“Shakha.”

A voice called prompting Shakha to open his eyes.

He had been awoken by a naked woman resting sleepily on his chest. She had long, silky black hair, Ash white skin and eyes that were entirely black, just like his.

“What?” He asked. His voice a low growl.

“Sun’s up.” The woman said, prompting Shakha to look around.

Thin bands of light snuck into his hut, illuminating some of the dark space.

Shakha sighed before sitting up.

Sleeping next to him were two other women, both of whom were naked.

Shakha stood up before walking over to a spot in the hut where he grabbed and wore his loincloth.

He then wore a large, furry sleeveless jacket before grabbing his club and exiting his hut.

His eyes quickly adjusted to the morning sunlight and his gaze fell onto the Oasis that the Foph called home.

It was a large patch of green land surrounded by dark towering hills.

Within the Oasis itself were about a dozen large huts and countless smaller ones that varied in function.

Shakha’s hut was one of the few that were outside the Oasis’s perimeter. Sitting atop various hills in the distance were other huts of various size.

Sitting just outside Shakha’s hut was a collection of various jars, vases, pots and urns.

He eyed them before spotting someone approaching.

“Shakha! The Arcus’s are saying someone’s been stealing some supplies from the storage huts.”

Shakha looked the Rendaro warrior over and simply clicked his tongue before walking down the hill.

“Why are you telling me that?” He asked.

“Umm… the Arcusus wants you to take care of it.” The Rendaro said.

“What?” Shakha snapped, making the Rendaro flinch.

“What else did she say?” Shakha asked while placing his dark club on his shoulder.

“S- she also said that she wants to see you.” The Rendaro nervously said.

Shakha’s eyes narrowed.

“Return to your troop.” He instructed and the Rendaro fled down the hill Shakha’s hut sat on.

Shakha also walked downhill and was greeted by the many lookouts who littered the Oasis’s perimeter.

“Hey, Shakha!”

“Wow. You’re up early today.”

“I think the Arcusus is looking for ya.”

Such things were said as Shakha entered the Oasis.

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He heard the sounds of children playing within a hut to his right while simultaneously hearing the sounds of children crying in the hut to his left.

In one, children were being tended to and raised while in the other, they were fighting-

Shakha shook aside all unnecessary thoughts as he made his way towards the Oasis’s largest hut.

Guarding it were two large Rendaro, whose bodies were covered in thick dark armour.

“Good morning, meatheads.” Shakha scoffed only to be stopped by the guards.

“Say, Shak. When are you gonna let us visit? We worry sometimes-“

“Keep it to yourself, buddy. I don’t care.” Shakha said interrupting the guard to the left.

“Come on. At least tell us when you’ll send the girls back to the Dens?” The guard to the right asked.

“I’d rather let you stew in anticipation. Now move.” Shakha said.

The two guards shared a quick laugh before stepping to the side.

“Sure. Head on in.” The leftmost guard said before his face stiffened.

“She could really use some good company. Behave.”

Shakha simply scoffed again before entering the large hut which was lit by bright orbs of light near its roof.

They illuminated ornate carpets that were layered over each other. Their overlap created a beautiful pattern on its own.

Several more, but far less dressed Rendaro guards could be seen standing along a path that led deeper into the hut which was divided into segments by dark walls.

“Get out!”

Someone yelled as Shakha walked up the path. Several rooms lined the path, but Shakha was more concerned with the naked man who exited the two silky flaps that separated the rest of the tent from its innermost part.

The naked Rendaro walked past Shakha with a lowered head while covering his crotch.

Shakha parted the two beige flaps slightly to find a naked Calëb.

This prompted Shakha to quickly close the flaps.

“Ahem! Hey. I heard you were looking for-“

“Didn’t I just say no one shouldn’t come in here?” Calëb yelled.

“It’s me!” Shakha said loud and clear.

“Oh! Give me a moment.”

The sounds of frantic movement filled the air while Shakha impatiently tapped his foot.

“OK. Come in.”

Shakha sighed as entered the room which was generously lit by several orbs that floated on the roof.

Littering the room were countless weapons, gigantic beast skulls and empty jugs.

Shakha’s eyes fell on Calëb who sat behind a rather short table which looked much smaller thanks to her.

“Sit.” She instructed.

Shakha’s eyes narrowed upon realizing that Calëb was beyond flustered.

Her face was covered in sweat and she fiddled with her hands as she sat.

He sat opposite her and crossed his arms.

“What do you want?” Shakha flatly asked.

“I… want your thoughts on everything. You can’t say cooped up there forever, you know.” Calëb sake.

“Wanna know what I think?”

Calëb nodded.

“Somethings off. Your immediate submission, that bitch knight, that strange place and that weird goat. I don’t care if that thing can hear my thoughts, but there. That’s what I think.” Shakha said.

He wanted to say so much more, but he kept his frustrations at bay.

“Lord Katsíki would have done so much worse if I didn’t… and besides, it worked out in the end. Now we’re under the protection of a Golden Knight-“

“Coward.”

“What did you say?” Calëb asked with a pained expression.

“I called you a coward! The Calëb I know wouldn’t have submitted so easily, regardless of how many lives were lost. Do you know what some of the warriors are saying? They think that you’re under some sort of spell and although at first, I didn’t believe them, it’s hard to think otherwise when you’ve changed so much in such a short time.” Shakha spat and although his words were harsh, his eyes were low.

Silence followed.

Then even more silence.

Shakha cautiously looked up only to meet Calëb’s half-open eyes.

Her face was expressionless and her head was slightly tilted.

Shakha’s heart slowly started beating faster as Calëb’s eyes drifted to the side.

“What would you have done? Charge towards lady Yna and lord Katsíki when they first arrived and instantly died? At that point lord Katsíki would make lady Yna torture the rest of our tribe as punishment for our aggression and you saw what she is capable of. She wouldn’t kill off the Foph in an instant. That would be far too boring for her. She’d rip apart every single one of our men, women and children. One by one, all while your heroic corpse lies in the dirt.” Calëb said as she stood up.

She then walked towards Shakha whose eyes had opened as wide as they could.

His breaths hastened as Calëb knelt in front of him.

“The reason why I submitted to lady Yna so quickly is because…”

Calëb leaned forward and placed her lips next to Shakha's ear.

“She is by far the most dangerous being I’ve ever had the pleasure of meeting.” She said before sitting back.

She then placed a warm hand on Shakha’s cheek.

“So yes, my dear. I am a coward, but at least our people will know peace for a little longer.”