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The day seems short.

I follow Rai'Ze around the cave most of the time, just like a confused child, trying to figure out the meaning of things all by myself. Corridors, small, large, long, stone passages,crossing up and down, carve out many chambers and dens. The lower floors are for the warriors, their servants, and slaves. Each has its own layout. Beast riders on top, everyone else lower, closer to the ground, and the stinky pens. Not a nice place to live. That's where the lower servant and slaves live.

Higher levels are reserved for the chiefs, each of them with his own private den carved deep into the rock, small stone palaces with their own guards, slaves, and personal servants. We go inside a few of them. Fur-covered walls, handmade rugs, carved wood, bedchambers, and various quarters, some more decorated than others, a true extravagance compared to everything below.

The higher the chieftain's rank, the higher up their den in the cave, and the bigger and more ornate the den. Still, regardless of their status, no one sits as high as Rai'Ze's raiders. Her own beastly savages, each strong enough to cut a man in two in one strike, fiercely loyal to her until death and beyond. Their rank uncontested, their power unchallenged by any mortal, chief or not. Her personal guard, all part of her own tribe.

On top of them all, carved up above the rest, her own quarters, with her kitchen, servants, and slaves. Her den takes up an entire floor, with narrow corridors spreading across her own quarters and stairs stretching low and high, up to her room. Just a bit lower lies the corridor to the stone terrace carved on top of the cave's mouth, with a full view over the burning sands and, by far, my personal favorite spot in the entire place.

The more we walk around, the more I understand Rai'Ze's power.

No matter the rank, from mighty chieftains to massive warriors, all heads bow before her while servants and slaves freeze in place, not daring to look up even once before we leave the area. She is the chieftain of the chieftains, the ruler of all tribes, and everyone else lives beneath her, obeying her every word, their entire lives at her mercy. No one is stronger, no one is tougher, and no one dares to stand against or even think of challenging her. She reigns supreme, and her words are absolute for all those that live in these burning sands.

And today, for some reason, her words dictate a feast!

It seems this event has been long awaited, and the entire den falls into a complete frenzy. Slaves, masters, servants, chieftains, and warriors alike, everyone running around, preparing themselves and others for the event. The warriors saddle the beasts and ride out hunting for food. Slaves rush to cut it down, and the servants hurry to roast, smoke, and cook it.

The chieftains' wives are getting prepared by their own servants, painted, dressed, their necks covered in shiny beads, hairs braided, bodies oiled, and adorned head-to-toes. Chieftains themselves are busy getting their own majestic paint, leathers, and teeth-covered amulets. Warriors are standing tall, brandishing their biggest weapons, speaking mighty words, and bragging in their own right.

By late afternoon, the desert heat makes its way inside, adding to the heat of the kitchen ovens and fire pits. The refreshing cold cavern air is quickly replaced by a hot, thick, smoke-filled one. Mouth-watering scents start to leak out of the burning firepits, spreading all over the cave. Roasted meats, baked fruits, herbs, and spices fill the air, irresistible temptations guiding my actions throughout the day.

I brazenly snatch some food! Each time we go through a burning hot kitchen, piping hot meat skewers, fat-dripping chopsticks, refreshing cold sag milk, and roasted ribs, all fall in my mouth, one after another. Covertly at first, waiting for everyone to look away, I grab a small piece and eat it fast, all by myself, out of view, innocently stepping into the next kitchen, cautiously looking for the right moment to strike, ashamed of my weakness, yet encouraged by my success.

Still, the damn smells keep pushing me deeper into the abyss, and before long, I'm stuffing myself shamelessly in plain view. Oh, how the mighty have fallen. Oh wait, who am I kidding? I was never mighty, to begin with. But again, no one seems to care or object. And even if they do, none have the guts to say a word to my face. After all, I'm the mighty chieftain's wizard, whatever that means. It sounds like I'm some lap dog or a pet, to be honest. And yet, right now, to these people, my unspoken rank stands and, apparently, comes with its own benefits!

Late evening, all the preparations are done, and so is our long march through the cave. Large, heavy tables get brought inside the massive hall, piled high with food and drinks. We get inside just in time to see the last ones taking their seats in the corners. I follow Rai'Ze toward the big table in the center, her raiders already seated around it. Without too much fuss, everyone starts to feast, voicing their thanks to their savage queen and some of their many desert gods.

My place is right beside Rai'Ze, next to her raiders, some of whom I already know from the hunt, real beasts in their own right, feeling even more pathetic and useless than usual, wondering how I can look into their eyes. What value may they give me and my life? A weak, pathetic guy, weirdly dressed, barely able to hold a hunting axe or sit without falling off a raiding beast. And yet, strangely, no one seems to care much about my presence at their table.

