We were walking along the river when I spotted something on the horizon. Holding up a hand to halt my companions I squinted hard trying to tell what I was seeing. The hazy ripple of heat off the ground made it difficult to make out. But a tiny collection of people were walking around.
“Is there a village that is supposed to be up here?” I turn and look at Gugulethu just in case she knew.
“I’ve heard rumours but our pride hasn’t been this far north in years. We have passed the lands of the males and should be maybe another week away from the Dungeon Town. At least the last I knew of it.” Her eyes looked just as forced as my own as she stared into the distance.
Nodding to myself I looked at everything we had to our name. A single beast, a pack, and my trophy. Nothing I would part from, I might have to find some way to earn some more supplies. Of course this was going to be my first taste of another civilization.
“We approach with caution. Pray to your Gods that they are peaceful or at least don’t see everyone as slaves immediately.” Deep in my heart I debated who I should really pray to. Whether I should ask for strength from Montu or perseverance from Hathor. Knowing I was already on a shitlist of people I closed my eyes and opened my heart to my patron. Please guide me into integrating into these people. Help me… find a place I can belong for a time.
I ached to rest for a few days. Living an entire life of what I knew was close to luxury compared to the harsh trails of the Savannahs was teaching me a new thing or two about how comfortable I had been made to live. Even if I had to fight nearly every day to earn what I had it was a simple straightforward thing. I knew when I would be threatened, knew when I was in danger. In the wilds though, the constant feeling of being on edge gnawed at me.
“Sh-sh-should one of u-u-us stay outside?” Asked my ever present male.
“It would be foolish for us to do so. If I stayed behind you two wouldn’t have anyone strong to look after you. If you did, it would be worthless for you to try and rescue us. And Gugulethu is far from a combatant we can rely upon. We would need someone as strong as myself to make that a good idea.” Bongani shrank away from my gaze and I softened a little. Reaching out I set my hand on his shoulder and squeezed lightly. “Good to think ahead though. Keep thinking like that and stay useful.”
His blushing cheeks and goofy smile made me want to roll my eyes. I looked away from them and started to walk at the head of our group. Without thinking I was clenching and releasing my fists trying to burn off the nervous energy coursing through me. Part of me was ready to sink into a violent and harsh place ready to fight for my survival at a moment’s notice.
We must have been spotted from afar and a small collection of people made their way over to us. I could hardly tell what kind of kin they were as most of them were clad in clothes that covered their ears and heads. Their bodies were covered from head to toe in flowing loose garments.
“Greetings strangers,” Came an odd, hissing voice from beneath it all. “What brings you here?”
“We seek a place to stay for a time. Earn some supplies and continue on to the north, to the lands of the dungeon.” I straightened my back and stood as proud as possible. Trying to exude as much strength as possible.
“One of you are ascended?” Came the probing question.
“I am. Paladin, I can heal and fight. These can be good things for your people.” I kept my muscles taught and ready for an attack as they looked at one another and started to talk in a hissing language they must have thought I wouldn’t understand.
“We need a gladiator for the tournament.” The leader of the three looked at his companions.
“If ssssssshe doeeesssn’t agreesssss. We could bend her will. Get her drunk and manacle her.” Stated the second largest of them.
Hiding that I understood I waited for them as they continued to talk. An argument about what other uses I could be for the small town. Patiently eavesdropping I could feel Bongani’s hand slip into my own and squeeze for my attention. I looked at him and in our giggling language that only hyenakin used spoke. “What is it?”
“They seek to betray,” He chuckled and bowed his head. “We should leave.”
“What are you two talking about?” Asked Gugulethu sharply. In the common tongue of the Savannah.
“Nothing to worry about. Just soothing my male. He grows worried.” I couldn’t well speak the full truth where these others could listen. I pulled Bongani against my side and wrapped an arm around him. Showing him a moment of my strength and power. I whispered to him, “We will use them. I can be a champion, it is a simple thing.”
The leader of the others stood forward and swept his face wraps away. Revealing a reptilian, scaled face. Without the distended structure of the more savage kin, the looked relatively normal if not for the glistening scales. He was hairless and smooth with slit eyes that gleamed in the light. “We have need for a champion. A tournament shall be held up river at the very place you seek to be. If you win, we agree to vouch and transport you to the arena.”
“If in return you provide me and my companions food and water. I also require a shelter and a day’s rest before we continue any travels.” I laid out my simple demands. “Also, whatever I can trade to this other town for my own supplies.”
“Agreed,” The man nodded, pressing his palms together and bowing his head. Confused, I returned the gesture.
“This one sssseems to be from the ssssavage landsss. Doesn’t even know what money issssss.” I had to keep the growling from my throat as we walked on behind this small group.
Approaching I found myself amazed at what I was seeing. We were barely looking upon the edge of a truly sprawling village. No, a town. The buildings were not merely huts, they were made of stronger, stone like squares with well thatched roofs. It was all I could do not to let my mouth hang open as a dozen kinds of kin walked about. From the thick, tall buffalokin, to thin lithe gazellekin, both with twisting horns of different kinds. Plenty of these strange scaled folk, and even a small collection of lionkin women walking together hand in hand with a male standing in the center.
Gugulethu cleared her throat, “I’m sorry I have to try.” She hauled the beast off in front of me and approached the group and I found myself frowning. Another person I couldn’t hold onto. I watched as all of them flicked their ears, made small movements of their faces and tails as they did their silent speaking.
The male stepped forward and inspected the elderly lionkin. Hands stroking her breasts and backside checking how firm and tight her body was. For her age she was a stunning woman. With one powerful arm the large male escorted her into the center of the group and they walked away without even a glance at my direction.
A whimper from Bongani broke my thought as I had been nearly crushing his hand in mine from the anger simmering down in my chest. My escorts looked back at me and waited for me to finally start following them once more. “I c-c-can smell y-y-your rage.” Bongani pushed that soothing wave through me from touching him.
With a deep breath I started to follow my guides once more. That it was so easy for Gugulethu to leave me made a stone sit in my throat. A tightness that threatened to make me giggle my nerves away. Instead I stayed as stoic and stern as possible.
Slowly we got into more and more tight corridors as the kin around us slowly turned more and more into the reptilian kind that was leading me. Obviously the core of the people living here. All of them were draped in their flowing robes and head wraps. Only their eyes were barely able to be seen gleaming in the light.
A small home, empty and doorless stood before us soon enough and the procession stopped there. The leader turned to me once more, “Thisss place will be your home. It isss abandoned, we will provide you sssome thingsss for comfort. Pleasssse wait here.”
I held Bongani’s hand and walked inside the home. Instantly it was cooler and more comfortable than before. The oppressive heat of the world faded away as I stood in the empty place. A single pot in the corner the only thing left inside here.
Wanting to bury my emotions I pulled off the straps and baggage Bongani and I were holding and set them in the corner. Pressing him against the wall I sealed our lips together and sought that soothing gift he could give me. Our tongues tangled as his strange power started to flow into me like lungfuls of air. It abated my storm of emotions. Provided shelter amongst my rage and sadness. As my hands pulled at his hips his thin beautiful body pressed against mine as he moaned. Slowly I pulled back and pressed our foreheads together. Eyes closed I soaked in the feelings he was giving me and hid from what was raging inside me.
“I c-c-can service y-you.” He offered.
I shook my head, “Not now. Just, be here.”
