Saeriel paced back and forth, muttering under her breath.
"He's beautiful… how is that a man? That doesn't make sense. He looks so weak and delicate, but…"
Kayon slipped up behind her and leaned close to her ear.
"Who looks weak and delicate?"
Saeriel spun and threw a punch. Kayon caught her wrist easily, letting out a soft laugh.
"Relax. It's me."
"Ah… it's"
Her words died in her throat.
She stared at him, frozen, then slowly stepped closer. Her hand lifted, trembling slightly as she reached for his face.
"Are you real…?" she whispered.
Kayon flicked her forehead.
"Do I look like a ghost?"
He bent down slightly, resting his hands on her head.
He tapped his gray robe.
"Ghosts wear white, don't they?"
Saeriel blinked, embarrassed.
"…Sorry."
"Don't apologize," Kayon said. "Just show me where my home is."
Saeriel turned quickly.
"Right this way."
She led him through the settlement.
As they walked, people began to notice them. Conversations died mid sentence.
A man dropped the knife he was sharpening.
Someone whispered, "Is that… a man?" Some turned their heads for a second look. Others openly stared before quickly pretending they hadn't.
A pair of younger girls whispered to each other as Kayon passed.
Saeriel sighed quietly. She had expected this.
They soon stopped in front of a cave. A thick cloth hung over the entrance, covering it like a door.
Saeriel lifted the cloth and stepped inside.
"You can come in."
Kayon followed her into the cave.
"This will be your home for now."
He looked around the space for a moment.
Saeriel suddenly grew nervous.
"If it's not to your liking, we can change it," she said quickly. "We can prepare something better."
Kayon walked over and sat on the bed.
"I love it."
He smiled at her before stretching out on the mattress.
"Finally… a soft bed."
He closed his eyes with relief.
"I can actually sleep now."
Kayon opened one eye and saw Saeriel still standing there.
"Well… is there anything else?"
She flinched slightly, as if she had been caught doing something she shouldn't.
"N-no. Sorry," she said quickly. "I'll take my leave."
For a brief moment she hesitated, then turned and hurried out of the cave.
Outside, the camp had already begun to stir.
Dravena was leading Carai toward their tent when she noticed a crowd gathering nearby.
She slowed, frowning.
"What's going on?"
Carai looked up at her, puzzled.
"Aren't I supposed to be the one asking that?"
Dravena gave a small shrug.
"Good point."
They exchanged a glance before heading toward the crowd.
As they got closer, low murmurs rippled through the crowd. People clustered around one of the tents, craning their necks, straining to see inside.
Just then, Saeriel stepped out, raising her hands to quiet them.
"Come on, leave! There's nothing to see here."
A few grumbled, but they gradually dispersed, muttering as they walked away.
Saeriel watched them go for a moment, her gaze sharp and deliberate, before turning to leave herself.
Dravena spotted her immediately.
"Saeriel!" she called out.
"Hey, elf!" Dravena stepped forward, Carai following close behind. "What's going on here?"
Saeriel froze for a moment, striking a pose before rubbing her hands awkwardly.
"Well… you see," she began, coughing nervously, "have you ever had an idea you thought was brilliant… until you actually did it?"
Carai murmured softly, "I don't like where this is going."
Saeriel waved a hand, flustered. "Hold on. Let me explain. You know when you think something is a brilliant idea… until you actually do it?"
Dravena gripped Saeriel's shoulder. "What did you do?"
Saeriel hesitated. "I… kinda thought it would be a good idea to dress Kayon in male clothes."
Dravena let out a long sigh, resting her hands on her hips. "I thought you'd killed someone." She shook her head slightly. "And then… what happened?"
"I think it's best if I show you," Saeriel said, turning back toward Kayon's camp. She stepped forward, gesturing for them to follow.
Carai entered first and froze at the sight of Kayon sitting in a meditative pose.
"Huh… wow. He really has changed, hasn't he?" she murmured.
Dravena stopped in her tracks, unable to look away. Her eyes widened as she took in his presence.
Saeriel glanced at her and then back at Carai, a small smirk playing on her lips. "You see? Most of the women in the camp have this exact reaction." She points at Dravena's face.
Carai leaned closer, squinting. "Ah… I can see why."
Saeriel smirked. "And the men? They're panicking over what to make of him."
Carai laughed, the sound echoing lightly.
