With an ejaculation from the flamethrower, Erika creates a campfire where they cook the remains of the bird to share and dine. Sitting on the edge of the jeep, Chester is attended to by Ash who, with water, needle, and thread, closes his forehead. Ash expected that the man, so shrill and so rough, would complain or strike her for her amateurish way of suturing, but the Lancaster waits mute and solemn, visor in hand, his red eyes fixed on the man sitting cross-legged by the fire, close to the princess.

Nadjela, on her knees, accompanies the pig-faced man. They smile, share tears, and talk hurriedly and passionately. about what? Chester does not hear, but he does arch an eyebrow as the princess's smile transforms into a countenance somewhere between strangeness and discomfort. The native places a hand on Nadjela's shoulder, and Chester comes within an inch of going over and punching the guy in the mouth. But Nadjela looks relaxed, takes the hand on his shoulder between her fingers, and gently pushes him away before getting up from the dust and going to the jeep.

The mechanic concludes the suture and turns away, says something about wanting to stretch her legs. Chester gives her permission without looking at her, because his attentions are elsewhere. But Erika is not fond of such levity, and with her arms crossed over the flamethrower, she gives Ash a look that kills.

"Keep your titties close, doll. I like them pink, not overdone or charcoal-broiled"

Ash shudders and nods. Erika smiles, she knows the girl cherishes her own life too much to risk running away, when she's needed to fix Chester's armor.

With Ash away, Nadjela is more comfortable to talk. With her hands clasped close to her belly, she looks Chester in the eye and begins.

"Tashala can guide us, but.... "She looks down at her feet. "I think the blow hurt him more than he looks. He's so confused, it scares me"

"Confused how? Nadjela, look at me" Chester stands up. With his fingers he raises his chin and then repeats the question. "Confused how?"

"He started talking crazy" Nadjela's voice trembles. "Stories about my father wanting me dead.... That he murdered my friend Majani.... That my mother didn't leave because she was suffering from invisible death, but that my father wanted her away for questioning his authority"

Finally, Nadjela bursts into tears. Chester draws her into his arms, letting her nestle against his chest. Chester's soothing voice tells her that when they reach the village, they will clear up any misunderstandings.

"Let me talk to him, okay?"

The princess nods and pulls away, resisting the urge to fall asleep in his arms.

The Lancasterian approaches the bonfire. Tashala gives him a look of transparent emotions. Chester recognizes in him the same distrust that Nadjela showed the night they met. He decides to show his hands in a gesture of peace, but as they are still red from the blood spilled with his sword during the escape from the dome, the gesture was empty.

"I am not a demon, I swear. I want you to tell me your story"

He sits down.

For a minute they maintain tense stares, until Tashala tilts her eyes in the direction of Nadjela, who looks at him from the metal mount. The champion understands that the princess is healthy, both in body and soul, even after traveling through forbidden lands, and all thanks to that swordsman of pale skin and mysterious race... A race to which Nadjela professes an ill-concealed affection and total trust.

"Well, I'll talk" He says, looking at him, and adds. "I thank you for protecting our princess, but I want you to know that I still don't know what you are, and if I notice a single flicker of malice or ulterior motives, I will fight you"

"What a coincidence, I'm not into double entendres either!" Chester exclaims with a smile that would make any girl in La Cuna fall in love. Tashala frowns, worried about the heart of his young lady.

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The experienced warrior returns his eyes to the fire and relates the same thing he told Nadjela. Chester listens with his elbows on his knees and his cheeks in his palms, very attentive, looking almost like a child.

Neddin, the leader of the village, and the one who shares a name with the founder of La Cuna, is a despot who uses tradition and fear of the outside world to control his people. Tashala makes it clear that if the mother of all birds had given him a talent other than fighting, he would never have noticed the evil shadow that surrounds the chieftain. Fulfilling the role of champion of the pig, he accompanied Neddin on his travels and crusades, where he observed time and again his abuses, heard his offensive remarks towards those he swore to protect, and witnessed his disdain for the people he used as sacrifices with only one goal: to retain power.

