#tenakth marshal oc

[mattaytchtaylor]

Recently finished commission for @maimedmarshal and their OC Valruun!

[ottertooferswriting]

I recently began replaying the Horizon franchise and hoo boi the hyperfixation on my absolute favorite Marshal hit me hard. So have a playlist for the man who has my Whole Heart in the series.

[thefandomwritersblog]

Ghost of the Ten Horizon: Forbidden West Hekarro x Fem!OldOne OC Action/Adventure/Romance/Hurt/Comfort Chapter 23

Part 3: Ghost of the Ten

~~

“All time ever does is pass and all I do is remember.” - Sue Zhao

~~

Much like Dekka predicted, the storm from the west swept in without warning and without mercy.

That first night, Victoria couldn’t help but agree with Hekarro’s concerns. The wind howled with a ferocity that was nothing short of terrifying, shrieking through the Grove like a vengeful spirit. It tore through the trees and tangled underbrush without a hint of mercy, sending debris crashing against the crumbling stone walls with such force that she feared they might collapse under the storm's fury. The tempest continued for days on end, seemingly unrelenting until it finally gave way to a steady downpour that transformed the jungle floor into a murky floodplain. Only then did the Tenakth venture out from their shelters, evaluating the damage but largely ignoring the persistent drizzle as they set about repairing and strengthening their home—an endeavor made significantly easier by the Oseram residing there. When the rain finally lightened, Petra and her crew were among the first to walk through the Grove, ready to offer their expertise and assistance. By the time they finished, everything was more or less back to normal; only a few collapsed walls remained, posing no real threat to the overall structure of the Grove.

But the constant rain left Victoria in a rut. She listened to it patter relentlessly against the canvases that covered her room, sheltered beneath the one that covered her desk. The candle on the corner flickered in the breeze that swept through the Grove, cool against her skin despite the humidity. She stared at her journal, its pages filled with her sketches, and Victoria couldn’t help but scoff at it and push it aside. There wasn’t much to do with the rain constantly coming down, and there were only so many Strike matches against Dekka she was willing to lose before it started to wear on her patience. Her routine walks were no longer an option either; Beta wasn’t accustomed to just casually strolling through the rain like the Tenakth, and neither was Victoria, making it impossible her to join Hekarro on his daily patrols through the Grove.

Victoria’s stomach growled then. She glanced up at the dimming daylight and sighed. The hallway was deserted as she stepped out of her room, turning left towards the arena. The usually lively atmosphere was muted by the rain. A stark contrast to the usual hustle and bustle of Petra’s workers. As she made her way into the Maw, the silence followed her until she reached the dimly lit mess hall. A few sets of eyes turned towards her as she walked in, but she ignored them and headed straight for the counter where Rikka, the Lowlander cook, greeted her with a smile.

"Stew tonight," Rikka announced. "I saved a special bowl just for you."

"Thanks," Victoria replied with a grumble, taking the proffered bowl and shuffling off to find an empty seat. She found a spot with a good view of the room and the door, her back against the wall as she huddled over the table to eat. The rain pattering away against the roof was a constant above the low hum of conversation, and the bustle of Rikka in her kitchen. There was an occasional glance from the nearby Tenakth, curiosity burning in each glance despite Victoria’s best attempts to ignore them.

She understood their curiosity - she was the Old One, after all. The still living daughter of their revered ancestor. A miracle made real.

If only they knew the truth. But even if they did, would it change anything?

Sudden movement caught her eye as a Tenakth woman entered the room through the door. She vaguely recalled her as the same woman who had caused a commotion when she first woke up. Victoria couldn't quite remember her name, though she was sure she was a marshal. Shaking her head, she refocused on her meal, but her thoughts were interrupted by the sound of a strike board hitting the table in front of her. Looking up, Victoria was surprised to see the marshal standing next to her, studying her with a stern expression. A hush fell over the room, all eyes turned to the pair of them.