Kayon stirred, opening one eye. "Hey, Carai… would you mind not making noise while I'm resting?" His gaze then landed on Dravena, who was clearly inspecting him with far too much intensity. "And what's her problem?"
Saeriel pinched Dravena's side sharply, making her jump.
"Hey! What was that for?" Dravena exclaimed, rubbing her side.
Carai's expression darkened for a brief moment, then she grinned and playfully knocked Kayon on the head.
"It's your fault, you idiot," she said. "Coming here looking this handsome… or should I say… beautiful." She rubbed her chin thoughtfully. "I don't think calling you the most beautiful would be a joke."
Dravena chimed in, her voice low and serious.
"There is one woman," Dravena said slowly.
"She might rival him."
Saeriel blinked.
"You mean… the Untouched Silver Star?"
"The… what star?" Carai asked, tilting her head.
"The Untouched Silver Star," Dravena replied. "She rules the port city of Oman," Dravena said quietly.
"And they say no one alive is more beautiful than her."
Kayon stood abruptly. "Are you two seriously comparing me to a woman?"
Both flinched at the outburst. Carai stepped forward,
"Hey, Dravena, have you seen this woman?"
Dravena glanced at Kayon before answering. "I caught a glimpse of her when we were robbing one of her convoys."
"And… what did she look like?"
"She had pale silver, almost white hair and eyes." Dravena said, pressing a hand to the scar on her stomach. "I almost didn't make it against her guard. That person… was unbelievably strong."
Carai sat back, muttering, "Is that so."
Saeriel catches Dravena's eye and gestures toward the exit. They bow in unison. "We will take our leave," Saeriel said, and the two slipped out of the tent without another word.
The flap had barely fallen shut before Kayon raised a hand to his own face, fingers tracing his jaw thoughtfully. He turned to Carai.
"Am I really pretty?" he asked. "Not handsome?"
She laughed.
"Who knows," he complained, dropping his hand. "Come on, tell me." He leaned toward her, eyes wide with mock desperation. "Tell me I'm handsome."
She laughed, and the tent came alive. Laughter erupted from every corner, echoing off the walls.
It was bright and chaotic., effortless the kind of joy that didn't need a reason, lingering like sunlight on everyone it touched.
Slowly, the laughter faded and the camp settled into quiet.
The next morning, Carai lay against Kayon's chest, listening to the slow, steady rise and fall of his breathing.
She studied his peaceful, unguarded face stripped bare by sleep. Her fingers gently touched his face,
"What are you dreaming about?" she whispered to herself. Her eyes drifted, "Is it the other girls."
Her hand curled into a fist against the blanket, a sharp ache ran through her heart.
"I can't have you all to myself." The thought was familiar. "And you won't let anyone else in."
She sat up slowly, careful not to wake him. Stood and took one last look at him,
Then she turned and slipped silently from the tent,
Kayon's eyes slowly opened.
For a moment he sat there in silence, the realization settling in his chest.
"So that's what has been weighing on her."
He exhaled softly,
"You are so dumb" Kayon paused for a moment then straightened his back and closed his eyes again, sinking into meditation.
A few moments later, Carai returned carrying two bowls of food.
She stopped when she saw Kayon sitting perfectly still, eyes closed.
"Already training?" she muttered.
She crouched in front of him and waved a hand in front of his face. When he didn't react, she sighed.
"Wake up, idiot."
Setting the bowls down, she picked one up and started eating. "If you stay like that, I'm finishing both."
Kayon quickly reached for his bowl and began to eat.
For a moment, neither of them spoke. An awkward silence settled between them.
"Boss Carai, are you done?" Dravena called from outside, breaking the quiet.
"Yes, I am."
Carai finished the last bites of her food, then leaned over and pressed a quick kiss to Kayon's lips.
"Sorry, love," she said softly. "I planned to start training with Dravena later today."
"Oh. Well then… good luck. Train hard," Kayon said.
He set his bowl down as Carai stepped out of the tent. A moment later, she and Dravena were gone.
Kayon remained seated for a while, staring at the empty space they had left behind.
Eventually he exhaled. "This is boring."
He pushed himself to his feet and stepped outside the tent, glancing around the city.
A soft breeze hit his face, carrying the smell of wet stone and smoke.
Below him, tents stretched across the cavern floor with fire glowing inside them the town, though small, looked lively.
"I should take a look at the town"
As he stepped out into the town below.
The entire camp went quiet again.
Kayon sighed.
"This is going to be a problem."