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Chapter IV - Sandstorm

Having a day to himself was something Joseph wasn't expecting in the oasis village. Although he was not entirely free to do as he please for the entire day. Begum had several chores for him to do while she went to the stream for a bath. Sweeping, cleaning, and anything that involved the human staying away from the small stream. But all of that had been quickly finished. With spare time to himself, the human found himself wandering along the town's main streets.

'It's odd, but nice to have nothing to do.' He looked around the homes. One pair of jackals dressed in plain robes were rolling up a blanket full of dried gourds while a nearby female sand cat was carrying a short pole with two buckets full of water. He passed two elderly females seated in front of a house, weaving together reeds. Their skilled experience showed as they talked to each other without having to see their fingers working intricate moves. Continuing back up the street towards Begum's house, two travelers on camelback passed by him without hurry.

"I cannot wait to rest in a bed." One of the mounted canines spoke while the other traveler agreed. The small quietness of the rural town wasn't alien to the human, far from it, but Joseph knew that he was much closer to the coastal north. The sights and sounds were evident of that. Despite being a small oasis town, plenty of tradable goods were visible from other wild areas to the south. Ostrich feathers and salt from southern regions were ready to be sold at one particular spot. Northern wares like cotton and jewelry were never too far away either. It excited the human very much.

"Aaahh!" A sudden scream caught his attention.

'What was that?' Turning and looking around, Joseph didn't see anything out of the ordinary. A few other more distant yells faintly reached his ears. Others had stopped their work and looked around alerted. Joseph stood idly in confusion. Further down the street he could see a few random people formerly calm and relaxed running. The elderly females packed up their things and closed the door to their house. The two travelers Joseph had just seen came trotting back on their camels to the stables.

"Hurry! Get back inside!"

"Shut the door! Quickly!" Another voice exclaimed. Suddenly the town was in a fuss or people scurrying to their homes or anywhere to seek shelter. Those who had doors to their houses quickly shut them, or used blankets to cover entrances. Overhead, what appeared to be a giant dark cloud came into view. It resembled a giant sandy wall of dust extending into the heavens above. The sky gradually grew dark, finally spurring him to action.

'Is the sun being swallowed up?' He hurried to Begum's house. The door was within sight, but the fennec vixen burst through from the inside first. "Get inside now, Joseph!" The fennec barked at the stunned human. He hurried inside and the door behind him was swiftly closed. "Goodness." The fennec huffed as she walked past him into the main room. "You had me worried for a second. I thought you were at Manbu's working."

"What's going on? Is this a storm?" Joseph felt along the wall to avoid bumping into it.

"It's a dust storm. They happen once a year at most." She explained. The human couldn't see anything and waited for his eyes to adjust. The only window was shut, leaving the entire main room close to complete darkness.

"Where should I sit?" He felt into the empty air cautiously.

"Oh! Sorry. I will get you something." All Joseph could hear was the fennec's voice and quick foot steps. Begum returned from her room with a small rug and rolled it out for him. He took a hasty seat while she found a cushion for herself. The dust storm quickly overcame the oasis village. The house quickly became pitch black as if the sun had already set, and a strong wind could be heard outside.

"It will pass, right?" He was confused and worried.

"Yes, but it will take time." Begum answered.

"How long?" A strong gust suddenly whistled outside. The shut window rattled as if an earthquake was striking the town. Joseph held his breath for a moment.

"Don't worry." Begum's calm voice permeated through the darkness towards his right. "This will blow over by nightfall."

'It feels like nighttime right now.' He thought to himself. "Were you already home when this storm hit?"

"I had just returned from the stream when I heard what was going on." She thankfully spoke. "I don't think I could've run from there to here in time."

"I'm glad I don't have to be sealed in the same room as Manbu." He thought about how that would work out.

"It's odd that Manbu suddenly gave you a day of rest." The fennec vixen mentioned. "It's almost as if he knew a storm would hit the town."

"Yeah... But I think it's because I mentioned Zabunah to him."

"You mean the tigress? I heard that they hated each other."

"I think it's very complicated." Joseph summated. After listening to Zabunah's side of the story, he wondered if Manbu had an entirely different tale to tell.

"I want to ask you something." Begum spoke aloud.

"Sure."

"Why do you want to reach the coast so soon?" Begum curiously asked through the darkness.

"I am from Fez, a poor area, and I heard stories from passing traders and mercenaries about the riches of the north cities on the coast. There's endless buildings, pastures of grass, orchards, ships, a sea, and so much wealth. Leila told me a little bit about her travels there with Giuseppe... It is hard to describe, but I feel like there will be something there waiting for me. A much better opportunity than I could've ever reached while living in the poor semi-desert. Does that make any sense?"

"I suppose it does." Begum replied. "But that is a long distance to travel by yourself. Don't you have family where you are from?" She inquired.

"No." He shook his head despite her being unable to see.

"No wife? No children? No parents? Anyone?" Begum guessed. The window shutter rattled as the howling winds echoed outside.

"No. I lost my parents when I was young. I kind of remember my dad, and my mother became very sick one day." He briefly thought about his mother, a grey coyote who always had scruffy unkempt fur. Despite her rugged clothes and appearance her fur was soft and comforting, and she had the sweetest voice of kindness. Her green eyes were like two full moons, full of wisdom and guidance. "I don't think I was a teenager yet..."

"That's terrible to hear." Begum said.

"After that I stayed with an uncle who was human and worked for him. Then I kind of wandered around after a year or two before deciding to make enough money to travel north. Fate had other things planned for me..."

"Things don't always go as you hope for." She hummed. Joseph silently agreed and listened to the raging sandstorm outside. He could hear the fennec tapping her foot lazily nearby.

"Do you have family around here? Leila told me about how distant she is from everyone except you."

"Ah, that's a lot to talk about." The fennec mused. "Yes, my family lives here and in a nearby oasis town to the west where a recent vein of gold was discovered in an old mine. Our father is a merchant at heart and follows the wealth, so he moved there with our mother."

"But do they really not want to see Leila again?"

"That's basically it." Begum sighed. "Many marriages are set up for political reasons, or at least to strengthen a family's standing. Eloping or outrightly refusing will cause trouble."

"Did your parents place you in an arranged marriage?"

"Yes, they did." She answered. "But my husband was a good person. I mean, my parents wouldn't marry me off to someone terrible just because of money. They considered someone I would like as well."

"I didn't know you were married."

"Yes, a Harsusi fennec like me." Joseph could imagine her nodding through the darkness. "He was an assistant to the head of this town, a local sand cat, but prior to the Kakuyids taking it over and installing their own leader, he was found dead in the desert. They say he was killed by bandits..."

"I'm sorry to hear that."

"I think the Kakuyids had something to do with it. Either they hired someone or did it themselves. Everyone knew my husband was a good and kind person... It always riles my tail." She huffed and groomed her tail. "Since then I decided not to remarry, and my father respects that wish." She concluded. "I am happy for my sister marrying someone that she loves. Not everyone is that lucky."

"True..." Joseph briefly thought about the lioness Chiba who had murdered the lion she was forced to marry. "Are arranged marriages common within tribes? Your Harsusi family doesn't remind me of a tribe. When I met your sister I thought the Harsusi were nomads like the Kakuyids."

"All nomadic tribes have bands and branches that are unique in some way. Some settle down and integrate well in urban areas yet others do not. You see, our branch of the Harsusi tribe is more urban and we are very different from our distant nomadic cousins. All we have in common are that we are all fennecs... It's funny to see how readily Leila adapted and desired a freer lifestyle like our nomadic cousins." Begum smiled fondly. "Maybe we aren't that different inside." Joseph thought about what she had told him. One tribe with two completely different lifestyles. The wind howled again outside and the sound of dust and sand striking the home's walls prickled their ears.

'I wonder if this will last into the night.' Joseph stared into the darkness and hoped the storm would pass soon.

The following morning was bright and sunny, as if a cloudy day had never occurred in the oasis village. The memory of the previous day's storm still lingered in the minds of La Selva's residents. Tiny sand dunes had formed along the streets where the winds had blown the fiercest. Anything not secured had been blown away by the persistent wind.

"Humph!" With a persistent huff, Joseph brought in a small carpet that he had finished dusting. Begum was inside and gathering a few sheets.

"Finished?" The fennec turned to face him.

"It's dusted." Joseph confirmed.

"Good. Set it right there and I will arrange it." She told him. Joseph went back to the door. "If you need me, I'm going to wash some sheets and clothes." Begum called from inside.

"Ok. I am going to Manbu's." He yelled back before leaving. The town was quietly recovering from the sandstorm and returning to normalcy. The typical heat was broken only by the sounds of those within the town. The open stable now empty of travelers was being thoroughly swept by a shirtless jackal. Barking of a nearby argument echoed from another narrow street. Most reassuring of all was the brief sight of two little siblings dashing across the street, possibly at the expense of doing chores or work. Joseph walked along the street noting the drifts of sand.

'The desert nearly conquered the town.' He thought to himself. Buckets were used to remove the excess drifts of sand wherever possible. Even a guard was pitching in to help. Reaching the familiar workshop, Joseph's brow knitted in concern. 'Everything is a mess.' He found many of the pots, vases, and other items covered in dust and sand. The small rug by the furnace had been blown into a corner. 'I am glad that Manbu purchased extra charcoal from that sand cat the other day.' Joseph figured that it would be some time before another merchant caravan from the north would arrive at La Selva. The human stepped over scattered pieces to the entryway connecting the workshop to Manbu's house. As usual, a draping cloth was used instead of an actual door.

"Hey, Manbu. Do you want me to start cleaning up in here?" Joseph called out from the entryway and waited. He knew better than to start doing something by himself, or he would have an angry leopard breathing down his neck. "Manbu!" Joseph called out again after no response. "Is he ignoring me?" Joseph brushed past the cloth barrier and found that nothing sturdier had been placed to barricade the house from the ravaging sandstorm. A fine layer of dust and sand covered the unusually silent main room.

"Hello?" Joseph went into the back room. The small attached home was empty, as if it had been abandoned in a hurry. An elaborate carpet and a few fine weapons remained undisturbed where the leopard usually slept. 'Where could he have gone?' Worried, Joseph went outside. He searched around the home and then the adjacent streets.

'Was he caught in the storm?' He wondered and turned a corner, narrowly missing a leopard carrying a bucket if water. His eyes managed to catch a blur of orange fur and black stripes long enough to halt and investigate. Inside a doorway, a familiar tigress was kneeling down, hunched over a figure laying on the carpet.

"Zabunah? Manbu?" Joseph blinked, recognizing the familiar feline faces. He quickly entered the house and found Manbu laying on a carpet with his head in the tigress's lap. Her hands were carefully holding him as if he was the most valuable vase ever created. The old leopard was breathing, but was otherwise motionless.

"What's going on?" Joseph quietly asked and knelt down beside them. Zabunah didn't look up.

"I was barring the door when the sandstorm began when I heard shouting... He was pounding on the door almost as loud as the storm itself." She whispered and clutched the old feline's hand.

"I was not." Manbu's aged voice quietly grumbled. His eyes blinked open and narrowed. "Joseph," his head turned enough to see the human beside him, "I'm sorry for getting you involved in all this." The leopard apologized with a tired sigh. Joseph grinned plainly.

"I'm just glad you two are alright." He was happy for them.

At the edge of La Selva, a small group of four had gathered during the early morning. The red disc in the horizon was beginning to rise, filling the sky with its heavenly glow. Joseph's eyes looked confidently northward as he walked alongside Manbu, Zabunah, and Begum. Three weeks of working for Manbu yielded very well for the human. With money to purchase supplies and a camel with some leftover, things were finally settled in his favor.

