Finding Happiness
The late evening sun descends beyond the golden fields in the distance. Youthful beastkin eagerly approach them, congratulating Lumi on his victorious battle from the previous night. The throngs of people part for Lumi and Khimi as they make their way through the crowd. Lumi is unable to hide a twinge of envy as he watches droves of women fawn over Khimi for his fierce display in the arena. But Khimi simply smiles and nods, basking in the attention effortlessly. Eventually, they escape the crowds and slip into an alleyway that leads to the eastern edges of Betset.
Nestled beneath a desert ironwood, its branches hanging low, they find solace from the dusty streets behind them. The evening sun dips below the horizon, and a nearby desert willow rustles gently in the northern winds. The only sounds are those of workers in the distant fields, harvesting baskets full of golden wheat in silence.
They sit in comfortably silent together. Khimi places his hand on top of Lumi’s resting on the soft silty soil. Lumi turns to look at Khimi, their fingertips brushing against each other as they share the moment. Without saying a word, Lumi inches closer and rests his head on Khimi’s shoulder as he guides Khimi’s hand to his inner thigh. It’s almost like being back at the temple again.
Khimi leans in and brushes his cheek against the top of Lumi’s head, conveying an unspoken understanding between them. In this unusual, peaceful moment surrounded by nature and each other, all worries and doubts fade away.
Khimi lets out a chuckle, scraping his stubble over Lumi’s rounded ears. “I don’t know how you managed to find that lion… but I am grateful that you did,” he whispers into Lumi’s ears.
“Huh?! Really?” Lumi asks with surprise and excitement in his eyes.
“Yes,” Khimi replies, giving Lumi’s thigh a firm squeeze. “It’s been a while since I’ve seen the inside of an arena. And I must say, I was impressed with how you handled yourself.”
Lumi scoffs. “I didn’t do anything… every time someone came at me, you would step in—”
“I see myself as your protector,” Khimi interrupts, keeping his gaze fixed on the fields ahead. “It’s my duty.”
Lumi ponders his words. “I could have handled it myself,” he says, tapping his lips thoughtfully. “I-I don’t need you to protect me.”
Khimi sighs. “You would say that.”
“I mean it!” Lumi insists, playfully tugging on Khimi’s linen shirt.
Khimi looks down at him. “All I am trying to say—”
Khimi’s words are jumbled, Lumi’s lips press harshly against his own, interrupting whatever he planned to say. Lumi grabs hold of Khimi’s shirt, his fingers twist into the linen fabric, his nails ripping into the threads. He pulls himself into Khimi’s lap, rocking from side to side, seeking a comfortable position whilst holding their lips together. Their lips remain locked until Lumi grows breathless, he pulls back slowly, holding his forehead against Khimi’s. Khimi eyes him from beneath his brow, where they stare at one another as Lumi catches his breath.
Lumi’s heart thrums in his chest, the reverberating purrs begin to course through him. “How do you never run out of breath?” he croaks. His expression softens as his fingers clamp back into the fabric.
Khimi laughs, then grows quiet as a man walks by. “You just hold your breath too long.” He places his hands tenderly on Lumi’s hips. “People liked your little outfit last night.”
“Rashid doesn’t like it,” Lumi sulks. “And… I know it’s not a temple outfit. Hasim told me it was special, but I-I kinda knew it wasn’t.”
“You knew?” Khimi drums his fingers over Lumi’s waist. “Rashid doesn’t have to like it,” he says, his lips nearing Lumi’s.
“I always liked how I looked in it,” Lumi admits in a whisper. He moves his hands behind Khimi’s neck. “You don’t seem as nervous as you normally do.”
“What do you mean?” Khimi asks, glancing out the corner of his eyes as a woman passes on the street behind them. “I don’t—”
Lumi mashes his lips against Khimi’s, forcing him to shift his focus. Khimi resists at first, his movements slow, his tongue restrained. Lumi attempts to breathe more steadily, losing himself slowly, his hips canting against Khimi. Khimi’s hand slides down Lumi’s waist, and his fingertips move into his sarouel.
Whimpering softly, Lumi nuzzles against Khimi’s neck and whispers, “This is what I mean.” Khimi’s hand slides deeper, his fingers begin to stroke the length of Lumi’s shaft.
Lumi gasps at the unfamiliar sensation, remembering how Khimi has always been so hesitant to touch him in public. With gentle movements of his hips, he works the sarouel down his waist and thighs. The bruises across his waist from Khimi’s roughness the night before are put on full display.
Khimi glances back at the road behind them, his voice now low and husky as he says, “I guess you just bring this out in me.”
“I remember the first time we walked through Rhaz together,” Lumi continues, whimpering again as he grinds his hips against Khimi’s waist, the outline of Khimi’s arousal nudges against him through the thin linen fabric.
Khimi’s hand glides along Lumi’s torso to his chin, gently tilting his face upward to meet his own. Their eyes connect, and Lumi feels his cheeks warm with heat. Khimi’s thumb brushes against his bottom lip. “Open,” he demands, bringing his forehead against Lumi’s.
Lumi complies without hesitation, eager to please. Khimi’s thumb rubs against his coarse tongue, his eyes locked with Khimi’s. Lumi rocks his hips, his cock sliding between Khimi’s slickened fingers. He’s… so gorgeous. His cheeks brighten further, and his purring roars louder throughout his body. He closes his lips around Khimi’s thumb.
Khimi chuckles softly at the sight, brushing his lips into the blond hair. “This is quite indecent,” he jokes.
“I do’on c’ur,” Lumi declares boldly, sucking on Khimi’s thumb with renewed enthusiasm.
Khimi laughs. “What’s that now?”
Lumi pulls Khimi’s thumb from his mouth. “I don’t care!” he exclaims, his cheeks a furious scarlet, his body trembles against Khimi’s with his excited purrs.
Khimi’s lips nestle back into Lumi’s hair. “You’re such a mess,” he teases between kisses.
“No, I’m a lion,” Lumi playfully corrects, rolling his eyes at Khimi’s teasing.
“How could I ever forget?” Khimi whispers into Lumi’s ear.
Lumi bites down on Khimi’s thumb with his fang, causing him to wince and pull away. But Lumi holds his grip, using the opportunity to push against Khimi even harder. Khimi retaliates by squeezing firmly on Lumi’s arousal, making him moan and writhe in pleasure. His efforts increase, his fingers barely having to move to stroke Lumi’s full length. Lumi pants heavily, his thighs gripping tightly around Khimi’s waist as he nears climax. His tongue hungrily licks and sucks on Khimi’s thumb, which occasionally presses against the soft underside.
Khimi grips Lumi’s chin and raises his face to meet his own, pulling his thumb from Lumi’s mouth, he replaces it with his tongue. Their tongues dance together in a passionate and heated exchange. Lumi pants into Khimi’s mouth, tasting the stale ale from the night before and his own essence still clinging to his tongue. He shifts his hips, unable to hold back any longer. With his body pressed tight against Khimi, he rips Khimi’s shirt up as warm seed spills across Khimi’s tensed abdomen.
Khimi strokes Lumi through his orgasm, biting his lip as the pearly ropes spill into his coarse abdominal hair. He finally slows once Lumi is spent, gently fondling him while the last remnants dribble over his skin. With a satisfied sigh, he finally pulls his hand back and lays back onto the sparse grass.
“You never would have done that before,” Lumi breathes out in amazement after catching his breath.
Khimi brings his slickened fingers to Lumi’s cheek. “I do feel… more at ease when we travel,” he confesses quietly, glancing behind them at the empty street.
“Look at me,” Lumi whispers as he takes Khimi’s hand. He gently licks each finger, a famished look in his eyes.
Khimi curses under his breath, his cock nodding more aggressively beneath Lumi. “You’re out of control.”
“The taste doesn’t bother me,” Lumi replies, while he licks slowly and purposefully. “Actually, I don’t taste that bad now that I think of it!”
Khimi watches him with rapt attention. Lumi licks each finger with slow exaggeration, pausing to consider before diving in for the next. “I’ve been thinking a lot… about us lately,” he whispers, glancing at the sun fading beyond the field.
“Really? Because I have been thinking about us too,” Lumi confesses in a teasing whisper. “All. The. Time.”
Lumi pulls his trousers down his legs and off his feet, then works his body down between Khimi’s legs. Still holding his gaze with Khimi, he hastily whips the half-shirt over his head. His perky pink nipples are riddled with purple bites and welts, the aftermath of Khimi’s affections.
“I-I didn’t mean to leave so many—”
“Don’t apologize,” interrupts Lumi, his expression softening as his tail rattles behind him. “I wanted it, I wanted you to feel comfortable. I want you to be able to let yourself go with me.”
“Lumi.”
Lumi’s heart thumps louder in his chest, and his purrs roar. “I wanna show you something…”
“Yeah?” Khimi asks with a fond sigh.
Lumi edges his fingers into Khimi’s waistband and rolls the trousers down his legs. Khimi’s cock pulls tight against the fabric, then leaps upward, before it rests back against Khimi’s abdomen. Lumi licks his lips, staring down at the girth thumping against the hard plane of Khimi’s stomach.
“Yeah…” Lumi whispers, his words lost to his sudden urges. With a hearty tug, he pulls Khimi’s trousers down his thighs and past his knee. “You… keep saying I never do any work.”
