"You got it! Way to go, Takkar!" I called out, pushing my way into Tensay's hut. Both the shaman and warrior turned as I stepped into view followed by Roshani, the latter with his eyes wide. "Now we can take down Batari." I grinned, Roshani keeping a safe distance from Tensay who bared his teeth at the commander.
"Not so fast, Valery. Batari is still dangerous even with Krati." Takkar spoke and I sighed, watching as he handed the mask to Tensay. Who dropped the mask like it was on fire and I bit back a giggle only to cringe when he turned his back on us, peeing on the mask.
"Okay I seriously hope you're not going to wear that." I told Takkar, grateful when Tensay left the mask alone pulling his pants back on. We all watched as Tensay moved the mask over his campfire, drying it before he straightened. I blinked as he slipped it onto Takkar's face, the warrior not even flinching. "Eeww." I muttered and Roshani actually grinned at me, only to step towards me when Tensay turned his gaze to the commander.
"You will lead us to her fort. But the gates are heavy and we will need help to break them." Tensay said and Roshani cringed, not meeting the shaman's eyes.
"I'll protect you." I told Roshani who narrowed his eyes at me. "Just kidding. Maybe we should get some help." I suggested and Roshani looked towards me, giving me a slight nod.
"There are captured Wenja in outposts. If we can free them we will have allies." Roshani said and I gave him a smile, giving his hand a quick squeeze.
"Yes. Free the Wenja and destroy Batari." Tensay agreed, pointing towards the entrance. "Go and save them."
Takkar left first followed by Roshani and I started to follow only to have Tensay grab my arm. Confused I looked back at him when he glanced at Roshani, frowning at Roshani's back.
"Be wary of the commander, Valery. Izila are not trustworthy." Tensay told me and I sighed, knowing he was only trying to protect me.
"I trust Roshani with my life, Tensay. He's the one Izila I do trust." I answered and Tensay shrugged, moving back to his campfire. "But I appreciate the warning." I added, quickly leaving so Roshani wouldn't worry.
"Did Tensay say something to you? You look worried." Roshani asked and I quickly shook my head. "You are not a liar." He pointed out and I grabbed his hands, holding them in mine.
"He said to be careful. Now let's go save some Wenja." I said and he managed to smile, his gaze moving towards the hut for a moment.
Hurrying after Takkar we soon came across the hunter kneeling in the grass, his fingers moving to his lips silently telling us to be quiet. Understanding I knelt beside him as did Roshani, who stared ahead towards a group of Izila. Instead of fighting, Takkar quickly and quietly moved through the grass and we followed closely.
After a few more minutes we saw a small outpost, three huts in total as well as half a dozen Izila warriors. Moving closer I soon discovered that not all were men, in fact at least half were women. The moment I laid eyes on the women I blushed furiously, realizing that Roshani was right about the Izila women going topless.
"Why are you embarrassed?" Roshani teased, seeing my cheeks turn a bright red. "You have gone topless before."
"Will you shut up?!" I hissed, quickly glancing at Takkar whose focus was on sneaking into the camp and not us. Though I did see his lips curl up briefly before he hid behind a hut, the Izila milling around without seeing him. "Anyway can we be serious for once and actually take out this outpost?"
"Of course, Valery." Roshani whispered back, sneaking towards the hut before I could move. Shaking my head I followed, taking a little longer because of my injuries. By the time I reached them I saw Takkar raise his bow aiming for one of the Izila standing with his back towards us. In a heartbeat he aimed, firing the arrow before the Izila turned. The arrow pierced his skull, killing him instantly before he even knew what had happened.
But as he dropped to the ground the noise alerted the other warriors, one woman pointing towards our group. "Crap, busted." I whispered, rising to my feet my club in hand. Together we rushed our attackers and for once I ignored the pain of my burns, the threat we faced more important.
Now out of breath I leant against a hut as Roshani and Takkar searched for any captured Wenja. They returned with two Wenja, a man and woman who stared at both Roshani. Instantly they stepped towards Takkar who shook his head.
"Roshani is on our side." I told them, coughing and they stared at me. "I am a Wenja." I sighed, hoping they would believe me. Apparently they chose to follow Takkar who lead them towards the village, pointing once we left the outpost and the dead behind us.
For the next few hours we searched as many outposts as we could before the sun started to set, finding both Udam and Izila. Some ran when we approached, making me wonder until I noticed the Izila and Udam that fled weren't carrying weapons so I let them escape.
The sun set by the time we lead our new Wenja family, five men and three women, towards the village. When Roshani paused, looking off into the distance I stared at him. "I will go back. You should follow." Takkar told me and I nodded, watching on while he lead the former Izila captives to the safety of the village.
"What's wrong, Roshani?" I asked, moving to his side and he pointed towards the light of a campfire in the distance. "Another outpost?"
"Yes, one we missed. Come on, we might find other captives." Roshani told me, hurrying towards it before I could react. Quickly I followed, taking care not to slip in the darkness before I found Roshani. Kneeling in the long grass he glanced up once I knelt beside him.