"There's no camel trader here." Joseph expected to purchase or rent one from an arranged merchant or herder. The empty desert before him offered no clue, but the restrained smiles around him were suspicious.

"Hold on, I'll be right back." Manbu disappeared briefly, only to return with a camel. "We decided to buy you a camel." The old leopard happily led the already packed dromedary towards him. "It's the least I could do to say thank you for all that you have done for me."

"What?!" The human was completely surprised to their amusement. "Wow... I don't know what to say!" He was speechless.

"You do not have to say anything." The old leopard spoke.

"At least accept my thanks." He shook the leopard's hand and turned back to the camel. "Wow! This is more than I could ask for!" The human was overjoyed. "This will leave me with plenty to cover any emergency."

"We all chipped in to buy you something good." Zabunah nodded.

"Thank you!" He hugged the tigress tightly. "This is great."

"I'll remind you where to go." Begum told him like a stern mother to everyone's amusement. "You should go to Ghat. It is a very small village, but it is fairly safe if you don't stay there long. It's a few days travel almost directly north from here, but just a little west... Then you will travel northeast to Ubari, the nearest desert town with a caravansary between here and the coast."

"I know. I know." Joseph nodded, but was thankful to hear the directions again. "Then north where the sand turns into dirt and grass." He finished. The dark sandy furred fennec half grinned.

"Be wary of others in the desert." Begum added.

"I know..." He reassured her. "Thank you again for your hospitality, Begum." He hugged the slightly pudgy fennec. "I'll miss you."

"You're very welcome." She patted his back. The human finally climbed aboard the loaded camel.

"Goodbye. I hope we can meet again sometime." Joseph gave his final farewell.

"Farewell!" They waved and called at him. With some support as strong as the wind at his back, he felt ready. He had one direction left to go. North!

Joseph wiped his forehead. The presence of the overbearing sun was something the human had never missed during his stay in the oasis town of La Selva. Lumbering along, the camel didn't seem to tire or mind the unceasing heat, not to mention carrying the human and his luggage.

'I am almost envious of you...' Joseph briefly thought about the laboring animal. Navigating the northern desert on his own was a challenge in its own right, but it was a risk he was willing to take. With every step his camel took, he left behind a piece of the harsh southern lands.

'My food isn't very low, and neither is my water.' He checked both with satisfaction. His gaze returned to the horizon due north. The endless scenery of empty desert and unbearable heat never changed for the past days since he had left La Selva. It was enough to make him go insane had his determination not been focused on a goal finally within grasp. His eyes strained against the hazy horizon ahead. Buildings began to appear in the middle of his view. 'La Selva?' For a split second Joseph thought he had returned to the little oasis town, but the buildings and terrain were different. No trees or water source were within sight of the town. What he was seeing was no mirage either.

'Ghat.' He could definitively see the faint outlines of buildings ahead, but there were other shapes to his left and they were moving. There were a few dozen camels, slowly marching to the little town. Figures riding along the edges of the pack kept watch and guided the animals along.

'Camel herders...' Joseph assumed without much thought, and continued proceeding towards the desert town. "Hut!" He made the camel break into a steady trot. After traveling so far since he journey fatefully began, he felt excited. He could see a stable ahead and promptly went towards it. A sense of relief passed through him, but it was short lived as the human heard boisterous voices and laughter nearby. Entering one corner of the stable, he could see a few camels already seated inside the far end. The only people present were a small group of five.

'They are Kakuyids!' He realized that they were lions. Unmistakable manes and mostly nude feline bodies. However, one was a panther of pure black fur but similarly naked.

"When do you think we will be able to attack this village and claim it?" A muscular lion with a lightly colored mane asked with open arms.

"Who knows?"

"I know!" Another exclaimed and lazily scratched the tuft of fur on his groin. "Not soon enough!" The rough bunch were laughing and roaring inside the otherwise empty stable. Joseph carefully entered the far side of the stable but his presence was quickly discovered. Their conversation faded as one maned face after another settled on Joseph with eager grins. The familiar sensation of golden feline eyes sent a chill through him.

"Well, well, well, sir." One young lion looked up at the human with a wide grin as they quickly surrounded his camel. A pair of hands tapped the beast's side causing it to sit down. Joseph lurched from the sudden move and slipped off the camel's back. He fell onto his back, and a lion's roar of laughter erupted around him.

'I better keep my money well hidden and quiet.' He thought, realizing that it was still tucked safely inside a pouch under his robe.

"You're under our care if you want." One snickered at the empty offer. "For a fee..."

"It is shameful to strip and rob the living, but not the dead." Another voice spoke. Looking up, Joseph saw a dark furred feline towering over him with the lions. The black panther was nude as well, except for a quiver of arrows on his back, two armbands of black ostrich feathers, and a white cloth tied around his abs like most of the lions. A heavy set of furry genitals was all too close to his face. Joseph quickly rose to his feet only to find himself completely surrounded without anywhere to flee.

"Listen, I don't want any trouble-"

"Trouble?" A hand lightly slapped his back. "There's no trouble here..." One of the lions lowered his voice. "Maybe there's a payment we could work out right here..."

"Haha! He hasn't even had a chance to pay his debts by spending the night... or two with us." One lion placed his arm around Joseph. Completely outnumbered and outmatched, the human was at their mercy. His heart quickened, pleading to fight or run.

'I'm in real trouble!' The human worried what they would do to him.

"Hey!" A roar stopped everyone. Turning around, Joseph saw another lion marching towards them. He was a little older and bore a small scar below one eye, but also two longer ones going down his chest and close to his groin. A reddish mane surrounded his entire golden furred face like a fluffy cloud, and similarly around his groin below. He stood proudly naked for all to see. In traditional Kakuyid fashion, the lion only wore a leather belt for a dagger. However, he was carrying a basic robe over his shoulder. "What is going on here?" The older lion sternly asked.

"Nothing, sir..." One quietly spoke, mulling a paw over the dirt.

"We were just exchanging formalities, sir." Another younger male lion explained with a hearty smile.

"Get dressed and go into town." The scar wearing lion ordered. The others didn't retort or whine and quickly gathered their things before departing. Joseph tensed as the feline's hard golden gaze settled on him.

"I apologize for their rough behavior." The lion plainly spoke and started to dress, but left his robe untied and open. "Where are you traveling to?" The lion turned and calmly asked Joseph. His sharp golden eyes and stern expression sent a chill across the human's skin.

"I-I'm resting here before going to Ubari, and then the coast... The city of Al-Lishbunah!"

"Going to Ubari..." The Kakuyid thought to himself for a second. The feline's disciplined approached compared to the others almost shocked the human.

"Please don't harm-" A wave from the feline cut him off.

"It would be best for you to leave this village after sunrise and no later than noon." The lion informed Joseph. "When you go, do not stop to rest at night either. The journey should only take three days at the most that way."

"Thank you." Joseph couldn't believe his luck.

"Have a safe journey. Bye." The lion held up a hand as he walked away. Blinking, he checked himself over.

'Wow...' He took a deep breath. His heart was still beating quickly and his hands were clammy. 'I need to be more careful about where I go.' Joseph safely left the stable. Going down a lonely street he passed a few lightly dressed, but hooded travelers. Gazing along the small buildings, the human wasn't sure where to go.

'I suppose I could have asked that lion where a good place to stay for the night would be.' Joseph thought to himself. Having Begum's house to live in was a blessing that he had become accustomed to. A female canine figure passing by caught his attention. "Hey, miss-" She turned the corner as he called out. Following, Joseph turned the same corner but found himself in the center of Ghat.

'Lost her...' He frowned and looked around the small town center. Only a little more than a dozen souls were spaced out in the open area. Few awnings were open, and even fewer people were mulling about the town. A group of four lightly armed cheetah and fennec guards were the only sign of security. The town definitely wasn't under the authority of the Kakuyids, but Joseph wondered if that would change. Towards another side of the open space he noticed an old coyote sitting with a bowl close by.

"Food or a coin please." The old beggar asked anyone he could hear nearby.

'Huh?' Joseph noticed a little figure crouched beside the coyote, reaching into the bowl where two coins jingled together. A very young feline kept an eye as he tried stealing the old coyote's money for himself. The human felt a spark of anger inside him.

"Hey!" Joseph shouted and ran up to the kid. "Get your hand outta there!" The cat hissed and ran off with his tail tucked between his legs. Joseph knelt down and checked the coyote's bowl and thankfully the money remained. "Ungrateful kid..." He grumbled and turned his attention to the old beggar. A sudden thwack hit Joseph square in his face. "Ow!" He ducked away from the sturdy staff ready to strike him again.

"Who are you?!" The old beggar barked. "Are you a hyena?"

"Hey! I'm not a hyena, but a kid was trying to steal your money. Didn't you see him?"

"See?" The old canine barked in question. "I haven't seen anything in decades." Joseph paused and looked at his face. He noticed the old canine had one eye sealed shut and the other was completely covered by a thick milky white cataract.

'He really can't see me.' Joseph realized. "Are you from Ghat?"

"Of course I am! Where could someone my age go?" He answered.

"Do you know of a place that I can stay at?" Joseph asked. "I just arrived on camel."

"Well... No." The coyote admitted. "There are few places of rest. There are no caravansaries in Ghat, and travelers usually sleep on the streets if they cannot find a place to stay." His news worried Joseph.

'I don't want to risk running into those lions and panther again.' The human thought to himself. "Do you have a place that I can stay at?" He quickly asked. "Even if it is the floor, I would greatly appreciate it!" His words surprised the blind beggar.

"If you are in need of a place to stay, you may use my home." He offered.

"Thank you!" Joseph deeply nodded and dug through his robe before dropping a copper coin into the beggar's bowl.

"Huh?" The coyote's face became perplexed.

"It's only a copper coin, but it's the least I can give to you for your generosity." Joseph said. The coyote laughed and slowly rose to his feet.

"Okay. Okay." He dusted himself. "I will take you to my house." The old beggar used his staff to orient himself. "By the way, what is your name?"

"Joseph."

"Ah, my name is Duwa." He told the human before walking away. Joseph followed him to a narrow street, darkened by the height of the meager buildings on either side. It was welcome relief from the desert heat.

'This is a filthy place.' The human kept quiet to himself. A group of four gambling jackals silently watched them pass with steely eyes. The stench of trash lingered in the air. The coyote navigated each step with the aid of a hand tracing the rugged walls of each building. A sheet suddenly unfurled from one window as a pair of furry arms shook it. Shielding his eyes from the dust, Joseph stayed close to the elder's back. Duwa felt his way along the wall to a specific door where he stopped. Opening it, the old coyote slipped inside.

"You can come inside!" He barked. Joseph entered and quickly closed the door behind him. "I'm back." His aged voice roughly called out.

'Is anyone else here?' Joseph looked around. Candles helped fill the void of sunlight. The old beggar's home was a little single room house, and clearly poor. Small wares and necessities were against the walls leaving a single corner to cook and another to sleep. A long carpet extended towards the back wall where a figure was seated. A female coyote with sandy and grey fur around his age was seated on the carpet. The upper half of her robe was sprawled around her lap leaving her topless. However, her arms were carefully coddling a little pup of the same species.

"Joseph, this is my daughter Raza." The old coyote set his staff down and smiled. "And her son Fazel."

"It's nice to meet you." She quietly spoke.

"It's nice to meet you too." He kindly grinned. Joseph could easily see that both of her downward brown nipples were visibly wet. The tiny pup whined at the sudden commotion.

"Sorry. I just finished nursing him, and he's trying to sleep." The mother half grinned in apology and dried her nipples.

"It's fine." Joseph sat down close to her, where there was still room to sit. The mother started using a hand to cover herself, but the blind coyote seemed to know.

"You do not need to be shy and scared of him." Duwa told her. "He helped me earlier. I was nearly robbed again."