Victoria leaned back in her chair lazily, still holding a spoon as it played with the edge of her bowl. "Last I heard, the Chief said none of his clan were supposed to approach me." The marshal blinked and then sat down at the table, throwing a bag of strike pieces and tiles onto the board. Victoria chuckled under her breath, "But I suppose rules don't matter when they get in the way of what you want, right?"

The marshal set up the board while Victoria chose her pieces, and they began their game in complete silence. As they moved their pieces across the board, Victoria couldn't shake off the feeling of being constantly judged by the marshal. Their game had also caught the attention of others in the room, and slowly a crowd gathered around their table. The marshal proved to be a formidable opponent despite using simple pieces. It was clear that she was utilizing every advantage she had, even with just the basic tile board. And though Victoria put up a fierce fight and took shots whenever possible, she ultimately lost.

With a slight smirk on her lips, the marshal turned her evaluating gaze to Victoria and commented, "You fight until the very end."

"Why would I make it easy or enjoyable for anyone else to beat me?" Victoria retorted. Laughter rippled through the crowd and the marshal chuckled, motioning to a nearby warrior.

“Bring a round of Stalker’s Bite, I get the feeling it’ll soothe the sting of her loss.”

The order was quickly carried out, and before long, a flask was thrust into Victoria's hand. The smell alone made her nose hairs curl and her stomach churn at the thought of drinking whatever concoction this was. But Victoria wasn't one to back down from a challenge, so she took a big gulp when the marshal offered her the drink.

“Thousand years must have made me a lightweight,” Victoria grumbled, a hand to her head as a sudden rush of warmth and wooziness fell over her, “What the fuck is this stuff?”

The Marshal chuckled and followed suit by taking a large swig herself. Flasks were passed around the group, and several warriors even pulled up chairs to join in. A man next to Victoria nudged her arm, and she handed him the flask as he explained

"We call it Stalker's Bite. It's a favorite among us Lowlanders. We make it from honey collected in the trees just south of Thornmarsh and mix it with fermented fruit. It's Chief Hekarro's favorite."

He handed the flask back to Victoria for another drink, feeling the burning sensation down her throat all the way to her stomach. "This stuff definitely packs a punch. Is this the only thing you guys make?"

Another man, just to Victoria’s left, perked up and grinned, “The Desert Clan makes a drink from the innards of the Spikestalks.”

A voice from the back of the room shouted out, "The Sky Clan has a special drink made from a rare flower! Sweetest brew I’ve ever had!"

The crowd laughed and talked loudly, surrounding Victoria with their noise. Flasks of strong drink were passed around. This was a familiar routine for Victoria; she enthusiastically joined in on each toast, savoring the taste of the sweet liquid. As the night went on, time seemed to slip away, fluid like the drink in her hand, marked only by another round of brew or a rowdy cheer. Faces became blurry and voices blended together in a chaotic symphony. Then came the challenge - another game proposed by an eager warrior seeking glory. He stood up, taking the place of the Marshal, and all eyes turned to Victoria once again. The crowd pressed closer, their excitement almost tangible despite Victoria's intoxication. Yet amidst it all - or perhaps because of it - Victoria found herself reveling in the energy where only two things mattered: the drink in her hand and the undeniable thrill of victory.

The games continued well into the night, long after the last drop of Stalker's Bite had been consumed. Slowly but surely, the clan cleared out of the mess hall at Rikka's insistence. Victoria stumbled through the Maw, accompanied by the drunken Marshal she had befriended, both of them soaked from the pouring rain.

As they turned the corner towards the back bedrooms, Victoria slurred, "I don't think I ever caught your name." The Marshal chuckled,

"Ivvira," she replied, steadying herself by clutching onto Victoria's shoulder. They walked past the bedrooms towards the Throne Room. "And you are the Old One, Victoria."

Victoria couldn't help but laugh. "You all really like to call me that," she said. "It's been months but I still don't know what it means."

Ivvira frowned, “I guess I’m not really sure what it’s supposed to mean either.” They paused before Anne’s exhibit, and after a long moment of silence the Marshal eventually scoffed, “It’s funny how you changed everything.”