Khimi chuckles, folding his hands behind his head. “So, I finally get to relax now?”
“You’re not worried?” Lumi whispers, climbing across Khimi’s body and pushing his shirt up past his chest. His nakedness brushes against Khimi, their arousals caressing. His lips seek out the comfort of Khimi’s.
Their lips touch, and Khimi whispers, “Do you want me to worry?”
“Maybe you should be,” Lumi whispers, his soft lips brushing against Khimi’s. “There are people watching,” he lies.
Khimi’s body tenses before he relaxes again, allowing Lumi’s lips to press against his own. The gentle winds blow against them and Lumi leans in further, straddling Khimi. His tail brushes against Khimi’s thighs throughout their kiss. Unable to help himself, he leans in further, reaching behind Khimi’s head to hold their lips together. It doesn’t matter that he can’t hold his breath longer than Khimi; he wants to taste him, wants to feel every bit of his skin against his own.
Lumi’s hips grind against Khimi, the thick cock pushed tight between them. With a zealous need, he reaches between them and pushes it back between his thighs. It rises hard and fast against him, nodding with an impossible rigidity that Lumi has come to need. His hips rise and fall as he spreads an asscheek, allowing Khimi’s cock to sit flush in the cleft. Instantly, the warmth and hardness of it is unbearable, and he can hardly contain himself. I want it. Gods, no, I need it.
Lumi breaks away, gasping to catch his breath. “Kh-Khimi,” he mutters breathlessly. His hips wriggle and squirm behind him. “Can I?” he whispers, his voice soft and pleading.
“You don’t have to ask,” Khimi replies with a confident nod. He flashes his teeth. “You think I don’t want my cock in you?”
Lumi’s hand, still between them, takes hold of the girth, tapping the tip against his smooth entrance. Precum drools over his hole as he sways his body back and forth against it. His fingers rub back the foreskin, allowing the slick, flared head against him. He makes a half-hearted attempt to pierce the tight ring before he pulls back. Then, giving a few hearty tugs at Khimi’s cock, he teases a few more beads of pre against himself. Now, feeling more prepared, he lines himself up again, and takes a deep breath. His face pinches in ecstasy the moment he feels Khimi press into his insides. The pleasure is enough to make him squeal, enough to make him want to cry for air.
Khimi groans, his body tense at the sudden entry. “S-sure, you can take it after last night?” he teases, sucking his teeth.
Lumi’s eyes roll back into his head. “You’re just… a lot to take in.”
Khimi begins to lift his hips. “Need some help?”
Lumi shudders as Khimi fills him deeper. “N-no,” he insists, pushing himself up straight, taking more of Khimi inside himself.
Khimi’s cock is hard inside of him, pressing deeper and deeper with every downward plunge he makes. His body moves slow, working half of Khimi into himself. Ugh, I want it all. He takes more of him in gentle bursts, feeling the length grow slick with his constant motions. His body grows warmer by the second, the fading sun kisses against his skin as he casts his gaze down at Khimi.
Khimi’s face wrinkles, the back of his head tilting into the sand beneath him. His urge to buck his hips is apparent in the tensing of his muscles. With every gentle motion of Lumi’s body, Khimi tenses further, his body fighting against the instinct. Lumi bobs up and down, finally taking in Khimi’s cock fully. He works himself up to the tip, then slowly sinks back down, his hips swaying gently. He looks down at Khimi, his eyes filled with admiration and desire. Khimi’s cock, so impossibly hard and thick, fills him completely and brings that sense of fullness and warmth he craves.
As Lumi moves over Khimi, the wind picks up, carrying the scent of salt and sea. The sky, a canvas of vibrant oranges and pinks, stretches out behind them, draping the landscape in a comforting glow. Khimi’s hands grip the soft sand beneath them, fingers sinking into the warm grains as he watches Lumi move. His eyes are heavy with lust, his breathing ragged, unable to control his own urges. Yet he relaxes, patiently allowing Lumi to set their pace. Lumi’s movements become more confident and fluid with each passing moment. His bare feet dig into the warm sand as he rocks back and forth. Lost in the moment, his every movement draws out groans and gasps from Khimi. Finally, feeling Khimi reach his depths, he brings his fingers across his stomach, touching the slight rise. The pressure builds inside him with each downward stroke. He can feel Khimi’s body tensing beneath him, the muscles in his legs and back straining to stay still as he rides him.
“I wanted you to see it,” Lumi whispers, holding Khimi’s gaze. “I know how much you want to see yourself.”
“Hells,” Khimi’s hands move along Lumi’s soft thighs, then over his abdomen. “The way you take me… the way you swell when I fill you.”
Lumi raises and lowers his hips, allowing Khimi to feel the movement inside. “It’s the b-best,” he whimpers, his eyes never leaving Khimi’s.
Khimi seems to drink in every detail of Lumi’s body, studying him as the sun casts a golden glow on the lean muscles and sweat glistening across his boyish body. His hand runs over Lumi’s chest, feeling the hardened nipples and the soft, sensitive skin beneath them. The sand beneath their bodies shifts as Khimi squirms to sit up.
Lumi’s moans grow louder and more urgent, the sensation overwhelming his senses. Khimi’s hands drop down to Lumi’s thighs, his nails digging into the soft flesh, urging him to ride him harder and faster. And he does, his pace increases, his arousal flops before him, helplessly spilling cum across Khimi’s abdomen. His ears twitch and swivel as he moves his fingertips sensually through Khimi’s thick bed of abdominal hair.
“Let me,” Khimi moans, his cock pulsing more rapidly.
Lumi manages to chuckle, his head tilted up to the stars appearing in the evening sky. “N-not this time,” he whimpers in response, laughing at Khimi’s intensity. “Let me finish.”
“You already did,” Khimi growls, his fingertips digging deeper.
Lumi’s laughter echoes through the air; Khimi’s agitation grows. Lumi leans forward, curving his back in a graceful arch to tease Khimi’s cock at his deepest reaches.
“You’re out of control,” says Khimi, breathless and aroused.
Lumi grins, his eyes full of mischief. “Out of control? You’re the one who made me this way!” he grumbles in protest.
Khimi blinks, a blush spreading across his face. “You make it sound like it’s a bad thing.”
“I’m not complaining,” Lumi assures him, leaning down to brush his lips against Khimi’s neck. “Besides, you enjoy it too, right? How our bodies feel together.”
Khimi nods, his eyes never leaving Lumi’s. “I can’t deny you,” he admits.
Lumi changes pace, his hips swaying in a slow and sensual rhythm. A wicked smile dances on his lips as he leans in closer. “Just relax,” he whispers, his voice dripping with seduction, “and lose yourself inside me.”
Khimi leans back, resting his hands above his head, burying them in the sand as if to anchor himself against the upcoming pleasure.
Lumi’s moans steadily grow louder and more desperate. He grips Khimi’s chest, his nails digging into the taut muscles. Khimi’s body arches up against him, seeking more contact, more warmth.
“Don’t,” Lumi instructs again, “let me work, remember?” His lips part slightly in a gasp, and he can feel Khimi’s cock pulsing near release, yearning for it. He leans forward and takes Khimi’s mouth in a deep, passionate kiss, their tongues entwining, their bodies melding together. The scent of Khimi’s sweat and Lumi’s cum fills the air, intoxicating and wild.
Khimi’s body trembles under Lumi’s touch, his length straining inside, teetering right on the edge. Lumi can feel the desperation, the throbbing, and tension building inside him, the pleasure of his body overwhelming Khimi’s senses.
Lumi grins against Khimi’s lips, knowing that he has him exactly where he wants him. He straights and begins to move faster and harder, riding Khimi as he leans back. He allows Khimi the full view of his body, the massive length gliding in and out of him on full display.
The sun has vanished now, only to be replaced by the Sisters, who cast their ethereal glow over the two of them, highlighting the beads of sweat that cling to their bodies. Lumi’s eyes lock onto Khimi’s again, and he can see the desire burning in them like a madness. He tilts his head back, his fingers teasing at his nipples as his voice becomes low and sultry, “You want me so much, don’t you? You wanna come in me so badly, don’t you?” His desire is matched by Khimi’s, it could only ever be matched by Khimi’s.
Khimi holds Lumi’s gaze; equally intense and hungry. “Don’t stop,” he pleads, his voice hoarse. “Just don’t stop.”
With a growl, Khimi thrust upwards, burying himself deep inside Lumi, his cock sliding in and out of the tight heat with wet slaps. Lumi cries out, his pleasure overwhelming him as Khimi’s thrusts became more frantic, his hips bucking wildly.
Lumi reaches down, wrapping his fingers around the base of Khimi’s cock, stroking him in time with their movements. Khimi’s eyes roll back, his lips part, his breath breaking. “Oh, c’mon,” he pants.
A wicked grin dances on Lumi’s lips. “Then come for me, Khimi,” he whispers, ravenous with lust. “Come in me.”
Khimi’s cock swells inside him, the need to release his seed, to breed his lion growing stronger with each passing moment. Lumi’s hands glide over Khimi’s abdomen, covered in seed from his bouncing cock. His fingers massage the viscous liquid into his skin, his eyes still boring holes into Khimi. Khimi parts his lips in a silent prayer of surrender, Lumi’s touch sends him hurtling towards the edge of ecstasy.
