Not long after Acro fell, the rest of Taraji's rangers arrived, answering the flare Emani had sent up earlier. Soon at least eleven yumboes had gathered around the fallen beast, their saurians snorting and stamping in the dust. More than a few of them eyed Kaida and Firion with open suspicion. The two were obviously outsiders.
Thankfully, Alima and Jaheim spoke up for the couple. Even Emani vouched for them. Firion had helped bring down the beast, after all, and Kaida had cleaned Emani's wound, dressed it with her medicines, and bound it tightly in a palm leaf to stop the bleeding.
Acro's body was bled, and the rangers agreed to drag it back to Taraji. There, every part of him would be put to use: meat, hide, bones and all, precious resources for the village.
Jaheim did not like the idea. "It doesn't feel right to butcher him. I know the damage he caused, but…"
SLAP.
Emani's palm cracked across his face. The wounded ranger could barely stand, propped up on a stick for a crutch, yet he seized Jaheim by the collar of his armor and dragged him close.
"We will take from him what he took from so many others!" he snapped. "His life is over. You would do HIM an injustice by letting his body rot instead of letting it feed others! Do not be such a fool!"
Jaheim and Alima looked defeated. Whatever bound them to that terrifying beast ran deep. To them, he had clearly been something more than a predator.
Kaida and Firion rode on Lola's back with the couple, who had fallen eerily quiet. Through her horns, Kaida sifted through the emotions swirling around them like threads of different colors.
From Jaheim and Alima, a deep, aching sadness. From Emani, a calm indifference. But the rest were aimed squarely at her and Firion: curiosity, worry, and a prickly apprehension from the other rangers.
The yumboes were still wary of the strangers' intentions. They grew even more uneasy when Firion asked for an audience with the oracle Nkiri, whom many of them called Bibi. And, as it turned out, Emani was one of her grandchildren!
"I will be honest with you," Emani said sternly. "Normally, I would tell trespassers like you to take a hike. But you, my brother, killed that monster without hesitation, and your wife stopped the bleeding in my leg with her medicines. Those are not the acts of people with wicked intentions. The oracle is my grandmother. I will ask her to give you her time, as my thanks."
Firion smiled and held out his hand, and Emani clasped it firmly. Despite his fierce scowl, there was wisdom in him. He was clearly more grounded and mature than Jaheim or Alima.
Kaida, though, kept watching Alima. Every so often, the ranger glanced back at Acro's body as the other rangers' saurians dragged it across the sand. Small tears slipped quietly down her cheeks.
"Alima? Are you alright?" Kaida asked gently, resting a hand on her shoulder.
Sniff. "I will be okay, Kaida. I am very grateful Firion saved us when he did. But there are many memories between us and Acro… I will tell you about them later." She gave a small, painful smile.
Jaheim looked no better. His face was pensive, heavy with a sorrow he did not try to hide.
"Let us leave them be for now, Kaida," Firion murmured, resting his chin lightly atop her head. "They lost something they cared about deeply."
As they traveled on, the sun sank lower, and the air turned sharply colder. A faint tang of salt drifted on the breeze, growing stronger with every step.
"Is Taraji near the ocean?" Firion asked.
"It is!" Emani said. "We are mostly a fishing community, but we also grow many rare crops that thrive in the tropics. Plenty of luxury goods are made out here."
"But why is it so cold all of a sudden?" Kaida asked, snuggling closer to Firion for warmth. "It was so hot earlier!"
"You two clearly are not prepared for Junai's weather," a stern huntress cut in. "You are lucky you ran into Alima and Jaheim. If you had tried to cross the desert at night, like so many fools do, you could have frozen to death. Or been torn apart by the predators that come out after dark."
Firion and Kaida exchanged a sheepish look. Had they stuck to their original plan, it might have ended very badly.
Before long, the ocean appeared on the horizon, a vast, glittering expanse of blue. And on its shore sprawled a great settlement, alive with elaborate homes and structures, from smooth clay buildings to houses woven from palm trunks and thatched fronds.
Firion had never thought much about the outside world. He certainly never imagined he would visit a foreign elf settlement, in a country he had believed held only one race. It was becoming clearer by the day that rumors did not always reflect the truth.
People of elven descent filled the streets, and among them, the devas blended in easily. Some had long, pointed ears. Others had feline features, tufted ears, violet eyes, and graceful, lion-like builds.
The villagers wore vibrant clothing in every color imaginable, rich oranges, deep indigos, emerald greens, all woven with intricate patterns and beadwork. Men and women alike were dressed so beautifully that everyone seemed almost of noble birth.
