The hefty wagon traversed ten miles an hour on the relatively flat terrain, slow to what Nathaniel was accustomed, but much faster than going it on foot. It was also much safer, since his human face remained concealed inside the wagon's interior, along with his lady Lesher companions.

"Are you sure he knows where we're going?" Nathaniel asked about the driver, after the first hour of travel.

"Vrit knows," Vinsra replied. "He made this trip before."

Nathaniel kept quiet for a few more hours, staring out the small window beside his seat, watching the countryside go by, though there wasn't much to see. Just bland fields and farms, with the occasional patch of woods or marsh.

Vinsra and Leeza kept themselves busy, as Vinsra attempted to teach Nathaniel's language to Leeza. Vinsra had to ask for help occasionally from Nathaniel, when she wasn't certain of a word or its usage, but she did quite well in sharing her newfound knowledge. She was extremely adept at learning, and was a natural teacher.

The flat prairie changed into rolling hills as the fourth hour of the journey approached. The shade of a passing cloud blocked the sun, and by the start of the fifth hour the sky had grown dark, and a storm approached.

Taking a momentary break by the side of the road, Nathaniel disappeared into the bushes for a few minutes, and when he returned he found Vrit putting together a small canopy over the driver's seat, to protect himself from the impending rain, which started to fall as soon as they were once again underway.

The rattle of the rain against the roof of the coach was a pleasing distraction, as they resumed their journey, though it wasn't ten minutes later that they were halted yet again, this time by a heavy chain strung across the road.

Everyone stepped out of the coach into a torrential downpour to see what the matter was. Before they made it past the driver's perch they were drenched.

Nathaniel walked up to the heavy chain which impeded their progression. The chain was attached to a pair of massive trees on either side of the road, pinned in place by heavy spikes.

Vinsra and Leeza inspected a small plaque nailed to one of those trees.

"What's the matter?" Nathaniel asked, seeing the sour expressions on their faces.

"We must go back," Vinsra replied. "The town ahead is ill."

"You mean the entire town is quarantined?"

"Such illness comes and goes, kills many. We must go back," Vinsra repeated.

"There's no other way around?" Nathaniel asked.

"Yes, but it will take many more hours. We do not have enough time today. Must try tomorrow."

Returning to the comfort of the dry compartment, Nathaniel removed his jacket, which was soaked through. His wet t-shirt stuck to his back, so he chose to remove it as well, feeling comfortably warm in the hot air of the coach.

Leeza stared at Nathaniel's naked chest peculiarly, with the fascination of a child.

"Men do not usually bare their chests in our culture," Vinsra mentioned, seeming a little uncomfortable.

"In my culture, it's mostly women who keep themselves covered up," Nathaniel replied, squeezing water out of his brown shirt.

"You have the strings growing on your chest as well," Leeza mentioned, scrutinizing the tiny follicles upon his developed muscles.

"Yeah, human men grow hair in lots of places," Nathaniel said, grabbing for his pack. "I know I have a dry shirt in here somewhere."

"I wish I had some dry clothes," Vinsra said, wiggling in her drenched garments.

"You know, to depths with this discomfort. I'm taking this thing off," Leeza said, standing up and pitching forward.

"Leeza, what are you thinking? You cannot expose yourself in the presence of an uncourted male."

"Oh, come on, Vinsra," Leeza said, sliding her dress over her head. "They do it all the time in Laushek and the other progressive cities. Besides, it's not like Nathaniel is really a male. Not in the manner that the morality codes apply."

Pulling the red dress off, Leeza let it fall to the floor with a plop, and stood erect, exposing her shiny, reptilian skin. The reddish tint covered the entirety of her undefined chest and stomach, as well as her legs. She wasn't completely naked; a tight-fitting pair of black shorts covered her most private areas.

Nathaniel glanced up from his bag, feeling strangely awkward. If Leeza had been a human lady, standing before him naked, he likely wouldn't have given it much thought, though he would have appreciated the view.

Nate had seen his share of naked ladies before, so he was pretty desensitized to them, but he hadn't seen a Lesher's flesh before, and he understood their moral traditions which made such nudity taboo.

Vinsra sat quietly in her corner of the coach, looking embarrassed.

Leeza sat back down, relaxing in the comfort of the warm air. "I feel good," she said in English, closing her eyes momentarily.

Pulling his spare shirt free from his pack, Nathaniel slipped it on, feeling a little self-conscious. He then removed his wet boots and socks.

"Don't get all dressed on my account," Leeza said, peeking open one eye. "Vinsra, translate that, will you?"

"I will not," Vinsra hissed back, crossing her arms over her chest and keeping her gaze on the wall.

"What is your problem? This alien being is fascinating. As an educated woman, I'm surprised you could be so squeamish."

Turning to the young human, Vinsra said, "Leeza said she likes you clothed."

"No, lie!" Leeza shouted in English, her new lessons in the language taking hold.