I feel invisible to them, barely noticed, not that it bothers me. I'm completely fine with it. Still, I wonder what they're thinking. Not so many days ago, I was just another captive, chained by slavers, dragged before their mighty queen, on my knees, waiting for my fate to be decided. Sold, abused, probably killed by now, if not for my cheap smartphone and its amazingly powerful flashlight...

A wizard in their eyes, how would that feel like?

Impressive, annoying? Or maybe they don't bother with things they don't understand, and why should they? Their mighty savage queen knows best, and she decided. This strange new servant, pet, slave, this wizard guy, serves her and her alone, and that's all they need to know. And now he's here, at their table, right next to their queen, because, of course, he belongs to her, just like everyone else around, end of story.

"The sand is plentiful," someone yells out loud. Everyone cheers, smashing their jugs to the stone floor. Caught by surprise, my meat skewer almost falls off my hands, to everyone's amusement and laughter. I join then, laughing at my own mistake. I learn, wait for it, ready for the second cheer, smashing my jug like everyone else. And what a fine smashing that was! It scatters all over the stone floor!

It feels good, and the third one feels even better. Yeah, fuck these jugs! And yes, the sand is plentiful, a perfectly fine observation! What else to add? There you go, another jug gets it! I pity its wasted content, though, and rush to drink my sag before the next cheer goes wild.

"An'har!" I hear a deep voice thundering behind me.

One of the big chieftains has come to our table. Bowing, he shows us a beautiful dagger and its exquisite ornate leather sheath. A gift! For Rai'Ze. She is happy, smiles, and nods towards him. The dagger rolls on the table, shimmering alien before my eyes. Intricate golden patterns run all across its slightly curved blade, right down to its sharp blue shining edge. A dark blue tinted hardwood hilt, just as amazingly crafted, gives it an almost perfect balance. I'm breathless. I've never seen such a beautiful weapon in my entire life. I don't even dare to imagine how expensive this thing must be.

You could be reading stolen content. Head to Royal Road for the genuine story.

As soon as the big guy leaves, a strange rumble starts echoing around the great hall. I look around, confused.

What's going on?

The other chieftains are protesting, hands waving, wives annoyed, servants terrified.

The gift insulted them! How dares he bring such an expensive gift? How dares he rise above the rest? It makes them feel inferior! How dares he humiliate them like this in front of their mighty savage queen?! The thundering protest echoes through every corner, sending shivers down my spine. This won't stand like this! This means war! Or at least some of their words suggest it.

A dreadful and deadly mistake? I turn around, seeking the brazen chieftain, fearing for his life.

I find him! Sitting down at his table, showing no remorse, smiling, infatuated, his wives rubbing their half-naked bodies against his large exposed belly, praising him, feeding him sweet fruits, inflating his already giant ego.

The rumbling protest slowly dies down, yet I can see that the others are still annoyed. I can feel the tension rising, and so are my fears, as I look around, not knowing what to expect next. But then Rai'Ze grabs my attention. She is leaning in her chair, half bored, half smiling, smirking even, eyes glowing, waiting.

It doesn't take me long to understand what's happening. The fat guy challenged them, and everyone has to respond.

Another large chief makes his way all across the hall, his servants dragging a large bundle of hides and a large and heavy wooden chest. He comes to our table and humbles himself before us, presenting the gift. The beast glances over the hides and opens the chest. Her eyes flicker. She's interested and nods to him. The gift is accepted, the queen is pleased, and so is the giant chief, who rolls back to his table, pushing everyone aside, his wives, slaves, and servants glorifying his status in front of the rest.

The game is on, and soon the gifts start to pile up. Furs, weapons, giant tusks, flawless hides, embraided leathers, shiny bright metals, gems, coins, and amazing jewelry! They keep coming, small, medium, large, one on top of the other, laid down at her feet. Each gift is received, and each chieftain is more pleased than the rest.

I look around, amazed at what's going on. This is a battle! A war of sorts! All of them are fighting for her attention and favor, and on her part, the mighty queen beast makes sure to let them know they're all in her grace. This is how she keeps them in line. This is how everyone knows their place, from top to bottom, by their own worth, as it should be, since the dawn of time.

And the savages are pleased.

They get what they want, the mighty chief's acceptance! Her praise is enough for them to hold their right, reinforce their position, and keep them above the rest. She doesn't say a word. She doesn't have to. The more expensive the gift, the higher their own view of themselves. They go back to their tables full of themselves, smiling, bragging, chewing down on the delicious meats, and gulping the sweet drinks while their wives, servants, and slaves praise them to no end.

Others will take note, try better next time. Others that are, at least for now, less worthy than them!

And us?

We're swarmed! Gifts fall from the table, and we push them away with our feet trying our best to make room for the new ones. I help, dragging everything away from the plates, barely keeping up, chasing lost coins through the meats, scooping priceless bracelets from the dishes, stashing leathers and furs all around me, until finally, they slow down. I get a moment to enjoy another juicy meat skewer, one leg resting on a small heavy chest full of gemstones and coins, the other barely squeezed over a bundle of brightly colored, insanely beautiful ornate silks.

