Among the deserts of Shamar, a village stood bustling with activity, but nearly hidden among the constantly shifting sands. Mobians rushed through the streets like blood in the veins, haggles and general chatter filling every crevice.
Here, a short ways away from the center of the town, a black and gray hyena sat in her modest home with an infant in her arms. The sunlight poured through the rather plain room from the single open window, illuminating her brown eyes ever so slightly.
Through the doorway of the room stepped a gray Persian cat who was much shorter than the hyena, wearing a dark blue ankle-length dress. The sunlight gave her shoulder-length ink black hair a slight shimmer.
"Congratulations, Miss Nakia." She stated, offering a small bow to the woman known as Nakia. "He's beautiful. Have you decided on a name?"
The hyena turned toward the cat, returning the bow with a nod. "Thank you, Hila. I haven't quite decided yet. After all, he's only a few weeks old."
"Oh," Hila replied, appearing confused as she straightened, "No offense to you, Miss, but most people would have chosen one by now. Perhaps you can name him after his father?"
"That's too cliche." Nakia almost immediately replied, turning toward the window and rocking her child as her expression became more grave. "Besides, I have something a bit more important to talk to you about right now. Please, come closer."
Confused, the younger girl stepped further into the room, stopping when she reached the side of her mistress.
"Hila," the hyena began, "I trust you're familiar with the Order of the Oasis?"
The cat nodded quickly, the single adorned eye that symbolized the infamous secret society popping into her mind.
Upon seeing the nod, the woman continued. "I don't know if you're aware of this, but I have some rather...negative ties with them. I know their purpose, and many of their secrets."
She turned to the cat girl solemnly. "They are evil, and though I cannot tell you just yet of this purpose, I can say with confidence they'll do anything to achieve their goal, including commit murder. They know that I know this, and I'm wary that they're going to try to end my life in an attempt to silence me."
Hila appeared stunned. "Miss...Miss Nakia..."
"If I am to die, then you must pass him on to someone else." Nakia lightly bounced the baby boy on her knee as she continued without hesitance. "To whom, I have no idea, but it cannot be my husband, because he'll be the next target if I'm killed. No, they have to be as little related to us as possible while still able to earn our trust. I'm not sure who that will be, but when the time comes I must pass him on to them. For this, you must trust me. Do you understand?"
"...No..." came the soft reply, "Please, Miss, don't talk like that. You'll be fine."
"It's the truth, young Hila." The hyena countered. "I must face reality. Besides," she smiled, "I did say if."
"I-If...right..." the cat uttered softly, trying to use that to convince herself that everything would be okay. "Okay. Whatever you say."
"Now go on," The older woman commanded lightly, "I have a rather...pressing matter that I need to attend to."
At this, she scrunched her nose comically as if over-exaggerating the expression of smelling something fowl.
The girl laughed, turning and exiting to return to what she was doing previously. Of course everything would be fine. Who would have the heart to kill Miss Nakia?
No one. She was worrying herself over absolutely nothing. The Miss and her child were going to be fine.
At least, that's what Hila continued to tell herself to silence the doubt lingering in her mind.