Asha's eyes were half lidded as they stared blankly for a moment into the early light of dawn as it streamed in around the door curtain and through the tiny window. Shifting her body slightly and peeling her matted fur off Verik as she sat upright Asha took a long breath and settled her gaze on their abandoned dinner. Remembering last night she smiled a little before a hand drifted to just below her stomach and lingered, looking down she looked at herself and then at Verik with a look of curiosity etched on her features.

"It not dream... Real."

A small smile crossed her face as it all came back quickly and after closing her eyes while smiling happily to herself she became a little worried about what others had said. Was it possible? Or impossible? There was only one way to know for certain and it would mean repeating last night as many times as she could for as long as possible, but even then she knew it would take time for it to show. Her mother had shown no signs at first when she was pregnant with her younger sibling but now that her own attempts were in question, how long would it take?

"Need to try again, soon. Must be certain!"

Her hand drifted along his side as she smiled before a yawn crept up on her and yawning quietly Asha gave Verik a light shove to rouse him, but when there was no response her eyes narrowed and the shoving became more earnest until it finally she gave up and began giving him a series of pokes.

"Up. It morning." A muffled groan escaped her husbands mouth as his arms and legs shifted before catching and going limp again. Frowning Asha shifted herself over and sat on his chest while holding his head between her hands and then leaned down shaking his head gently. "Up! Up!"

"You said we could sleep in now that we had other duties..." Verik's voice trailed off and moving her hands off his head his arms reached out and held her gently around the waist as a half tired smile crossed his face.

"Yes but must get up." Asha poked him between the eyes.

"Why?"

"Not go to creche like... This." She motioned to her matted and twisted fur. "And smell funny to."

Staring up at her with a smile on his face Verik finally dropped the smile. "Asha, I have never felt worn out like this in all my life and I think the first thing I need to build for us is a bed. Not a door, I can live without a door in this heat but after last night I am certain these mats will be the death of me."

"Bed? Have beds!" Asha patted the reed mat. "No reason to be so tired!"

"There is a world of difference between the hard ground and an actual mattress. Last night simply reminded me of that in many painful ways that are now screaming in my body, mostly the hips at the moment."

Asha gave a disgruntled snort. "I not tired."

Verik opened his eyes and stared up for a moment before slowly sitting up while Asha slid off of him and waited quietly, for a moment his breath caught painfully before he rolled onto his side and after crawling into a sitting position he held the side of his waist before smiling at her briefly.

"Yes, I can see that."

"You walk?" Asha reached out and felt the side of his hips gently.

"I need to stand up first." Asha stood quickly and waited as Verik slowly fought his way up before standing upright and sighing in relief. "Well I can still stand after that working over you gave me last night."

"Not pretend you not like it."

"Never, and I look forward to doing it again and again and again..." Asha gave him a small nudge but after he teetered for a moment she grabbed him by the arm and pulled causing him to groan. "For now, I shall focus on walking."

"This not happen every time?"

"No, body was just not ready for something like that. I can run, fight, beat the hell out of someone with a rock and take a beating of the same but that, that shocked the system."

"Good. Need to bathe and get morning ration now. We go to river now yes? And... I borrow cloak yes?"

"Afraid everyone will stare?"

Asha crossed her legs a little before nodding. "Yes..."

Looking her matted fur over Verik nodded before staring at the water jug in the corner. "I think that would draw even more attention but we could always use that," he motioned to their large water jug, "to bathe in here."

Asha glared and smacked his shoulder gently before grabbing the soap container and passing it to him. "Make hut muddy! Bathe at river, hut take long time to dry out inside."

"We dont really have any neighbors anymore and most will be at the granary or water wells right now, we can just step around the side and bathe quickly. Its not like anyone is going to spy on us and with the construction going on the new buildings are not up yet, we virtually have this corner of the village to ourselves. At least for another week or so..." Verik stopped and stared trying to remember what the schedule was.

Humming for a moment Asha nodded before looking at the large water jar for a moment and reaching to the side she picked up a smaller container and began dipping out water rapidly. When she was finished the two stared at each other quietly.

