The cage doors flung across the room. As the bulky man raced through with the strength of a raged hippo. Everyone was shocked and still caught in the moment. Chainik spotted him as her long hair flicked through the air. Everything was moving slowed down. She had never seen him display this pit of rage before. In her stomach butterflies bloomed seeing his bravery. Tannol still latched onto the girl’s arm, was met with a powerful punch to his chest plate. The blow sending him back a few paces, slumping him on the walls. Klossi turned over to Frinnist who spat out his drink amidst the brawl. He then raised his arm, trying to grab the sneaky man. In retaliation Frinist raced up, drawing his sword, and putting it to his throat. Stopping his ambush. “We’ve been through this before….” He muttered chuckling in his language. Klossi froze in the spot, gritting his teeth. His muscles tensed and his fist shaking with the fury of a hundred men. Tannol got his strength back and drew his arms too. Raising it to his throat too, he glared over at Frinist. Jerking his eyebrows. “Am fed up of this witty Caciccaci slave!” he jeered, spitting in his face. Klossi growled like a beast, he desperately wanted to kill this man with all his might. His eyes bulged like a aggrieved lion, he wanted to rip the deprived man to pieces if he could. Tannol raised his sword away, ready to smite Klossi down. Seeing this Klossi closed his eyes, ready to pass on. Chainik screamed out “Nooooo! Klossi noooo!” He pushed her back, removing her from harms way. If it's my time to go, then it’s my time. “Make sure you live to see my family!” he muttered at Chainik. Chainik paused as she fell to the floor. Her arms stretched out, her dress dampened and dirty. “How pretty you are, I wish we had met at different points. Maybe…. then maybe…” he cried, refraining from looking at her. “Don’t say that! You’re the kindest, man I’ve met. If you are to die now, I will come too…..Klossi!!” she answered weeping as tears and snot glided down her face. Klossi opened his eyes to spot her, wrapping her hands around his waist. Crying deeply, her head pressed down on his broad chest. He towered before her, with his immense height. “Now that I get to feel and embrace you. It can’t be the same moment that I have to lose you!” Tannol sighed seeing this emotional display. The two jested at them, throwing sneers and jokes at the deplorable miserable couple. His bitter mood shifted and returned, pissing him off even more. Deep down Tannol felt some weird spite and jealousy of Klossi. Klossi rubbed her back and head. “So beautiful, don’t let these devils ruin your soul…” he cried out, as he couldn’t contain his emotions any longer. Tannol grew fed up, he swung his sword he shouted out triumphantly. Frinist’s eyes shined with excitement, happy to see this pesky man finally about to be slain. Chainik screeched as loud as she could fearing for his life. Amid the wilderness, the group took careful steps ahead. All collapsing to the ground, taking the grains of sand into the hands. The sun cleared up, bringing a soft warmth to the posse. The sword flew reaching close to him. Klossi and Chainik chanted out a prayer, defencelessly. “STOPPP!!!!!” A loud hoarse voice roared out, filling the room. Tannol paused in mid-air. He swore at the top of his voice, angered by the sudden interruption. Klossi opened his eyes, his sweat rolled off his forehead kissing the tip of the sword. Tannol panted angrily and frantically. Pacing around, playing with his sword, looking down on the couple. The two held each other's hands praying. Down the stairs came a man, crushing the ground before him. He stopped at the end spotting the bruised and tortured couple. Shoving them to the side, he stood in front of Tannol. Frinist now shook, dropped his sword, and fell back on his chair. He gulped his throat down as he felt nervous, tensing his fist. The huge man gazed over at the broken gate, then over at Klossi who held a panicking thankful Chainik in his arms. Then he turned back to Tannol with a pissed glance. Squinting his eyes at him scornfully. He marked his eyes at the table, piecing together what had transpired around. Tannol fumbled trying to speak out to him. Klossi watched attentively at the scene as it transpired. Chainik viewed him, pulling him down to kiss his forehead. The two hugged and gave thanks to the Śeingtt, that he had survived the narrow escape. “Sir, sir….. I, I ….” The revered man nodded his head mimicking his words. Before he snapped his fingers together. “SO, you planned to kill the only translator! Available in this godforsaken land…!” “Filled with termites, beetles, snakes & scorpions. Do you know the detriment you were bound to place the Great Tal Morenn Empire Army in!!!” he shouted fiercely. Tannol tried to answer but was cut off by Frinist who just tapped his chest. Shutting him up. Lieutenant Nal’nick had on a giant scuffed Breastplate. Two iron plated gauntlets with two spaulders moulded to look like crazed badgers. On his back was a long red cape that had a white fur of a skunk on it. His whole appearance frightened men. He held a stern look, radiating his anger. His head held white hair and his face was wrinkled and spoilt. Revealing he was an aged man. Riddled with moles. He had a long giant anchor type beard on his face. But his charisma and pompous attitude dominated every room he stepped in. “Lieutenant…. we’re…. we’re sorry… you see….” Frinist tried defending their actions. “Insolence!! speak when spoken to! How dare you address your Lieutenant of the Royal Tal Morenn Empire. Commissioned by the Tal Morenn Family personally! To take upon colonizing these barren lands. Tasked to find the Sel’nijj, the illustrious lake of wonder! & subgating these barbaric sand dwellers.” Klossi and Chainik’s ears sharpened once they heard the lake. Hear it was again, mention of it. They wondered just how