"Oh? Thank you for helping my dad." Her expression completely relaxed. "No one who lives here bothers to care for him, so he waits for passing travelers to donate something."

"It's the least I could do." Joseph nodded. "I never liked it when people stole from others."

"I'm very lucky to have him run into me." The older coyote smiled revealing a few missing teeth. "He was even kind enough to give me a copper coin."

"Didn't you have two other coins?" Joseph recalled.

"Ah, those two are fakes." He answer stumped the human, but Raza merely rolled her eyes. "I might be blind, but I am no fool to a thief." The coyote declared.

"Thank you for your charity." The mother kindly grinned.

"Sure. You're very welcome..." Joseph's noticed something and his eyes focused lower, but not on her hanging breasts. Her right hand had a noticeable wound on her smallest finger. Blinking, Joseph realized that it had been cut off at the first knuckle revealing pink scar tissue. She held up her hand for him to see. "Sorry... I couldn't help but look." He ruffled his hair and looked away.

"Everyone notices." Raza plainly spoke. "My husband was killed not too long ago by a bunch of bandits when we were traveling in the desert from the coast." She explained with sadness in her voice. "I was lucky to escape with our child only to lose a finger."

"I'm sorry to hear that your husband was killed." Joseph feared that he could have easily met a similar fate earlier.

"They were Kakuyids, no doubt." Her father spoke up in a riled voice. "Those lions cause trouble wherever they show up."

"They didn't have manes, so I don't think they were."

"They hire mercenaries!" Duwa answered, but his sharp voice woke up the baby. Soft cries cut the conversation short.

"Sh... Sh..." Raza comforted her infant.

"Sorry." Duwa apologized with a hard stare. "Bandits are very common around here anyway." Once the infant Fazel quieted down, Duwa turned his attention back to the human traveler.

"So Joseph, where are you traveling to?"

"I'm going to Ubari tomorrow morning before riding to Al Lishbunah."

"Oh. I thought you were someone who scrounges around in the ruins for artifacts." He chuckled to himself.

"No. I am just trying to reach the city." He explained.

"That's interesting." The coyote hummed. "Tell us about your travels while we eat." He turned and retrieved a small dish. "What did you cook Raza?" His nose eagerly smelled the air.

"Mashed chickpeas with bread."

"Mm. Smells good." Duwa placed the plate between them. "Don't be shy Joseph. Eat!" The old coyote tapped the carpet. The human was all too happy to eat with the great hospitality.

***

After a friendly dinner, further talking, and the telling of tales, everyone laid down for the night. Due to the very small space to sleep, Joseph clearly felt the leathery warmth of the coyote mother's paw pads resting against his forehead. He had a feeling that her claws were resting a mere inch from his eyelids.

'There are worse fates than this.' He imagined Raza's finger, and reminded himself about the single mother's deceased husband. The human pretended that her paws were pillows instead. He wasn't about to take even his current situation for granted.

Chapter V - Heaven's Gate

Lightly bobbing along to the camel's lazy stride, Joseph's gaze remained steady. The sun had a habit of wearing the human's determination, but it was his turn to triumph. The desert had begun to change over the past few miles. The southern regions containing great ergs of sand had all but disappeared. The sandy ground flattened into natural hills and transformed into hard dirt with occasional shrubs. In the distance other travelers, even caravans, were visible. It was brief but more than just a random chance.

'I am close.' He knew it was true, and the thought alone made his pulse quicken. Any moment, he could expect to see the ocean. "How many days has it taken?" He asked himself. The self imposed question was taken as a moment of deep reflection. More than three weeks were spent living with the fennec Begum and working for an old leopard. He had traveled for two weeks since leaving La Selva, and encountered stray nomads, a small caravan, and a passing tribal group. Uneventful days such as those were a blessing in disguise. The camel continued along without batting an eye.

"I spent the night in Duwa's house at Ghat and then rode two and a half days... I stayed a day at Ubari's caravansary for two days, and now I have been traveling for another four days..." The length of time seemed eternal, yet barely worth a minute the more he pondered the question further. The whole journey had taken many days. A little less than two months had passed since Joseph's fateful jailing and then escape with a Kakuyid lioness who murdered her husband. A brief chill went up his spine at the thought, but the human was determined to look ahead. The gentle hills were crossed with ease, each one bringing him closer. The semi arid shrubs fizzled out and mingled with dry grass. Tiny clouds of dust were created wherever the camel stepped. The occasional wind kicked up faint waves of dust, visible from far away distances.

Climbing up the gentle slope of a low lying hill, buildings caught his sights along the horizon where he expected more desert to exist. It could've been another oasis town for all he knew, or even a ghostly mirage, but the vast size told him different. It was a city of great size. Minarets, towers, and other high structures among common buildings were visible from his vantage point. High walls contained the city's vast expanse towards the south. Outside the city was another unusual sight for the human native of Fez. There were fields of grass home to pastures where sheep and young lambs grazed. Two shepherds were tending to the meandering flock with patience. Even further away, he could see the outlines of orchard trees. Mere hours ago at sunrise he had been in complete desert, but now he was in a new landscape. "Hut hut!" He drove the camel forward without care if he fell off and tumbled to the bottom. As he descended the hill, the vague view of city buildings was replaced by an imposing wall. Along the edges of his sight was the blue sea... A whole sea of endless water!

'I made it!' He could hardly believe it. "I'm here!" It was the city of Al-Lishbunah! His shoulders slumped forward, finally able to relax. Joseph shook his head with a bright smile. The impossible became reality. Feeling over his clothes, he noticed the dust and sweat on himself. 'Maybe I could wash myself in a bathhouse! I've never been to one.' Joseph understood that the adventure he had taken to reach the great city had merely changed into another entirely. But he wanted to enjoy it for the rest of the day. Outside the gate, several figures were clustered together, likely shepherds or local merchants who came and went from the city frequently. Several other travelers on camelback or horseback were entering and exiting the gated wall. Joseph eagerly went to the imposing structure.

"Heaven's Gate..." He read the fanciful letters along the arch. Inscribed above was the phrase 'Eden' in equally large writing. 'I can't think of better words to describe this.' The human grinned. Passing beneath the large arch, months long sights of sand had completely vanished into something incredible. There were too many buildings to count! Shops, houses, and many other types of buildings lined the street he was on.

'Is this another world?' He had a difficult time believing it was real. 'Maybe I'm asleep in the sand dunes somewhere...' By the excitement, noise, and plethora of people were very much a reality. Joseph's camel lurched to a halt, bringing the human back from his daydreaming.

"This way! Do not pile into narrow streets." A caracal guard carrying a spear in hand and a round shield on his back directed him. Other guards were nearby to create a presence of security. Joseph waved and made his way down the wider street. Other travelers on horseback passed him by.

'Ok... I am definitely here.' The human told himself as he glanced at the hoofed animals trotting by. They clacked over the street paved with stone. A family of coyotes were arguing over the sale of a goat, not even noticing a few other goats straying away into the streets. Joseph's camel and other people avoided the wandering animals. Passing under an old arch, the human found himself in an elaborate marketplace with a wide street. Al Lishbunah's bazaar was grand in comparison to the small southern desert towns that Joseph grew up in. Even the entire town of La Selva was meager in comparison.

"Wow." The human gawked around with star struck eyes from his high vantage point. People buying and selling were so numerous it felt like an entire town had been brought to this single place. The throng of commotion was incredible, and the vendor goods were exotic to his eyes. Round oranges, richly yellow lemons, apricots, and dark leafed greens were scattered throughout the bazaar. He had never seen food with such bright colors before, and there were too many different kinds to count. Baskets and sacks filled with different cereal grains were being bought or exchanged. The smell of a butchery further down the street was evident to his nose. A donkey carrying a heavy load of rich purple grapes on its back was led by a human up the street to either be sold or turned into wine. There were so many different colors to see! Awnings of solid color or stripes decorated the buildings above to cast shade below. The clothes people wore had greens, blues, violets, and reds. His nose was suddenly bombarded with unusually rich scents.

'Mmm...' He took another deep breath, able to smell strong perfumes and fragrances. Rose petals and other beautiful flowers were ready to be sold. He observed a sand cat laboring on the side of the street, grinding an unknown fragrant spice with the aid of a pestle and mortar. The feline was likely a slave or very poor, wearing only a short loincloth around his waist. Several others laboring like him were dressed lightly, but not openly like nomads in the desert. The atmosphere's excitement made him all the more eager to explore the vast city. Exiting the bazaar, he meandered down a less busy street. Reminders of poverty and poorer people were not difficult to find where the streets were narrower. Those dressed in meager clothes were noticed doing lesser chores. A very lithe white furred female cat was sweeping a street corner. Her tattered clothes were covered in dust and stained from wearing usage. A male swift fox dressed in equally worn clothes was pulling a hefty cart by hand.

The different styles of dress was something the human from Fez was unaccustomed to. Some lavish with many colors, and other more plainly dressed were easily seen. Even what common people wore was nothing like the nomads of the desert. Robes to shield oneself from the sun, faces covered by durable cloths, or simply nothing at all were replaced by different clothes. Loose fitting trousers or shorts were worn with shirts, something not at all made for living in the desert. Of course there were people dressed in fine robes, but cloaks were used more commonplace to cover lighter garments. Females had colorful shawls as well. There were even clothes designed similar to tunics. Not very many wore the mark of a desert traveler. Despite all of the differences, some sights were very similar to the oasis towns and even the tiny villages of Fez he grew up in. Children playing noisily in the streets; mothers were hanging laundry on short clotheslines outside windows; a nearby well was busy with traffic and people wishing to gossip.

'Where do I even begin?' He wondered. The city was even more magnificent than he could believe and opportunities seemed to exist around every corner. He would have to find a place to live, a livelihood, and figure out everything else as he went. Unsure where to turn next, the human approached an armed jackal guard at a street corner.

"Where is a good place to stay, or at least a stable for my camel?" Joseph asked the armed canine.

"The closest funduq where merchants and caravans prefer to stay is over there." He pointed towards a large two story building of stone with several arched entryways.

"Ah, thanks." Joseph flashed a brief smile and quickly navigated through the busy street. His camel grumbled every step of the way, unable to take a simple straight path through the shifting crowds of people. He paused as two camels with howdahs atop them lumbered along the busy street. The covered structures resembled tents to the human's eye.

'That would've been nice to have while traveling...' Joseph remarked before riding to the funduq. At the entrance, a cheetah and jackal wearing white robes with only their faces visible were quietly chatting. Their turbans of white and green were partially unraveled, resting around their shoulders and necks. The look on the cheetah's face was troubled.

"My sister is marrying into the foreign Cornaro family... I don't know how my proud family is going to take that." Joseph heard one of them murmur, creating an echo along the corridor.

"Will the Banu tribe tolerate that? Your dad is part of their elder council..." The other asked. Joseph didn't pay attention to their private conversation. Passing through, he searched for a place to keep his dromedary. In one space, a pair of mice and a cheetah wearing pants and open shirts were busily unloading lots of cargo from several resting animals. Another had a weary coyote traveler reclined back, sleeping with his turban covering his eyes. Joseph managed to find an empty space not too far from the main entrance.

"Alright. Easy now." He made the camel sit despite its balking. After retrieving water from the courtyard for his beast of burden, Joseph walked back to the main entrance and observed the urban scenery. A pair of finely dressed tigers brushed past him, each wearing bright plumage of feathers in their turbans.

"I feel good about the loan for the farmers at the orchard." One of the tigers spoke.

"How so?"

"Well, the humans, jackals, and mountain lion working there are very reliable and durable people so there's a great chance we will make some money out of it. Plus, who doesn't love the fruits they make? I love dried apricots." The tiger hummed contently as they walked away.