They soon swarmed around the rangers, staring in awe at Acro's body. Some reached out and pressed their palms against his speckled hide.
They stared at Firion and Kaida too, who were plainly foreign. A few even pointed. It grated on the forest elf, and he pulled both of their hoods lower over their heads.
Alima glanced back and gave him a reassuring look. "It is okay, Firion. They are only curious. We do not see many of your kind out here. They mean no disrespect. It is only wonder."
He eased a little, though he remained on guard.
Then, one by one, the villagers clasped their hands together and bowed their heads over Acro's body. Some sank to their knees. It looked almost like worship.
"Winter can be harsh for us," Emani explained. "Meat grows scarce, and we have to rely on dried rations. That is why I refused to let that damned lizard rot. It was not out of pettiness. From the armor plating his body to the flesh inside, he is a valuable resource. He will fill a great many bellies here."
Now Kaida understood. The people were giving thanks to Acro. To them, his body was a blessing that would see their families through the cold months.
As they ventured deeper into the town, something else caught Firion's eye. Between the rooftops, the sun was sinking toward a vast stretch of water.
He nudged his wife. "Kaida, look! This is the ocean I told you about, from one of your books!"
They both stood and stared. The sun hung over the water like a great, glowing ball of fire, melting into the waves. The sky blazed in streaks of orange, rose, gold, and violet, and the sea caught every color and scattered it across its surface in a thousand shimmering ripples. The whole town, the clay walls, the palm roofs, the faces of the people, glowed in its warm light.
It was one of the most beautiful things Kaida had ever laid eyes on.
Zzzz… zzzz…
Firion snored softly, with Kaida curled against his chest. Both were lost in a deep, heavy sleep. For nearly two weeks they had been on the run from whoever might be pursuing them, and this was the first night they had truly rested.
The people of Taraji had welcomed them with open arms. Stories of their bravery had spread through the village overnight, and the man they had saved repaid them with heartfelt gratitude.
The night before, in thanks for slaying the rogue saurian and saving his life, Emani had offered them one of his family's many villas.
"If you two had not been there, I am certain I would be digesting in that beast's stomach right now," he had said. "As thanks, you may use our guest house. I spoke with the rest of my clan, and they agree. But it may be a while before Grandmother decides to grant you an audience."
From the outside, the dome-shaped clay house looked plain. Inside, it was beautiful. Woven tapestries in bold reds and golds hung from the walls, carved wooden masks and painted pottery lined the shelves, and soft rugs patterned with tribal designs covered the floor, giving the room an air of quiet luxury. A large, plush bed easily fit two, and a mud kiln in the corner kept the room warm against the bitter desert night.
Sleeping in a real home, in a real bed, made them feel safe for the first time in weeks. They drifted off almost instantly, even though they had skipped dinner.
Morning light crept through the small window and slowly crawled across the room until it fell across Firion's face. His eyes fluttered open.
He pushed himself up with a slow stretch and a long yawn. The movement sent Kaida sliding down into his lap, where her nose came to rest right beside a very familiar bulge beneath the blanket.
Stirred awake, she blinked at the sight in front of her. Then a mischievous glint lit her eyes, and she began to tickle him, right there.
"Kaida, what are you—ha… haha… HAHAHAHA! CUT IT OUT, KAIDA! YOU KNOW I AM TICKLISH!" Firion begged pitifully as a wicked grin spread across her face.
She clambered over him and launched a full tickling assault across his ribs, his sides, his neck. He squirmed and howled with laughter until, at last, he caught her wrists and flipped them both over, pinning her beneath him.
He hovered above her with a smug smile. "And what are you going to do now?"
She answered by pulling him into a kiss.
"Good morning, my love," Kaida cooed softly.
Firion kissed her again, and again, his arms coiling around her. Slowly, his lips wandered from her mouth down to the curve of her neck, and a soft, embarrassed moan escaped her.
Then his hand slid lower, slipping beneath the edge of her undergarments. Her face flushed an even deeper shade of red, and her breath caught as his fingers began to tease her.
"Now it is my turn," he grinned.
Just as things began to heat up, the door flew open.
"HEY, YOU TWO! We knew you skipped dinner, so Jaheim and I brought some—" Alima froze mid-step. Her cheeks went scarlet as she realized exactly what she had walked in on.
Jaheim yanked the door shut so fast it rattled on its frame.
"If you need a few more moments, just let us know when you are done!" he called through the door. "We brought food from the canteen!"