“That a good or bad thing?”

“I’m not sure yet,” Ivvira replied, “Before I even knew you existed, I was confused and angry. It wasn’t like Chief Hekarro to keep secrets from us. Even Marshal Kotallo, our champion and her sister, they wouldn’t tell us anything. It went against the Tenakth way." She turned her gaze towards Victoria. "And then you appeared out of nowhere. You were just as angry and confused, and so frightened. But despite it all, you stood your ground with me and asked a question that has haunted me ever since." Another pause before Ivvira spoke in a whisper, barely audible, "What did Anne Faraday sacrifice for peace and unity?"

Victoria's gaze shifted to the empty space where Anne's exhibit used to be, bringing back memories of her childhood. Birthdays missed, sporting events where her mother's seat was always empty. Christmas morning spent alone with a poorly wrapped gift because she had foolishly hoped her mother would come home.

“I think you already know the answer to that, Ivvira.”

A long pause passed between them before Ivvira nodded, “I figured.” She turned to look at Victoria then, “You could always join the tribe.”

Victoria blinked, shocked, “Fuckin’ excuse me.”

Ivvira responded casually with a shrug, "Why not? You don't have anywhere else to go." Victoria felt herself bristle at the statement, but Ivvira quickly amended, "Wait, that sounded worse than I intended. What I mean is, everything you know is different now, and we could learn so much from you. Is it really so bad to stay with us and teach us?”

Would it be such a terrible thing to find purpose once again?

Victoria wasn't sure how to respond. Ever since she woke up, she had been struggling. Angry, lost, and depressed. She swallowed hard, trying to push back the lump in her throat.

Do you even deserve it?

Tears welled up in her eyes.

You couldn't even protect your family. You didn't even have the decency to die with them. Why should you get to live when they didn’t?

"Just think about it," Ivvira said earnestly. "You've already made a huge impact on us just by being here. We all talk about you, even though we're technically not supposed to speak to you. And we've heard you talking with Chaplain Dekka about our history and way of life. Plus, tonight you played games and drank with us like one of our own." she smiled warmly, "I really think you'd fit in well here, and you could do so much good for us."

You don’t deserve it.

You’ll kill them just like everyone else.

Ivvira retreated, her departure leaving Victoria alone with the rhythmic drumming of rain against the Grove. Her gaze was drawn to the void left by Anne’s exhibit, a hollow space that echoed with memories and unspoken words. Her fingers moved of their own accord, activating the display. Anne materialized in front of her, eyes that felt both intimately known and achingly distant scanning the unseen audience. They never settled on Victoria, always looking past her - not the first time, she hated that it wasn’t the last. Even in death her mother always had a way of making her feel small.

The anger was raw, visceral. It gnawed at her insides like a starved beast, fueled by countless instances of the same question: why her? Why had she been singled out from all others to bear witness to humanity's downfall? Anne would have been a better choice. She would have made a difference, shaped order from chaos. But no, it was Victoria who remained while Anne became nothing more than a ghostly projection on a screen. A god in the eyes of the Tenakth.

Worthless

So easy to feel worthless in comparison to Anne's legacy, and Ivvira’s suggestion was just another reminder of this inadequacy. They wanted her as a messiah when she could barely keep herself from drowning.

Useless.

"Victoria?"

A voice cut through the haze of alcohol-fueled self-loathing, pulling her back from the precipice of despair. As Hekarro descended the stairs from the throne room, her gaze snapped towards him. She felt a surge of fury course through her veins at the sight of him. He was no different from Ivvira - in fact, he was worse. His only concern was what she could offer him. Did he wear that mask of kindness for show? Victoria couldn't help but curl her lip in disdain as she looked at him. - they all wanted something from her, all because she was Anne Faraday's daughter, their supposed Goddess. It only added to her anger and bitterness, another burden placed upon her shoulders and an excuse to exploit her mother's legacy.

“What?”