'This coastal land is rich despite being within a day's travel of the desert.' Joseph wondered how that was possible. Was it all of the people in one location? The many different species also caught his attention: jackals, coyotes, leopards, cheetahs, servals, caracals, sand cats, fennecs, and many others he had never seen before. There were raccoons, mice, tigers, and even ocelots!

'Not many humans...' He only spotted fewer than one dozen among the busy streets, but it was more than he had seen in a single place before. One in particular caught his immediate attention. A group of fifty or so individuals were gathered. Nearly all of them were male lions.

'Kakuyids!' Joseph remembered the members of the ambitious lion tribe he encountered as he entered the stables of Ghat. However, all were calm and well mannered compared to the small, dusty desert town. Those at the center of tight group were mostly dressed in robes, but a few were in more... tribal fashion. No more than a dozen of the male lions were virtually nude with a scarce scarf around their neck and shoulders. Others wore a cloth around their torso that failed to cover much of anything. Manes of varying colors from reddish brown to black, and even to a pale cream were visible on the burly male felines.

'What is going on?' The human stepped closer and looked around, but it quickly became obvious. Above the scene all was a low platform meant for auctioning people. Joseph frowned at the public sight. The human didn't think kindly of slavery. Being property in his mind was reserved for animals or objects, neither of which could be people. Seeing enslaved people in Fez growing up always made him fearful of becoming one. The figure of a short canine left the stage as someone else was prodded up next. 'Poor soul.' Joseph pursed his lips and started to walk away.

"Oh my... I can't believe it..." His face dropped as the figure was forced to turn and face the crowd. It was a lion, like the majority of the onlooking crowd, but was clearly a female. No mane and small breasts giving rise to two dark spouts of flesh were more than enough to tell. She was wearing a thin translucent robe to accentuate her feminine body, and give an air of mystical beauty. She was an athletic build but even Joseph could recognize her currently somber stoic face.

"Chiba..." He couldn't believe what he was seeing. His mouth dried. A caracal dressed in fine white robes with stripes of blue at the top of the platform, likely an official of the city, starting describing the qualities and traits of the lioness to the crowd. 'No way... This is impossible! That could be any lioness.' The human had to find out.

"What's going on?" Joseph approached a young lion. The lanky, thin framed feline turned to face him. All the male wore was a band of cloth around his midsection and a scarf-like piece around his neck and shoulders leaving his mostly nude body proudly on display. The sickle-like weapon and throwing dagger hanging from his hip gave away his tribal lineage. Throwing daggers and sickle resembling knives were visible on those who felt less inclined to wear clothing. Spears and large swords were normally carried outside of urban sprawls due to close quarters anyway.

"It's a slave auction, and this lioness is first up." Joseph didn't like how he spoke of the matter, but oddly there was a sense of justice that Chiba had gotten what she deserved. After abandoning him in the desert and the murder he little about, it seemed like justified punishment for her crimes.

"Why is she up for auction? What is her past?"

"She's a Kakuyid like us, but she murdered her husband, our leader's son." He explained. Without a doubt, Joseph knew it was Chiba.

"Thanks for telling me." Joseph's gaze lingered on the male's mostly unclothed form. "Isn't there a law against nudity in the city?" He quietly challenged, noticing that a few of the gathered individuals were not entirely dressed either.

"The current emir relaxed that law in market areas," the young lion grinned, "thanks to action from our leader, Bulus."

"How did a single person manage that?"

"He has influence inside the Emir's circle of advisors, the Safaviyya."

'Safaviyya?' Joseph wondered to himself.

"If you're interested in buying her then have a closer look. I heard that she is a dangerous person, but Bulus can tell you more about her than I can." The young lion told Joseph before joining a group of friends nearby. Out of curiosity the human approached the head of the famed tribe of Sham lions. The head of the Kakuyids was wearing a fine white linen robe that actually covered his imposing figure. A deep blue cloth was wrapped loosely around his neck where a fluffy mane gave him an even larger than life appearance. The muscles in his arms alone were well defined and massive. Out of nerves and fear, Joseph couldn't manage to pluck the courage and say something. Unable to say anything, he listened to the caracal official from the platform.

"Good posture, youthful, strongly built, but with a ferocious temper as a blazing fire." The official finished speaking and a new lion dressed in plain robes stepped forward. He raised a hand and the chatter calmed down.

"Our starting bid is a meager five pieces of bronze or twelve of red copper... or ten pieces of scarlet copper." He explained. "Further bidding will commence... Do I hear five bronze pieces?" The indecision lingered before a single lion wearing a dark robe shouted a reply.

"Five bronze!"

'What should I do?' Joseph had to think in a split second.

"Six bronze!" Another lion roared. Brief chatter resumed as heads looked around, trying to jeer their friends into bidding.

"Seven bronze!" Another voice erupted.

"Ten bronze!" The first voice raised the stakes. The other two hesitated to bid higher

"Do I hear a bid of eleven bronze?" The auctioneering lion listened carefully. However, the other two lions were unwilling to bet more for the lioness before them. "Going once..." The lion atop the platform spoke after an extended moment of inactivity. "Going... twice..." He scanned the crowd a final time sensing the finish. "So-!"

"Twelve bronze pieces!" Joseph suddenly yelled out. Several maned heads turned to see the smaller human among them.

"Who is that?" One mumbled, but many others saw it as a welcome challenge.

"Fifteen bronze pieces!" The first bidder retaliated.

"One sliver piece!" Blood rushed to Joseph's head as his heart pounded. The human didn't know how much bronze equalled a silver piece in the city compared to Fez, but he knew it was more than fifteen of good quality.

"One silver and eight bronze!" The lion answered.

"Two silver pieces!" Joseph countered. Several felines were surprised at the jump and a few laughed amongst themselves. The time the Kakuyid bidder remained silent. The auctioneer stole a few quick looks before counting down.

"Going once... Twice... Sold!" The male auctioneer lion cheerfully roared.

'I bought her!' Joseph could hardly believe it and smiled brightly. A strong hand slapped his back in congratulation.

"Well done!" A boom invoice made the human's head turn. Joseph found himself staring face to face with the Kakuyid leader, Bulus the lion. Easily half a foot taller than Joseph, the lion looked down at the human with kind eyes. Below his feline muzzle and whiskers was an impressive smile.

"Thanks." He wiped his forehead and realized that he had started to sweat.

"My name is Bulus." The lion extended a hand. "I am the leader of the Kakuyids who control all of Sham."

"I am Joseph." He shook. The lion's strong hand was gentle yet firm.

"Tell me, are you from this city? You look out of place." The feline keenly noted.

"Oh, uh. No I am from the south."

"You must be a trader then, or perhaps a middleman working for one of the fine families in this renowned city?"

"Well..." Joseph didn't know what to tell him.

"Sorry. I am prying to much into your affairs." The mighty lion yielded. "I should only be thanking you for buying her."

"Uh. Where is she?" Joseph noticed that she had been removed from the platform.

"I will show her to you." He grinned and stepped forward. "Bring her!" The lion motioned for the caracal and lion auctioneer to show Chiba. The crowd shifted as a figure stepped into view.

'That really is Chiba...' Joseph could hardly believe it. The lioness before him was staring at the ground, but it was without a doubt her. The thin veil she wore made her virtually naked from head to toe.

"You have an eye for beautiful women, but be careful." Bulus teasingly warned the staring human. "She has a taste for blood. Unfortunately, I know this all too well." His solemn voice warned.

'I think I understand that much.' The human thought to himself. "She is worth her beauty, but I'm afraid I spent more than I should have." Joseph admitted. The lion appeared to feel his financial pain.

"You have taken such a burden off my heart," he declared, "that I will give you a place to stay for the time being. Feel no rush to leave, it's my honor to have you stay."

"You're giving me a place to stay? Thank you." Joseph couldn't believe it.

"Of course. Of course." The burly lion rumbled. "You may follow me." Bulus and many of his feline entourage led Joseph through the streets to a particular home. It was on a clean street a mere stone's throw away from the throng of activity in the markets. City goers cleared the way of the fast paced lions. Other more lavish buildings of wealthy residents were his neighbors. Walls hid a fair amount from sight, keeping the residencies private even in the middle of a large city.

"And you're allowing me to stay here for the night?" Joseph gazed at the nice walls in partial disbelief. The lion stopped before a wooden door with iron locks, and turned to the human.

"You can have the entire house to yourself for a couple of days." Bulus extended his offer. "Feel no need to disembark hastily. As a guest you are welcome to stay as long as you need to get your proper footing."

"Well, thank you for your kindness." Joseph could hardly believe that the lion was being so generous towards him.

"Bring her forward." Bulus beckoned with the wave of a hand. The crowd parted enough for the lioness to be brought forward. Still veiled, her gaze was low even as a few jeers and taunts were spoken.

"She's wearing shackles." Joseph hadn't even noticed beforehand. A rope was even tied to the middle.

"Ah, they're on for good reason. Here's the key. Don't lose it!" The lion's boastful voice laughed as he produced a small iron key. Joseph looked over the metal piece before shaking the burly feline's hand.

"Thank you."

"The pleasure is all mine." Bulus gave a short bow before returning to his compatriots. "Grant the human farewell, and give him peace for a few days." The mighty lion raised a hand. Several murmurs and nods of approval were given as they left. Joseph opened the door and took a deep breath. The thinly veiled lioness stood motionless behind him, keeping her gaze down.

"Step forward." He told her and closed the door. They were left in the quieter home alone. The sounds outside were barely a hum to their ears. It felt serene, but he noticed the shackles on her wrists and felt the key in his palm. "Hold your hands forward." Joseph touched her arm. She growled at first but stopped, realizing that he was undoing her shackles. They fell to the floor with a clatter. Her strong hands rubbed her wrists from being confined so long. He unraveled his turban so they could finally meet face to face once again. The lioness's jaw dropped in shocking disbelief. Her eyes were wider than plates of gold. "You're free." He simply said.

"Joseph?!" She nearly screamed. "Wh-what?!" The human held back a laugh at her befuddled expression. "What are you doing here?!"

"I bought you with the last bit of money that I had left." He explained.

"You... bought me?" The lioness stared at him with a slack jaw for a long moment before bending over and laughing hysterically.

"Hey! Aren't you grateful?" He watched her roll around on the ground. The lioness gradually composed herself and stood back up.

"I have never met someone as stubborn as you." She wiped her eyes again and sighed out a final chuckle.

'Am I never thanked?' He thought to himself.

"I was haunted that you had died in the desert... And now this happens?"

"I survived thanks to a passing merchant caravan." He frowned. The memory of nearly dying was a permanent mark of his life, all thanks to her.

"Sorry for doing that-" Her words sent the human's anger to a boil.

"I haven't forgotten what you did to me after we escaped Kefir!" He yelled. "You left me in the desert for dead! And all you have to say is sorry?" He angrily clenched his fists. The loudness of his voice shocked the normally sturdy lioness. Joseph wanted to throw something, anything to vent his pent of frustration, but he stood firm. The feline's ears were folded flat against her skull, and her face wrinkled up.

"I am sorry for what I did back then." She meekly spoke. "But I did what I believed was in my best interest."

"Your best interest?!" Joseph couldn't believe her. "How is leaving me to die and then for you to become a slave your best interest?" Chiba didn't speak, but looked away instead. Joseph glared at her angrily. He wanted to curse, yell, and vent his anger any way possible. The feline merely walked over to another part of the main room. Joseph was completely baffled as she disrobed and threw her thin slave auction outfit aside.

"What are you doing?" He watched the lioness kneel down by a small empty bath built into the floor.

"I'm going to draw a bath, if you don't mind." She tersely stated.

"Draw a bath?"

"Yes. This home has access to water, and a built in bath." She pointed out. "I haven't exactly had the privilege to take one either." Even though she was had an elegantly revealing garment, the feline's golden and cream white fur was messy and dirty.