What followed was a breakfast full of laughter and red faces as the four of them gathered around the table.
"We were just very comfortable after sleeping outside for so long!" Kaida explained, mortified.
Alima chuckled as she handed her a plate. "Wahaha! It is okay, you two don't need to be embarrassed. That is what couples do! We just were not expecting to walk in on it. We probably should have knocked first!"
You really should have, Firion thought sourly. They had certainly spoiled the moment.
"We figured you two would be starving after skipping dinner, so we brought last night's leftovers," Jaheim chimed in. "We made sure to bring a little of everything, since I remember blue horns don't usually eat meat."
The table was crowded with tempting dishes. Fluffy mashed sweet potatoes swirled with butter and a pinch of cinnamon. Bright mixed greens stir-fried with garlic and chili. Strips of dried, spiced meat. A bowl of fresh tropical fruit, mango, papaya, and something purple and star-shaped Kaida had never seen before. Wedges of creamy cheese, and a basket of soft, golden rolls still faintly warm.
Firion was moved by their thoughtfulness. "You did not have to go out of your way to bring us so much. But Kaida and I are truly grateful. We have been living on small meals since we started traveling."
Over breakfast, they shared the rest of their story in greater detail: everything that had driven them out of Aldenburg, and their hope of finding asylum in Eurelca. They also learned that they were far from the first to cross Junai's border.
"Taraji has seen quite a few refugees looking for a life outside Aldenburg," Jaheim explained. "There have long been rumors that the caste system there is terrible. Unfortunately, our village is already crowded, and we stay neutral in the affairs of foreigners, so we can never offer anyone a permanent home. I am sure you understand. You may shelter here for a while, but eventually you will be asked to leave."
Firion had already suspected as much. Junai had a peace agreement with Aldenburg, but tensions still simmered between them. He and Kaida had talked it over the night before and agreed they would not stay long. They did not want to become a burden on the community.
"BUT!" Alima slapped her palm on the table. "While you are here, Jaheim and I have a little time off. We talked about it last night, and we want to show you around Taraji! After breakfast, we will head to the bathhouses and get you both properly cleaned up!"
"We also brought some old clothes for you to change into," Jaheim added. "You will blend in better. Those giant cloaks stand out too much. And don't worry about any of this. You saved our lives, and Emani's, yesterday. Let us show our gratitude."
"Alima, are you and Jaheim feeling better?" Kaida asked innocently. "Or are you still sad about Acro?"
Firion shot her a worried glance at such a sensitive question, but the yumbo couple only smiled, a little bittersweet.
"We will tell you about our history with Acro later," Alima said. "Then you will understand why his death hurt us so much. He was more than just a lizard to us."
Jaheim quickly steered the conversation elsewhere. "Let's focus on other things for now. Firion, you come with me to the men's bath lounge, and Alima will take Kaida to the women's."
"Oh, one more thing," Alima added. "A messenger came by our home this morning. Nkiri has agreed to see you in two days. Her family is busy tending to Emani's injuries until then."
"Nkiri. That's the name of the oracle you told us about," Kaida said. "But why does Jaheim call her Bibi?"
"Oh, that's what many of us call her. She is one of the oldest people in the village. It means something like… how would you say it… madam? Or grandmother, even to those who aren't related to her. She is over seven hundred years old, but she is still regarded as one of the most beautiful and wisest women in the land."
"But don't think she is frail because of her age," Jaheim warned. "Even in her golden years, she is one of the most powerful, and most frightening, people in all of Junai. She is a lioness who gained her wisdom by walking every corner of many lands."
"Nkiri," Firion murmured to himself.
They had not even met yet. But if she truly had the gift of foresight, he could not shake the feeling that she already knew they were coming.
Elsewhere in Taraji, Emani sat on a bed, his leg wrapped in thick layers of bandages. The room smelled of crushed herbs and burning incense, and thin ribbons of smoke curled lazily toward the ceiling.
"How is the pain, my grandson?" a voice called from across the room. It was low and smooth, like warm honey poured over stone.
Emani opened his eyes and slowly pushed himself up. Something in his leg gave a faint crack, and he winced.
"It is not as bad as last night," he said. "May I have some of your coconut rum for the pain, Grandmother?"
By the window sat the shadow of a large woman, framed against the morning light. She did not turn. Her gaze stayed fixed on the world outside, toward the guest house where two strangers were waking.
"Help yourself," she replied. "Just leave some for me. I am curious to hear more about these outsiders you told me about."