Chapter Sixteen: New Potential Allies

Wandering for more than a week under the scorching desert sun, Inísel, Kaelan, and Isra felt the stifling heat draining every ounce of their energy. The desert stretched infinitely around them, the rolling dunes creating an endless landscape, with the horizon blurred by the heat. The water had run out two days ago, and their bodies were crying out for hydration, each step more arduous than the last. The horses, brave and loyal, began to succumb to the pressures of the environment. One by one, the animals fell, unable to continue, until the three fugitives were left alone, facing the vastness of the desert on foot.

The heat was unbearable. Inísel's lips were cracked and dry, and each breath felt like inhaling fire. Her legs trembled with each step, and her thoughts began to fade into the haze of dehydration. Kaelan, though more resilient, was also on the verge of collapse, and the maiden Isra, with a pale face and a lost gaze, could barely stand.

The end seemed inevitable, their death imminent in the cruel expanse of the desert. But just when despair reached its peak and darkness began to take over, figures appeared in the distance. Dressed in skins that covered the minimum of their bodies, the desert natives approached with agility and skill. Their sun-tanned skin and quick movements spoke of a life adapted to these extreme conditions.

Inísel, already unable to stand, collapsed onto the hot sand, her vision blurred. Barely conscious, she felt strong but gentle hands lift her. The last image her eyes captured before she fainted was that of an indigenous man, with dark, penetrating eyes, watching her with a mixture of curiosity and concern.

She woke up days later, in a cabin made of skins and wood. The soft light of dawn filtered through the openings, filling the room with a warm glow. An indigenous woman, with strong features and a serene expression, was by her side, holding a large wooden spoon. The woman tried to feed Inísel a mixture that smelled of unknown herbs and spices.

In kune: "Who are you? Where am I?" she asked in a hoarse, weak voice.

The indigenous woman replied in a language that Inísel recognized as Dýnami, the tongue of the indigenous peoples of southern Erial. Although Inísel was adept with languages and spoke three—kune, satus, and usual—the words the woman pronounced were unintelligible to her. Frustration began to grow within Inísel, but before she could become completely desperate, the cabin door opened.

A burly man, with white skin and features clearly different from those of the tribe, entered the hut. His blue eyes and black hair contrasted sharply with the bronzed complexion of the natives. Inísel looked at him with suspicion and curiosity, trying to understand his presence in such a remote place.

In dynami: "Could you leave us alone?"

Garath Thorne, after seeing the indigenous woman leave the cabin, settled on a rustic stool in front of Inísel, observing her attentively. His appearance was that of a veteran knight from the three continents, evidenced by the emblem adorning his surcoat: a golden shield with two crossed swords. His face, hardened and weathered, revealed a life of military experience.

In kune: "Mi estas Garath Thorne. Vi, estu kiu?" (I am Garath Thorne. You, be who?) he said clumsily in kune, his pronunciation revealing that it was not his native language.

In kune: "Pardonu, mi, vi, ripetu... Kiu vi estas?" (Excuse me, let me, you, repeat... Who are you?)

Inísel, detecting his difficulty with the language, decided to switch to Usual, the language commonly spoken on the three continents.

"I am Inísel Zendel, Valkúr of the northern capital of Erial, called Sabla Urbo," she began, her voice still weak but clear.

"Recently, a revolution occurred in Sabla Urbo. A secret organization called the Tiger's Claw orchestrated an attack against Shántruk Theodric, my husband. The explosion not only killed my husband but also my parents and many of our advisors. I was forced to flee to save my life."

Garath nodded slowly, processing the information. He appreciated that the woman could speak his language so fluently, and he quickly responded, his voice resonating with a mix of compassion and determination.

"I am very sorry for your loss, Inísel," he said, leaning slightly towards her.

"May I call you that?" The Valkúr nodded, seeing no reason to demand more formality.

"It seems that war is present on all continents. The Tiger's Claw... I have heard rumors about them. They seem to be everywhere, and their influence is extensive."

Inísel nodded, her gaze lost in the painful memories of the explosion and subsequent chaos.

