Solen breathed the desert air for a moment, listening to the whisper of the sand, taking in his actions, then raised his head, echoing Lyria's words.

"You did the right thing"

He turned to see the city of Urmayan, the moon shone on the great sacred tree creating a majestic silhouette of shadows, took his pole-blade and let the weight of the weapon fall on his shoulder, it felt a little lighter than normal.

"F...for the Narthe'Ali," he quoted the Hegtai mission, then moved forward, back to his duty.

The great temple of Urmayan, built around the trunk of the Shajiilha, the great structure of limestone and sandstone, stood out for its white walls compared to the different shades of yellow of the rest of Urmayan, yellowish and red columns supported both the roofs of the temple and the branches of the great tree that infiltrated different sections of the temple, crossing entire halls and corridors, the entire history of the Narthum lived within the temple, as well as their faith.

Solen walked up the white steps drowning in his own thoughts, worried about Lyria and Hamsra waiting for them to return home safely, questioning if he was still worthy of his title.

"Hegtai..." he heard, Solen looked up, at the top of the stairs, a woman dressed in a sky blue tunic, beads of different materials and symbols hung from her neck and on her shoulders rested a large ornament in the shape of great ram's horns whose curves rose to her head, it was clear that the woman with coppery skin and a shaved head was waiting for him.

"Great Acolyte," Solen answered, bowing his head in respect.

"Did you carry out your orders?" the woman asked coldly.

"I followed the will of the goddesses as ordered."

"Why did you take so long?" she asked when Solen reached the highest step.

"The... the goddesses put obstacles in my way," he answered uncertainly. "But I fulfilled her will."

The great Acolyte of the Narthum looked Solen in the eye, Solen had been warned about her, Acolyte of Anahalum for so many moons that no one remembers how long she had been in charge, those years were evident in her complexion, Solen did not know her age but the wrinkles on her face, marked cheekbones and prominent veins gave him an idea.

"Fine," he blurted out after stabbing Solen with his gaze. "Come, the goddesses have another task for you, it is an order" she affirmed and turned to enter the great temple, Solen could not object.

He followed the Acolyte through the corridors of the great temple, the corridors changing white walls and blue or red columns lit by torches to the deep brown and green color of the Shajiilha branches that infiltrated the structure, she walked with marked and precise steps, kept his arms in front of his abdomen, with the palms of sjsn

"What task do you have for me?"

"You're talking to an Anahalum's Acolyte, Hegtai," she replied without looking at him.

"My apologies..."

"Your superiors speak truth when they say that you tend to talk too much," she commented, it was obvious that she knew about him, which was to be expected after having personally sought him out for this infamous work.

The acolyte led him to the great arch of polished rock with curtains of blue silk concealing what lay beyond, leading the way to the chambers of the Narthe'Ali carved with the symbols of the goddesses, watched over by two Hegtai, his equal, one on each side.

To the right of the arch was the sun, the dunes of the great sea of ​​sand, purifying fire and the strong wind that guided the ever-changing sands, at the top, looking west, the slender and refined profile of the Goddess Dushrmet, her eyes covered with a veil of the finest silk, supported by two straight horns, refined like spears of ivory emerging from her head that only possessed a perfectly made ponytail that started at the center of the horns and reached to the base Of the arc.

On the left, the moon, the mountains of the divine peaks where the Bara'halum is born, the torrent of the great river, life-providing rain and the storm that fertilizes the fields, above all, looking east, the almost maternal figure, of soft and flowing complexion, the goddess Anahalum, smiling with a face adorned in flowers as well as her spiral horns like those of a great ram, born between a great hair of countless braids adorned with plants that traveled to the base like the same river she created.

Solen feared the worst, if the Narthe'Ali required his presence, it was most likely that the great Acolyte had accused him of treason to cover her actions, it would be a tactic that he himself would implement.

"The Narthe'Ali will receive you," the Acolyte said, though the horns on her garb hid her eyes, Solen could feel her stinging gaze through them. "Lay down your weapons and kneel when in his presence," she ordered.

Solen nodded and extended his weapon to one of his brothers guarding the entrance, he took it immediately, then handed over the shield that ran through his arm and a dagger that he kept behind his waist, while he did so, the second guard searched him without scruples, as was his duty.

Without further ado, Solen crossed the threshold, careful not to damage the silk hanging from it.

The chambers of the Narthe'Ali, possibly the most spacious abode in all of Urmayan, one of the highest points of the great temple, built on one of the faces of the Shajiilha that gave a direct view of the Bara'halum and the Divine Peaks to the distance, a part where the roots of the tree and the waters of the river met, no construction allowed access to the rooms and even if someone tried to climb the roots, guards established at specific points left no blind spots.