As the night starts to settle, the chieftains slowly retreat, one after another, barely walking, servants and wives holding them, fed, drunk, overly full, and completely satisfied. Rai'Ze waits for the last of them to leave and then turns toward her warriors, smiling, chest puffing out.

A single glare, a nod, this is what they're waiting for.

Each of them takes his turn, a gift of their choice from the pile. Anything for her warriors! They already know what, had their minds set long before the entire procession ended. Their hands pick quickly. A beautiful weapon, a strong, menacing one, a unique animal hide, carved fangs, a rare hunting trophy, another weapon, a golden necklace for a lucky wife. They bow before her and thank her for her generous gifts before leaving for their own dens.

No one touches the golden dagger on top of a pile of gold coins and jewelry. Same for the most expensive gifts. Amazing, alluring crystals and gems, ornate artifacts of incredible worth. Just like everyone else, they, too, know their place. They won't ever dream of taking what rightfully belongs to her.

Rai'Ze's own servants come dragging away whatever is left. Heavy trunks, furs, and all the heavy gifts that surround us. Everything expensive and rare is placed on the table right before my eyes.

"Want something?" she asks, pointing at all the precious piles.

I look at her, stunned, honored by her words, but I can't see myself daring to touch any of those fantastic treasures.

"No... thank you," I politely decline, trying my best not to upset her. How could I dare do such a thing? I, too, know my place...

She looks at me confused, and then, without flinch, she pushes an entire pile toward me.

"It's yours, your keratkh," she says with glowing eyes. Her words are final.

My what?!

"Eln'neen," she commands one of the young women from behind our table.

The servant girl steps close to us, head down, naked weak body shivering. I can clearly see the chain marks on her wrists.

"She's yours too," she continues and then points at my treasure, "to my room, where your master lives."

The young woman nods and hurries to pick up the precious gifts, hands shaking, stashing my treasure away in a beautiful leather pouch before vanishing behind us. I look at her, my heart sinking.

I feel my skin crawl, and the bitter taste of sag comes back into my mouth. I just can't...

"I can't..." I finally dare to speak, but Rai'Ze dismisses my complaint with a wave of her hand.

"I'm not walking for you! I'm just making your feet walk faster," her voice echoes around the hall as she rises from her seat, stretching as tall as she can be.

Her words make no sense, but she doesn't care to explain herself. She turns around and walks away toward the side corridor that leads upstairs.

The feast is over.

Servants and slaves rush in, pushing and dragging heavy tables around, cleaning the remains, and keeping whatever was left.

I follow the queen silently through the corridors and up the stone-carved stairs. I feel nervous about what just happened. My head spins just thinking about it. The golden coins, jewels, gems, and whatever else that pile may hold, I can't even dream of ever repaying her for such favors, but the thing that bothers me the most...

We reach our den. Her girls arrived before us and brought in a large plate of fruits and plenty of drinks for the night. My small treasure lies on top of a massive wooden crate, probably some other gifts they carried inside for the beast. A few more bundles of precious furs lie neatly beside the bed. Now I understand why the entire place is so covered in furs. I wonder what she does with the rest of the gifts.

Without a word, Rai'Ze goes in straight for the bed. I turn my head away, knowing too well she won't care to hide anything from me. I'm right. I can hear it all. Her heavy belt falls, loincloth and all, and so does the heavy fur on her back. I stare at the table, trying to figure out a way to tell her. My chain marks still burn when touched. I'll thank her for the treasure, but there's no way I'll keep the young woman.

There's no more noise coming from her side. Has she finished changing already? I turn toward the beast, looking for an answer.

The mighty queen stands tall right in front of me, completely naked, eyes burning, staring back at me, pinning me down with her gaze. My eyes roll over her amazing body, instinctively recording each and every detail I missed before. An apology for looking? Yes, I must, I should, I doubt she cares, there's something else she wants from me right now... her eyes... are piercing through me!

This is bad!

I instantly forget about the girl. Her fate can wait. My fate awaits!

My heart starts pumping, and sweat drops slowly running down my back. Primordial instincts rush in, taking over my body and mind. Saurvival and... the other one... you're joking, right?

Her eyes burn brighter, and a dangerous smile spreads across her lips, eagerly waiting for me to react.

There's no mistake! I don't think I can talk my way out of it like I did last time. Not that I want to. I must admit, I hoped for this. I can't lie about it any longer. And yet, I shouldn't! This is pure insanity! I can't fight against the fear! Survive first, everything else comes second, or third, or never. That's how it goes, right? No? I totally lost it... there's not a single rational thought left....

Nothing but instinct and hunger!

This time, I won't avoid her gaze!

No matter how much it will hurt me, one way or another, this night will be one to remember...

If I survive, that is...

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