"Yes, they are bastards," she replied. "They manipulated my people with lies and well-rehearsed performances. Their leader proclaimed himself the new spokesperson of the gods, thus turning the people against us. Now, I find myself in this desert, lost and not knowing how my people are. But..." Inísel raised her gaze and fixed her eyes on Garath. "One thing I know for sure, I will do anything to reclaim my city and ensure the well-being of my people. The Tiger's Claw will not look out for my people's interests but will ruthlessly exploit the innocent. I must return and protect them."

The knight, hearing Inísel's words, nodded with an expression of deep understanding. He admired the determination and courage he saw in the young Valkúr's eyes. With a firm voice, he assured her that the indigenous people would do everything possible to shelter her until she decided what her next move would be.

"The Dýnamis are noble and brave people. They are compassionate, and despite their rough size, they will be able to help you," said Garath Thorne. "They will protect you until you know how to proceed."

Inísel, with unshakable resolve, looked at Garath and declared:

"The dýnamis, I have heard they are formidable warriors and possess a significant militia. Do you think there might be a way to convince them to help me reclaim Sabla Urbo?"

Garath nodded slowly, his eyes fixed on Inísel. With a slight nod, he suggested:

"They are defensive warriors, accustomed to the hardships of the desert. They do not seek confrontation or power, so at first glance, they will not be involved in reclaiming Sabla Urbo. They will need a good motivation," he revealed, his expression remaining thoughtful. "If you want to gain the help of the dýnamis to reclaim your city, I recommend seeking counsel from the Afentikó, the leader of the dýnamis. He is currently in Sunon, the capital of the dýnami Desert. He could be a valuable ally in your struggle."

Inísel accepted the idea, feeling it was a good starting point for her mission to reclaim her kingdom.

"I will speak to whoever is necessary if it means I can reclaim my people."

With determination, she rose from the bed and headed towards the outside of the tent. As she exited, she asked Garath about the whereabouts of her friend and the soldier who had accompanied her in her escape.

"My companions, a soldier guardian of my city and a maiden, do you know where they might be?" she inquired.

Garath pointed to a place near the central village fire, where an indigenous woman was throwing large portions of food into a pot. There, Inísel saw Isra and Kaelan attempting to communicate with the woman. The scene was almost surreal: the indigenous woman, with her bronzed skin and serene eyes, seemed to understand the situation despite the language barrier.

Kaelan, who had always had a special interest in the Valkúr, was the first to see her approaching. Unable to contain himself, he stood up and began to walk towards her. His eyes shone with relief and something deeper. The man, who had removed his silver armor and now wore a light shirt suitable for the desert heat, raised his arms with a clear intention of hugging his Valkúr, but abruptly stopped when he remembered his position. The etiquette and respect for his lady prevented him from hugging her as he desired.

Inísel, perceiving Kaelan's internal struggle, smiled mischievously. Placing a hand on the man's chest, the Valkúr greeted him.

In kune: "Kaelan, mi ĝojas vidi ke vi estas sekura kaj bone, mi maltrankviliĝis, ke io terura okazis al vi" (Kaelan, I am glad to see you are well and safe, I was worried that something terrible had happened to you), her fingers brushed over the fine fabric of Kaelan's shirt, causing the man to stir when the Valkúr's hand reached his stomach. However, Inísel promptly withdrew and a shiver crossed her face when the memory of her late husband returned vehemently to her mind. The young woman vividly recalled the explosion and the attack that had occurred days ago. She remembered the expressions of her husband, her parents, and all those she loved when the pavilion they were in was engulfed in an intense fire, enveloping them all in the warm embrace of death.

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Unconsciously, the Valkúr looked at her arms, recalling how strange magic had protected her, transforming her skin into a hard pearly shell.

Swallowing hard, Inísel, with the fresh wounds of her loss, quickly moved away from Kaelan and with one last melancholic smile at him, headed to the fire where Isra watched her with curiosity.

"Isra..." she greeted, extending her arms. In kune: "Mi estas tiel feliĉa vidi ke vi fartas bone" (I am so happy to see you are well).

Isra approached Inísel with a smile of relief.

In kune: "Mia Valkúr, dank' al Dio. Mi dankas al la dioj, ke la Dýnamis povis trovi nin antaŭ ol estis tro malfrue" (My Valkúr, thank goodness. I thank the gods that the Dýnamis were able to find us before it was too late), she said, embracing Inísel affectionately.