Solen could not help but be somewhat disappointed, to be the rooms of a queen, they were still just walls, just like any barracks he knew, what he could see was the queen's bed, wide enough to sleep 3 soldiers comfortably, covered in beast skin.

"Hegtai Solen, right?" He heard, in the back of the room, right in front of the viewpoint there was a pond, in this he could see a silhouette submerged up to the shoulders looking at the horizon, Solen immediately removed his helmet and placed both knees on the ground, leaving the helmet in front of him, observing the ground and showing the palms of the hands, a sign of complete submission.

"My Narthe'Ali," he exclaimed. "A thousand apologies, I shouldn't have come in," he excused without taking his eyes off the ground.

"No apologies," she interrupted. "I told Enyu to let you in," she referred to the Acolyte.

Solen did not deign to see the front, there was complete silence that felt eternal for him.

"Don't you wonder why I ordered you to come?"

"I'm just waiting for your orders my Narthe'Ali," answered Solen, he could clearly hear how she sighed with some disappointment, followed by the movement of the water.

"I must admit that the call to duty of the Hegtai is to be admired," she commented, Solen heard the steps of the queen coming out of the pond and the water trickling on the ground. "Enyu said that you helped her with certain tasks."

Understanding what was implicit in the conversation was not difficult.

"Yes, my Narthe'Ali," he replied. "I fulfilled my orders."

"Look up, Hegtai," she ordered, Solen obeyed, in front of him was Ekali, Narthe'Ali of the Narthum, dressed in white and blue fabrics, contrasting with her sepia skin, reminiscent of the color of the Shajiilha bark in the sunset, her face adorned with golden beads and on this her crown, a golden band that held beautifully crafted golden horns on each side, showing what the incarnation of Anahalum was like on earth, her braided dark hair held pieces of gold at each end.

Solen had never been so close to the Narthe'Ali before, he swallowed as he tried to keep his eyes on her, but without meeting her grayish eyes.

"I have another job for you."

Lyria had already lost track of time about how long she had been riding the Jashi that Solen had given her, for a moment she looked back, Urmayan had already disappeared into the horizon, the sea of ​​sand had become a series of grasslands and savannahs along with some farming or fishing villages on the outer edges of Narthum territory.

The shaking kept Hamsra awake, crying nonstop, Lyria tried to comfort her, but it was impossible between controlling where the bird ran and holding the little girl.

"Soo," Lyria let out as she pulled on the reins, with some protest the bird slowed down and began to stop near a solitary tree in the wide savannah, with a thin trunk but with a crown that widened around it as if its leaves were floating in the air "Let's get some rest..."

Lyria dismounted without letting go of the reins of the bird nor Hamsra who did not stop crying, pulling on these to guide her, even with her squawks of protest.

"Damn stubborn..." she commented, and just after the jashi pulled her, almost making her lose her balance, to then tap her beak repeatedly, causing a sound similar to that of several thunders one after another, Lyria took it as a sign derisive "By the goddesses..."

Exhausted, Lyria sat at the foot of the tree with Hamsra in her arms, the poor creature still crying, she didn't blame her considering the journey they were taking.

"It's okay, little one," Lyria said as she settled her on her chest to try to feed her. Luckily, Hamsra soon agreed to be breastfed by Lyria. "How hungry were you?" Lyria asked smiling.

Beside her, the jashi stood upright and attentive, although she was blindfolded, Lyria recognized how she remained alert to the night sounds around her, insects, bats and other creatures of the night, from time to time her plumage of various shades from brown to gold bristled, perhaps in response to the cold or some suspicious sound.

"I guess you deserve it..." Lyria reached for some of the dried meat she had kept in her bag for the trip, tossing it near the bird's huge legs, it wasn't a second before the huge curved beak swooped down catching the food, as if it were a live prey, she only had to raise her beak a little to swallow the prey whole.

The starry sky was something to admire, the tall grass and few trees of the extensive savannah showed a night plane full of bright lights on a dark fabric that could rarely be admired.

"You did the right thing"

Her own words appeared in her head, didn't feel an iota of doubt when she said them to Solen, but now, in the middle of nowhere, after swearing to protect a girl she knew nothing about, now she asked herself.

"At least, you and Jaren will be able to keep each other company..." she said as she stroked her head gently. "Both of you won't have to be alone, you won't be alone, Hamsra..."

