Mierda.
?1They are talking about the giant warrior who came into the pit while Ra'Sa and I were talking. Ra'Sa... killed him.
"We were here the whole time. A half hour ago, I went to relieve myself, and when I returned, he was gone."
The other man curses in giantese.
"So you're saying he's only been gone a half hour?"
The replying grunt comes instantly.
"You son of a bitch. Lying to me through your teeth already? I can smell the wine on your breath. You were careless—you left your post to do gods knows what. I don’t want to see your ugly,warty face any longer. Report back to the barracks,” the other warrior says.
“But sir?—”
“I'll deal with you later.”
It isn't until I hear the footsteps fade that I let out a long sigh.
My gaze drops from the wooden lid, and I realize I can see. There is a dimly glowing orb of light above me. I reach up and grasp at it, finding it identical to the floating lights all around Enduvida. A small basin has also been hewn from the ground and is filled with what appears to be clean water, almost like a fountain.
A small, rectangular hole has been carved at the back of the cave, which can function as a latrine. The strips of fabric left there are hard to miss.
Ra'Sa.
Ra'Sa did this. For me. While I slept in this slimy, disgusting place.
My musings dissipate abruptly when the pit’s wooden lid is torn off, letting in gusts of chilled air. I shove the spell light into the folds of my dress. My heart races, fearing that I will be caught with contraband.
A giant warrior sticks his head in—Captain Truloj. Luckily, the small, marked improvements aren't enough for him to notice. The sun backlights his profile, showing how he curls his lip.
"You!" he calls in. "You still alive?"
I freeze in place, then force myself to crawl to where he can see me and put on a coy smile.
"I'm afraid I am," I call back.
Raising my hand to shade myself from the light, I peer up at his mousy brown locks and scarred face. His eyes are more burnt orange than the others. Even from here, I can see that his top lip is mostly scarred flesh.
He smirks. "Did you see either of the guards last night?"
I shake my head, and my breath feels a little tighter.
Are you well?Ra’Sa asks.
My mouth parts at the sound of his voice. It caresses my mind, sustaining me in the face of panic. Chills ripple down my spine as I let out a deep breath, and gooseflesh pebbles up my arm.
I nearly forgot to thank you for caring for me last night.
It was good I rested,Ruh’flor.I very much enjoy the feel of your thighs against my mouth.
My heart skips a beat. I press my thighs together at his innuendo, surprised at my body’s response, and ignore him.
Fuck, get it together.
“You didn't hear anything?"
"I was asleep, Captain," I reply.