[mamemomo-chan]

3/3 - Shannon (Tenakth Marshal)

Curently working on the 3 designs of my oc in Horizon :3

(Yeah, “3/3″ because I’m messy and I started by the last step of her evolution in Horizon universe XD)

Without paint ⬇

[areax]

hzd ocs:

vashti (established when i played the first game)

taken in the red raids from an outer carja village and made a slave in the house of the sun-king. not sure of her specific “duties” but she was essentially a maid-servant, maybe to jiran’s first wife when she was still alive, probably to nasadi

had a lover who regularly fought in the sun-ring, gladiator style, and eventually died there

helped avad and ersa escape meridian and fed information to them from the inside

fomented rebellion among her fellow slaves and sabotaged the sun-king’s campaign against avad, given the epithet “chainbreaker” for this

now serves as an unofficial advisor to him, stays in the shadows because it’s looked down upon to have a woman’s guidance

advocates for helping former slaves, policies for reparations, etc.

tentative friends w erend, ersa, vanasha (tentative not so much bc she doesnt like them but bc its very hard for her to trust)

constant schemes and plots, so much so that it’s hard to get to know her as she never shows her cards. defrosting the ice queen spymaster archetype

genuinely likes aloy but as w everyone else, really doesnt know how to express that

only in the second game briefly at the beginning to be like “dont die out there. i love you. no i didnt say anything. take this sling i had custom made for you. dont look at me”

nayari (established when i played the second game!)

lowland clan tenakth scout who wants to build boats

no one listens to her

gives aloy a prototype underwater weapon that’s extremely clunky and not suited for dynamic combat, only used as a last resource

working on waterproofing her face paint

probably obsessed with the quen as they come from across the water, but they’d kill her in two seconds if she asked about the structure of their ships

possibly a team member?

tokova

nayari’s older sister

depending on her age is a painter / tattooist or an apprentice

typically works with the lowland clan (her home clan) but helps with the marshal’s tattoos when needed (i think the paint is done by anyone qualified, but the tattoos require a longer and more labor intensive process and are also not applied as frequently)

fashav’s cultural exchange host (first person in the west to say “nice to see you” to him and mean it; she taught him the symbolism of various tenakth practices and he taught her carja glyphs)

possibly has children or apprentices them at some point? not a squad leader as that is a combat-focused role but has some degree of mentorship

chronic eldest sister syndrome

gives aloy a fetch quest to bring her back various important flowers used for dyes. you get a unique face paint in return

[thefandomwritersblog]

Ghost of the Ten Horizon: Forbidden West Hekarro x Fem!OldOne OC Action/Adventure/Romance/Hurt/Comfort Chapter 22

Part 3: Ghost of the Ten

~~

“Give yourself some credit. You’ve come pretty far.” —Unknown

~~

The evening was unbearably hot. Even in the cool enclosure of the mess hall there was still a layer of sweat that clung to Victoria’s skin. She sat across from Dekka, hunched over the Strike board and chewing on her bottom lip in intense focus. Their matches had become a regular occurrence, almost daily now, either during breakfast or dinner. Dekka was a tough teacher, quick to point out and punish Victoria's tactical errors without showing any mercy. Yet, she was also fair, taking the time to highlight where Victoria went wrong and proud when she saw improvement in her skills.

“I think I’ve got you on the run, Chaplain.” Victoria smirked as she moved her Leaplasher and Grazer into place.

Dekka hummed amusedly, “We shall see.”

As predicted, Dekka moved her Plowhorn towards the right edge of the board. With each move, Victoria's heart raced faster, victory within her grasp as she tried to remain composed.

"We never finished discussing the Red Raids," Victoria remarked, scowling as Dekka pulled her Plowhorn back towards her side of the board. The chaplain hummed thoughtfully and nodded in agreement,

"True. Where were we again?"

"Towards the end, I believe. Barren Light?"

“Ah yes, now I remember. It was one of the greatest victories in Tenakth history, but it wasn't just our people who fought in that battle. The Utaru joined us as well, proving that we are stronger together than apart."