He’s so close! Their bodies move together, the sweat, and sand sticking to them. Lumi moans loudly, the sound echoing through the night, as he feels Khimi’s cock growing harder and hotter within him. His toes curl in pleasure, releasing another stream of salty seed across Khimi’s stomach.
Khimi’s breath come in broken gasps, his chest heaving as he fights to catch his breath. His muscles tense, his entire body frozen as he stalls himself deep in Lumi. The moment is here. Khimi is on the brink. His cock twitches inside, the head swelling and pulsing with each beat of his heart. Lumi puts his hands back on Khimi’s thighs, raising his hips to reveal the entire length before driving down with a resounding smack of skin meeting skin.
“I love how it feels when you’re all the way inside,” Lumi whispers, bringing himself down hard again. His thighs burn with soreness, but he can’t stop himself. He wants more, needs to feel the warmth bursting inside of him.
“F-fuck,” Khimi groans, his eyes fluttering. He bites his lip. “L-Lumi, you’re too much, too tight.”
Lumi pants, his mouth opening and closing in soft gasps. “Ju-just tight?”
“P-perfect,” Khimi groans. “B-beautiful. Gods, your legs are so strong,” he adds, his fingernails teasing over the skin.
Lumi’s head lolls against his shoulder. “They feel like they’re gonna break.” Once more, he raises his hips until only the tip remains inside. He clenches against Khimi, milking him with the repetitive motions.
Khimi releases a sudden grunt. His cock slips out of Lumi’s tight, trembling ass, coated in the sheen of their combined sweat and pleasure. They both rush to shove it back inside, but with a final, powerful throb, great spurts of thick, white cream, shoot up across Lumi’s body in beautiful, arcing lines. The night is silent besides the sound of their rapid, uneven breaths and the wet, splattering sound of Khimi’s seed spraying over Lumi’s skin.
Lumi lets out a low, whimpering moan in response, feeling the sticky warmth painting his tan skin and marking him as Khimi’s possession. He savors the sensation, rubbing his hands over his chest and through the thick seed, using it as if it is a sensual bathing oil. His fingers trail down his abdomen, following the curves and dips of his body in a tantalizingly slow manner.
His eyes dart up to the darkened street, a passersby gawks at them. Their stare doesn’t bother him, he wants them to see. He wants everyone to know that he belongs to Khimi. With a teasing smirk, he darts his tongue out to trace over the bow of his lips while grinding back and forth against Khimi.
“Feels good, yeah?” Lumi questions softly, stroking Khimi’s limp cock.
“What do you think?” Khimi’s spent cock grows limp and leaks over his bed of abdominal hair.
There is a long pause as Lumi watches the stranger turn and rush away down the street. The hard muscles of Khimi’s chest tighten against Lumi’s touch as he stretches out over him.
“I had something I wanted to tell you about,” Khimi whispers, his breathing still strained.
“Oh?” Lumi sounds, peering from over Khimi’s hand.
“I am,” Khimi pauses. Lumi’s tail slaps against his thighs while he sprawls out over him. “I am admittedly… bad at expressing myself sometimes.”
“You don’t say!” Lumi teases, snorting with laughter.
“I’m serious,” Khimi says, brushing back Lumi’s sweat laden hair. “I want to be able to… express myself more with you. I want to tell you more.”
“Do you want me to go first?” Lumi asks, his worn thighs tightening over Khimi’s abdomen. He clears his throat and lifts his head up high.
Khimi looks at him curiously. “What are you inferring?” he asks, raising an eyebrow.
Lumi smirks, then continues, raising a finger. “You don’t have to tell me… some things if you don’t want, Khimi,” he says softly. “Even if you… don’t say you love me. It is enough for me to see it.”
Khimi shakes his head. “It’s not that I don’t want to. It’s still just I don’t know how to say it,” he whispers. He grabs Lumi’s raised hand. “But, I will tell you that… what we have, I wouldn’t trade it for anything else.”
Lumi closes his eyes, his nose wrinkling. “I-I uh need a moment,” he whispers, placing his hand over his eyes. “What’re ya sayin’?” he asks, smiling between sniffles.
“I want to protect you… Lumi. I just feel—”
“I love you too!” Lumi interrupts.
“Wait, listen!” Khimi begins again, “Lumi… it’s more than that. There is a lot that I want to tell you. That I need to tell you.”
Lumi stares blankly, waiting anxiously on top of Khimi. He lets out a deep sigh. “Please don’t keep me waiting like this,” he whispers, bouncing in anticipation.
“Hmph!” Khimi sounds, turning his head with a smirk. “The moment passed now, too late. I don’t want to—”
“Shut up!” Lumi shouts, grabbing Khimi’s shirt, still pushed past his chest and shaking him. “I’m sorry, I won’t interrupt.”
Khimi glances down at him, the corner of his lips curling into a smile. “Well, I was thinking that… I know you’re young, and you never got a chance to be with anyone else. But maybe—”
“Who cares,” Lumi interrupts anxiously, his eyes alight in wonder. “I don’t wanna be with anyone else.”
“Lumi!” Khimi grumbles in frustration.
Lumi slams his forehead into Khimi’s chest. “I’m sorry, just… what is it!?” he pleads, looking up at Khimi with soft, watery eyes.
“I was saying! I know you haven’t gotten to be with anyone—”
“Why would I want that?” Lumi interrupts again with a scowl. “You’re who I am destined to be with! You’re the one I want, the only one I want!”
Khimi rolls his eyes. “You’re incorrigible,” he mutters, placing his hands on Lumi’s smooth hips. “I want to spend my life with you… if you feel the same way—”
Lumi’s heart races, his eyes quickly meet Khimi’s. He cuts him off, “What?!”
“I mean… you don’t have to say anything now,” Khimi whispers, his thumbs rubbing against Lumi’s waist. “You can say no, I won’t hold it against you.”
Lumi shakes his head in dismay, his golden hair whipping around his face. “Wait, what are you saying? I need you to be perfectly clear!” he demands while he scans Khimi’s expression with hopeful eyes.
“I don’t want to share you,” Khimi murmurs, his fingers depressing into the soft flesh of Lumi’s waist. “I know it’s not… commonplace for beastkin and humans to cross that line.” A deep furrow appears between his brows.
“I don’t care about that,” Lumi whispers in response while he embraces Khimi tightly. The warmth of Khimi’s body against his own is comforting, and he feels safe in his arms. “I thought… you were gonna ask me to leave or something again… say that I was too stupid—”
“Hm,” Khimi sounds, his arms engulfing Lumi possessively. “You certainly know how to find danger, and maybe you are a bit dense… but I want to protect you,” he whispers into Lumi’s ears, his breath hot against his skin. “And if you find danger, I will be by your side.”
“I-I don’t need protection…” Lumi’s words trail off as he gets lost in the sensation of Khimi’s embrace. He goes silent, allowing their bodies to melt together in a comforting embrace. “But… you can protect me,” he decides in a whisper. He smiles contently while Khimi pulls him even tighter, their chests pressed together.
Khimi brushes his cheek over Lumi’s head. “There is something else,” he mutters after a lengthy silence. “I’ve only recently been made aware of one of the reasons beastkin and many of the other races… don’t mix.”
“Mmm,” Lumi sounds and looks up to meet Khimi’s stony gaze. “What’s that?” he asks quietly, a hint of concern in his voice.
Khimi’s brow furrows over his iron expression. “I was told by an acolyte that the souls of beastkin and other races aren’t all destined for the same afterlife. Lumi… if something should happen to us, we won’t know eternity… in fact, we may never know eternity,” he whispers solemnly, then looks past Lumi to the night sky above. The Sisters shine with an expanse of stars shimmering between them, they seem to be staring at each other from opposite ends of eternity. “When most are wed, it is part of their vows to share their eternal bond through the next life.”
Lumi’s face screws up in confusion and frustration. “That’s dumb,” he says suddenly, taking Khimi off guard with his blunt words.
Khimi chuckles quietly. “I-I have to agree,” he says with a small smile, watching Lumi’s stupefied expression grow to anger before quickly dissolving into determination.
“There has gotta be someway,” Lumi thinks aloud and scratches his head in contemplation. “I’ve known beastkin who have bonded and paired with humans or elves… are you sure? Nina oversaw a yilan and an elf’s bonding ceremony at the temple.”
Khimi sighs and places both hands over Lumi’s ears in a comforting gesture. “Positive,” he says. “I’ve been at the palace inquiring about it myself much in the past month…”
“Then… are you sure?” Lumi asks under his breath, looking up at Khimi with wide eyes filled with hope. “Is this what you want?”
“Yes,” Khimi responds quickly, his normally stoic features softening as he looks down at Lumi with love and adoration. “I’ve been thinking about this ever since you walked back into my room in Rhaz… Lumi, I want to be with you.”
Lumi’s face lights, his heart overflowing with joy as Khimi scratches behind his rounded ears, one of his favorite gestures of affection. “Then we’ll find a way. We’ll find a way to share eternity!” he exclaims, pulling himself even closer to Khimi, their hearts thumping against each other.
“Those are lofty goals,” Khimi whispers, his arms tightening around Lumi as if trying to hold onto him forever.
