#yosantesummer

K’Sante hisses at the pain.

“Oh hush,” the old healer scolds him. “I know you’ve felt worse pain. And it wouldn’t be so bad if you weren’t so reckless.”

K’Sante lets out a light chuckle. “I prefer to call it bravery.”

“Next time I’ll call it stupidity.”

K’Sante full on laughs. “I’ll keep that in mind.”

The healer huffs and wraps a bandage around the disinfected wound. “Alright, you’re all done.”

“Thank you ma’am,” K’Sante says as he leaves her hut.

“I better not see you again for the rest of the week!” She yells at him.

K’Sante laughs. “We’ll see!”

Outside, K’Sante takes a deep breath and basks in the sunshine. People mill about the village, cheerfully waving to K’Sante as they pass. The distant sound of children’s laughter reaches his ears. After a hard fight, it’s always nice to stop and look around, remember what it’s all for.

As he’s taking a short stroll for the village, he hears a bit of a hubbub at the village entrance. It doesn’t sound like anyone’s in danger, maybe a visitor.

For a moment, K’sante’s hopes start to rise and he briskly makes towards the crowd. As the crowd parts for him, he hears several heavy pairs of footsteps, meaning it’s not the solitary man K’Sante was hoping for. Instead he comes face to face with-

“Tope!” K’Sante grins and brings the other man in for a hug, who receives it warmly. As K’Sante pulls back he studies Tope’s face. “It has been a while, my friend.”

Tope smiles at him. “It has.” Tope looks him over and sighs. “When was the last time I saw you uninjured?”

K’Sante waves him off. “I don’t keep track of small things like injuries.”

Tope sighs again. “You never change.”

“What brings you around?” K’Sante peers behind him at his warriors he brought with him. Mostly likely here on business rather than leisure then.

“Scouts spotted an ascended and their army heading in this direction. Figured we’d come by and give you a hand fighting them off if they appear.”

“I would appreciate the assistance. When should we be expecting them?”

“Not for a few days at least.”

K’Sante grins and claps Tope on the shoulder. “Good, that means we have time for a drink.”

***

Many drinks later, K’Sante and Tope are laughing over trading stories, memories they shared together and new news from their respective villages alike. 

“I’m glad to hear all is well over there,” K’Sante says. “But what about you? How have you been? How’s your husband?”

Tope smiles. “I’m good, and he’s good. We recently took in a pair of siblings from a neighboring village that was raided. They’re a handful, and my husband has mostly taken on the burden of caring for them as I usually don’t have the time, but I do what I can.” Tope smiles softly. “They have become irreplaceable to us.”

K’Sante smiles at him. “A parent, huh? I’m sure that suits you well.”

“Hardly, I find new faults in myself every day.”

“That just means every day is a chance to learn.”

Tope laughs. “That’s rich, coming from you.”

“What are you talking about? I’m the epitome of learning from my mistakes!”

Tope huffs. “Now.”

K’Sante grins and elbows Tope. “Better late than never.”

Tope breaks into a smile. “I suppose there’s some truth to that.”

K’Sante laughs and takes another drink.

“Speaking of partners,” Tope starts. “Word has reached my village that you have one of your own. Everyone is all a buzz about how the pride of Nazumah has taken up with a strange foreigner.” Tope gives a sly smile. “A man with long silver hair that’s always wearing a mask. I said to myself, that description sounds familiar.” He raises an eyebrow.

K’Sante gives an embarrassed cough. “I can’t believe word has already spread.”

“I was surprised to hear about it.” Tope gives him a cheeky grin. “I thought he was out of your league.”

K’Sante gives him a playful shove. “Shut up.”

“But seriously, I’m happy for you. Yone is… strange, but he seems to be a good person.”

K’Sante nods. “He is. He’s wonderful.”

“I heard he comes by to visit every once in a while. Hopefully I catch him one of those times so we can have another chat.”

“I don’t need you teasing him.”

“I won’t tease him, you’re the main target.”

K’Sante gives a short laugh. “Well I don’t want him catching strays.”

Tope laughs as well. “I’ll try to minimize the damage.”

“Well, we should probably turn in before the sun rises. Do any of your people need help finding a place to stay?”

Tope shakes his head. “No, I think everyone is settled in.”

“I’m assuming you’ll be staying with your aunt?”

“That’s the plan. She’ll be miffed that I haven’t visited with her yet.”

K’Sante laughs. “I’ll walk with you over there and apologize to her for monopolizing you.”

Tope grins. “Sounds good, that way I can tell her it was all your fault.”

K’Sante laughs. “Deal.”

***

Nearly two weeks after Tope and his people left Nazumah, they had another visitor. This time, someone fetched K’Sante personally to tell him who it is.

K’Sante arrives at the village edge to see Yone surrounded by villagers eager to speak to him. K’Sante could save him, but he’s content to just watch Yone squirm for a bit. That’s when Yone notices him, and his face melts into a soft smile. K’Sante’s heart nearly stops at the sight of it.

That’s when the other villagers noticed K’Sante is there, and move aside to let him approach Yone.

K’Sante clears his throat. “Alright everyone, I know you’re all excited to see Yone, but give him a day or so to rest. Then you can bombard him with questions.”

Taking the hint, the villagers slowly disperse.

K’Sante takes a few steps forward, and gingerly takes Yone’s hand. “Welcome back my love.”

Yone smiles at him, but there’s something off. Yone is not a very energetic guy, but somehow he seems more melancholic than usual.

Deciding to not question him here, he gestures into the village. “Shall we retire to my home?”

Yone nods.

They walk together in silence, waving at villagers they pass by. K’Sante wants to ask about his travels, but he has a feeling that Yone isn’t exactly up to talking right now.

When they reach K’Sante’s home, Yone collapses on the cushions in the front room. K’Sante settles in beside him.

“What’s wrong my love?” K’Sante lets a soft hand trail through Yone’s hair.

Yone looks up at him through his mask. “I’ll have to apologize to the villagers, I won’t have time to tell them stories of my travels this time.”

K’Sante furrows his eyebrows. “You can’t stay long?” Yone is clearly upset, so he doesn’t want to show it on his face, but K’Sante is a little disappointed to hear that.

Yone shakes his head. “The only reason I came out here is because…” He looks up at K’Sante. “I came to ask for your help.”

K’Sante blinks in surprise. “My help?”

Yone nods. “Yes.”

Shaking himself out of his shock, K’Sante quickly nods. “Of course! Anything you need, just say the word.”

Yone grimaces slightly. “I hate to take you away from the village…”

“How long? I can send word to the other villages to send defenders to take my place if it’s short.”

“Maybe a few weeks.”

K’Sante nods. “That’s fine. What can I help you with?”

“I need help to go after an azakana.”

K’Sante raises an eyebrow. “What’s so special about this one that you need my help? Surely there must be something, I didn’t even know I could help you against them.”