Lion Head Mesa but i won't do that

A wise bard named Meatloaf once sang, "I'd do anything for love, but I won't do that." Vasya thought he had similar limits.

After nearly two moons had come and gone, and him still in the service of Akashingo, he realized that he actually, truly did not.

(Seriously - all this for some (admittedly great) sex?)

He walked the corridors, checking on those he served. No one seemed to be in the mood for wine these days, so, naturally, he was getting completely ripped on his own.

The political weather had turned dramatically in his time here. Some band of rogues was harrying the kingdom, and conflict was brewing. As a strong, healthy man, he expected to be sent to the front lines. 

As the lazy son of a bitch who had only ended up in this predicament because of his worse instincts, he was torn between lingering for any kind of second try at Medusa or slipping away one quiet evening.

Both seemed at once appealing and impossible.

tags for ref <3

war in the desert.
behind the banners of akashingo they had followed, but she and @Tiye went on with their guard.

she had looked for @Safiya at once, tossing her traveling-bag to a passing servant and keeping the young mazoi's sister close at hand.

when it seemed that such things were settled, tavina set tiye to cleaning her examination room and went out-of-doors for the herbs that had desiccated in her absence from akashingo. "mazoi. please escort me to the serpent," she asked, but did not stop her brisk pad toward the glitter of riverwater far in the distance.

cameo!

tiye was pissed.

safiya had ran off, even after everything. even after knowing that this war will soon truly paint the sands red. she was too young to give her life to this palace, even if it did love and smile down upon her more than anyone else.
her mind was a storm, thinking of what to say to her stubborn sister — but would she run away again? this time she'd lost an eye. what was next that safiya could lose? the other eye, her life?

tiye nods as she hurries to the medicine bed. she hopes it won't be for safiya or baba.

The little healer from the sister territory walked briskly, giving orders left and right. He received one, too, and gave a wordless nod before falling into step beside her, the pair headed toward water.

Was there fight? Vasya asked, eyes cutting sideways for a moment to take in her expression. The air was cool, but the overhead sun bright and hot. Any dead?

He hoped that this was the sum of it. Maybe he'd escape this little desert war with his hide intact, after all.