Though she would never admit it aloud, Victoria enjoyed these discussions with Dekka. She loved learning about Tenakth history, culture, and battles - their unwavering determination that embodied human will at its finest. Despite how her own pain and trauma, especially from Anne, had shaped their lives, she couldn't help but admire how they had thrived because of it. That maybe something good did come out of it.

“So you tore the place down,” Victoria chased after Dekka’s Plowhorn, eying the Bellowback she kept just out of range, “If you were so against the Carja, and rightfully so, why not chase them all the way back to their capital?”

“Hekarro considered it,” Dekka admitted, deftly maneuvering around Victoria’s Grazer and Leaplasher. “But he ultimately decided it was a foolish notion. We had many injured and despite our victories, there were still villages in our territory suffering. Not everyone agreed with his decision.”

“Was there someone in particular?”

For once, Dekka fell silent and stared at the Strike board for a long moment before sighing. “One person, more than others: Regalla. She was one of our Marshals and perhaps one of the fiercest warriors we ever had, aside from Hekarro himself. He respected her greatly, and she him.” Dekka shook her head sadly. “She lost so much during the Red Raids and her grief turned into an insatiable thirst for revenge, even if it meant betraying her own people.”

“What happened to her?”

"After or before her civil war?" Dekka scoffed, her voice dripping with bitterness. "She tried to challenge the chief for leadership, but lost. He showed mercy by sparing her life, but she saw it as an insult rather than a gesture of compassion. Years later, she returned from self-imposed exile and attempted once again to divide the Tenakth in a petty civil war. If not for Aloy, Marshal Kotallo, and the united strength of our people, she would have succeeded. Now she lies buried within the Grove; despite all she did against him, Hekarro made sure she received proper honors and lay next to her loved ones."

Their game forgotten, a heavy silence hung between them before Victoria spoke up again, “Her loss must have been devastating for her to turn against her own people.”

“We all lost someone during the Raids,” Dekka replied, “We were all angry, but Regalla's anger was not justified in betraying us.”

Victoria's brow furrowed. “Did Hekarro lose someone too?”

Dekka nodded.

“Was their name Tarrik?”

Victoria took a risk, driven by her curiosity. The look Dekka gave her wasn't angry or upset, but rather a deep sadness that spoke volumes. It confirmed what she had suspected - that Tarrik was someone important to Hekarro, even though she didn't know why.

“How did you come to know that name?”

Shrugging, Victoria replied, “Hekarro talks in his sleep.”

Dekka nodded and looked away at the group of Tenakth behind Victoria. They were laughing and chatting happily, a stark contrast to the grief on Dekka's face. "Tarrik," she whispered, her voice heavy with emotion, "is a wound that I am all too familiar with. Many who fought in the raids can attest to the same. Victoria, I do not say this as Hekarro's advisor or Chaplain, but as his friend. Please refrain from mentioning that name to him. Even after all these years, the guilt still weighs heavily on his heart.”

A silent nod felt like the only appropriate gesture. Victoria’s attention returned to the Strike board, but she no longer felt that her heart was in the game anymore. The pain and suffering experienced by Dekka, Hekarro, and the Tenakth as a whole became more apparent to her with each passing day. They had all lost something precious, just like she had. And she was slowly beginning to realize that there was no distinction between them and her. They were all survivors in one way or another, struggling to move forward despite loss. It scared Victoria to think that she could be like them - brave enough to keep moving forward despite the pain.

Selfish

Victoria blinked back the tears.

You don’t deserve to live.

As expected, Victoria lost the match. She grumbled as she pushed her hair out of her face with a scowl and slumped back in her seat, feeling frustrated. Dekka couldn't help but laugh at her, "One day, you'll earn your victory, Victoria." After a moment of thought, she tilted her head and smiled gently, "It's odd, I never realized how close your name sounds to 'victory' until now."