Lumi becomes silent again, his face pressed firmly against Khimi’s chest as they stand in the quiet embrace. “Khimi… y-you have no idea how much you mean to me,” he stutters, overcome with emotion. Khimi’s hand tangles into his hair gently. “I’m serious, Khimi… before I found you.”
Khimi looks down at Lumi with loving eyes, waiting for him to continue. “Before you found me?”
“No one cared,” Lumi sighs. “Living with the other aslan… my brother.”
“But you had Nina,” Khimi replies, scratching the back of Lumi’s ears. “But, I am here with you now and…” His words trail.
Lumi rubs his wet nose over Khimi’s linen shirt, his tail swaying happily behind him. “Khimi…”
“Hm?”
“Do you think… we’ll always be together?”
“Perhaps.”
“We’ll find a way, right?”
“We’ll try.”
“Do I make you happy?”
“Of course.”
“I’m glad.”
“Lumi.”
The pause that follows seems never ending.
“I love you too, Khimi,” Lumi whispers finally, breaking the uncomfortable quiet.
Bygones
Days have passed, their time in Betset finally drawing to a close. The ship sits heavy in the water, its hull bursting with precious cargo. Khimi, ever cautious, insists on finding lodging close to the docks in case of an emergency. They settle into a small building perched over the wooden piers, their temporary home for the remaining days of their stay. The smell of fish and brine permeates the air, causing Lumi’s nose to wrinkle in disgust. He finds himself wandering away from the bustle of the docks, seeking solace along the rugged cliffs and crags, where he could watch the sea in peace.
Lost in thought and frustration over not being able to spend his last day here with Khimi, Lumi kicks rocks off the edge of a cliff and watches them tumble down onto the rocky shore below. In the distance he spies the ships moored along the pier as sailors hustle back and forth, their voices echoing through the harbor. His temporary reverie ends at the sound of footsteps approaching from behind, and turns to see Rashid making his way towards him with labored breaths. His plump figure is emphasized by his hands resting on his hips, and his tan kaftan is coated in dirt and dust. Letting out an exasperated sigh, Rashid finally catches his breath and greets Lumi.
“Quite a hike,” he manages between gasps for air.
Lumi turns back to face the vessels, still feeling uneasy around Rashid after their previous altercation. There is a part of him that holds onto anger towards Rashid for their sparring match, something he has yet to forgive or forget.
Rashid sucks his teeth before approaching slowly. “Ya still hate me since our little spar?” he asks abruptly after a lengthy silence. He looks out over the ships and buildings. “I think Khimi is down there,” he points to a building near the eastern side of the dock with a thatched roof.
“I saw,” Lumi replies, hugging his knees. “He’s been there a while.”
Rashid lets out a sigh of resignation. “Ya ready to put all this business behind us?” he asks and lowers himself on the dusty sandstone beside Lumi. “Ya haven’t a clue… how much that boy means to me. He’s like my own.”
Lumi turns to Rashid, giving him a blank stare. “I still… think if you hadn’t told Khimi anything, then we would have been fine. He never would have seen that woman. He never would have—”
“Ya don’t know that,” Rashid interrupts. He huffs, before spreading his legs out over the stone.
Lumi turns his head defiantly. “I know you told him I was immature and emotional,” he replies furiously. “Khimi told me.”
Rashid scoffs. “Well, y’re immature… and emotional. But y’re also young. Ya haven’t lived through what Khimi—”
Lumi stands quickly. “You don’t know what I’ve been through!” he shouts, throwing his hands out before him.
Rashid nods in a slow calm. He runs his fingers through his graying beard. “I don’t, but ya never shared,” he says, glancing up at the angered Lumi. “I knew after that day… ya’d never forgiven me. I could see it plain as day,”
Lumi’s teeth clatter together in anger. “I did mean it. I hoped to put everything behind us,” he says, crossing his arms. “I thought about it… and the more I thought about it, the more angry I became.”
“Ya can ask Khimi… from the moment he met ya. I thought it was a good match, but… y’re so young, Lumi,” Rashid whispers, glancing up at him with soft eyes. “Ya’ve never experienced the world like Khimi has.”
“And I never would have if you had your way!” Lumi growls, his tail flailing angrily behind him. “What do you want from me?” he demands. “I don’t understand whatever game you’re playing at! Do you even care about Khimi or is it just the Cerulean Star?”
“Ya could go back to the temple,” Rashid begins, “live out a life of peace. Is this the type of lifestyle ya want? Dangers and traveling?”
Lumi pulls his hair in frustration. “I’ll never go back to the temple!” he shouts. “Kh-Khimi means everything to me! My life is with him! My life is him!”
Rashid scoffs, reclining against the cliffside with a casual air. “Look at how quickly ya got angry,” he chuckles, watching Lumi’s tense muscles. “Do ya want to strike me right now? Do ya feel that urge burning inside?”
“Of course I do!” Lumi continues. “How can you just… ask me that? You know how much he means to me! Do you want me to give up Khimi and go back to the temple so badly? Are you that bent out of shape that Khimi chose to love me?”
Rashid clicks his tongue disapprovingly, pushing himself up onto his knees. “Let’s start over,” he suggests, brushing off the dust from his hands.
“Start over?” Lumi asks warily, taking a step back from Rashid. He tugs on the linen half shirt he wears, feeling suddenly self-conscious. “Why?”
“Our little sparring match,” Rashid clarifies, turning towards Lumi fully now. “Just us… here. No spectators this time.”
“Why bother?” Lumi growls, backing away further. “You must be mad if you think I want to fight with you after last time.”
“Don’t get y’r sarouel all knotted,” Rashid laughs. “I won’t resort to insults or name-calling this time.”
“But why should we even bother?” Lumi mutters, still retreating. “There’s no reason for it.”
“My approval, if that even matters,” Rashid chuckles, walking towards Lumi. “Because, I want to see ya grow. I want ya to prove to me that ya’d give anything for Khimi,”
Lumi’s brow furrows in confusion. “Your approval means nothing to me!” he snaps, his tail lashing behind him with frustration. “But I’ll fight you just because!”
“I brought a spear, it’s against a palm down the way,” he says, pressing his knuckles against his lower back. “Y’re young and spry. Go fetch it.”
Lumi scoffs at the old man’s trickery, but nonetheless turns and runs down a series of sandstone steps carved into the rocks. He makes his way down the small gully and spots Rashid’s shamshir tucked against a palm tree, with a spear lying on the ground nearby. He picks up the spear, feeling its weight in his hands. It feels heavier than any weapon he has ever wielded before. He practices a few jabs and thrusts against the palm tree, testing his form with the unfamiliar weapon. Rashid is settin’ me up for failure… it’s twice as heavy. Lumi sighs in frustration but then collects the shamshir, slinging the sheathed blade over his shoulder by the leather cord. He trots back up the sandstone stairs barefoot, the evening sun beating down on him. At the top of the yellowed cliff, Lumi sees Rashid stretching and preparing for their match. I can’t hate him… he’s one of Khimi’s only friends, he reminds himself with a grumble of aggravation.
Rashid turns to stare at him. “Ya alright, boy? I heard ya makin’ some sorta funny noises,” he mutters at Lumi’s approach from across the stony ground.
Lumi blinks slowly, trying to calm his frazzled nerves. “It’s nothing…I just want to make something clear. I don’t hate you, Rashid,” he says, tossing the sheathed blade across the distance between them.
Rashid rushes to catch it, his eyes widening in alarm. “Careful! That’s a precious piece of history!” he scolds Lumi, cradling the sword carefully in his arms. He draws the curved blade from its sheath, inspecting its length and sharpness with expert ease. “I know ya don’t hate me,” he says, glancing up at Lumi with a wistful expression. “Ya just resent me a little…maybe even more than a little.”
Lumi chuckles bitterly, twirling the heavy spear in his hand. “I guess that’s one way to put it. I just…wish you had faith in me,” he admits, his frustration and insecurities bubbling to the surface.
Rashid’s smug grin widens as he looks at the hefty spear in his hands. “Heavy innit?” he asks, a hint of challenge in his voice.
Lumi’s ears twitch. “I knew it, you are trying to kill me,” he chuckles, spinning the spear behind him. “It’s twice as heavy as the ones I trained with.”
“This one won’t break easily, little lion,” Rashid says, dropping into a menacing stance and cracking his neck. “It’s made from heartwood. It’s dense and has weight to it.”
Lumi groans, rolling back and forth on the balls of his feet. “It’s too heavy to throw,” he says with disappointment, testing an overhanded toss. Just before releasing it, he stops and tightly clutches the wooden shaft. “I don’t—”
“It’s not a javelin, Lumi. It ain’t meant for throwing,” Rashid interrupts with a grumble, preparing himself for their training session.
Lumi places his hand on his hip and stabs the pole into the dirt. “A spear should be able to be used as a javelin,” he mutters angrily.
“Not this one,” Rashid begins. “It’s much too heavy. Especially for y’rself, ya don’t have that kinda upper body strength.”
“Hmph! I’m a lot stronger than I look!” Lumi retorts, lowering himself into a crouching position. He brings the spear before him, pointing it directly at Rashid. “I took down that chain man in the arena.”
