“Is this the one with the least number of soldiers in the squad? And on the head instead of hair tangled long sticks? But, he's unclean!”

“So what?!”

“Are you out of your mind?!”

Kors looked at Lis, who, as usual, made a contemptuous displeased face, his trademark mask.

“And…” Kors seemed to gather his strength. “Well, why did you choose the poorest? After the storming of the Fort, he had no soldiers left. I would choose this one… how is he… Tazh. Oh, yes, he already has a boyfriend. Well, then Zaf, whoever has enough warriors left, and such precious stones in his nose. It is immediately obvious that he is rich. Why did you choose the most worthless?”

“Father, leave me alone,” Karina said, and her voice was icy.

“You know what,” said Kors, “you really are worth each other!”

He left, slamming the door loudly.

He returned to Nikto.

“She says she kissed one of your unclean ones. Have you fucked her all up here? My daughter is a whore and Alis is an idiot.”

“I told you not to touch them.”

“But I didn't even imagine…” Kors was depressed. “She's the same as you. She is drunk now or on drugs, or she, as you say, is dull. Did she sleep with you? And with the prince? How could Alis agree to marry her! And I also demanded,” Kors chuckled, “as if she was a decent girl. And she is a drug addict and a slut who sucks, as she put it, with unclean ones. She said it so calmly in front of him. Your Lis is probably just crazy. Although his mother was the same, apparently he got used to it.”

“Stop it, Kors! Karina is a warrior and a very nice girl. You should be proud of her! We all love each other very much, we are one loving family!”

“And they will stay together after this?”

“Well, of course! Don't worry, Lis won't disgrace your daughter, he won't kick her out.”

“And I would have kicked her out!”

Karina and Lis stayed in the room together.

“Why did you tell him? You disgraced me!”

“Fuck him!” Said Karina. “Forgive me.”

“Everyone has already understood that I am used to endured. And now your father too.”

“Well, send me then to hell, if their opinion is important to you! I'll leave, and everyone will say that you are cool!”

“And… will you leave?”

“Yes!”

“I cannot drive you away!”

“Why? I shame you. Drive me away, restore your honor in front of them, and I will go and throw myself off the wall!”

“You have lost your mind!” Lis grabbed her. “I love you! I don't give a fuck about their opinion!”

He pulled her to him, pressing his lips to hers, kissing her greedily, but at the same time without making any sudden movements, Karina went limp in his arms, feeling how tightly he squeezed her, for sure bruises would remain from his fingers again, well, let it be! The sensation of his forked tongue alone drove her crazy, making her gasp in a pre-orgasmic state.

He pulled back:

“Well? Is it better with me? Or with Nija?”

“Stop it! You are welcome! Stop it, you're the best!”

“My tongue is crippled, but his is normal,” Lis sat down on the bed, he looked very sad now, depressed, somehow discouraged. On very rare occasions, she saw him like this. Lis who didn’t build anything of himself. Lis without his eternal mask of cynical indifference, his usual impudent coolness. And these moments of his vulnerability, defenselessness frightened her and at the same time covered her with a wave of indescribable tenderness. Even she rarely saw such real Lis, the protective expression on his face was so familiar to him. It didn’t change, no matter what happened to him. Poor Lis, always hiding behind the insolent grin of a slightly raised contemptuous corner of his lips. And now he was so discouraged, unsettled by her act, that he even got lost.