Victoria nodded, "Yeah. My father chose it for me. It was supposed to be a final 'fuck you' to the struggles he and Anne faced, a sign that they finally made it in life." She scoffed bitterly, "But my father didn't even live long enough to see me born. Some victory, I guess."

"I'm not so sure about that." Dekka said, still smiling. "You're here now, living and breathing, learning and surviving. That is no small feat. And as you live and breathe, you carry on his story. He doesn't die when you are the vessel through which he continues to exist in this world."

A scoff escaped Victoria's lips before she could stop it. "Forgive me if I find that hard to believe right now."

Dekka chuckled, her eyes twinkling in the dim light of the fire. "Someone else said something similar to me a long time ago. And seeing where they are now? I still believe I was right. We are never the same, but how we emerge from our struggles can still be beautiful."

For the second time, Dekka managed to leave Victoria speechless with her words. She ran her fingers through her sweat-dampened hair and grimaced as she felt the tangles catch under her nails. "I don't know how you all can tolerate this heat." She grumbled, attempting to change the subject. Dekka hummed in response but allowed the change with a small chuckle of her own.

“Its of no consequence to a Lowlander, like Hekarro and I, we thrive in this kind of heat. But when the Sky Clan guards come here, they act like we're inflicting torture on them."

Victoria couldn't help but snicker at that, "I have to agree with them. Dry heat is something I can handle, but this humidity is suffocating. And I feel like I'm just stewing in my own sweat."

“That sounds like a bath is in much needed order, then.”

She perked up at the idea and looked at Dekka expectantly as the older woman contented herself with clearing the table. "Wait, you have baths here? With running water? Are you holding out on me, Chaplain?"

“I think it might be easier to show you. Come.”

Dekka led her through the bustling Maw and down into an underground passageway. The heat inside was starkly different from the sweltering heat outside, and the air was thick with the scent of herbs. They walked through the winding tunnels, passing by collapsed entrances, until they reached a small antechamber adorned with wooden stalls, each one covered by a heavy curtain. On the other side of the room, Victoria caught a glimpse of an open door shrouded in steam. Dekka motioned towards an empty stall and took the one next to it as Victoria stepped inside. There was a stone basin filled with clear water and a cloth hanging off the edge.

“Undress and wipe down,” Dekka called from the next stall over. Victoria furrowed her brow as she looked for some sort of coverup.

"No towels?"

"I do not understand what you mean, Victoria."

"To wrap myself in," Victoria clarified, trying not to sound exasperated. "Please tell me you don't expect me to walk out of here naked."

"Not unless you want to ruin your clothes. Were Old Ones so modest about their bodies?"

"Well…I suppose we were to some extent," Victoria admitted as she removed her tank top and struggled out of her flight suit and pants after kicking off her boots. She frowned at the scars that littered her body, tracing them with her fingertips. She wasn't necessarily ashamed of her own skin, but only a handful of people had ever seen her naked before. And here she was just about to walk out and show everything she was working with. Embarrassment flushed her cheeks as she grumbled, quickly grabbing a washcloth to wipe away the sweat and grime from her body. By the time she finished, Dekka was waiting for her, standing confidently in all her naked glory with no shame or hesitation. Victoria tried not to feel self-conscious as she followed Dekka to the door on the other side of the room.

As they stepped through the door, it felt like walking into a sauna, with dimly flickering candles providing the only light. Victoria couldn't help but forget about her embarrassment as she took in the sights around her. "You turned the old boiler room into a communal bath," she said incredulously, a mixture of amusement and admiration in her voice.

Dekka hummed as she led Victoria over to the bath, a man-made pool with stone walls that reached up to their knees and filled with steaming water. Despite the old boiler's worn appearance, Victoria could feel the warmth radiating from its belly, its flames casting an inviting glow. A Tenakth woman tended to it silently, half-hidden in the steam and water. In the pool, small groups of Tenakth chatted in hushed tones.

