The wind whispered through the light green leaves of bushes and stalks of tall grass as Runa and Antyza made their way further from the city of Ti’yan.

Despite being outside the city walls, they were still well within what would be considered the city. There were very few houses, and those they saw were farmhouses or small farm communities with huddled hutches. Most cities had fertile land for at least a few miles in any direction.

Those that didn’t or faced crop failure often ended up raiding their neighbors. Wars large and small were fought over vital resources such as food and water.

Runa had fought in the last war that Ti’yan had been involved in. The crops had begun failing and so the decision was made to raid Qir, the city to the north.

She shifted her bag on her shoulder which held her armor pieces. She would rather not think about that. It had been difficult and there were even talks about Prince Narran possibly leaving the city in case the lower castes revolted.

Runa tried to focus on other things. The breeze was cool on her face. They would need to find a good place to stay as the sun dipped lower. Even in the fertile belt it would be cold.

Antyza whistled, her poncho flapping in the wind as she walked beside Runa. They hadn’t talked much since leaving the city gates.

Her whistle trailed off and Runa was allowed some blessed silence only interrupted by the scuff of their feet on the packed dirt road.

Antyza flicked her gaze to Runa before settling it back on the road in front of them. “So how long have you been a Yeniczar?”

“You know we don’t have to talk, yes?” Runa frowned at Antyza.

Antyza’s face fell to a frown. “I’m just making small talk.”

“Yeah? Well perhaps we should walk in silence and when we do talk it can be about things that matter.” Runa scoffed. “Hmm? Is that something you can do?”

“You expect me to not talk to you the entire journey?” Antyza looked at her, her frown deepening.

Runa rounded on the shorter woman. “I expect you to be silent when I say so.” She poked a finger into Antyza’s chest. “You have very little reverence for what I am and what it means.” The face of the blue woman wore a mask of shock. “You pry and jab and you show me no respect!”

Antyza shoved her lightly. “Yes! I jab and I pry! Alright?”

Runa felt shocked that the woman would even dare touch her let alone shove her.

“I haven’t had a meaningful conversation with anyone for three years!” Runa could see the woman growing a shade of purple as blood rushed to her face. “Three years! I’ve been locked up in a cage like a beast!” She turned and began walking off. “Now come on. You don’t want me to speak? Fine. Then let’s get this over with.”

Runa watched as Antyza walked away before she found that her feet were steadily moving her body along to keep up, falling into stride with Antyza.

Runa’s chest felt tight. She didn’t regret what she had said. It needed to be said. Antyza had no reverence for what Runa was. But her chest still felt tight.

They didn’t speak for the remainder of the day until they settled for the night.

They had passed out of the fertile lands around Ti’yan and entered the dried and cracked land that stretched for miles in every direction. They were lucky to find a large rock that hung over a dip in the ground, giving them shade and possible protection from the wind.

Antyza crouched over a fire pit they had dug. Dry branches were stacked carefully in the hole. She used a steel band and a flint rock to shower sparks into the dried twigs, blowing on the embers.

Runa sat cross-legged with her back against the rock, sharpening her sword. The tightness in her chest hadn’t abated. She had been thinking about it with the quiet time she had after their fight, as they continued their hike.

“Your sister seemed nice.” Runa focused on studying her blade as she ran the sharpening stone along its length.

Antyza blew onto the sparks, the orange glow illuminating her face. “Yeah, she was always the good girl. Always pleasing people.” Her gaze flicked up to Runa as flames began to catch the kindling. “You would know. You saw how she was around you.”

Runa shrugged, watching Antyza from the corner of her eye. “I saw that she was respectful. She understood her place.”

More sticks and dried plants joined the kindling in the firepit. “You’ll get respect from me when you earn it.” Antyza scowled into the flames. “I know what you are. But I also know what you were.” She stirred the fire pit with a stick, making room for air pockets. “You can’t hide that you were a barat once too, like me. Like my sister and father and my mothers and everyone else you step on.”

Runa’s hand stopped in the middle of gliding the stone along the blade. Antyza wasn’t wrong. Runa’s parents were barat and she was too, but she was so young when she became a Yeniczar and far younger when her parents died. She could barely remember them. Her tattoos gave her meaning and status. It meant she wasn’t a part of the lower castes anymore. But she couldn’t erase that she was a half-breed.

Just like Antyza.

Runa looked up and found Antyza, a smile that did not reach her eyes spread across her face, poking the fire. Runa scowled and continued sharpening her sword. “That was a long time ago.”

“Your mother was an elf that had the unfortunate fate of being knocked up by your father, a lowly human, yeah?” Antyza pulled a piece of dried meat from her bag and began eating.

Runa turned her scowl on the horned woman, who smiled wider. “No offense, of course,” she gestured to her body, “my parents weren’t exactly so different.” Her tail slid back and forth on the dirt where she was sitting. “So you were taken from them to be a Yeniczar … ” She tapped her chin with a finger, “or they died and you were chosen off the street.”

Runa narrowed her eyes and Antyza shrugged. “I see. So a little lost Runa goes from nothing to something and serves ever so loyally. Even when her masters lock her up and forget about her.”

Runa’s hand tightened on her sword and she felt her face heat. “Stop.”

Antyza chuckled. “Say what you will about me, but at least I never licked the hand that owned me. At least I lived free instead of simpering for noble boys wanting to get their co–”

Runa was on her feet. “What do you know of my life?!” She leveled her sword at Antyza, the point near the blue woman’s shoulder. “What do you know about nobility and service?!”

A shadow passed over Antyza’s face. “More than you think.” She almost growled. She gently pushed the blade of the sword away from her with the back of her hand. “We aren’t so different. It seems that my truth is yours as well.” She sank down until she was laying beside the fire pit. “To an extent, of course. My life is my own.”

Runa felt her breathing coming in ragged gasps of rage. “Your life is mine.” She lowered the sword.

Antyza smiled again before closing her eyes. “For now.”

Runa stood beside the fire, her breathing calming and sword dangling from her hand, as she stared at Antyza.

Eventually, Runa sat down and fed the fire, managing it as Antyza’s breathing became steadier and deeper. She thought about killing her but tossed the idea aside. Antyza would be useful and she had not yet betrayed their agreement.

Not yet, at least.