"That's fine." He turned and went into the other room to give her some privacy. "She's as cold as ever." Joseph mumbled to himself. Wondering what to do, he wandered around the lavish room. The bedroom was plain but very neat, a sign of a wealthy owner. A simple nightstand was carved out of a strange wood and finished with a dark coating. Nearly all wood had to be imported from places across the sea to be used in the coastal communities. The bed itself was almost a contraption to the human. Rather than a simple bedding of straw or a rug, the bed was raised off the ground by a sturdy wooden frame. A soft firm surface was covered in sheets rather than a mere blanket. But the human barely noticed the rich features. Normally dazzled by extravagance, Joseph was blinded by situation at hand. A single question burned at his conscience. 'Why?' He stared up at the ceiling and wondered. 'Why did she leave me to die in the desert?' Not even a flat 'no' from the intimidating lioness herself settled his mind.

"I need to know." Joseph walked back into the main room. In the other half of the semi divided room the bathtub was carved into the ground with access to a water line. Chiba was up to her navel in the filled stone basin. She glanced at the human and poured a cup of water over herself. Joseph nervously coughed and stepped to the side. The wet feline did not bother to cover herself in his presence.

"Why are you so bashful? You've seen me naked back in that jail cell, remember?" She poured another cup of water over her head. He watched the water cascade down her body and trickle into the pool below. "I'm legally your slave." She added with a huff. The human's eyes keenly watched her before respectfully looking away.

"You remind me of a goddess." He admitted. Her round ears perked up. She gave him a peculiar look but resumed pouring water over her body. "So what happened to you?" He finally asked. "How did you end up at a slave auction hosted by your ex-father in law? You're from a Kakuyid village from what I gather."

"It's true that I'm a Kakuyid, but all of it is a long story. You'll never understand." She smoothed over her head fur and then remained silent. Joseph knelt beside her outside the little pool of water.

"I think I deserve to know because you deserted me, and left me for dead." He plainly spoke. Her ears folded back at his words while her hand aimlessly rubbed through her wet front fur. The feline's hard gaze never seemed to let up, even when they settled on him.

"Get my back and I'll tell you." She at last offered.

Chapter VI - The Roaring Lion

Chiba stared at an exhausted figure laying sprawled out in the sand. She had just watched Joseph fall onto his back and pass out in the sand.

"Joseph?" The lioness whispered but didn't receive any response. She nudged him with a paw but he did not stir in the slightest. 'He is out cold...' She confirmed. Looking around, her tail flicked impatiently. Her muscles tensed. Rest was nowhere in her mind despite how tired her companion was.

'I don't have time to stop.' Her golden eyes narrowed at the vulnerable human. Kneeling down, she reached out towards the fold of his robe. Her hand froze a mere hair away from his robe. She hesitated. Something gnawed at her thoughts, and the decision became harder the longer she waited.

'Come on. Come on.' She told herself and pick pocketed the sleeping human. Coin after coin slipped into her palm before she slipped away. The lioness reached through his robe and found two final coins. She stood up and looked at the silver piece among several other dull coins. 'He didn't have too much to start with...' Chiba remarked in her thoughts. Standing up, Chiba stared out to the east towards her former home. The image of a dark maned lion: young, cocky, smug, and ever so spoiled by the splendor of his own father filled her with anger and disgust. Her blood boiled in rage as she looked over to Joseph, but the sleeping human wasn't her ex-husband. Joseph even helped her escape jail. Her hand clutched the coins angrily and pocketed them.

'Don't feel guilty about escaping jail.' She crossly reminded herself and walked towards the camels. They were quickly prepared with all of their meagerly combined supplies that the human had purchased. One was tied to the other to follow.

'They will just kill you if they find us together.' She told herself. 'You're too weak to survive in the desert.' Mounting the lead camel, she still couldn't shake the burden of leaving him like that. Half cursing at herself, a hand untied a sturdy leather string. Chiba tossed a half full pouch of water into the sand beside the human.

'Sorry Joseph.' She looked ahead to the starlit east sky without stopping, leaving no trace of where she was going.

Days passed as Chiba crossed the harsh terrain of many northward ergs, but the human crept back into her mind constantly like a growling hungry stomach. Leaving Joseph on the edge of the Aurum Desert wasn't an easy decision, but she made it quickly. Looking behind at the second camel, she half expected Joseph to be riding it.

'He can always go back to town...' She told herself, but knew that Joseph wouldn't make that decision. 'I would have run out of food and water days ago if he was still around.' She told herself just to shake off the odd guilt in her head. The lioness set her sights on the horizon to clear her cloudy thoughts. A grateful sigh blew past her lips as she pulled some of the guard's robe over her head. It felt great to be free again, regardless of the price. However, survival was a day to day task, sometimes even hour by hour. There were no guarantees, but at the very least she wasn't rotting behind a cell door in a small town. Reaching the top of a dune, the lioness paused.

'Which way should I go?' Her golden yellow eyes scanned the sandy horizon. An ocean of sand was all she could see, up to the hazy horizon. 'I can't move too far west as I go north, but I'm close to the border of Sham...' The lioness had to follow a thin line. East was her home lands where she was wanted for dead, and west was the vast Eastern Ergs of desert where no oases or wells existed. Movement caught her eyes along the top of a close sand dune. Several figures mounted on camels came into view over a dune. They carried long spears and had round shields on their backs. All of them halted as they caught sight of her. They wore dark robes and head scarves to shield most of their bodies from the sun, giving little of their general appearance away. Chiba halted her camel, and the different parties observed each other. The lioness clenched her fist, ready to make a quick decision.

'If they're enemies... I'll have to make a run for it.' It was a potentially bad predicament for the lioness. Unable to hear what they were saying to each other, her eyes searched them for clues. They were all facing her, but one had their side to her. She could see enough of one's leg to make a split second decision. 'Spotted hyenas.' She stood her ground and watched as they approached.

"Hey." A male voice spoke.

"Hello." Chiba answered as they stopped before her. She could make out dark muzzle with lighter fur on their faces where the garments didn't completely cover.

"Are you alone, and who are you?" One asked.

"Yes, I am alone... I am a Kakuyid. My supplies are low, and I need more water." She explained. The hyenas briefly whispered to each other.

"You may follow us." The leader of the group decided and turned for her to follow. Chiba quickly accepted the offer as two others went alongside her. Despite being surrounded by strangers, the lioness felt protected and eager to see a nomadic hyena village of lore.

'I have never been to a hyena village before.' Chiba thought to herself. There was a slight chance that a Kakuyid like herself would also be present, but the lioness needed a safe place of rest. After trekking over several dunes, she could finally see an encampment in the hazy heat. The lioness uncovered her head and looked around the village of tents. 'Just like a Kakuyid encampment.' Chiba felt an odd sense of nostalgia. Well over one hundred individuals dotted the landscape in a group, and nearly half as many camels. Many open tents were spread out with awnings to create valuable shade, whereas a few closed tents of higher standing were clustered closer in the center. It was undoubtedly a nomadic band of spotted hyenas. They were like many nomads of the desert, but with a very special exception. Spotted hyenas were rumored to be hermaphrodites, but this was merely a rumor perpetuated by those from far away.

Approaching with the small band that found her, Chiba noticed several partially nude figures mulling about the encampment. In the safety of their guarded community, the hyena people were dressed in little clothing. Scarves or outer robes covered heads or shoulders, but a gust of wind revealed that most were completely naked underneath if they weren't already. And no one seemed to mind when a garment parted widely, revealing their nudity to another's view. This wasn't too different from Kakuyid or other desert tribal customs, but the spotted hyenas were treated much differently than any other tribe. In some oasis villages, spotted hyenas were treated like a curse and chased out of town or harassed. They were banned from entering most cities during the day too. And this treatment was all because both genders looked almost identical. From an outsider's viewpoint, the females resembled the males anatomically. This gave rise to the myth that they were hermaphrodites. Marginalized by almost everyone they kept themselves tightly clothed in front of strangers if they couldn't be avoided. The only exception was if they were in the presence of someone they could sincerely trust. That usually meant someone from a tribe practicing similar customs, and the Kakuyids and Tulunids were the only ones in the immediate area.

"You can keep your camels here." One hyena led her to the side of a tent. Everyone dismounted, and the leader of the small group left to spread the word of their Kakuyid guest.

"You can follow me." Another spotted hyena male uncovered his face revealing a dark brusque muzzle. She immediately became the center of attention in the mobile encampment. Youngsters stopped playing to get a closer look at the lioness. Some adults instinctively wrapped their bodies tightly in the stranger's presence. Chiba was taken to a female of her age. The spotted hyena stood proudly naked, waiting for them. Her front was lighter colored than her sides or spots. Nearly flat chested, only a pair of thick brown nipples indicated that her upper body was feminine. The phallus dangling between her legs would've confused anyone else otherwise.

"We spotted her in the desert when we were going across the high dunes. She needs supplies and a place to rest for the time being." The male explained.

"Thank you." She nodded and the male left.

"May I speak with someone in a high position?" Chiba asked.

"I can take you to one of our leaders. Follow me." The female hyena nodded and accompanied her to a particular tent in the middle of the encampment. "She is inside." The hyena motioned with a hand. Chiba nodded and ducked into the open tent. The coolness of shade greeted her with relief from the hot desert sun. Unlike other tribes where males were more likely to be leaders, females were the only ones allowed positions of responsibility. Spotted hyena groups never deviated from this strict matriarchy.

"Hello." An aged voice greeted Chiba as she entered. The feline's eyes widened in the somewhat dimmer tent. Inside was a basic dwelling. Fabrics atop mats were spread out in the sand to sleep on. A dormant fire pit was nestled in the middle where several cooking utensils rested, as well as a pair of knives hanging from a central pole.

"Hi. My name is Chiba." The lioness lightly bowed before her eyes searched the source of the voice. An elder female hyena was sitting by a dormant fire, but unlike the others outside, she was completely disrobed. Her body was strong but its youthful prime had passed some time ago. Arms and legs had thickness as well as her breasts, but the clearest mark was finely ticked silver along her chocolate brown furred muzzle.

"I am Ismailia, leader of this nomadic band. You may leave your robes wherever you like." She motioned around the tent. Chiba gladly removed her robe. It was a sign of great trust to be able to see a hyena in person, and the friendly atmosphere was promising for the lioness. She took a seat across from her hostess. On the ground before her was a very elaborate carpet sewn with different designs. Chiba saw the elder female's pseudo penis resting on the finely made carpet. It was larger than any male equivalent by a fair degree, and clearly thicker in diameter. After all, a hyena had to give birth through it. The elder's large split glans reminded her of how difficult childbirth could be for them, and females in general. The elder noticed the young lioness's stare.

"Childbirth isn't easy for us." She admitted and lifted her member before dropping it back onto the rug unceremoniously. "It's also the center of controversy among outsiders towards spotted hyenas. We're all too often shunned and ousted for our bodies."

"I know." Chiba admitted. "There's always a tale about how a hyena is a trickster or something." The elder looked away and nodded for a moment before returning her gaze to the lioness.

"You are a very beautiful lioness." The elder grinned.

"Thank you."

"But I am wondering why a member of the Kakuyids is so far away from Sham by herself."

"I am traveling north to the great city of Al Lishbunah along the coast."

"But why?" Ismailia pressed for an answer.

"To leave the desert." Chiba kept a short answer. "I need to avoid others like me." The elder humbly nodded with a slow rhythm.

"What route do you plan on taking?"

"Straight north through the dunes, desert, and maybe a town or two. I want to avoid as much contact as possible."

"Directly north... Be careful going through there. You may want to take a slight detour west along your way. If you avoid small roaming groups of bandits then you should be fine."

