The wall’s collapse obstructed the view of the First Shell, creating yet another impediment to reaching Magni. Cailu eyed the enormous pile of rubble, testing his footing at the base. The baked bricks shifted and collapsed if he placed significant weight on them—it would be too dangerous for their Parties to climb.

Hell take you, Magni.

Naeemah and Kirti stood nearby, the [Assassin] watching Cailu’s progress while the [Witch Doctor]’s bemused gaze flickered from him to the group of catgirls that had saved their lives. Tristan and Zahra lingered near Matt’s Party, looking to Cailu for orders.

Will I ever see the day when I no longer need to give orders?

Cailu waved to a well-dressed young woman, presumably of the Second Shell, and she quickly padded over to greet him.

“Tell me, is there another gate into the First Shell?”

“No, sir. King Magni commanded that this wall be well-protected.”

Despite living in a citadel fortified for war. Cailu sighed. “That will be all.”

She curtsied before returning to her group of peers.

Cailu wandered to Naeemah’s side. Within the depths of his frustrations was a needling reminder of a sadness he hadn’t expected. Naeemah would not be joining him when they left this island.

“Naeemah,” Cailu began.

“Yes?” She pulled her mask to her chin and waited.

Cailu paused, crossing his arms over his chest. What was this sensation? Grief? Loss? He shook his head; now wasn’t the time. “This city is yours. Will you rebuild this wall?”

Naeemah studied the heap of stone, then shook her head. “Every wall must come down. Rājadhānī must be reunited.”

He nodded in agreement with her conclusion. “It is too unstable for us to cross.” 

“I surmised that as well.”

Rubbing his hands together, Cailu lifted one of the larger stones in his arms and hauled it away. The others watched with interest as he moved it to a vacant circle of sand and dropped it to the ground.

Naeemah caught on to his intentions, as she always had. Turning to the group of Rājadhānī girls, she asked, “Are any of you familiar with deconstructing these materials?”

“Aye, I can do it.” The hulking woman that Matt had called Jaya raised her hand. “There’s a lot here, but I know a few girls that can help me. What’ll we do with it once it’s done?”

“We’ll begin by rebuilding the houses for those in the Third Shell,” Naeemah replied.

Many of the catgirls gasped. Another girl in silken finery stepped forward. “But what of King Magni?”

“What of him?” Naeemah’s tone was flat.

She clasped her hands, cheeks pinking as her eyes dipped to the sands. “My lady, he would never allow such a thing.”

Naeemah looked at Cailu, who gave her the barest of nods. She turned back to the abashed catgirl. “It is not his right to say. This island is no longer beneath his rule.”

More stunned whispers and gasps.

Cailu returned to lift another hunk of wall. The kitten with the curious golden beetle skipped to his side and grinned up at him. Her skin, hair, and clothing were filthy, and her elbows and knees were scraped and bruised. She lifted a brick and proudly held it over her head. “I’ll help!”

“Your assistance is appreciated,” Cailu replied.

“Me, too.” The girl’s mother moved to her side.

“It’ll go faster with more hands.”

“We’ll clear this out in no time!”

At least a dozen catgirls followed Cailu’s lead in clearing the broken wall. Jaya jogged off to find girls to help her break down and store the bricks for new building materials.

Tristan turned to the others. Cailu caught him speaking as he circled back for the third time. “There’s plenty of water running through this shell for everyone. Why don’t we gather containers of it and set up a drink station?”

“That’s a great idea, Tristan,” Keke agreed.

Ravyn looked at Cannoli. Her face softened as she touched the [Acolyte]’s shoulder. Cailu had never seen the [Sorcerer] look at anything with such tenderness. “Cannoli, let’s see if the Second Shell girls have stores we can cook. I’m sure we’re all starving.”

“Food! Now! Squawk!” the wretched bird screamed.

“All right,” Cannoli whispered and nodded.

“Zahra,” Naeemah called from behind Cailu. 

The [Myrmidon]’s ears perked, and she snapped at attention. “Yes, my lady?”

“I wish to speak with you.”

Zahra’s face flushed as she marched to Naeemah’s side. Cailu watched them as they wandered farther down the wall, clearing rubble out of the earshot of the other girls. 

“Does she know?” Kirti’s sultry, meretricious voice caught him off guard.

Cailu turned to her, awaiting the [Witch Doctor]’s preposterous response in silence.

Kirti’s typical coy smile was absent from her lips. Her orange eyes bore into him as she searched his face. “You may bury your feelings in the depths of time, Cailu, but it is never too late to live without regret.” She gestured to Naeemah. “She deserves your thanks.”

