Luneshale Pass On sunny days

Kemal couldn't smile at her words. "Too kind" had always felt like more of a threat than a compliment. He shrugged, turning his head to stare down the pass. If you are mine, I take care of you. That was a promise he was determined to keep. Verapaz would not suffer under his rule, even if it meant he would.

Did you come from far? He asks, relaxed enough to sit. The lowlands are not an easy journey for most. Though she seemed relatively healthy, which Kemal supposed had kept him from doubting her.

He considered taking a snack for himself, but held off for the time being. Later he would hunt down a sheep or an off-guard pronghorn, something he could bring home to share. It would be a better use of his time than eating meat now meant for others.