“Right ya are,” Rashid scoffs. “No magick this time!” he calls, wagging a finger.
Lumi’s eyes meet Rashid’s. “Why not?”
“Because… I already know ya have the potential with magick. Show me what’cha learned at the temple. Some orders got their own style… show me what ya learned at y’rs,” Rashid explains, testing his blade with a few powerful swings.
The sound of the sharp blade slicing through the air causes Lumi’s ears to twitch. “Not using your shield this time?” he asks as he waits for Rashid to approach.
Rashid shrugs. “Won’t need it,” he adds confidently.
“A-alright then,” Lumi says, tilting his head in curiosity. “But when I kick your—”
“Begin!”
With a blink of an eye, Lumi crosses the distance between them and slides along Rashid’s shamshir with his spear. He somersaults gracefully, creating a billowing cloud of dust behind him. Rashid pursues him relentlessly, swinging his sword effortlessly and with precise intent. Lumi blows the hair from his eyes, while forcing a gap between them.
“You’re actually trying to kill me!” Lumi exclaims, panting heavily. He spins his spear confidently in his hands. “You are, aren’t you?!”
Rashid lets out an ominous laugh, his expression remaining blank and unreadable. “Kill ya? No, I’m certain Khimi would have my head.”
“We can stop now,” Lumi sighs, stepping back from Rashid as he catches his breath. “I-I have too much to live for…”
“No!”
Rashid dashes towards Lumi, his leather caligae grinding against the dirt and pebbles on the sandstone cliff. He slides into his attack, slashing aggressively at Lumi who struggles to defend himself against the sheer force of Rashid’s strikes. As they battle furiously, Lumi stumbles backwards and struggles to hold onto his spear as Rashid’s powerful swing smashes into the wooden handle. With considerable effort, Rashid pulls the blade out of the heartwood handle.
Lumi’s face changes from excitement to worry as Rashid presses him further back towards the stairs. “Where’s your fighting spirit?!” Rashid shouts with increasing intensity.
“You’re trying to kill me!”
“Swing at me!”
“No! You’ve lost it!” Lumi yells, deflecting another blow. “You’ve gone mad!”
Lumi thrusts his spear forward in quick jabs, each one getting closer and closer to landing a hit on Rashid. Sweat drips down his brow as he recalls the countless hours of training he had with Hasim. Although Hasim had used a variety of weapons, he had always favored scimitars during their sparring sessions. Instinctively, Lumi pushes forward and clashes his spear against Rashid’s shamshir. He notices a slight awkwardness in Rashid’s movements and takes advantage of it, feinting another thrust and causing Rashid to swing wide. Seizing the opportunity, Lumi quickly sweeps his spear wide and catches Rashid off guard. Rashid stumbles back, falling to one knee, he looks up at Lumi with a smile. Lumi points his spear at his chest.
“That was good, little lion. But we’re jus’ gettin’ started,” Rashid mumbles.
Lumi groans defiantly, feeling the strain of their sparring session.
The hours seem to pass by in a blur as they continue their intense training. The sky slowly darkens, the red sun setting behind the rocky cliffs, casting an orange glow over the landscape. Lumi is covered in layers of grime from a mixture of sweat and dust, while Rashid’s limp has become more pronounced and there is an awkwardness in his gait. They both show signs of exhaustion but continue on until they can no longer do so. Finally, Lumi falls to his knees, pretending to be completely drained of energy.
“Rashid, you’ve bested me!” he calls out with in mock defeat.
“Come now, ya would have had me twice over,” Rashid replies calmly.
“No…I can’t bear another moment!” Lumi exclaims dramatically. “I fear I am about to perish, Rashid!”
“Fine, there will be plenty of time on the ship to practice,” Rashid mutters before stretching and rolling his shoulders.
Lumi cheers mockingly, “I can’t wait.”
Getting up from his kneeling position, Lumi approaches Rashid slowly and extends a hand to help him up. Rashid takes it gratefully, gripping it tightly as he stands up with a cheerful glint in his eyes.
“Are you going to tell Khimi?” Lumi asks with a teasing grin playing on his lips. “About your health?”
Rashid grumbles while Lumi carefully escorts him to the stairs. “I can heal my wounds, but not the wear of age. Khimi doesn’t need to know about my health.”
“I won’t say a word,” Lumi promises, patting Rashid’s arm in reassurance. “Is the spear…for me? I rather liked it.”
Rashid gives Lumi a knowing look. “Course it is. Ya can still use the lighter spears for throwin’. If ya improve your strength, you could throw that one too… even if it’s not meant for it.”
As they reach the bottom of the stairs, Rashid winces as he lowers himself onto a dusty step carved into the ridge.
“Rashid…” Lumi whispers in concern. “Here, drink,” he instructs, bringing a waterskin from their belongings to Rashid’s lips.
Rashid drinks deeply, squeezing the leather pouch tightly as lukewarm water streams into his mouth. “Thanks,” he breathes between gulps. “I’ve been feeling overwhelmed since the Dolmans attacked.”
“Rashid…”
“No… let me finish.”
“Al-alright,” Lumi mutters, taking a seat beside Rashid on the dirty stair and staring at his feet. He starts slapping them together to remove the dust.
Rashid rolls his shoulder again, stretching before taking another drink from the waterskin. “I know ya have Khimi’s best intentions in y’re heart. But, Khimi thinks less around ya. He becomes rash and quick to make decisions without weighing their outcomes.”
“If you’re referring—”
“It’s not just the one time,” Rashid continues, interrupting Lumi. “There have been instances where ya have seduced him into acting out of character… it’s unlike him.”
“Seduced, huh?” Lumi asks with a raised eyebrow.
“Don’t know how else to phrase it,” Rashid chuckles. “Ya make em’ dumb.”
Lumi’s face scrunches up in disbelief. “Kh-Khimi is the smartest person I know!”
“I’m not sayin’ he isn’t smart, just sayin’ ya make him… less rational. I need ya to look out for him, Lumi. I won’t always be around to protect him. He’s a man full-grown now,” Rashid clarifies while gazing at the swaying palms in the gully.
“Khimi doesn’t need to think that much anyway,” Lumi says dismissively, waving his hand.
“I appreciate ya being with him, and I won’t do anything to keep ya apart. But I have to express my concern for the Cerulean Star,” Rashid says, glancing sideways at Lumi. “But… Khimi’s happiness will always be my first concern. He’s never had feelings for anyone before, so this bond ya both share… it’s special. Protect it, protect him.”
Lumi remains silent, picking at the dirt on his sarouel while carefully considering Rashid’s words. Rashid pats him on the shoulder before falling silent as well.
A cool sea breeze gently caresses their skin, carrying the scents and smells of the docks through the narrow gully. The familiar tang of saltwater mingles with the pungent aroma of freshly caught fish and the smoky scent of nearby fires. As the sun begins to set, lanterns in the surrounding buildings flicker to life, casting a warm glow against the fading light.
“Khimi is the only thing I have to protect,” Lumi finally manages. His eyes focused on a frayed thread on his linen trousers. He picks and tugs at the loose string. “Rashid, I love him. I know it doesn’t seem like it has been that long… but I have always loved him. But—”
“I’ve seen romances that blossom into marriages within days, by all means, I don’t believe y’re going too quick,” Rashid interrupts. “But I do believe that y’re Khimi’s weakness, so I’d just simply ask ya, Lumi. To care for ‘em. If ya truly care about Khimi, love ‘em with all y’r heart.”
Lumi looks up at Rashid, tears welling up in his eyes. “I will always love him,” he declares with conviction.
“Good,” Rashid replies, his tone final. “Then we have nothing else to discuss…”
“Wait!”
“Hm? Something else?” Rashid asks. Pushing himself up with a heavy grunt, he turns back to Lumi.
“I-I… thanks,” Lumi whispers.
“For the spear?”
“For the spear… for being kind to Khimi. He told me how much you mean to him. How you’ve been like a father figure throughout his childhood. He told me about Ziad and Aleyna,” Lumi whispers, his voice faltering.
Rashid clicks his tongue. “Khimi had a rough life. Ziad certainly affected his psyche. I feared he would become mute… the year after Ziad left, he barely spoke a word.”
“Khimi told me the other night… he was scared Ziad may have returned. Do you think it’s true?” Lumi asks, gauging the elderly man’s expression.
Rashid places his hand over his eyes. “Hells, ya tell each other everything?”
“Just about,” Lumi murmurs, “or at least I try to.”
“Well then… I do. I believe that he may have returned briefly,” Rashid whispers softly.
Lumi looks at Rashid with concern. “Then…Aleyna? Should we go to Sidi?”
Rashid sighs loudly, leaning back over the stairs. “I am concerned for Aleyna, but my sworn duty is to—”
“Then you should go to Aleyna!” Lumi interjects, standing from the stairs. “If Ziad is there… Khimi told me about how he treated Aleyna!”
“Lumi…” Rashid replies delicately, trying to defuse the situation. “I will go to Aleyna. As soon as I see Khimi safely off to the Isles, I will attend to her health shortly afterward.” He takes a deep breath before adding, “In fact, I was planning to take some time away from Khimi’s service for a while…”
“What?!” Lumi exclaims in surprise, his eyes widening. “It wasn’t because of me, was it?”