"Are there any Wenja?" I asked, watching while he scanned the area. Pretty soon he shook his head and I nodded. "Maybe we should head back. It's not safe wandering around in the dark."
"Are you scared of the dark?" Roshani teased and I snorted, climbing to my feet. "You are aren't you?"
"Oh be quiet. Everyone's scared of something." I shot back and he shook his head, rising to his feet with a grin. "I know you're scared of Batari." I pointed out and he shrugged, heading towards the village without waiting for me. "Hey wait up!" I called out, hurrying after him.
Walking beside Roshani my eyes looking left when I heard a low growl. Roshani turned his head slightly to see me quickly grab his hand and he grinned only to pause when he saw me shaking. "It is okay, Valery. I will protect you." He told me and for once I didn't comment, too focused on all of the growls I could hear in the darkness.
Thankfully it didn't take too long to reach the Wenja village and I sighed, silently grateful for Roshani's company. I was all set to head back to my own hut when Roshani squeezed my hand and I turned my head, one eyebrow raised at him. "Would you like to sleep under the stars with me tonight?" He asked and I paused, glancing up at the sky. "Do not worry. We can lay beside my campfire."
"Alright but you better not tell anyone I'm scared of the dark." I answered and he just chuckled, leading me towards his hut.
I didn't relax until Roshani knelt, lighting a campfire and I gave him a tiny smile. Stepping close I knelt in front of the fire, rubbing my hands as close as possible without getting burned. "Thanks..to tell you the truth the dark's always scared me since I was a kid." I explained and Roshani smiled, sitting cross-legged beside me.
"You are brave to admit that you have a fault." Roshani said and I sighed, sitting on the ground with my knees against my chest. "You are a strong woman and being afraid does not mean you are weak." He added and I tilted my head to one side, eyes staring into his.
"Yeah I know what you mean. The stars are bright tonight." I replied, looking up towards the sky after a pause. "I never noticed that before." When I sighed again, Roshani looked up just in time to see tears running down my cheeks. "Sorry just a little homesick."
"Are you a long way from home?" Roshani asked as I wiped my eyes and I nodded.
"I guess so but I do like it here. Especially since I found you." I told him and Roshani's face lit up. I let out a giggle as he lay beside the fire, his hand reaching for mine. Still giggling I lay beside him, resting my head under his and his arm drapped over me. "Once Batari's gone for good...will you stay in the Wenja village or return home?"
"I do not know. If you will I will stay as well." Roshani answered. Instead of speaking I gave him my answer with a kiss on his cheek and his cheeks turned a light shade of red.
"Sounds great to me." I told him, enjoying the quiet. Even though the darkness scared me I started to doze off, the company and warmth of Roshani lying next to me putting me to sleep.
"I am glad you want me to stay." Roshani answered only to feel Valery relax against his chest, her eyes closed and her breathing light. "Sleep well, Valery." He whispered, settling against her.
The sun was rising when Roshani woke, finding Valery still curled up next to him. "Valery." He whispered, leaning over to brush a kiss against her forehead and she stirred.
"Hmm...morning, Roshani. It's pretty quiet right now." I mumbled, rubbing my eyes as I sat. "Hey...we're supposed to be taking out Batari today."
"Taking out? What do you mean?" Roshani asked and I sighed, pushing him over before I climbed to my feet.
"It means we're going to destroy her today. I can't believe I just said that like it was nothing." I replied, wrapping my arms around myself as I shuddered.
"Valery, Batari has become a tyrant. She needs to be stopped for the good of Oros. Even if it means her death. I am not looking forward to taking her life but there maybe no other choice." Roshani replied, his arms now around me and I sighed. "It is alright to be scared."
"I know. Thanks for the pep talk, Roshani." I told him and he stared at me, looking very confused. Rolling my eyes I gave his cheek a kiss and grinned, leaning in to kiss me only to hear voices heading our way. "Maybe we can pick this up later." I added, giggling when he smiled.
Untangling myself from Roshani's arms I looked towards the village as Takkar came into view, holding the mask of Krati firmly in one hand and his club in the other. Around his waist I saw a belt that held more clubs and several spears, his bow over one shoulder.
"This is our fight too." Roshani said, quickly moving to his hut. The moment he vanished inside Takkar started to leave only to feel a tug on his arm and he turned to see me holding it, my eyes narrowed.
"You are not leaving without us, Takkar. We have as much right to find Batari as you do. She wounded me and the rest of the Izila tried to kill me. I want a chance to prove myself to everyone here." I told him, tightening my grip when he tried to shake me off.
"You are safer here. I cannot protect you when I face Batari." Takkar answered and I shook my head, releasing his arm. "Stay here, Valery."
"I'm not asking for protection. If you're going I am too and so is Roshani." I snapped, Roshani emerging from his hut with a bow strapped to his back and a curious expression on his face. "Now which way is Batari's temple because you are not leaving us behind."