"Thanks." The lioness nodded.

"Can you tell me why you wish to avoid others like you?" Ismailia asked next. Chiba held a brief silence, wondering what she should say, if anything. "You are welcome to stay here for the night." The hyena offered. "We won't speak of seeing you."

"Thank you." Chiba sighed thankfully, the first in many weeks.

"If no one else offers you a place to sleep, you may sleep in my tent. My husband and our daughters should return in the evening." The spotted hyena smiled.

"Thank you." The lioness deeply nodded. "I am grateful for your offer."

"Even if we are treated poorly by most, we will help those in need." She humbly spoke. The lioness found relief in the female hyena's words.

"Are any of you here soothsayers?"

"My sister is one."

"I need to speak with her."

"You may go." The hyena nodded. Chiba crept out and exited the tent only to find herself surrounded by little young hyenas. Their eyes were bright with curiosity, but their open chocolate furred jaws were silent of sound. Most were just as naked as her.

"Hello..." She quietly spoke to the silent crowd. "Excuse me." The half circle gave her space to step forward. The female hyena from before was standing nearby, expecting her.

"Yes?" The female expected.

"I need to speak with Ismailia's sister."

"You may follow me." She turned around.

"Her tail is so long!" A high pitched voice erupted from behind her. A hand suddenly grabbed her sturdy appendage without warning. Chiba spun around with such speed that many of the kids stumbled backwards and into the sand with silent squeals. Chiba glanced around and noticed that adults were keenly watched from a short distance. 'I better play everything safe, and not frighten anyone.' The lioness calmly continued walking behind the female hyena.

"Sorry about that." Chiba said.

"No worries." The hyena half grinned. "Kids are playful." It was a universal truth. "Have you visited a hyena tribe before?" She curiously asked.

"I have not."

"You act as if you have." She pointed out. "I am surprised that even a lioness like yourself is walking around like us, and comfortable being here."

"It isn't different from how I grew up. I barely knew what clothing was as a kid." She glanced over her shoulder and noticed the roving group of kids following closely behind them. They were making a game of how close they could get to the strange lioness.

"Ismailia's sister is in there." The hyena pointed to a particular dwelling. "I'm glad that we met. There aren't many kind strangers towards us." She explained what Chiba knew already. The lioness nodded and gave thanks. She approached the open tent and entered. Inside was a spacious area fit for a rich merchant of great coastal cities. Several arms from bows and arrows to lances, swords, and javelins were laid out across finely made carpets. Fragrances were smoldering in a small dish letting the sweet scents perfuse with its thin trails of smoke. A pudgy female, not quite as old as the elder was polishing a saber towards one side. Her robes were a fine white with a pretty golden necklace. A younger completely naked female beside her was brandishing a bejeweled curved sword. Her toothy smile adored the weapon in hand.

"We have a visitor." The pudgy elder spoke. The other hyena turned around.

"Who are you?" The flat chested hyena looked at Chiba curiously. The lioness settled her gaze on the older one.

"My name is Chiba, and I was sent because you are a soothsayer."

"Ah." The pudgy female acknowledged. "So you know about me... You may leave, Umanna." She told the young hyena, who quickly gathered a robe and exited. The lioness and hyena eyed each other for a brief moment. The spotted hyena's breasts were distended a little from age and weight. Her limbs were bulky and strong despite the somewhat rounded belly she possessed. Most telling of all was a scar ran from under her left eye to her jaw. The hyena spoke first.

"My name is Rasha. Who sent you?" Her voice crackled.

"Your sister Ismailia."

"Oh. So what did you need from me?" She plainly asked and placed her chin in a hand, listening attentively.

'Where to start...' Chiba gathered her thoughts while the hyena patiently waited. "I abandoned someone in the desert several days ago." Chiba began. "We initially agreed to travel across the desert to the coast. I found it hard to trust the human, but he was innocent compared to me. I don't know what to think... Was it the right thing to do?"

"Hmm..." The elder nodded in understanding. "That is a very tough choice to make. Most will feel the same as you do. Those who don't are evil at heart."

"But I stole the two camels he bought with his own money, and then I stole the rest of his money while he slept."

"Why did you steal everything from him?"

"Because I didn't think he would be strong enough to make it through the desert with me." She admitted. "We only had a little food, but plenty of water... I left him a pouch of water."

"You doubted yourself." She pointed out.

"I tricked him into an escape only for myself." The entire tent fell silent for a while. There was nothing to listen to, except for personal reflection.

"Why do you say that he is innocent compared to you?" She inquired. Chiba frowned at the thought. Her tail twitched in a combination of fear and anger.

"I was forced into an arranged marriage with a terrible person. He only wanted me to become his harem girl and treated me like a slave, so I killed him. There was nothing else I could do. His entire family only wishes for me to suffer and die." Chiba explained. The hyena solemnly nodded, understanding the grave situation the lioness was in. "I do not regret my decision over that, and I feel no guilt about it."

"We should see what fate can tell us about your future." Rasha offered and crept over to where a small basket was. Chiba watched her pulled out bits of wood and bark to make a tiny fire pit. Lastly, she retrieved a small bone from a covered basket. Using the small amount of wood, she started a fire and placed the little bone in the center. She intently watched the bone in the popping flames until the wood had burned itself out. She prodded the smoldering ashes with interest.

"The sky... The wind... The sun and the hidden lake... You have a troubled path ahead of you." The hyena began reading the telling cracks in an ominous tone. "When you believe you are free, you will become a slave. When you believe you have become a slave, you will be freed." Her words seemed to echo around Chiba as she tried deciphering their meaning.

The following morning, after a peaceful night's rest in the matron hyena's tent, Chiba resumed her travel north northwest, stopping only after they stars came out and rising before the sun. It was an arduous pace, but she expected to reach an oasis town free from Kakuyid influence soon. She was still too close to Kakuyid territory to feel safe, and the spotted hyena soothsayer's words haunted her.

'I hope she was just babbling.' She thought to herself as she climbed up a tall sand dune. Pausing at the top, she could see a wide expanse of sand all around, and a flat area to her northeast. In the far distance a mountain was visible, but what captured her immediate attention was something much closer in the sand. Sticking up from the ground itself was a small circular stone structure with a bucket resting close by.

'It is a well!' Her eyes widened and ears perked up, but she didn't immediately break into a mad dash to the source of water. There was risk using a desert well without knowing the owners. Were they friend or foe? 'I'll have to be quick.' Chiba scanned the surrounding land and decided. She rode up to the well and quickly dismounted.

"I can't believe my luck." She threw the bucket down before drawing it back up with the attached rope. The lioness brought the bucket to her lips and quenched her thirst. Some water spilled past her lips and landed on the stone well.

"Ahhh." She throatily sighed and wiped her chin. One of the camels bumped her shoulder. "You can have some too." Chiba readily let the ones carrying her throughout the entire journey have their turn. After filling her water supply, the feline was ready to leave.

'No one around... Good.' Chiba looked around as she quickly mounted the lead camel. But as soon as she resumed her journey, movement caught her eyes. Figures coming from the edge of the flat dust pan were riding towards her. They rode camels like her, but were dressed uniquely.

'Tuaregs? No...' Her eyes narrowed as she recognized the nomads' colorful garbs. But they were not Tuareg wild dogs. 'Tulunids!' She growled at the very real threat. They were a scattered tribe of felines, mostly panthers and a few cheetahs, who were hired by larger tribes for their fighting prowess. They were also rumored to be thieves during times of peace when their services were not needed.

'I'm unarmed.' She clenched her teeth at the painful fact. Her heart quickened as they approached with speed. Chiba could see that they wore their robes loosely, leaving little doubt that they were all male. They were also armed with knives and curved swords. All three surrounded her. Her camel grumbled without anywhere to go. 'I'm trapped!'

"Who are you?" One of them asked. Chiba's ears fell flat against her skull.

"Let me through." She demanded. Two of the panthers looked at each other questioningly. The lioness tensed hearing her own heartbeat and expected them to part for her. One of the Tulunids beside her suddenly sprang from his ride and grabbed her. The other two quickly dismounted to help.

"You damn mercenaries!" Chiba roared as she was brought to the ground by the three. The lioness kicked and spat but was gradually subdued. Her hands were tied tightly behind her back. It had happened so swift that she could hardly orient herself from the ground.

"She cut me pretty well..." One panther wiped blood from his cheek, revealing a red cut.

"Hurry up and bring her back." Another ordered and rounded up the two camels. Chiba didn't give an inch despite her position. Digging her claws into the sand, she was moved only by force. The lioness was dragged across the sand by the two and over a dune where several tents were set up. One was very large with a little tapered triangular flag flying at the top. From behind her two camels were brought by the third Tulunid. Chiba was taken inside one tent where another black panther was waiting. This male panther was naked except for two tasseled bracelets and a loose cloth tied around his waist to hold a quiver by his outer leg. A bow was slung over his shoulder and back. The satisfied look on the feline's face bothered Chiba.

"We found someone." One of the others quickly spoke as she scrambled to her feet. The leader looked Chiba over with a mere bat of an eye.

"Strip and search her." He commanded. "I'll tell him." The lead panther ordered and walked away. Her robes were roughly yanked and tugged.

"Get off me!" Chiba spat and growled. Putting up another fight despite having her hands tied, Chiba managed to beat the pair back for a short time. Only when one put her into a choke hold did the other use a knife to cut her clothes to tatters. The sudden cling of metal spilled onto the ground.

'No!' Chiba clenched her teeth.

"She has a lot of money on her!" The other panther grinned. Her robe was torn off into tatters, and the little bit of Joseph's money she had was confiscated. "Wow, this is a nice sum for a lone lioness in the desert." One counted the coins in his hand greedily.

"Keep half of them, and you know who to give the rest to." The panther ordered and released Chiba from his grap.

"Stupid Tulunid!" She spat. "Whoever hired you would pay you to kill your own!"

"Make sure she's seated." The lead Tulunid from before returned and another approached her. Chiba growled but was forced to her knees. The male panther stood behind her to make sure she stayed put. From the corner of her eye, Chiba knew that his male hood was likely dangling just over her shoulder beside her face. It only made her situation more infuriating. With great distaste she spat at her captors until she had to catch her breath. Her body shuddered angrily until a figure stepped into her view. The lioness's jaw slackened in utter shock.

'Oh my...' She couldn't believe who was standing before her.

"Well? Who did you see?" Joseph paused from rubbing the lioness's back as the trickling sound of water stopped. She leaned back into his touch for a moment and imagined the person's face. A burly look, well groomed deep reddish brown mane, and brown eyes that were anything but soft. "Was it your dead ex-husband?"

"No." She circled a hand through the warm water. "But you are close." Chiba spaced her arms out a little. "Get my sides next, please." The human obliged and rubbed over where she wanted. The lioness stirred the lukewarm water with a hand reminiscently.

"Bulus... Kakuyid." Her voice barely said above a whisper. The leader of the Kakuyids. The strong built male lion was wearing a leather belt with a metal ring and an armband made of leather, but nothing else, leaving his naked masculine body proudly on display. It was typical for Kakuyid males in villages to be seen proudly in their nudity, without hiding anything. His toned abs tensed at the sight of the lioness.

"Chiba..." He growled and folded his arms. The lion approached until he was a mere step away from the lioness. Chiba's ears fell back in anger. Her gaze dropped to the "little mane" of light brown fur above his groin, and gritted her teeth. It was far better than looking at the lion's face.

'Of all the people to run into... in the desert.' She silently cursed at herself.

"I never would have thought that I would see you alive again..." He quietly remarked. "I thought that you would've killed your ungrateful father before you killed my eldest son."

"I love my father. He was poor and your son knew that!" She growled.

"As far as I see it, he did not force any dowry or marriage."