Rashid chuckles. “Aye, just a few moments with ya were enough to scare a warden from his ward.”
“You’re joking, right?!” Lumi says, narrowing his eyes at the elderly man.
“Of course,” Rashid replies with a twinkle in his eye. “No matter how hard you might try, Lumi, you can’t scare me off that easily.”
“Rashid,” Lumi begins. He stands and takes Rashid’s arm, aiding him down the stairs. “How old are you?”
Rashid scoffs at the question. “I was old before Khimi’s birth,” he quips.
Lumi smirks. “You’re not that old… I think you’re just fakin’ it.”
Rashid lets out a deep belly laugh. “Tell me how you feel after serving as a paladin for twenty-five years,” he retorts good-naturedly. “And then spending over a decade hunting down Khimi in the Desert Cities.”
“Twenty-five years isn’t that long,” Lumi replies dismissively. “And Khimi was a good child, I’m sure.” He grins up at Rashid with admiration and respect.
Rashid rolls his eyes playfully before responding with a sigh, “Khimi may have been an ideal child, but raising him definitely had its fair share of complications.”
“Oh! You’ve piqued my interest,” Lumi says, walking through the deep gully towards the small harbor. “What kind of kid was he?”
“He was a quiet one, but with a hint of adventure in his spirit. I remember teaching him how to ride a horse when he was just three years old,” Rashid reminisces. A wistful look crosses his face before he continues, “Khimi had a habit of running away from home often. I always managed to find him before Ziad realized he was missing.”
“Hmph! I knew he was a troublemaker,” Lumi begins, “I knew he couldn’t be that perfect!” His laughter rings out at Rashid’s recollection.
“I’d always find him in places like this… quiet places where he could think… his face always somber, like he was lost in his head.” Rashid continues along the path, his voice thoughtful. “Khimi gave his tutors more trouble than me, though. He has an inquisitive mind. Like ya said, Khimi is smart… but he lacks wisdom in certain fields.”
“Such as?” Lumi pleads, guiding Rashid over a wooden bridge towards the harbor.
“Khimi has a way about him. He understands concepts and has studied them, but applying them into practice can be difficult for him,” Rashid says, glancing at Lumi out of the corner of his eyes. “From what I can tell, ya have the opposite sort of scenario goin’ on.”
Lumi scratches his head. “I guess, I don’t know a lot of stuff… but I can usually figure things out pretty quickly… and Saint Nina said I was a really quick study.”
“Precisely. Ya have the wisdom to apply concepts, while Khimi has the intelligence to know them,” Rashid grumbles just before they near the entrance of the harbor.
“Rashid, can I ask you something?” Lumi hesitates.
“Depends.”
“I feel… we had a strange start. Do you hate me?”
Rashid pauses just past one of the many mudbrick buildings. He shakes his head at Lumi, turning to face him. “The moment Khimi met ya, he seemed happier. I was happy to see him happy for the first time in his life… but ya also showed me some concerning—”
“Which?” Lumi blinks, looking dejected.
“Y’re emotional, full of rage, and impulsive. When I told Khimi… after that evening, I wasn’t expecting him to tell ya anything,” Rashid says. He shakes his head again. “I never expected that things would go that way, and for that I apologize. I feel partly responsible for everything that happened after.”
Lumi sighs softly. “I think…” he begins, choosing his words carefully, “we should put that behind us. If anything, it made Khimi and I appreciate each other more. So perhaps… you have my thanks.”
Rashid scowls at Lumi. “Don’t patronize me. I know when I’ve made a mistake.”
“Please, Rashid—”
“Don’t”
Lumi’s shoulders drop, his ears flattening slightly. “Rashid, it’s okay. Really. Khimi and I are stronger for what happened.”
“Then ya forgive me in earnest?” Rashid asks, giving Lumi a curious peek through the corner of his eye.
Lumi kicks his feet through the sand, thoughtful. “I do… at least, I think I do.”
Rashid sits in silence for a moment. “It’s better than nothing, I suppose.”
A flicker of mischief sparks in Lumi’s eyes. “How about this? I’ll treat you to dinner, so you know I mean it.”
Rashid’s eyebrows shoot up in surprise. “What? Impossible! You don’t have any coin!”
“Right,” Lumi says to himself, scratching his chin. “Well, I offered at least,” he says with a shrug. “That’s a start, right?”
Rashid exhales. “I suppose it is.”
The Emerald Shoal
Night settles over the coastal town, the sky a canvas of deep indigo, joined by the glimmer of distant stars. The tavern, nestled close to the bustling docks, roars with life; ashvan[1] sailors from a proud Lorian galleon, too cumbersome to fully dock, fill the establishment with their boisterous revelry. Laughter and song spill from the open windows, mingling with the salty sea breeze and the scent of fresh ale. Beneath the small walled porch at the tavern’s entrance, Lumi and Rashid sit alone, the glow of hanging lanterns casting flickering shadows over their faces. Tiny painted pots, bursting with fragrant herbs, line the walls in neat rows, their vibrant reds, blues, and yellows a stark contrast to the worn wood and mud walls. Lumi finds himself drawn to them, admiring the simple beauty.
The night has been long and filled with drinks, many rounds shared between them, but Lumi’s love for spirits knows no bounds. Rashid teases him mercilessly, jabbing at his lack of restraint. Though the comments grate on his nerves, Lumi offers only a forced smile, willing to endure if it means solidifying the fragile truce between them. Their peace is suddenly shattered by an eruption of shouts from within the tavern. A burst of energy surges through the building, turning heads and sending a ripple of excitement through the crowd. Lumi grips his wooden cup and hurries toward the entrance, his sharp ears twitching at the commotion.
The ashvan sailors stand in a circle, shoulder to shoulder, shouting and cheering. Lumi pushes a small barrel beneath the window and stands on top of it. He notices Raife, Soad, and Zaeem nearby, but none of them are at the center of the impromptu ring. Instead, two halflings circle each other, each wielding a blade. The tavern keeper and his employees attempt to quiet the crowd and separate them, but with little success. Lumi calls for Rashid, and the elderly man hobbles over, placing his hand on the barrel.
“Rashid!” he calls, his voice urgent over the shouts.
The old man grumbles, hobbling to his side, placing a steadying hand on the barrel as he follows Lumi’s gaze.
“What in the hells is goin’ on in there?” Rashid mutters.
“Looks like a halfling fight,” Lumi whispers.
Rashid laughs at Lumi’s words. “A halfling fight?”
“Yeah, they seem really intense! Look at ‘em!” Lumi says, struggling to keep his balance on top of a barrel.
Rashid steadies the barrel as Lumi leans over, trying to get a better view. “What’re ya seeing up there?” he asks with a chuckle.
“The brown haired one looks really mad, but it’s hard to see over all those sailors. C-can we go in?” Lumi asks, pressing against the window.
“I’d rather not get involved in that kind of thing,” Rashid replies, grabbing onto Lumi’s ankles. “And I don’t think Khimi would approve.”
Lumi looks down at Rashid, his cheeks flush from drink. “S-shut up,” he musters with a laugh. “What Khimi doesn’t know won’t hurt him!”
Lumi chuckles, watching the halflings dart about the circle. They feint swings left and right, and the crowd shouts bawdy taunts and jeers. Raife bounces up and down on his heels, his drooping ears flapping merrily. Ashvan figures exchange handfuls of coins behind one another’s backs, placing bets on the winner. Curious of what could have spurred such an event, Lumi steps from the barrel and darts to the door of the Emerald Shoal, shoving his way past a small gaggle of bystanders. The tall, blond sailors move out of the way for Lumi with his aggressive nudges against them. He finds himself beside Raife, who shakes his head in disbelief once he spots Lumi beside him.
“Nice to see you without your other half, Lumi!” Raife shouts over the noise. He slings an arm around Lumi’s shoulder. “Looks like we stumbled upon something special here!”
“What’s going on?!” Lumi asks eagerly, standing on his toes to get a better look.
“From what I can gather… that halfling over there slept with the black-haired one’s wife,” Raife explains, gesturing towards a large woman in the corner.
“What?!” Lumi exclaims, glancing at the massive woman with a kerchief over her nose. “I guess she has a type,” he mutters, observing the domuzi[2] woman mourn over the incident.
Lumi had only seen a few domuzi throughout his travels, once in a temple and again in Rhaz, but this woman was unlike any he had ever encountered. She likely weighed five times his weight and had muscles that rivaled some of the fiercest aslan warriors.
Soad leans in beside Raife. “You’re absolutely right about that. A true curiosity!” He chuckles, then whispers, “It’s almost like watching one of those traveling troupes, like Cirque du Fortuna.”
“Shouldn’t someone get a guard or something?” Lumi asks the men surrounding him.
Raife and Soad exchange a careful glance before responding, “And spoil all the fun?!”
“But someone could get hurt!” Lumi protests. He pauses thoughtfully. “Actually… I guess I would be feeling the same as them.”
Raife gives Lumi a nod. “There we go! Now, who do you think is gonna get the first stab?”
Lumi watches the two halflings, one wearing a stable hand’s jerkin and the other in an apron, wielding a kitchen cleaver. One is probably the cook and has a better sense of using a knife. On the other hand… the stable hand is likely much stronger. He watches them with thoughtful curiosity. The chef skillfully and dexterously swings his cleaver, while the stable hand leaps forward, thrusting his dirk impatiently. The stable hand’s brow and cheeks are flush, his face.