Kaelan, a little disconcerted by his Valkúr's earlier movements, nodded and approached.

In kune: "Ni bonŝancis renkonti la Dýnamis" (We were lucky to meet the Dýnamis), he added. In kune: "Mi parolas tre malmulte pri ilia lingvo, sed ili estas facile komprenigi sin" (I speak very little of their language, but they are easy to understand).

The indigenous woman who had been cooking approached Inísel and offered her a bowl of hot soup. Inísel accepted the bowl, grateful for the hospitality they were receiving at such a critical moment. Although she did not fully understand the language of the Dýnamis, their gestures and looks were enough to communicate her gratitude.

In kune: "Dankon" (Thank you), the indigenous woman nodded and responded.

In dynami: "Parakaló" (You're welcome).

Inísel then noticed the presence of a jovial-looking man, clearly a foreigner by his features and attire. The man was sitting on a log by the fire, speaking calmly with some indigenous women in a tone that seemed flirtatious.

In dynami: "Kai tóte me plisíasan arketoí echthrikoí stratiótes. Chorís distagmó, tous eípa óti ímoun o pio epidéxios me to spathí se olókliro to vasíleió mou kai óti den boroúsan na kánoun típota gia na me stamatísoun. Me mia leptí kínisi, xetýlixa to spathí mou kai évala télos sti zoí tou prótou ippóti. Amésos prochórisa stin antimetópisí mou me ólous tous potapoús ándres tis Anatolís. Ómos, enó agonizómoun me aparámilli órexi kai thárros, oi polý áthlioi kai potapoí ánthropoi epitéthikan ston anipsió mou, prokalóntas ton thánató tou" (And then several enemy soldiers approached me. Without hesitation, I told them I was the most skilled with a sword in my entire kingdom and that they could do nothing to stop me. With a sharp move, I drew my sword and ended the first knight's life. Immediately, I proceeded to face all the despicable men of the East. But, while I was fighting with unparalleled grace and courage, the very vile and despicable men attacked my nephew, causing his death).

The women listened attentively, while several of them tenderly caressed the man's chest, their movements denoting a deep interest in him. One indigenous woman caressed his torso with devotion, slowly lowering her hand until it crossed the boundaries of the man's trousers. A pleasurable sigh escaped his lips, while smiles adorned the women's faces.

Inísel, maintaining her composure, observed the man's interaction with the indigenous women attentively. Suddenly, he gently moved the woman's hand away and whispered…

In dynami: "Óchi tóra, polýtimi. Tóte" (Not now, precious. Later), and with that, he stood up, causing the indigenous women to utter their protests in their respective language. Laughing, the man finally bade farewell to the women and approached the area where Inísel was with her closest companions.

Immediately, the attention of the fair-skinned man focused on the woman with hair as silver as the moon. A smile curved the stranger's lips, and without hesitation, he introduced himself.

"Well, what a pleasant surprise. Who do we have here?..." he began, his voice laden with a jovial tone. "You look like one of the Cardinals. By your skin and exotic beauty, I would say you are from the East. I have met many women and know from experience that in the East is where beauties like you can be found..." Inísel frowned but did not respond to the man's words. Garath slowly approached his companion and informed him.

"Cassian, allow me to introduce you to her grace, Inísel Zendel. Valkúr of La Kvin Urboj..."

"Valkúr?" he questioned, frowning without understanding the exposed rank.

Seeing the man's confusion, Inísel explained:

"To the Cardinals, I am like the queen of the North of Erial." Cassian nodded and, with a practical smile, replied.

"Oh, well, let me introduce myself, your majesty. I am Cassian Belmont, prince of the Western continent, mostly known as the bohemian. I am a rather famous figure among the Cardinals, and my sister, Elara Belmont, is the queen of the West..." he said, slightly bowing his head in respect.

Inísel was surprised by the simplicity with which the bohemian introduced himself.

"Prince of the West? And how did you end up in Erial, your highness?" she asked, her voice denoting a mix of curiosity and distrust.

