The horses raced through the forest. The loud volume of sound earlier had ceased the advancement Of the skirmish unit. In the forefront lay a town glistening with stones. A large ambiance of torches marked with the sound of festivities echoed in the valley. Chalkstone hovels lay dark. The glow they emitted rays that kissed the surface of the Crystal White Canyons surrounding them.

"Yadi An'k" the leader shouted.

The men all stood up. It was time. The signal was marked, and the archers took a position.

Back in the Townsquare, the girls conversed together.

"You don't join us much Aya. Why not?? Asked Shassii.

Aya lifted her head, looked to the sky and responded

"I think. I want to go out. Past the Great Canyons to the old lands".

Shassii stood up enraged "you can't! I love you Aya. No one is left for me after you."

Aya smiled. "Am not going soon, ill wait for the Sirens of the Lake".

"You mean the goddess of Sight and New Beginnings".

"Yes, some call her that. I've heard rumours of a waterfall bearing fruit. Seedless of Nsseiq, venture to the caverns lost of time. Within is a stone dressed like ruby, inside is the sands of anguish and life".

"Myths and talks of old. Don't tell me you believe in it. Why seek for treasures of the Śeinq'maat. Many go mad looking for those. It's not for us. The rights are reserved for the gods and priests and priestesses' explained Shassii.

"I do it out of love and necessity. My father will not make the winter. Then we are on our own Shassii. You understand that. You know the rite of initiation for orphans in this town. We will be separated and serve the Lake for our life" exclaimed Aya in frustration.

Shassii humbled herself and stumbled to the edge of the fountain. She tried her best to hide her pain and sorrow. Looking at the engraving of the god of fortitude. A great silence came amidst them.

Shassii muttered out "Outside is outside. Inside is Inside'.

'That's what father used to say. We are alone and lost but we have to have each other. I know what you have to do'.

… A hug enveloped her suddenly.

Tears fell down her face. She felt her back pressed upon Aya's chest. They were connected. Shassii wept. Aya held her tight as the two stood firm, she let everything out. Moments passed, the moon hid behind the clouds, the lights and sounds had dialled down. What was left was a soft ambiance of a mellow vibration of the Canyons.

"Hey Aya, what's that? "What's what? Shassii".

Shassii moved towards Aya's bucket. At the bottom lay a tiny ray of light. As she peeked inside the water the ray extended blinded her. Aya approached Shassii. Held in her hand was a small marble. No bigger than a grain.

"Look, look" Shassii exclaimed while raising it up high. Suddenly a tiny screech came from it. The Eyes of the statue shined and pulsated at its presence.

Aya wondered at it in astonishment.

"I didn't know that was there…'.

All of the surrounding ground beckoned with the sound of hooves. The soil jumped in response to the horror clops that rung out of the horse hooves.

"Look out" screeched Shassii as she rushed to protect Aya. A barrage of arrows whistled through the sky lit with fire descending upon them!

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Across the town, in a market shop. A blacksmith shop was barred close. A parade walked past his shop. Celebratory gifts and petals were thrown around. The crowd followed and cheered in excitement. A hooded figure came to his door. Banging relentlessly on the door. A couple laid in bed playfully cuddling with each other.

"Wait, wait, First sort that out" uttered the maiden lay naked.

Annoyed the blacksmith stood up. Grunting and shuffling for his clothes. His wife laughed and giggled at his upheaval to get dressed. "I'll be back, don't fall asleep now". He grabbed his trousers and a short sword and torch. As he entered his dark corridor he sighed. As he descended the stairs, he mumbled to himself.

"Who comes at this time? At this hour, on this day?

He gripped the iron door handle and unlocked the safety locks. He pressed the tip of his short sword against the door. He pushed the door slightly open. Outside the festivities were moving away slowly. But the crowds grew bigger. The sound was dissipating near his shop and he could hear slow faint breathing. He strained his ears and noticed a pattern. Sounded hurt he thought but maybe unprofessional, but it was definitely a trained individual outside.

"Who are you?? Whispered the blacksmith.

"Kairui" the hooded individual spoke out.

He thought for a second thinking. Then the door brushed back straining the chain lock. He thought an attack was next and pressed his sword deeper into the door. But he froze as he heard her say "Sannu" and droplets of blood dripped onto the floor.

Kairui woke up stunned from her head injury. Delirious and fazed she noticed the weapons hanging on the walls. Feeling unrest, she reached for her sword straining head. The pain swelled and forced her to drop her sword. Sannu came rushing into the room with a wet cloth. She saw his broad figure and long dreadlocks and felt at ease. She then touched her forehead and noticed the bandage.