“The cook,” Lumi says abruptly. “He’s calm… could he be the husband?”
Soad laughs knowingly. “I believe she was married to the stable hand… but he stormed in here with his wife right behind him.”
“So the cook made a cuck of the stable hand?” Raife says to himself, watching the melee with an occasional jubilant cheer. “Sounds ‘bout right. All the cooks I know think they are the greatest things on Talmus.”
Rashid approaches from behind Lumi and places a firm hand on his shoulder. The brawl continues unabated, the two halflings locked in a fierce struggle for dominance.
Rashid frowns disapprovingly and mutters, “Senseless violence. Is no one going to intervene?”
Lumi hiccups and stumbles slightly, swaying as he turns to face Rashid. “Do you want to stop them?” he asks with a slurred speech.
Rashid surveys the rowdy crowd and lets out a long sigh. “Best not. We don’t want someone sticking a knife between our ribs.” The crowd roars with excitement and demands for bloodshed.
Raife whistles loudly, drawing attention to himself. “Do you think you can stop these two from killing each other?” he challenges Rashid.
Rashid scoffs. “I have no interest in getting involved.”
Soad leans in and playfully teases him, “I bet twenty gold you couldn’t stop them.”
Lumi’s ears perk up at the mention of gold. “I’ll do it for fifty!” he declares confidently.
Rashid groans. “Where is Khimi?” he asks himself aloud. “Don’t you dare, Lumi.”
Zaeem approaches with a mug of ale for Lumi. “If you can actually get those two idiots to quit fighting, I’ll give you the gold right now,” he offers. “And Raife and I will throw in our share as well. But I highly doubt you can stop them.”
Lumi smirks back, taking the ale from Zaeem’s hand and sipping on it casually. “Does it matter how I do it?” he asks nonchalantly, gesturing towards the ongoing fight.
The three men burst into laughter before Raife slaps Lumi on the shoulder. “We shall leave that up to you,” he says with a grin.
Lumi chokes on his ale as Raife’s hand connects with his shoulder. After clearing his throat, he responds with a confident tone, “Well then… I’ll see what I can do!”
Rashid rolls his eyes and shakes his head at the foolishness of the men. “If anything happens to him, it’s on your heads,” he scolds them sternly. “He’s not all there at the moment…”
Rashid’s words are drowned out, Lumi pushes past the two large ashvan sailors standing before him, bursting through the crowd. People eye him skeptically while he carelessly walks between the two halflings, extending his hands at each of them. The halflings lower their weapons, staring at him. A lengthy silence follows. Lumi glances back and forth between the two, waiting for either of them to act first. Members of the crowd holler and jeer at Lumi, booing him to get out of the ring. Raife chuckles with the other men, and Rashid’s eyes fill with worry. In his drunken stupor, Lumi feels alert and awake. He ignores the calls and screams from the crowd.
The halfling in stable livery stumbles as he tries to push past Lumi, but Lumi is quicker, his hand snaps out, gripping the man’s wrist and redirecting his momentum straight back into the throng of onlookers. The crowd erupts in laughter and jeers as the stable hand crashes into them, knocking over drinks and earning himself a few choice curses in return. The cook, still bristling with fury, locks eyes with Lumi, his scowl deepening into something murderous. With a wild howl, he lunges, blade flashing downward in a vicious arc. Lumi pivots smoothly, his tail flicking behind him to keep his balance. The steel sings past his shoulder, missing by a hair. Before the cook can recover, Lumi whips his arm up in a sharp, backhanded strike. His knuckles collide with the halfling’s jaw with a brutal crack, sending him reeling. The cook stares up at him, stunned, his rage momentarily replaced with pure disbelief. A string of furious curses erupts from the stable hand as he scrambles to his feet, ready to charge again. But Lumi remains still, unreadable, his golden eyes scanning the room. Every muscle is tense, ready. Just remember what Ennui said. ‘Don’t get distracted.’
“Hey! You!” The stable hand calls, waving his hand up at Lumi. “What’s the big deal? You want in on the action? You fuck my wife too?”
The thought of sleeping with the domuzi woman brings tears of laughter to Lumi’s eyes. He wipes the corners of his eyes, still grinning. “Hells,” he chuckles, shaking his head. “No, I just want you two to quit fighting!” His voice is almost too cheery for the situation, and he knows it.
The stable hand scoffs, dragging his sleeve across his sweaty brow. “Right. Well, ain’t gonna happen. And you’re in my fookin’ way.” He levels his dirk at Lumi, his stance shifting into something more aggressive.
The cook sneers, his face still red from Lumi’s earlier strike. “What’s your goal here, cat?!”
Lumi freezes. His tail curls, then fluffs out in rage, his ears flicking sharply. Cat?
His jaw tightens, fists clenching at his sides before he suddenly throws his head back and roars, or at least, he tries to. The sound that comes out is somewhere between a guttural yell and a drunken bellow, his voice cracking just slightly at the end. “I’M A LION!” Lumi shouts with all the pride and fury he can summon. But the effect is somewhat ruined when he immediately stumbles forward, catching himself just before toppling over.
The cook rolls his eyes. “Ikati, aslan, pantera, yer all the same to me,” he grumbles. “Now move, you little shit, before I put you on a spit and serve you up with potatoes!”
Lumi grumbles to himself, and the crowd laughs at their exchange. The cook meets Lumi with his cleaver in hand and makes a mock swing in front of him threateningly. Lumi feels the ground shaking, the stable hand dashes behind him. He turns, evading the halfling barreling towards him. Annoyed, Lumi kicks the back of the man’s knee, knocking him to the floor. The cook follows up once the stable hand falls to the floor, he swings the cleaver at Lumi, and cuts a large gash over Lumi’s shoulder, the cook howling with every voracious swing. Lumi backs away, dodging the cooks’ continuous swings. I should have kept my eyes on the cook.
The circle widens, the sailors move back from the crazed halflings. Lumi’s eyes grow wide with worry. Khimi pushes past two sailors. The cook continues to focus on Lumi, swinging at him repeatedly. I could have ended this before… but I didn’t want to hurt anyone. The stable hand pushes himself to his knees, looking up at Khimi passing him by. He shouts at Khimi for being in his way, yet finds himself ignored.
The room is filled with the raucous sounds of drunken sailors and the sweet smell of spiced rum. Lumi’s head spins from the alcohol, but his eyes remain fixed on Khimi, towering behind the cook with a devious smirk playing on his lips as he meets Lumi’s gaze. Without warning, the cook lunges at Lumi with a gleaming cleaver in hand, but Khimi swiftly grabs hold of the cook’s arm. With an effortless movement, Khimi lifts the cook off the ground and delivers a swift kick from behind, sending the halfling crashing to the floor with a resounding thud. The tavern falls silent, all eyes trained on the scene unfolding before them in shock and horror.
Khimi turns to Lumi with genuine concern in his voice. “You alright?” he asks as he continues to apply pressure on the screaming cook’s arm. His lips are graced with a smirk as he pulls back on the arm until there is a sickening pop. The dislocation sends a shiver of excitement through Lumi, only to be followed by a second echoing snap as the cook’s bone breaks, causing the flush in Lumi’s cheeks to deepen with arousal. Despite Khimi’s violent actions, Lumi can’t help but feel giddy and elated. The linen shirt draping over Khimi’s muscular frame hangs open loosely, revealing his scarred yet flawless chest. His face is like a work of art, every line and contour captivating and beautiful.
Khimi shakes his head in disbelief and covers his face with his palm, muttering, “You’re drunk.” There is a hint of embarrassment in his tone as he releases the cook.
The cook scrambles past the legs of the sailors, holding onto his injured shoulder and howling in pain. The stable hand, having watched the entire display, rushes through the crowd to his wife’s side.
Slowly but surely, the circle of spectators begins to disperse, sailors booing and shouting in disappointment at the abrupt end to their entertainment. As Lumi places a hand against his warm cheek, feeling the effects of intoxication take over, he mutters, “Where did you come from?” Then offers a quick apology and a deep bow of his head.
Khimi simply laughs. “You always manage to find trouble,” he says as he approaches Lumi and takes hold of his arm. “I hope you didn’t start this mess.”
“No, no!” Lumi growls defensive, pulling away from Khimi’s grasp. “They were fighting and I was trying to break it up—”
“And he was challenged to intervene,” Rashid interrupts, shooting a glare behind him.
Khimi shakes his head in amusement. “What a mess,” he murmurs as he examines the deep gash on Lumi’s shoulder. “Can you heal it?”
“I’ll do it,” Rashid offers, hobbling towards them. “He’s had too much to drink too quickly. Can’t even recite a proper incantation, most likely.”
Lumi squirms away from Rashid’s approaching hands, his eyes narrowed in annoyance. “I can handle it myself!” he declares, pulling away.
“Fine, do it y’rself then.” Rashid shrugs, giving up as Lumi presses his hand over the bloody wound on his shoulder.