these foreign invaders had learned of it. Such a thing was taboo, and yet they boasted of their claims of it. Like they were entitled to the Linniq. The men buried their heads down in scorn. Klossi smirked at this sight, seeing Tannol's submissiveness stroked his ego. Tannol caught him and gritted his teeth, hiding his anger. Now is the time. This is my opportunity! Klossi gawked down at the sobbing scared Chainik. Rubbing her face, he smiled at her. Nodding at her, she composed herself. Reading his thoughts. He had a plan, and she was going to help him fulfill it. Taking two steps forward. He stuck out his chest, coughing out and speaking in a loud voice. “Kradsheikk …tkal ….” He stuttered trying to change to their tongue. The lieutenant span back, glaring at him with a look of hate and sneer. Klossi reaffirmed his tone with confidence. Chainik held his hand, trusting in him and his ability to negotiate. “If you want any hopes of finding the lake, you’ll need us alive! No, better yet you’ll need to commission us in the army!” The Lieutenant was perplexed at the Audacity of this slave. Scanning him, reassessing how exactly he came to speak like this. “You muster the strength to resist for this long. Better yet to learn and speak our language. Your smart, I’ll give you that. If it were up to me, you’d be dead. You clearly possess strength hidden to us” he announced in a proud stern manner. Glancing over at the Broken Gate. Klossi turned his head to gaze over at it. At that moment, the lieutenant tried to stab his face, but Klossi’s instincts kicked in. Shielding the blow with his hand as he gripped the sword. His face filled with determination and drive, he pulled Chainik up close as tight as ever. She felt like a baby bear masked and shielded. Worried and concerned. She mustered her strength picking up Frannist’s sword and raising it to his face. Frannist tried to grab and steal it from her but she resisted, slashing and cutting his arm. Before prying it upon him again. He wailed out in agony as The Lieutenant smirked and laughed at the two’s will. Tannol was shocked he was getting ready to draw arms. When the Lieutenant Paused him. The light shone into the cellar bringing with it the morning day breeze. “I admire your passion to stay alive! Caciccacian, you utterly amaze me. To galvanize the people… to save this useless girl. To stop my sword…” “I do what I must to survive is all! All I ask is a minute of your time…..” he confidently replied. Then Lieutenant lowered his sword, sheathing it and nodding to him. Klossi dropped his wet cut arm. Tapping Chainik to stop. Frinnist tried to grab the sword out of her hand and she hit him with the hilt, knocking him to the floor. “Fucker!!!” Rushing to get up in disbelief, the lieutenant shouted out “Stop!! You insolent worm! Wait outside at once…” Kneeling, he slowly raised himself. Making his way out the way, grinning and bumping into Klossi. Spitting on the ground next to him” Klossi took a deep sigh of breath. “From the Morin Sea to Now here Uun Eein. You’ve held me captive... now in these lands, your nation wants the Sel’nijj! Impossible, ridiculous, fictitious claim. It’ll never happen!!” Nal’nick’s temperament grew uneasy. “Not without a man like me…” “Why would I need you?? Besides the usual translations???” “I know the Śeinq that guard the lake, the priesthood they're estranged from these Ābid. You've been dealing with. Secluded and volatile to outsiders. They will lead us to the Sel’nijj!” “So, now you want to bargain your life after your expenses are nearly dried up…” “We can lead you to it…” “At what price…” “Our possible freedom...” “Hmmmm” Nal’nick hummed to himself. Then a smirk slithered up his face. “I can save you alone, what’s the use of the girl?" “She’s the way in! The people in the Capitol all know her”. “So??” Nal’nick was a smart man, he knew Klossi was up to something. He just couldn’t wrap his finger around it. “She speaks the native language of the Priestly sect. When we enter the next siege, which will happen soon. I believe, the translator you brought here is useless. The Ābid Uun Eein will never give up their lake. It's impossible, but if we strike a deal with the Priests, we will have access, before Tal Morenn has to go to war” Nal’nick rubbed his jaw thinking about Klossi assessment. He was amazed that with only two instances of entering and leaving his cage, he deduced this much. “You strike a good bargain, Caciccacian. If you weren’t a slave, surely I’d have some role for you in my army indeed!” “Fine, as circumstances show. We don’t want to go to war if needs be but will if Eein will not submit to our rule”. Klossi paused before answering. Kissing his teeth at the outlandish statement. His eyes changed, showing his malice to the army. “That’s a war you will never win. Either in spirit or in the flesh!” Nal’nick humbled himself, puzzled by his words. “Well. Whatever the case, I accept your deal for now. You shall accompany me to the camp where you will both be commissioned to find the Sel’nijj. You have a month and a half to prove your worth. If not, both your heads will roll!” He turned round in a flamboyant fashion, flicking out his cape. Signaling Tannol to follow him. He made his way up the stairs. Making his way outside. “Pack your things and come!” he commanded. Tannol paused to keenly stare down Klossi, squeezing his sword. He stormed off up the stairs following his master. The two left bellow gasped out, before laughing at the experience. Klossi hampered down, hugging, and picking up Chainik. Switching tongues, he spoke to her. “Now we go if we never see each other again. We shall meet in the next life for sure”. Chainik grasped him, refusing to let go. “We’ll make it, there’s no alternative. We must be together, live for each other. From today, never question your life again. Neither shall I. Let’s live once more. You for me, and I for you!”