"It's not much but it will do the job for now".

She urged out in pain.

"Thank you, Sannu. Appreciate your help at this late hour" mocked Sannu.

They both smirked at each other. Kairui shrugged her shoulders.

"Sabbu, you know it's not like that".

"I know".

Kairui peered around the room. A room of solicited under cobblestone with weapons latched onto the walls. On the counter was a long great sword.

"Renovation Sabbu, you've really changed the place now. Haven't you.

Last time I was in town you were a wandering vagabond like me".

"Vagabond that's what we're calling you now" laughed Sannu.

"Saaabbuu come on! You know am just teasing, am just shocked. It's been a year or two since I saw you".

"4 years to be precise, I waited you know. I told you to quit and settle down".

Kairui rested her head down. Taking his words in.

"You're right Sabbu, but I couldn't look past it, you know I couldn't. But am back now, back for good".

"That's the same thing you told me last time".

"They say love is a necessity" Kairui looked at the plaque on the wall.

"I know you ain't gone soft on me now. Sabbu".

He folded his hands and sighed.

"You've never changed, have you?'.

No, me wife set that up. Hard to believe but tolerance and marriage brews a seed in you that evolves you. Strange as it is, I want to believe those words now more than ever and see them to be true".

'Marriage! Tolerance, well I need a drink".

Pain sprouted all throughout Kairui's body.

"I bandaged you just an hour ago. But there's no stopping you. Let me help you up. I got some root beer in the basement".

Slumbering on the floor. The two made their way to the chair.

"Married man now ehh, what happened to Siege pats plunder. What, you replace that with Love and Necessity?'.

Sannu placed her into the old rusty chair. Sannu looked drained of her already.

"Am just teasing. Saaabbuuu come on now. Get on with the beer big boy" cheered Kairui.

She pat his butt on his way out. Sannu chuckled as he turned around. On his way to the door to the cellar. He descended downstairs slowly, wondering what was keeping her husband up.

"Soo, it's this. keeping you up" she sneered in an overbearing undertone. "Guess it's the festivities blues that excite men, any hurt woman of the night throws themselves at you and you play hero".

'Hisss' mocked Kairui.

Sannu waved and sniggered down the stairs.

"Woman of the night. That's what they calling it now. Sabbu, you've really found yourself a stiff prick".

"Excuse me" she harked.

"The word's prostitute, princess. Me and Sabbu go back. Long ways" teased Kairui.

"You brought this harlot into my abode. That's it!!'.

She lunged at Kairui in spit of rage. Sannu heard the noise ringing upstairs.

He rushed back up to find his wife chocking Kairui.

"Rachid what are you doing? She's injured?'.

"What am I doing, you say. You invite this, this wounded harlot into our shop and ask what am I doing?'.

Dizzy and weak Kairui giggled and whispered "Sabbu over there, used to be a wild horse back in the day. We called him the iron stallion! We did. Heck I should know" she shrugged her shoulders suggestively.

"The cheek" Rachid screamed.

"Sannu this, this is what you've brought. You're occasional sex fling back here to my house".

"Your overreacting, we aren't a thing. She's my old buddy. She's just playing with you aren't you Kairui."

Rachid paused for a moment and thought.

"Kairui, Kairui!! This is her. The one who left you for dead. I want her gone. As soon as I come back from the festivities, I want her gone".

She stormed out, electrified more than ever. "And I better not hear anything anymore moaning of Saaabbuuu!" She yelled as she slammed the door of the shop.

A sigh of relief came out of the two left in room.

"Old scars" exclaimed Kairui.

"Yep, something like that" replied Sannu. "What's with this left you for dead?? Narrative. You some sort of princess in a castle now?'.

"It's complicated" blurted out Sannu.

"Is it, is it though". Sannu felt awkward.

"Yeah yeah, it is".

"Well, does complicated have a drink to go with it". The mood of the room lightened a bit.

"Tell me what's been going on. You know getting back in this town is hard is it is past the Canyons".

"This time you shouldn't leave" remarked Sannu.

Both gladdened at the sight of each other they started conversing. The wind rustled past the door and windows. The candles flicked. There was a family ambiance shielding the room. Kairui took a swig of beer and a deep breath then commented "your wife'.

'Emm she's emm".

"Uptight," they both said in Unison, followed by laughter.

Sannu nodded and confirmed, "Don't mind her, I'll take care of her".

"She's just mad our conjugal time was cut short". "Conjugal."

"You mean sex, don't you" poked Kairui.

"Yeah" drunkenly taunted Sannu.

"Wow, she really got you by the balls. Learning all these umm a big words and stuff. One would forget you were a mercenary before".