"Is this what this used to be?" Dekka whispered softly - careful not to disturb anyone else - as she stepped over the low wall and sank into the hot water with a contented sigh. "We discovered this room after the Tenakth united. It took some effort to clear out the flooding and get the cauldron going again, but it's much safer than bathing in the river, don't you think?"

“You really were holding out on me, Chaplain.” Victoria teased with a smile as she swung her leg over the pool wall and dipped her feet into the warm water. She moved closer to sit on the edge of the pool, savoring the sensation of clean and heated water against her skin. Closing her eyes, she inhaled deeply and let the steam encompass her. Tilting her head back, she let out a soft groan, imagining each droplet of water condensing on her skin and sliding down in a soothing cascade. There were no words that could accurately convey just how relaxing this experience was for her.

Victoria's mind snapped back to reality as she heard a disturbance in the pool. She slowly lifted her heavy eyes and watched Hekarro emerge gracefully from the rippling water opposite her. A wave of unexplainable warmth washed over her as she took in his presence. Though she had always acknowledged his attractiveness in passing, this encounter left no room for doubt. His physique was beyond impressive, sculpted with precision like a work of art in motion. Every scar on his skin added depth and richness to his already broad form. The soft candle light bathed him in an ethereal glow, accentuating every muscle and contour. Water droplets clung to him like jewels, enhancing the play of light as they cascaded down his glistening body. Victoria's heart raced uncontrollably in her chest at the sight, causing her cheeks to flush with embarrassment as she realized she had been staring. Thankfully, Dekka remained peacefully submerged in the water while Hekarro was engrossed in wringing the water from his long, silky black hair, oblivious to her admiring eyes.

A feeling of unease coiled in Victoria's throat, making it hard to swallow. She felt exposed. Vulnerable. Without hesitation, she sank into the welcoming embrace of the water, submerging herself until only her head and neck were above the surface. As she joined Dekka, Victoria desperately hoped that the flush on her cheeks could be attributed to the warmth of the bathhouse. She closed her eyes and focused on the comforting heat surrounding her body, trying to push thoughts of Hekarro out of her mind. But when he moved closer to Dekka, a surge of awareness washed over Victoria. She could sense his presence near her like an invisible wall. Trying to control her trembling, she prayed that he didn’t notice how deeply his presence affected her.

She couldn’t help but feel stupid, like a silly teenager with a stupid crush. Why was she so flustered by this? It's not like she had never seen a naked man before. She wasn't some naive girl who had never been kissed by a boy.

None of them were as handsome as Hekarro is, though.

Oh, how she despised that traitorous little voice inside her head.

"You fret too much," Dekka’s teasing voice cut through the fog in Victoria’s mind, “The Grove has survived countless storms and your preparations will ensure it endures many more. Now go rest. Or I’ll tie you to your bed myself.”

Hekarro's laughter pulled a small smirk from Victoria, though she feigned disinterest, her eyes closed as he quipped back. "It would amuse me greatly to see you try.”

He departed, the sound of water swishing as he exited the pool, his footsteps fading until only the low hum of the boiler filled the room. Dekka sighed, her playful scowl evident even though Victoria couldn't see it.

"That boy is so stubborn," she muttered, "Even after all these years, he still refuses to listen to wise counsel." Victoria felt a gentle nudge on her arm and she opened her eyes and looked over to see Dekka smiling at her, “How are you feeling?”

“I needed this.” Victoria admitted, stretching her arms up.

“You can always come down here when you need to. The evenings are usually peaceful. Do you want to wash your hair? I can show you how.” Before Victoria could object, Dekka moved through the water and guided her until she was facing away from the Chaplain. Her gentle fingers worked through the tangles in Victoria’s hair, picking them apart with care. “Mirella? Can I have some soapstone?”

A stern, older woman handed a pungent bar to Dekka, who began to work it into Victoria's damp tresses, the air around them becoming thick with the aroma of sea salt and blooming orchids. As Dekka's fingers threaded through Victoria's hair, a tension seemed to uncoil within her.

And for an instant, just a fleeting instant.

She didn’t feel quite as lonely as she once had.