The room of the chieftain was quiet. The fire in the stove crackled, casting a soft light over the three women sitting opposite one another.
Earlier, they had spoken of their fears, their tragedies, what they had lost or never had.
Now, however, a new question lingered in the air.
What next?
Lianel smiled slightly at the corner of her lips, her sharp green eyes gleaming with a mischievous spark.
—"Alright, now let's deal with the main question."
Selina glanced at her, slightly embarrassed.
—"What question?"
Lianel settled comfortably, propping herself up on her arm, then shifted her gaze to Naira.
—"If you were shouting on the wall that you'll wait for Kano, like a proper wife… or even a slave…"
She paused dramatically, watching Naira clench her lips.
—"Then let's talk about how you're planning to make that happen."
Naira narrowed her eyes.
—"What?"
Lianel sighed and crossed her arms over her chest.
—"You saw it yourself. Kano doesn't even think in that direction. He has no idea how to react to women. And if we don't do something ourselves… we'll just be waiting for him to figure it out. And that could take forever."
Selina lowered her head, flustered.
—"But… maybe he… just doesn't want this?"
Lianel snorted.
—"Oh, princess, there are no men who don't want this. There are only those who are too afraid to admit it."
Naira sighed deeply, leaning her back against the wall.
—"I don't know if Kano is like the others."
Lianel smiled even wider.
—"Well then, let's find out."
Naira shot her a sideways glance.
—"What are you talking about?"
Lianel extended her hand forward and touched Naira's shoulder, then slowly trailed her fingers down her arm, barely noticeable.
—"What do you think? If I touch him like this, will he flinch? Or pull away?"
Naira was the first to flinch.
—"What are you doing?!"
Lianel smiled, as though nothing had happened, and pulled her hand back.
—"Just experimenting. Aren't you curious yourself?"
Naira crossed her arms over her chest.
—"This is ridiculous."
—"And what do you propose?"
Naira opened her mouth to reply but fell silent.
Selina, on the other hand, spoke up.
—"Maybe he just doesn't understand hints?"
Lianel looked at her closely.
—"What do you mean?"
Selina blushed and looked away.
—"Well, maybe you need to talk to him… directly?"
Lianel and Naira exchanged glances, then burst into laughter.
—"Directly?!" — Lianel nearly choked. — "You mean walk up and say: 'Kano, I want you to touch me?'"
Selina bit her lip.
—"Well… what if that's it? What if he just doesn't get it?"
Naira turned her face away.
—"I think he gets it. He's just not like the other men. He… he's different."
Lianel squinted.
—"Well, then we need to find a way to nudge him."
Lianel crossed her arms under her chest and thoughtfully surveyed her companions.
—"So. There are a few options."
—"Like what?" — Naira raised an eyebrow.
Lianel immediately started ticking off her fingers.
—"First. Touch him. Gradually, gently, casually. Watch how he reacts."
Selina flushed even deeper.
—"And just… touch him?"
—"Exactly. Stroke his arm. Place your hand on his shoulder. Brush his cheek."
Naira sighed nervously.
—"What next?"
Lianel raised another finger.
—"Second. Create a situation where he'll be forced to touch us. For example, say you're cold. Say you're tired. He'll be forced to support you, pull you closer."
Selina covered her face with her hands.
—"Gods… this is too much."
Lianel laughed.
—"Third. Awaken his instincts."
Naira frowned.
—"What do you mean?"
Lianel slowly licked her lips, watching them shrewdly.
—"Be more seductive. Men don't just respond to words, but also to how we move, how we speak, how we look at them. If he even looks a little longer than usual, that's progress."
Naira remained silent.
Selina swallowed.
—"And what if he… gets scared?"
Lianel shifted her gaze to her.
—"Well, then he's just not ready. But what if… what if he wants it himself, just doesn't understand?"
Naira clenched her fingers into fists.
—"And you want to test this?"
Lianel smiled.
—"Not me. We."
A silence fell over the room.
Only the crackling of the fire in the stove broke the stillness, casting shadows on the walls.
Lianel raised an eyebrow.
—"Well… if you're not sure, then I'll go first."
Naira and Selina both looked up at her at once.
—"What?!"
Lianel smiled slyly.
—"I'll see how he reacts. If he doesn't push me away, then he's just… waiting for us to do something."
Naira felt a tightness inside her.
Selina looked confused.
—"And what if he… likes it?"
Lianel shrugged casually.
—"Then we'll share."
Naira cursed to herself but said nothing.
Selina hid her face in her palms.
Lianel only smiled playfully, knowing that this conversation was just the beginning.
Evening slowly approached. The sun was dipping toward the horizon, painting the sky in a deep crimson hue. Darkness spread across the city, like a thick fog, enveloping the ruined buildings and scorched walls.
Naira, Lianel, and Selina still lingered in the chieftain's room. Their voices had lowered, the conversation slowly fading away, like a flame that had burned out.
Lenor stood by the wall, watching the sunset. His eyes calmly scanned the enemy camp, where the horde had yet to cease their assault. They were battering the gates, growling, roaring with anger, but they were starting to tire.
They weren't used to fighting without breaks.
Their fury burned brightly, but it was also burning them up.
"Everything is going as it should."
Lenor glanced at the ruins of the city. Somewhere there, in the chieftain's house, three women were laughing, discussing Kano, coming up with something of their own.
Lenor smiled.
But the smile quickly faded.
He needed to go rest.
The night would be long.
This was just the beginning.
Once the sun sank behind the horizon, he'd have to make his way back to the orc camp.
He had already mapped out the route. He already knew what to do.
All that remained was to wait for the darkness.
Lenor looked at the horizon one last time, held his breath as if inhaling the moment.
"This will be a good night for killing."
He turned around, threw on his cloak, and descended, leaving the wall behind.
The lights were fading, and the night was beginning.