrapped around his wrist, "We should explore safely. I don't like the way some of them look at us."

Kuryan nodded at his words, but did not take his eyes off of the people for the most part. It wasn't that he had been raised to be distrusting, he just... Wasn't quite as carefree as Kael. Was it in a Bearer's nature to be calm, while their Bestower looked out for them? He did suppose that would be two sides of a coin. In that way...they did work well.

Inhaling deeply, he smiled, and gave a brief glance to the fine pottery, handmade necklaces, and fabrics along the stretch. For such a poor community, prince Kael was right; they were a very artistic people, making the best of their bad situation, "...would you like something from here? I'm sure I could trade something for whatever you want." He took out his earrings, as if to emphasize, looking at the pale prince with his blue-green eyes.

"My jewels are nothing. If it is a gift, I have no pro..." He pursed his lips, glancing over the bearer with a raised brow. Sometimes, his choice of words made it seem as if there were something wrong with him. As if he might as well do away with him now. Had he been with another? Was he impure?

It didn't really matter; it would end the same as the others all had... Kael was sweet, but he certainly wouldn't be staying long.

"Look, I'm offering. It is no trouble. I just thought you might like a souvenir of some sort, aside the clothing.."

The pale prince was so fixed on the silks, Kuryan barely paid any attention to the jewelry he'd initially set his eyes on. If it was silk he were after...

"I like the colder tones on your skin. They bring out your eyes." His tone was quite vacant; something left over from having the creativity suffocated out of him at a young age. To even acknowledge something like what would look better or what would bring out his eyes... The prince sighed to himself, at himself, and nodded as if he were reiterating.

As he traded for the silks, he turned to ask what he might like fashioned, under the assumption something could be made for him of these fabrics, but the eyes really set him off. His pale skin was getting quite a bit of attention, and in fact... His skin was turning a bit pink, now that he looked at him, "I think it is time we got you back...home. Come." It wasn't a question. Quickly, he tugged Kael along, wary of followers, "We have company." It wasn't that he'd mind having to run, but Kuryan's stomach was starting to twist in knots...

What Kael failed to realize, and Kuryan failed to understand was just how much the people of the country wanted revenge against the king and queen for their suffering. In the background, a man screaming he was being robbed caught the prince's attention just long enough to spare a glance back. It was the very same vendor he'd just traded the earrings to...

Taking a deep breath, he pulled Kael tight to his side, "We're going to be fine, eh?" He smiled, trying to keep the bearer calm as he led them through the crowd. He rounded a few buildings with the prince tight at his side, and he pulled the silk from his little hands, throwing it over his head to hide him from people's peering gazes. The hot sun was burning between boards linking the rooftops, and when the shadows ended, he pulled him and began to run. Lucky, they managed to escape whoever had been following them, and slowly he let the pale prince back in through the cellar door which they'd left through in the first place, "Gods, that was a close one. How are you feeling?"

"It is probably little more than the heat. We should get you back to your room.." Kuryan kept him steady, tugging him along the way back into the cellar, where the echoes of sandals on sandstone could be heard; the guards were out and about, looking for them, no doubt.

So they had noticed they were gone, and it would be known soon enough that they'd been off alone, together. What mattered, though, was getting him safe, and hydrated. Shaking his head, Kuryan helped him up the flight of stairs and the moment they popped their heads through the door from the cellar, a flurry of movement cut them off. Guards from every angle swarmed them, pulling them apart and confirming they had each in their hold. The cloth was ripped from Kael's head, they were questioned on where they'd been, and why they'd been alone, "I was showing him the...barley brew, of course, and the various wines. The guards abandoned their post, and this meant little in means of being a gracious host."

The guards looked between each other, and Kael was taken by each arm, and led a comfortable distance ahead-- the prince's arms locked on him the entire time-- as they were taken before Kuryan's parents. They sat in their thrones; his matem averting his gaze, and his vati looking down his nose at him, "You have been found at last, and...alone together, I have been informed."

"The guards abandoned their post."

"You were to come to breakfast. Were these orders so difficult to follow, Kuryan? Or was it that the temptation was simply too great?"

"Temp...tation?"

Squeezing the bridge of his nose between his index finger and his thumb, the king let out an exasperated sigh, "Do not take me for a fool, son. I see what this witch has done to you; I thought no more of him than a common slut, I had simply hoped you would not be so easy to fall for these tricks. Did we not teach you better?"

"Vati, this is nonsense! Kael is not a slut; he is the only pure prince brought before me, and we've-"

The king threw a decidedly ferocious glare toward Kael, cutting his son off, "You have seduced yourself a prince, young whore. What say you?"

"I'LL HAVE NONE OF THIS." The king was losing his temper, but with his mate beside him, he bit his tongue, settling himself back down, "You two will Join. I disbelieve your words. You know the rules, Kuryan. How you would fall victim to this is beyond my comprehension. Guards.." He motioned to the princes, and sighed, "Show them to seats opposite each other. It is time we eat. And.. Return his cloth, please?"

Kuryan's stomach flipped, and his breathing grew ragged. He was going to be sick. He knew this would happen...how could he be so foolish? They'd done nothing, and now, even without knowing if they would fit, they would be...mated. His light eyes floundered to the floor, "I'm not...particularly hungry. May I be excused..?"

The king watched his son, his lips tight together as he pondered, "Heh... Sure. Why don't you go down to the royal dresser and explain that the gowns for your Joining are to be made? Then, you may study for the ceremony in your chambers."

As he was stopped, he stayed silent, only surveying the other prince. Kuryan knew of ancient tradition, where Joining often happened between complete strangers for the sake of land, and riches. Sometimes, Joining stayed within the family, though distant, so as to keep the wealth where it should be. He had no idea who Kael was, and now..

"..I don't blame you.. I..." He looked down, the weight of the world heavy upon his feeble structure, "...I must do as I'm told. The ceremony will be...most beautiful, don't you agree..?"