All could rest that night, the presence of the huge Jashi was enough to keep other beasts at bay, with the first light of dawn, Lyria remounted with Hamsra in her arms, crossing the plains in the direction of the divine peaks.

"Soon you will return to your owner, you won't have to put up with me much longer," Lyria said as she stroked the bird's plumage, receiving a squawk in response, Lyria could not complain, the sky was clear with a bright sun and the breeze caressed her face, she even saw an eagle flying over the meadow.

A few moments later the direction of the wind changed, suddenly the bird's plumage ruffled, it raised its head as high as it could and although it could not see, it began to turn its head from side to side as if analyzing the surroundings "What's going on ?" Lyria asked as she held on to the reins.

The Jashi squawked loudly as she turned to the left, facing the wind, her plumage bristling even more, she had definitely scented something, Lyria reined in.

"Okay girl, if we run now we can..." he tried to order her when a high-pitched sound began to approach, a very well-known whistle.

Lyria lowered her head instantly protecting Hamsra with her body, the arrow flew over them in an instant, her mount stood up as high as it could, it began to inflate its crop and expel the air, causing a deep rumbling sound, as a mount of war, she was trained not to back down from combat.

"No! Lyria yelled," pulling on the reins. "We must go!"

Screams could be heard in the distance, silhouettes could be seen, riders on horses were approaching, another arrow was shot towards them, this one could graze the bird's plumage, which allowed it to stop struggling with Lyria and start running in the opposite direction.

"Can we make it?" Lyria thought as the Jashi ran at full speed, she could see the line of the forest in the distance, maybe she could lose them between the trees, but it would be just as difficult for her to cross it.

As she fled, a shadow on the meadow caught Lyria's attention, the silhouette of a bird moving at the same speed as them, Lyria looked at the sky, the same eagle from a moment ago was flying over them, following them.

"They are Sennok..." Lyria whispered, members of the nomadic tribes of the Northwest, beyond the plains, great horsemen and handlers of birds of prey, probably hailed from the Boarhead Coast, raiders no doubt, the eagle above them was trained to chase and indicate to its master where the prey was, even if it entered the forest, the eagle would follow them through the trees and call out its location, one of the reasons why Sennok hunters were so successful in their hunts.

With no way to get rid of the eagle and with the raiders on their tail, she had only one option left to make it out alive and protect Hamsra and Jaren.

She had to kill them.

While the jashi ran at full speed, Lyria used Xama's cloak to wrap Hamsra, and then tied the cloth around her torso, the baby was securely fastened on her back, her cries in one way or another reminded her of what she was in play.

"Daik!" she yelled as she lashed the reins and leaning her body to the left, the Jashi recognized the command, turning left in a circular motion, her claws digging into the ground and kicking up the earth with each thrust.

Now she could see how many there were as they tried to close the distance and go after her directly.

Three horses, two of them had two people riding, a rider and an archer, the third had only one rider, probably the eagle master.

He heard the panting and neighing of the horses, they were not normal horses, of great size and strength they were bred by the Sennok to be able to ride for days according to stories, it was the first time he had seen those animals, their clay-brown fur and stripes surrounding each leg along with their dense night-black crimes were majestic features

She took the first weapon she had, Xama's serpentine dagger, she'd make the most of it. Another arrow flew straight at her, luckily her mount's speed was enough for it to miss, right after she pulled the reins to make a tight turn, allowing her to get close enough to the archer as she loaded the next arrow, Lyria stretched out her arm as she leaned out of the saddle managing to drive the dagger into the archer's neck, the blade bit into the flesh so much it jammed and Lyria couldn't hold the dagger as the animals parted, she could see the shooter falling from the horse, with hands on her neck, bleeding to death.

Now without a weapon, Lyria had to get rid of her other pursuers.

The rider who had just lost his companion unsheathed the weapon he carried on his back, a sword curved almost like a sickle, one point protruding near the edge, perfect for snagging meat, and pulling it off the mount, that was not a Sennok weapon, it was commonly used by the Ndezu, better known as the three tribes.

This confirmed to Lyria that it was a group of raiders from Boar Coast, where the highest level of trade was conducted, and the greatest scum gathered.

She continued to push the jashi to run at full speed around the pursuers, the bird was much faster than horses and could make sharp turns faster, but its endurance was not limitless.

If she could get rid of the other archer things would be much easier, she had lost Xama's weapon, she began to feel the bag in hopes of getting something, luckily, although she had taken the Ifaa'd's advice in bringing the small dagger, Lyria he could feel the broken spearhead inside her bag, thanking the goddesses for partially ignoring Xama.