"Tempting a poor family with money is force. I didn't ask for any of it!"

"He still took it, and if you did as you were told then you could've lived a rich life."

"As a harem slave." She bitingly retorted. Bulus's tail flicked in irritation. "You think money can buy anything... I should've guessed you would hire Tulunids."

"They get the job done." He muttered and ruffled his mane.

"Pff." Chiba blew a breath of agitation.

"I had you put away in a remote town's jail, outside of Sham, to rot for the rest of your life." He looked away with a short sigh and sauntered around the tent. "Somewhere that I wouldn't go..." His voice feigned sadness. The lion paused and turned around to face her once again. "Who did you kill to escape?"

"No one!" She growled.

"Then someone had to help you escape the only decent jail in all of Fez." He rambled on. Chiba held her tongue in silence, and Bulus easily picked up on the cue. "Maybe I'll have that person killed."

"Shut up!" The lioness roared as the panther's hands on her shoulders held fast. 'He's already dead...' She felt guilt form inside her stomach.

"Humph!" The lion paced around. "My father Garshasp chose me and not my elder brother to rule." He rambled in about his family history.

'You wouldn't be so powerful had your father not unified the Kakuyids.' She held the thought to herself. 'You're too proud to see that you had everything handed to you.'

"You're not even listening to me anymore..." The lion paused. Bulus approached and knelt down to her level wearing a stern face.

"Don't touch me." She growled and bared her teeth. The male frowned and took a cautionary step back as she eyed his uncovered genitals as a target. No prideful male would be willing to risk that wound.

"Tie her up and take her away." Bulus flicked his tail. The dark panther nodded and pulled the lioness to her feet with help from another Tulunid. Chiba closed her eyes and clenched her teeth as she was led away into another tent.

Chiba didn't bother keeping track of the time. She was under constant guard, and that in itself was humiliating enough. Each day felt like Bulus was prolonging her expected death. She wondered if he would suddenly stop and have her slain in the desert like a captured bandit. Her days were eerily dragged out. Sometimes she was forced to walk alongside a camel in the blistering heat while blindfolded; but other times she rode atop a camel in a howdah. She had no idea where she would end up, and Bulus likely had everything planned out. Her meals and water were given infrequently. Everything was just like the Kefir jail cell, except for the cell itself and the brief presence of her cell mate.

'I abandoned him in the desert only to end up a slave!' She covered her face as she swallowed back the toxic mix of rage and guilt filled anguish. One late morning when she was prisoner inside a howdah, the deafness of the desert changed. All around her was great noise. The camel often grumbled and lurched to a halt or even swayed as if confused.

"Hey!" The breaking of a pot startled the half asleep lioness. The camel bellowed a garbled response. Chiba couldn't see anything outside her little prison meant to shade riders from the sun, but her ears could hear everything nearby in clarity.

"Move!" Chiba recognized the voice of her captors, but there were many other voices. The loud chatter and endless stops told her that they were in a city.

'I suppose I made it to Al Lishbunah after all...' Chiba thought to herself soberly.

"Did you hear about the murder near the bathhouse in the Aram Soba quarter?" A much quieter voice close by spoke.

"No. I never go there..." The passing two voices faded away.

"Those horses from Jeddah are too fast in the races... I can't imagine how angry my brother is for losing three races in a row."

"You're just angry because a human beat you." Another joked. But there were a few more personal remarks.

"Those Kakuyids... They're always naked like animals. How disrespectful to decency." Her keen ears picked up a low voice passing by.

'Is that all you have to complain about?' Chiba looked down at her naked body, although no one could see her inside the howdah. The lioness understood that cities, even desert towns were different than tribes like her own towards nudity; but it seemed trivial to her. She touched one of her brown nipples. The tender flesh had been darkened from extended exposure under the desert sun, even burned during a particular hot day.

"Get moving!" A lion roared. "We're here." Her eyes lit up hearing the sound of a loud snapping sound. She grabbed ahold of the camel as it suddenly sat down.

"Get off." The front opened up. Chiba exited the miniature tent and dismounted. The lioness immediately shielded her eyes from the stinging sun's rays, but the warmth of paved stones beneath her paws were a surprise.

'It's bright...' She squinted as her eyes adjusted. The desert born lioness found herself in an urban environment. Chiba was near a small open space surrounded by buildings on three sides. Lions were standing around, and she noticed two lions talking to a caracal official. Taller buildings bearing colorful awnings were within sight, and stone was more common than basic adobe. Her ears finally registered the noisiest of the place. People were mulling up and down a busy street beside her. Several paused to look at the naked feline standing openly in the public.

"Hurry up you!" An arm roughly pulled her away from the street. The bright sunshine suddenly disappeared.

"Hey!" She growled but the firm hand shoved her forward anyway. Looking around, Chiba had been shuffled into a small tent adjoined to one of the larger building. There was only one exit, and she could see two lions guarding it through a sliver in the tent's lining. She felt bound to stay there under penalty of death, but escape would've been impossible anyway. She huffed and furrowed her brow. The outside sunlight could still be felt in the shade.

'Why would he bring me to a giant city like this?' She folded her arms and studied the ground in thought. Her sturdy tail swayed in agitation. The entrance suddenly opened. Chiba turned and growled seeing a male lion, half naked himself, standing before her.

"Put this on." He handed her a thin veiled garment that reminded her of a harem dancer.

"I am not dancing for anyone." Chiba sneered at the garment and threw it back. The male unsheathed his claws and jumped her.

"Get me some help!" He yelled out, struggling to restrain her. Two other mostly naked males rushed in.

"Get off me!" Chiba kicked and punched until she was brought down to the ground. The three males huffed and caught their breath.

"I want shackles on her first." The first lion decided and briefly disappeared before returning. Chiba roared in retaliation at the sight of two large shackles connected by a short chain, but the other two had her completely pinned. The cold metal was clasped around her wrists securely, and the chains rattled as she struggled.

"I will send for the rat." One spoke before promptly leaving. The other two quickly backed off and gave her space as a half naked female rat dressed in rags entered the tent. Chiba rose to her feet with difficulty and found herself staring at the meek short rat. She was covered in white fur, and had pale grey eyes.

"Can you dress her with those on?" One lion asked as he handed her the dusty veiled garment.

"Yes, I can, master Neshir." The short rat humbly nodded. Her hairless hands quickly dusted the delicate garment before dressing the lioness with it.

"You'll learn that word well." He turned away before leaving. The second lion quickly followed suit. Chiba blinked as two gentle hands rested on her shoulder.

"I will pray for you." The rat lady whispered before padding away. Chiba watched her long tail slip away. The lioness sighed and looked at the poor excuse for clothing wrapped around her body.

'I'm still just as naked with this thing on...' There was little to hide from the translucent veil. But what bothered the lioness the most was her new bonds. Her chains quietly rattled. The shackles felt heavy on her wrists, but she was tired from being wrestled over and over.

'What can I do?' She wondered to herself. Her ears lifted hearing footsteps and soft voices approaching. She peeked an eye open. Through the sliver of the tent's opening she could see two figures standing before her temporary prison. A shorter male lion and the tall broad shouldered lion whom she hated. Bulus was dressed royally in a white robe with a blue head scarf piece that actually covered most of his body.

'Of course he has the gall to be dressed in a city.' Chiba clenched her teeth together. 'He wouldn't let his pride shake and dance with every step out here. He and every other male has a secret younger male lover...' She growled at how unfaithful the more prominent Kakuyid males were.

"Where do you think she will fetch a good price from?" One low voice mused.

"Hmm. Maybe the Bozzelli family will consider her." Bulus hummed to himself. The captive lioness frowned as she recognized the voice's owner. "I think Andre could use some labor to clean his galley, that is if his sons don't want to have some fun with her first." A laugh made Chiba's ears fold back flatly. It felt like the breath had been driven from her body.

'So that's why I'm in chains...' She realized. 'The hyena was right.'

"You're coming with me." A voice spoke. Chiba looked up at a male lion she didn't know. He grabbed her by the arm and led her outside. Her eyes squinted as she was led back into the sunlight. Her paws stepped over the warm paved stone before reaching something made of wood. Chiba looked down as she was being led up a small flight of stairs. "Stand right here." The lion accompanying her whispered before backing away.

"We have a Kakuyid lioness here!" A city official spoke to the crowd. "She has a violent history, and poor temperament. Her claws are sharp but so is her mind..." The caracal rambled on much to Chiba's annoyance. "Good posture, youthful, strongly built, but with a ferocious temper as a blazing fire." The official finished speaking. A mindless chatter of many voices reached her ears. She glanced up at the small crowd without moving her head. 'All lions...' Her eyes sharpened at the sight of so many manes. She stared back down at her paws as the bidding for her life started.

"Six bronze!"

"Seven bronze!" Roars quickly reached ten but stalled.

"Do I hear eleven or twelve?" The auctioneer beside her said aloud, but no one seemed willing to take the risk of paying a high, or even modest price for her. "Going once... Going twice... So-!"

"Twelve bronze pieces!" Her ear flickered at the odd sounding voice that didn't roar like the others.

"Fifteen!" The male lion countered. Roars of enthusiasm swept through the crowd of lions at the bidding war. Chiba heard silver being bid before her sale reached a finale.

"Sold!" The auctioneer's voice rang aloud. Cheers and boisterous talk filled the air.

'Who bought me?' She tried looking through her thin veil, but only lion manes were visible in the forefront. 'Maybe I will be lucky?' The faintest glimmer of hope was swallowed up as she was led off the platform. There was more commotion as a few of the males taunted and jeered at her.

"If you escape from your new master, then we will personally find you and torture you." One voice muttered.

"You should be thankful one of us didn't buy you." Another Kakuyid spoke. Her ears laid flat against her skull through it all. The reality of her fate as a slave was quickly settling in. Her entire life from this point was going to be serving someone she never knew in likely unimaginable ways. A chill ran up her spine.

'Please don't let me kill him.' Chiba silently prayed as she was led by the rope down a crowded street. Her claws sheathed and unsheathed themselves several times out of nervousness and smoldering anger. She was then led down less streets that narrowed before being directed through an open door. The familiar voice of her buyer spoke with Bulus for a brief period.

"Grant this young man farewell!" She held back a growl at the sound of Bulus's voice. The door shut, leaving her in a silent entryway.

'Thank goodness.' She gave an internal sigh that the lion was gone.

"Step forward." A male voice spoke. She felt a hand fidget with her iron shackles before finally opening them. The metal was tossed aside and hit the ground with a clunking thud.

'At least that's off my wrists...' Chiba's thought faded as she looked into an oddly familiar pair of grinning brown eyes. A turban was pulled back revealing the face of a human she once thought was dead.

"You're free."

"Wow." Joseph managed to say when the lioness concluded her story. "Bulus is your father-in-law?"

"Unfortunately." Chiba finished her bath and stood up causing the water to quietly slosh. Droplets of water noisily trickled into the little pool like rain. "Hand me a towel please." She held an arm out. Joseph obliged and gave her one. He watched the feline step out and dry off as the small tub in the floor drained. "So what did you do since then?" Chiba sat down with the towel hanging from her shoulders and faced him. Much of her damp fur resembled little soft spikes of creamy white and gold.

"Since when?" He looked up from her bare body.

"Since I left you in the Aurum Desert."

"I was hallucinating and close to dying of thirst when I stumbled upon a caravan belonging to a member of the rich Acciaioli merchant family. He took me in for a day and had someone help me reach La Selva."

"La Selva..." She thought aloud. "That's an oasis town that I skipped."

"I worked for an old leopard who created pottery from his workshop, and repaired weapons as well as other stuff. He was difficult to work with. The worst part was when I became an apprentice. One day he came to the shop angry because he misplaced his shoes, and then ordered me to clean the sand from his feet."