"My companions, the other champions, never took issue with the leader's actions. They would tell you that it is for tradition or sovereignty, but they lie.... With the protection and loyalty we swore, we received comforts and benefits that no one else had. The luxuries he gave us, although pleasing to the body, tarnished and corroded the soul.... Soul, which is the only thing we have left after life, and which it is better to treasure"

He places a fist against the left side of his chest and dedicates a glance to the field of stars and satellites, which divides from the black horizon with its light.

"It was unbearable for my conscience and my honor to live like this, deceiving myself, deceiving everyone. We, the respected champions, had little difference with executioners, or savages, or demons. I asked myself, was this really the legacy I wanted to leave to my children and future grandchildren?"

In his words and in his eyes dwells a yearning for redemption. Chester understands that this is a man who is as clear-headed as he is remorseful. He could judge him, but he himself knows what it is to fight and kill for dubious resolutions and cruel leaders, under the belief that roots are worth more than principles, even if those roots are crooked, and principles are the only thing capable of saving a man's integrity.

The Lancaster decides to give Tashala the benefit of the doubt, although he also does not forget the promise to return to Nadjela with his people. When he lets her know, Tashala is startled.

"You must not have understood me..."

"I understood" Chester interrupted. "But an oath is an oath, and I don't want to belong to that kind of pseudo-men, weak, corrupt, and without values, who break their values the first time life gets difficult. Never, partner!"

The Lancasterian gives a thumbs-up and smiles with overflowing confidence.

There is a belief that some men and women, destined to accomplish great feats, possess a natural magnetism that envelops others and convinces them to follow, either to the top or to the abyss. They are the "Strong Men" of the high cost theory, hypothesis that cemented the Divine War, and where personalities such as Alexander Napoleon, Churchill, Ho Chi Minh, Chavez, or Elon Musk are included.

Tashala is infected by the confidence Chester seeks to convey. However, he retains doubts about the safety of the princess. Chester insists that nothing will happen, that she will be protected. In the end, Tashala gives in and agrees to take them to La Cuna, secretly hoping that a man as enigmatic as the Lancasterian might be able to save his tribe, and even put the chieftain he once respected back on track.

After dinner they set off, eager to put as many miles between them and Thunderdome as possible. Chester drives and follows the directions of Tashala (who guides himself by reading the sky and the signs of the earth). Nadjela sleeps in the back seats, snuggled up with the piggy. Ash cuddles up against the door, looking away and pondering the mistakes he made to end up like this.

Chester looks in the rearview mirror, in the direction of the dome, and thinks about Deathmask, about the debts he owes him. Erika notices the uneasiness, and from her lookout post, she leans over and asks Chester what's wrong.

"It pisses me off that I didn't punch Achu in his silly mouth" confesses the nobleman.

Erika smiles, jumps up and stands between Tashala and Chester. The German woman puts her arm around the muskite's shoulders and rests her head on his solid shoulder.

"I wouldn't worry about you" she says. "Mr. Guillotine will never touch our noses again"

Rather than reassuring him, Chester returns a look full of questions.

"What do you tell me? I know guys like Achú. They are hateful and cruel, but very determined. They never give up!"

"Don't get confused, you're the only exception. Determination doesn't usually save you from me"

"Wait a minute..." The rustic gears in Chester's head turn, and guess. "You killed him! How?"

"He got careless and... Zaz!" Erika stretches a hand forward. -"Stabbed in the eye"

"Betrayed! How unfair. Give him back to me!"

"He's already dead. How do you want it back?"

"I don't know! Just do it!"

"Nop, fuck you" Erika gives her a sweet smile and a close-up look at her middle finger.

Tashala, feeling out of place, turns her face elsewhere, until Erika discreetly asks he if Nadjela traveled outside her tribe before, or if they've dealt with the Dome slavers before.

"A long time ago... No.... This is the first and, hopefully, last time. why?"

"Nothing. Just curious" Says Erika.

Tashala grunts inwardly, turns he face away, and avoids dealing with Erika any further. Of the three strangers, she's the one who makes his hair stand on end the most.