Lumi gently squeezes, pulling him back to reality in the crowded tavern. He closes his eyes, trying to block out the overwhelming noise and focus on the sharp pain in his shoulder. As he does so, the rest of the room fades away into a bright white light. The crackling of flames fills his ears and the distinct smell of burning ash invades his senses. A soft warmth envelops him as a soothing blue light forms over the gash in his shoulder. The skin begins to knit itself back together, aided by the healing magick coursing through Lumi’s body.
When he opens his eyes again, the room is still spinning from his dizziness. “Is something burning?” he asks, wrinkling his nose at the lingering smell.
Rashid responds with a laugh, “Probably just y’r damned brain.”
Khimi shakes his head disapprovingly but adds, “You’re getting quicker at that, Lumi.” He takes Lumi’s hand in his own and gently guides him towards their table. “You need to eat.”
“We were waiting for you and Ennui,” Lumi replies and shifts on his feet.
Soad, Raife, and Zaeem push through the dispersing crowd towards them. The three are laughing and cheering as they approach Lumi. Raife immediately places a hand on top of Lumi’s head, ruffling his feathery hair. Lumi half-heartedly tries to fix it as he looks up at his friends. “Well… they quit fighting,” he whispers sheepishly.
“They certainly did,” Raife agrees with a chuckle, pushing his drooping ears back beneath his head wrap. “I suppose we ought to pay you now.”
Zaeem joins in with a laugh and produces a small leather pouch from his pocket. “Here is my part,” he says as he extends it towards Lumi.
But Khimi is quick to intercept, placing his hand over Zaeem’s. “We appreciate the thought, but Lumi is always happy to help,” he says firmly.
“We insist,” Raife chimes in, counting out the coins and returning them to the pouch before tossing it to Lumi.
Khimi sighs, clearly trying to dissuade his friends’ generosity. “We appreciate your kindness, but we are doing well enough on our own. Lumi, please return their gold.”
But Raife waves him off with a grin. “Keep it, Lumi. You deserve it.”
Lumi shoots a questioning glance at Khimi from the corner of his eyes. “Thank you all for your generosity,” he says with a slight bow of his head. “I’m sorry—”
“No need for apologies!” Soad interjects with a hearty laugh. “It was quite entertaining to watch you take down those two fools. I’ve never seen anyone move quite like that.”
Khimi looks over at the three men. “I had figured you three would have been long gone by now.”
“Things didn’t quite go as planned,” Raife says, looking at the other two men. “We were supposed to go back through the desert… but it seems the route is waylaid with bandits from what we’ve heard,” he says, looking about the room.
Zaeem continues, “So we hired some Lorians to drop us off in Rhaz, then we’ll hire a boat at the Western Docks to take us to Porat from there,” he says with a heavy sigh as he finishes. “It’s not the trek we were hoping for, and we unloaded many of our wares, but better safe than dead.”
Rashid gracefully gestures to an empty table, his warm brown eyes inviting. “Perhaps we should continue this conversation over a meal?” he offers.
Khimi glances back at Lumi, his expression gentle. “Yes, please allow me to pay. It’s the least I can do after hearing about your troubles,” he replies, gesturing toward the table.
Lumi takes Khimi’s arm affectionately, whispering softly, “Should I return the gold?” he asks, leaning against him.
Khimi whispers in reply, “I don’t like taking coin from strangers.” He scratches between Lumi’s ears lovingly. “But it’s ultimately your decision.”
The group of six finds their seats around a round wooden table etched with intricate carvings. Various plates of appetizers—olives, sliced citrus fruits, and stuffed grape leaves.
Ennui soon joins them, settling gracefully between Rashid and Lumi. She crosses her legs, her gaze sweeping over the table before reaching for a morsel. “Causing quite a stir are we?” she comments, taking Lumi’s drink from the table and sipping it delicately.
Lumi closes his eyes briefly and takes a deep breath before responding unsteadily, “N-no,” he stammers before plucking an olive from the plate and popping it into his mouth confidently. “I didn’t start anything,” he adds with a slight tilt of his head.
“It was my fault!” Raife interjects with a chuckle, giving Ennui a curious look before raising his hands in surrender. “I didn’t think he would actually go through with it though,” he admits with a sheepish grin.
Khimi gives Lumi a gentle yet stern look from the corner of his eye. “Well, no one got hurt in the end… so no harm done,” he says with a reassuring nod.
“I had heard quite the commotion. By the time I arrived, all the excitement was over,” Ennui muses under her breath while swirling her drink in her glass. “I was hoping to see something more thrilling,” she adds with a hint of disappointment.
Rashid scoffs at her words. “Nothing too exciting happened. Lumi simply knocked around some halflings, and Khimi nearly broke one’s arm.”
“Hmph! I would have loved to witness that,” Ennui mutters with a mischievous glint in her eye.
Soad leans in closer from across the table. “He gave ’em quite a beating. I thought for sure the cook’s arm was going to come off!”
“It really wasn’t much pressure,” Khimi reassures them modestly, shaking his head.
Lumi turns to Khimi with admiration in his eyes. “Don’t let him fool you! He was incredible!”
Ennui leans in closer to the group, looking around with curiosity. “It was just a halfling after all, not much trouble for someone like you.”
“Ennui!” Rashid reprimands sternly, his wrinkled brow furrowing. “Their size has nothing to do with their strength and talents! You know this!”
“It was all in good fun, Rashid!” Ennui retorts playfully, rolling her eyes at him. She casually props her feet up on the table with a smirk. “Besides, I know a dwarf who can outmatch any of us here,” she adds with a knowing wink directed at Rashid.
Rashid mouths curses under his breath to himself, leaning back in his chair with crossed arms.
Raife absentmindedly shakes a handful of dried nuts. “We heard about what happened in the arena. A shame we didn’t get to witness it.”
Soad scratches his head, his curiosity piqued. “How did you guys end up in that predicament?” he asks.
“Well…” Ennui sighs before answering, “I can’t say for sure, but Lumi stumbled upon the lion… and the rest is history.”
“Right…” Zaeem begins. He looks about them uncomfortably. “I’d heard that someone freed it. Was it you lot?”
Rashid avoids eye contact, turning to Ennui instead. “We had no part in that!”
“And,” Ennui leans in, a hint of defiance in her voice. “And if we did? What of it?”
Raife quickly raises his hands defensively. “Nothing of it!”
Lumi chuckles, leaning forward on the table with his chin resting on his mug of ale. “I could hear the lion from the center of town,” he says, taking a sip of the foamy drink.
“Ah, you could hear because of your ears, right?” Soad asks. “Wish I had me some fancy ears.”
“Right,” Lumi replies. “And, so I followed his roars,” he pauses, hiccuping loudly. “I found him down beneath the arena… he was sick. I could hear he was upset.” He pauses again, his voice fading to a whisper. “I told him I would help him.”
Soad laughs. “So you willingly put yourself in danger to save a beast?”
Khimi reaches his hand along Lumi’s back, his fingertips brushing along his spine. “Lumi has a kind heart,” he says, glancing across the table defensively. “He’s much gentler than most.”
“You say that,” Ennui interjects with a laugh. “I’ve seen him be anything but gentle.”
Lumi playfully drums his fingers on the table. “Gentle most of the time,” he corrects Ennui.
Rashid rolls his eyes. “With a violent streak.”
“Either way,” Khimi whispers, “he’s got a soft heart. Especially when it comes to animals,” he says to the table.
“They’re better than most people,” Lumi offers in response.
Soad and Zaeem exchange curious glances before Raife steers the conversation in another direction. “So then, what do you eat, if I might ask?” he asks. “As a lapine, certain types of meat… just don’t sit right with me, but I don’t fault people for hunting rabbits.”
Lumi takes a sip of his ale before answering, “I enjoy most types of fish, though I do have a love for meat. But I would never eat a cat.”
“Curious,” Ennui replies, nodding her head absently, “I’d consider eating a devil. Just to see what they taste like.”
“Cannibal,” Rashid chokes as he spills his drink at her statement.
“Rashid,” Khimi says with a look of reproach. “We are lucky that we don’t have to worry about our food choices.”
Raife jeers, “I’d hardly say cat is standard game,”
Soad pipes up, pulling on his ear nervously. “Well… I’ve been to places where they eat cats.”
Lumi’s brow raises. “That is horrible—”
“Uncivilized,” Raife agrees, interrupting Lumi. “But is eating a rabbit any more civilized?”
Zaeem turns to face Raife. “I’ll make sure not to eat rabbit in front of you… but I do enjoy the taste.”
“Hells!” Raife covers his eyes with his hands dramatically, exclaiming, “Just don’t tell me when you’re eating it, and we’re good!”
Ennui sighs. “How about we change the topic to something else.”
“Right,” Rashid agrees, looking around the table. “I think we can all eat fish then… unless one of you is a damned sahaugin.”
The table picks up casual conversation for hours. Eventually, Raife, Soad, and Zaeem bid their farewells, thanking Khimi for the delicious meal and expressing the hope to meet again in the future. Khimi pulls Lumi’s chair closer, resting his arm around his shoulder. Exhausted, Lumi leans against him and slowly drifts off to sleep as the chatter fades into the background.
[1]Ashva (AHSH-vah): Beastkin with the traits of horses.
[2] Domuzi(Doh-MOO-zee): Beastkin with the traits of swine. In some parts of Talmus, they are regarded as orcs.