_

Two laughs as they leave the audience with the woman. "You looked ridiculous! Like some doll they play dress up with!"

"Shut up."

"White with pink flowers! Not even a respectable color!"

She smacks him in the gut. "I said shut up."

"Oooo, is someone feeling jealous?" he taunts in arabyan.  "Your sheik sure had eyes for her, didn't he?"

"No," she pouts, crossing her arms over her chest.

"Liar. You two haven't even slept together yet and he's already eying someone else. Of course you're jealous."

"Rafiq shut up."

-

"It's what I said. It's feeling the pain and the blood blah blah blah. The feeling of cutting someone in her case. It's pleasure. Or do you not even know the mundane kind?" he snickers.

-

"Right now." Gath bites into a piece of meat and motions for Goddard to speak. 

"Yes well," Goddard clears his throat. "Aara. I just wanted you to know that I uh am happy that you're happy and no matter what, or who," he coughs and pauses.

An Argument of True Things

Two shakes his head, one hand making a small mudra. "No. Until now I have only served the one lord, and his business never took us from Araby."

Oasis Camping

"I am the best retainer you'll ever have, my lord."

"I'm not so sure about that," Goddard huffs and sits next to Gath even though he's annoyed with him. After a few moments of silently sitting with their arms crossed, Goddard sighs.

"Feeling better kuyash?"

Goddard laughs. "Wow...thanks...I'm the best oribhein you could ever serve because I'll let you get away with things like that. Let's get something to eat."

They walk toward the fire and sit across from Two. "You didn't poison this did you?" Gath asks.

Desert Camping

Aara watches Two as he pokes at the fire. Another responsibility. Why is he here? He should have known I wouldn't be able to refuse him. The comfort of a  fellow cadet, someone who looks and sounds like home. A home I don't really belong to anymore. How could I refuse someone willing to witness my life, whatever happens or wherever I go?

Someone willing to witness my death?

"Four, get off your ass."