"Yuck!" The lioness resounded with a grimacing face before grinning in amusement.

"I've never met anyone with his kind of temper. Luckily I quickly moved up from his foot rubber to his actual apprentice." Joseph whimsically told her. "Then there was this whole debacle with his former love... but that somehow worked out. When I made enough I left La Selva and reached Ghat. I ran into a few Kakuyid lions, but luckily the head of their group sent them away and told me when to leave for the next town of Ubari."

"You could've been mauled right there." Chiba mentioned. "But there are a few honest people in my tribe."

"I spent two days in Ubari before heading out again. It took me several more days to reach this city. That's when I found the auction... and you." He concluded the wild tale of traveling with her.

"I'm surprised that we both made it here alive." Chiba admitted with an unwavering gaze. The lioness dried her arms and blew a satisfied sigh. Both of them had lucked out on fate's twisted ways. "Thanks for buying me." She said. "I was afraid that one of them would end up buying me."

"No problem. I couldn't let you be sold off to anyone like that. I don't like slavery."

"You don't?" She started drying her head. "Then why did you buy me? Now we are both poor."

"I just did..." He shrugged. His non answer made the lioness shake her head.

"Aren't you afraid that I will murder you, or at least harm you?" Chiba brought up a very good point.

"I was, and maybe I still am." He admitted. "But if you didn't kill me in the desert, then you wouldn't do it anywhere else." A little grin curled at the corners of Chiba's mouth.

"You're right." She continued drying herself. "So, what did you have planned for the big coastal cities? You're here now." She mentioned. Joseph paused to think. Suddenly Begum and Leila's words of planning ahead haunted him. They were in the prosperous coastal city, but neither had a single copper coin to their names. Only a single piece of silver to Joseph. That was an odd truth both of them now faced.

"Nothing." The human admitted. The lioness huffed in amusement.

"Nothing huh?" Her rope like tail swung in the air behind her. "You're as naive as when we were in the jailhouse." Joseph felt his face flush in embarrassment.

"Well..." He looked around. "It's a nice little home for such a big city. Three rooms and a little pool for a bath."

"How did you manage to afford a home like this? I didn't leave you with any money, and there's no way you could've worked to buy this."

"Bulus gave us some provisions because I foolishly bet nearly everything that I had on you." He grinned.

"You mean he gave you some provisions." She clarified.

"What do you mean?"

"He clearly doesn't want to see me free ever again. I'm nothing more than trash to him and everything given to you was meant only for you."

"Oh." Joseph understood and watched her dry herself with the towel for a moment. "But he won't be watching after you since you're 'legally' in my care now."

"I can't relax for a day if he is still in the city." Chiba huffed and tossed the balled up wet towel at him. Joseph hung it up. "That lion has a lot of influence." She leaned against the wall. Her fur air dried with ease, but she seemed as comfortable as ever without wearing anything in front of him. His eyes lingered.

'Don't let her beauty distract you again Joseph.' The human told himself but didn't stop from stealing a long look at the lounging nude lioness. Her short golden and white fur was sleek and seemed to glow in the sunlight. It was the perfect compliment to her athletic and toned body. Naturally inquisitive, Chiba didn't sit still to air dry for long. Joseph watched her curiously walk around the main room in the nude.

"Bulus is rich." She turned her back and noted several valuables. A certain porcelain vase caught her golden eyes. Joseph rubbed his eyes after staring at her rear.

"You can dress. We're in the city."

"Neither of us are from the city." She pointed out. "Besides, I don't have anything else to wear."

"You'll need something if you want to walk around outside this house." He pointed out.

"I don't have anything, in case you haven't figured that out." She wiggled her nose.

'Right...' He glanced at the ragged slave auction garment nearby. "He must have something laying around..." Joseph rummaged through the home. Back in the bedroom he found the white sheets spread across the bed.

"Here." He returned and handed the makeshift garment to her. "You can wear this." The lioness looked at the sheet in hand.

"What do you plan on doing?" She asked.

"Not sure... Let's look around the area. Al Lishbunah is pretty big." He recommended.

"Ok." She shrugged and dressed herself the best she could with the makeshift outfit. It wasn't as revealing as the translucent veil she wore, but it still accentuated her body very well. Approaching the front door, they found her chains still laying in the floor where he had unshackled her.

"What do you want me to do with these?" Joseph picked up the chains that once held her.

"Get rid of them, please." She looked away while he opened the door and threw them to the street.

"Someone will pick them up by nightfall I hope." He wiped his hands. The lioness nodded and stepped outside. 'If this really is Bulus's house, then I doubt anyone would try to steal from it.' Joseph felt safe exiting the house.

"Where are we going?" Chiba folded her arms.

"Hmm..." Joseph cleared his thoughts from his eventful afternoon and remembered the excitement from when he entered the southern gate. "Do you want to go to the coast to see the sea?"

"Ok." She plainly answered. Joseph half expected the lioness to slip away somewhere along the streets, just as she had done during their first night together in the Aurum Desert. However, the quiet feline remained by his side as they navigated through the streets. The magnificent city had lost some of its thronging tempo from the afternoon, but it was a very active evening. Merchants, locals, and guards alike were shuffling across the narrow streets. The sounds of chatter and balking were deafening in the rich marketplace. A tiny chorus of mizmar reed flutes, hand drums, and a lute could be heard along one street corner. Everything felt so alive to the human from Fez. Joseph couldn't help himself from taking time to observe the many buildings that they passed. A tall madrasah with a pointed archway graced the more modest buildings around it. Places of worship were never out of sight. Two story buildings for merchants to reside were elaborate and made of good stonework. Minarets atop various buildings seemed to touch the sky.

"Wow." Joseph gazed at a tall fortress of sandstone and mortar. Its walls were not very tall, but they were no less imposing. A thick tower bordered roofs of other lavish buildings that he could barely see. The walls themselves were crenelated, and Joseph could see guards armed with crossbows pacing around. Small roofed sections along the walls gave guards necessary shade for their shift.

"That's likely where the Emir resides." Chiba told him.

"The Emir..."

"You know, the one who rules the city."

"I know that." He replied as they walked around a cart being loaded with hay. Along the rest of the street, simple peddlers offered little trinkets or small amounts of food for a cheap price. The sound of a blacksmith's workshop caught their ears too. Everything felt nearly overwhelming for the human, yet the many different urban goers seemed to take the extravagance for granted.

"There's more kinds of people in this city than the entire desert." Joseph said. Chiba's ears flickered, but the lioness gave no remarks. They turned a corner and onto another street. Palm trees lined the new street beside buildings as if guiding him to the sea. The smell of salt in the air filled his breaths. A lateen sail was visible between two buildings. Gulls were heard making their chatty calls, and a few were even visible along rooftops. Joseph scarcely noticed that the ground beneath him was actually dirt instead of sand, or the fact that he had reached a dead end.

"Which way should we go?" He turned back to Chiba.

"This way?" She pointed and wrinkled her nose. "Dead fish..." They rounded a building and found their entryway. They hopped over a low and very old rock wall and found themselves in the sand of the beach. Joseph kicked up sand as the wind ruffled his robes. The mighty blue sea was on display before him. The hope and excitement from earlier in the day returned in force and filled his soul in awe. The blue waves gently lapped along the shore, spreading the water into a thin foam leaving the sand wet. Nothing was in front of them except deep blue water. A few small fishing vessels, dhows, were visible towards the horizon. The nimble vessels skimmed across the water like arrows, their sails catching every bit of wind possible. Towards his far left he could barely glimpse galleys flying different flags, docked along the busy harbor to their far left. Directly before him was an amusing sight to see.

"Wet sand." He relished even the most basic sight. Looking over his shoulder, he could see Chiba taking the sights with a typical laid back expression. "Do you like big cities or small desert villages? You're just standing there."

"It's just salty water... But I don't mind where I am. Al Lishbunah is a nice but very big city." She admitted indifferently.

"I have never seen so much water that I could never drink." He grinned and looked back at the sea. The salty breeze passed through again, ruffling their clothes.

"There was a large salt lake near my home village in Sham." Chiba reminisced at the blue water. "When I first saw it at a young age I tried drinking the water thinking it was fresh."

"That must have left a strong taste of salt on your tongue." Joseph laughed.

"It was." The lioness half grinned. "I might as well have eaten a handful of sand."

"What do you want to do with your life now?"

"My life?" Her muzzle wrinkled. "How naive are you? I'm legally your slave."

"You can go wherever you want. I'm not keeping you as a slave." For once, the lioness didn't have a quick answer or snappy retort for him.

"I don't know... I don't have money, or a skill set that's valuable." She admitted. "All of your money was taken from me, remember?"

"That's true." He nodded.

"Don't you want to kill me for what I did to you?" Chiba openly questioned. The human stopped and wondered for a moment as the waves quietly lapped at the shore.

"I am angry for what you did to me." He admitted before looking at her with a firm gaze. "But what happened is in the past, and we need each other to survive today." The lioness gazed back at him without a word. They resumed their walk across the sandy beach. A gentle breeze from the sea constantly ruffled their clothes like hair or flags. Joseph relished the seaside wind. Compared to the stinging heat of the desert, it was soothing and mild against his skin. They came upon a few ruinous buildings lining the sandy shore. Centuries ago they probably housed rich families; but now, threatened by the tide the roofless rock walls were home to the poorest urban dwellers not afraid of a close high tide. Mere sticks shoved into the ground held up stretched colorful fabrics for shade.

"We're in the slums..." Chiba mumbled. Someone's paws were visible outside the shade.

"Ready to turn back?" Joseph stopped just shy of the first building, despite wanting to explore it. "The sun is getting low."

"Yes, but what about you? You don't have much money left."

"Try anything." He shook his robe for good measure. "I have one good coin of silver... and a camel to sell in a funduq!" He remembered. "But that won't last very long here."

"That's not good." She blew a sigh. "And you don't even know what to do about it."

"I'm open to any suggestion." He stated. A half grin emerged on her face. "What? You're thinking of something." He correctly guessed.

"You could work at a male brothel."

"A brothel?"

"You know, walk around a dimly lit room and shake your stuff at people. City people prefer cleaner bodies, and being a human makes you a prime candidate."

"You say that with a straight face." He huffed. "I'll consider it if you consider going to the same brothel as me."

"Not a chance." She concluded.

"That settles that." He dragged his foot along the sand.

"Are you going to become a beggar?"

"No." The human couldn't imagine doing something like that, even to survive.

"Then what do you plan on doing?" Chiba asked. Joseph paused and thought for a moment.

"I heard one of the Kakuyid lions at your auction talking about a group called the Safaviyya. What is the Safaviyya?"

"It's a council that the ruling Emir relies on for decision making. The Emir can have as many different people on the council as he wants, but only a maximum of six serve at any given moment. He tries to rotate members to reduce bias. Bulus is one of them, and the fact that he is here means that he is in rotation."

"Are they paid well?"

"Handsomely." She answered.

"How do you know all of this?"

"You learn a lot when you're engaged and married to the jerk's son." She growled. The topic was a hot stone for her to touch. "But I only know a little more than you do."

"How does one become part of the Safaviyya?"

"Are you joking with me?" She snorted. "You have to understand the city and surrounding lands, have plenty of experience, and a strong wit to even be considered a potential advisor."

"I will study in the library, bring texts home to study, listen to speeches at the madrasah, and learn everything about the Sham area from you." He reasoned.

"That could take a long time." She frowned.

"I don't have a long time to sit without any money, and neither do you." His reasoning left Chiba without a verbal answer. The lioness scuffed her foot for half a step sending sand into the air. "Consider it your debt to me. You'll be my tutor for a week." Joseph made up his mind.

"I might be in debt forever." She grumbled and followed him back into the streets.