She wielded the black edged weapon tightly, getting rid of the second archer was the priority, he already had a plan for the others.

"Do not harm the beast!" The lone rider shouted, it was obvious that they could sell the Jashi for a lot, Lyria was just a hindrance.

Avoiding getting too close and avoiding the slashes of one of the assailants' blade, a new arrow flew at Lyria, but it was impossible for the archer to keep up with the mighty bird, even the horses were beginning to get nervous at the circling predator around them, forcing the riders to try to calm them down.

Lyria took that opportunity, immediately turning directly to the charging horse with the remaining archer, with determination Lyria released her feet from the stirrups and almost standing on the saddle, the moment she was close enough, she jumped directly at them, driving the point of the spear into the archer's chest and causing the rider to lose his balance, they both fell from the horse, Lyria managed to break her fall by using the archer's body as protection, falling face down and protecting Hamsra, twisting her weapon at every opportunity to end his life as quickly as possible, his steed whinnied and ran away from the altercation immediately.

Lyria got up as soon as possible, she saw the lifeless face of the Sennok man she had just killed, his face was painted black and white, his eyes stared into space, he had probably died the instant the spear pierced his heart, with some effort she managed to get the blade out, blood began to flow, staining her hands and clothes.

She heard footsteps behind her, she moved away at the moment that the rider attacked with his sword, just as curved as the other, the man had attacked with the tip of the weapon as if it were a hook, it ended up sticking into the flesh of his companion's corpse .

"Sfebhe!" the man cursed trying to get his weapon, now stuck between the ribs of his deceased ally, Lyria immediately got up and prepared to stab him in the neck, but as they approached the metal of both weapons collided with force forcing Lyria backing away, throwing cut after cut, the assailant screaming and cursing with each attack in the language of the Ndezu, one she had never learned.

Suddenly her eyes detached from Lyria to something behind her, he began to lower his weapon, swallowed hard and began to take slow steps backwards, a loud squawk was the only sound before the man began to run in the opposite direction, strong footsteps whose rhythm accelerated in an instant began to sound, the Jashi managed to reach him in almost the blink of an eye, kicking him in the side causing an instant blood spill that knocked down her prey and caused him to start screaming for his life, talons began to tear him apart on the ground while ripping off pieces of meat with its beak to swallow them instantly, still alive.

Lyria looked away from Hamsra as she held the bird's hood tightly in her hand, it had been removed the moment she jumped from it, with her vision, she could choose her prey.

Focused on her recent hunt, the jashi was only warned of the presence of danger by the gallop of another of the horses and the war cries of the rider, she immediately raised her head and located her attacker, charging at her with sword in hand, ready to cut off the bird's head for the death of the others, however, as soon as it was within range of the bird, it opened its enormous beak and took the man by the head, pulling him from the horse and throwing him against the ground, the weapon could barely make a scratch on its robust beak, the bird proceeded to kick it on the ground, each blow of its legs caused deep cuts and heartbreaking cries from its prey, the more it wriggled, the more kicks it received, the bird's talons cut their clothing of leather and meat easily at the same time that they broke bones.

Lyria watched everything without glory or pleasure, another massacre in the lands of Ooram that could have been avoided, but it happened in the name of survival, she could see the third horseman, the one who owned the eagle that flew over them, was already a considerable distance together with the other two horses, escaping from the Jashi's fury, at which point the creature lived up to its title of "Terror Birds".

As the bird fed itself its well-deserved meal, Lyria began to collect what she could call "loot" while trying to calm Hamsra down, one of the bows had been broken when Lyria fell on it, but another was in perfect condition, the two curved swords had survived as had Xama's dagger, the men had some precious metal beads on them, the rest must have remained with their horses.

As soon as the bird felt satisfied, it raised its eyes and began to scan the surroundings, it looked at Lyria for a few moments, and somehow it felt that it recognized her, however, it immediately turned around and began to run back to Urmayan, proving that his sense of direction was incredible.

"I hope you get home," Lyria said, telling the bird that helped her and, in a way, herself.

AUTHOR'S NOTES

Well, this is embarrassing, I just came back from a month-long trip and I had more than one chapter prepared, but for some nonsense, I ended up losing two entire chapters in the spanish version...
Getting them back took longer than I thought it would, so I apologize, but I hope to get back into the groove with the story and translating it.

Not only that!

After this I will show some designs of the characters in this story so far that I loved.

Without more to say, I hope you have enjoyed the chapter, I really like writing about the animals in these lands and I hope you like it too.

Happy reading!