“Naeemah’s dedication is not without gratitude,” Cailu snapped. “Our relationship was founded on unequivocal trust and efforts—”

His words trailed as Kirti crossed her arms and raised her eyebrows, her lips narrowing into a thin line. 

The memories he’d kept so carefully bottled away began to drip into his consciousness.  Naeemah’s swift form and sharp blades in battle after battle as she protected him from Encroachers, Defiled, and rogue catgirls. Naeemah’s calm demeanor and level-headed suggestions in even the most challenging of conflicts. Her laugh when she first learned Queen’s Gambit and tried to cheat. Her glistening body clothed in steam when they bathed together. 

She deserves your thanks.

Naeemah deserved the world. And, somehow, that realization had evaded him until it was time to let her go.

“Never too late, hm?” Cailu repeated, eyes wandering until he found Naeemah beside Zahra.

Kirti’s sly smile returned, and she smoothed her hands over the geometric patterns on her skirt. “You can owe me a favor later for this little tidbit of advice.”

He grimaced. “I do not desire to owe you anything.”

“Come, now. It won’t be so bad.” She chuckled and shrugged. “I will help the others fetch water, as I am not so suited for… physical labor.”

Must every word you mutter sound like an innuendo? “As you wish.”

Cailu returned to removing the debris. In time, Tristan, Keke, and Kirti had situated large vats of water with lines of wooden cups to take and drink. Ravyn and Cannoli tended three campfires, with many Second Shell girls bringing their food stores and cookware to utilize. Jaya and three others worked fervently with pickaxes and hammers, breaking down the stone, bricks, and mortar before storing them in barrels for reuse later. They laughed, sang, and talked, both shells mingling with one another as if there had never been a wall between them.

Matt reappeared, checking in on his Party before joining Cailu and the others in clearing the wall.

Naeemah caught Cailu’s attention just as the sun touched the horizon. “Cailu, may we speak privately?”

“Of course.” He wiped his hands on his trousers before joining Naeemah and Zahra. 

As they made their way to an isolated area, they passed by a slurring Jaya and her howling companions. It seemed alcohol had made its way into the fray. No matter. If a pickaxe found its way into a foot or a tail, the Second Shell had the supplies to tend it.

“This is Zahra. Her father was Krethik; the last man before Magni,” Naeemah said, gesturing to the red-headed catgirl.

“It is an honor, sir.” Zahra crossed an arm over her chest and bowed at the waist.

“Once the summit has resolved, I…” Naeemah hesitated, struggling to meet Cailu’s gaze. “I wish for her to take my place in your Party.”

Cailu’s chest tightened, and his fingers felt numb. He grappled with the right words to say, and for all of his struggling, he remained silent.

“She battled her own sister on multiple occasions to protect Tristan, and for the good of the island. I believe she would be an apt replacement.”

No one could replace you, Naeemah. He looked at Zahra. “What of Tristan? You would leave his Party for mine?”

“I joined Tristan’s Party to see my home restored. My mother and I both owe our livelihoods to Lady Naeemah, and your work here, I believe, will soon satisfy my quest,” Zahra replied evenly. “To be of assistance to you and my lady would be my greatest achievement, sir.”

Cailu looked between them and weighed his options. Naeemah’s gaze was still focused just over his shoulder. “If Naeemah trusts you, then so shall I. However,” Cailu held up one hand as Zahra’s expression ignited with joy, “I will only accept your help with Tristan’s consent. Even then, you will be held to high expectations.”

“Of course, sir.” Zahra’s smile peeked through her determined expression as she bowed.

“You are a second Class. That must be rectified as soon as possible,” Cailu continued.

“Whatever it takes, sir,” Zahra replied quickly. “With your leave, I will speak with Tristan.”

“Permitted.” It was like speaking to a new military recruit. Naeemah’s suggestion seemed well-founded.

Zahra jogged away without another word, leaving Cailu alone with Naeemah.

“I trust her,” Naeemah said after a heartbeat of silence. “She will serve you well.”

She deserves your thanks.

For the first time in their history together, Cailu stepped forward and circled his arms around Naeemah in a tight embrace. Her body tensed, her arms frozen at her sides. Just as he worried that he had pushed beyond her comfort, she wrapped her arms around his waist and rested her cheek against his chest. The faint scents of lavender and cedar still lingered in her hair.

“No one will ever replace you, Naeemah,” Cailu murmured. “Thank you for all you have done.”

They stayed in each other’s arms, further platitudes unnecessary. Their history was carved together in their memories; their futures stronger for it.

Cailu drew away, clinging to the echoes of her body on his. At last, she met his gaze, and he gave her a resolute nod. “Let us finish what we began.”