Cassian smiled, his carefree and charming attitude unchanged even before royalty.

"Ah, my life has been prosperous and full of captivating moments. But, let's say that in the end, a mishap forced me to flee my kingdom. And now, I am a deserter to my continent, an infidel condemned to death. But, if I may ask, your majesty, what is a lady like you, so striking and of unparalleled beauty, doing in a place like this?" he replied, returning the question with a glint of intelligence in his eyes.

Inísel, raising an eyebrow, understood why the prince of the West was nicknamed "bohemian." Kaelan quickly approached, his expression indignant at the bohemian's vain behavior.

"You should be careful with what you say, your highness. Here, your title means nothing, and if you continue to disrespect my Valkúr, I will not hesitate to end you..." Kaelan's protective eyes fixed on Cassian, who, despite the threat, maintained an indifferent expression.

Sighing, Inísel indicated to her guardian...

In kune: "Ne necesas tiom da malamikeco, Kaelan, estas bone" (No need for such hostility, Kaelan, it's fine), the soldier immediately wanted to express his disagreement.

In kune: "Sed, mia Valkúr, li..." (But, my Valkúr, he...) However, Inísel cut him off, solemnly raising her right hand. Understanding, Kaelan stepped back and let his Valkúr continue the conversation with the bohemian.

"Cassian, may I call you that?" The man nodded. "I fled my city due to an uprising orchestrated by an organization called the Tiger's Claw. They killed my husband, my adoptive parents, and my close ones. They have destroyed everything I knew and loved."

Inísel continued recounting the betrayal and tragedy that forced her to flee to the desert, seeking refuge and strength to plan her return.

Cassian listened attentively, his expression shifting from initial curiosity to serious consideration. When Inísel finished, he nodded slowly.

"I am deeply sorry, your majesty. Losing a loved one leaves a void that can never be fully filled..." he said, with a tone that mixed respect and understanding.

"I know we don't know each other, but I hope you will allow me to say that you should not give up. From what you have explained, you may have an opportunity to reclaim your city. If the pacts between the other northern cities of Erial have fractured, the Tiger's Claw will need to find a worthy successor to govern. Thanks to my knowledge as a prince of the West, I know that people do not handle changes well. There will be unrest, especially when the Tiger's Claw continues to subjugate your people," Cassian proclaimed, his face serious as he spoke. "You can take advantage of the opportunity. I am sure my companion has already recommended that you seek help from the Afentikó. I am sure he can advise you on reclaiming your city."

Inísel nodded at Cassian's words, feeling an unexpected connection with the bohemian. Despite their different origins and paths, they seemed to share an ideology of justice.

"I will need all the help possible to reclaim my city and restore peace in Erial," Inísel said, looking at Cassian and Garath with a mixture of hope and determination. "I am unfamiliar with the traditions of the Dýnamis, and you seem to be used to living with them. Because of this, could I count on your support and guidance?"

Cassian smiled broadly, his attitude relaxed but sincere.

"Of course, your majesty. We are currently in the Village of Talahar, on the remains of an ancient civilization called Aelorian. The capital, Sunon, is several days away by camel. We could take advantage of the fact that some Dýnamis from the village are heading to the capital to get resources, such as food and other materials," he responded confidently.

As they spoke, Kaelan and Isra joined the conversation, listening attentively to Cassian's words. Although Isra could not understand Usual, Kaelan helped translate the words into kune. It was clear that this man, with his charisma and knowledge of the three continents and apparently the south of Erial, could be a valuable ally in their mission.

With the arrival of night, the group gathered around the campfire, discussing their next steps. Inísel, strengthened by the support of her friends and new allies, began to outline a plan to reach the southern capital and seek the Afentikó's help.

As the campfire flames illuminated their faces, Inísel felt a renewed hope. Although the path to reclaiming her city and justice for her people was long and dangerous, she knew that with determination and help, she could accomplish any feat. With allies like Cassian, Garath, Kaelan, and Isra, she firmly believed they could overcome any adversity.

The desert, with its starry nights and scorching days, became the stage for their plans and dreams. And as the moon rose in the sky, Inísel vowed once more that she would return to reclaim her city and restore justice in Erial, no matter the cost.