"Ladies first."

"You just want to watch."

"I shall not lie to you so yes, yes I do."

"Then you help wash back, make self useful."

"Gladly, but we need more water than that one jar, let me fill up another and I will be outside in just a minute."

Asha nodded before grabbing the two rags they had taken to using as washcloths and almost stepped outside before looking down at herself. Ears laying down a little she sighed and waiting at the door patiently. "I wait here."

"The only one who could possibly see us at this hour would be Nuru... Well, maybe Subira."

"Especially not want Nuru to see." Asha's tail twitched a little.

Finishing with his task Verik looked into the mostly empty jug. "We will need to refill this again but at least we have one now! Canals made these almost completely useless."

"Have lots of time later, now hurry."

Walking to the door with a jug in one hand and soap in the other Verik poked his head outside and looking around stared at Asha. "There is no one out there and I would like to ask you something."

Stepping outside gingerly Asha looked around before darting around the side of the hut. "What?"

"Since when did you become the shy one about nudity, I am too tired to care right now and couldn't make the walk anyway but you..." Verik put the water jar now and removed the lid from the soap container.

Asha glared at him a moment before dampening her fur with some of the water and after dipping some soap out began scrubbing down. "Not care, but do care. Not be seen like this, very..."

"Embarrassing?"

Stopping for a moment she nodded. "Yes."

"Now you know how I feel all the time."

"You have no excuse! Covered in blood, dirt, mud and sweat not same as this!"

"I know but you can now understand my desire to stay hidden from eyesight now hm?"

Verik moved his hands up and down her back slowly while working her fur apart so it was no longer in strange little swirls or sticking out here and there. Asha hummed happily as he worked, her tail swishing a little more as he went until it was thrashing back and forth between his legs.

"Asha?... Asha!"

"Hm?"

"Watch the tail, its getting a little close-"

Snapping the wayward tail back between her legs tightly she halted for a moment before turning around. "How long it take?"

"What? How long does what take?" Asha took his hand and placed it over her womb and stared. "Ahhhh... Um... Last time I had anything to do with that was health class and I honestly cant really remember, had other things on my mind all those years after and well..."

"Well?" Asha stared.

"I got along with everyone about as well as two starved sharks would while some poor bleeding bastard splashed around in the water above."

"What is shark?"

"Piranha?" Asha shook her head. "A fish that will eat you alive."

"Ohh... But not know?"

"Not a clue and besides which your a zebra so I dont think anything I know would apply anyway."

"Afraid you say that."

"Actually I am the one who is a little more afraid right now."

"Why?" Asha stared at him as he gave her a strange smile before moving behind her quietly to continue his work.

"I want to keep my hips right where they are and not ground to a paste."

Asha's ears stood upright for a moment before laying back slightly and turning rapidly with an annoyed look she gave him a small push as he laughed.

"That not funny!"

"Take it as a compliment, if I were to die I can think of no better way right now than in bed with you. I would die a very, very happy man."

Asha huffed slightly. "Still not funny. Your turn." Rinsing herself off quickly Asha waited for a moment before the two traded places on the now soapy and muddy ground.

"Have to rinse my feet off somewhere else..."

"Go without boot?"

"I might, my boots are wearing out. They were pretty old to start with and no one here sells them or even makes anything like them. Its better to keep the feet covered though in my case, you have hooves, I dont."

Nodding slowly Asha rubbed his shoulders and continued to stare at his back, he had changed since they first met and it was painfully visible now from the scars that were slowly accumulating. Worry wormed around her stomach as she thought over his plans and what it would mean including a great number more injuries.

"Balls."

Asha halted her movements a moment and blinked before scowling. "Wash yourself."

"No not that! I have all that leftover leather laying around and nothing to do with it."

Blinking slowly a few times Asha stared at him for a moment before it clicked. "Oohh... Make balls for foals?"

"Well its not like I have anything else I can do with it at the moment, it just sits there."

"Not think snake make good balls though, very expensive ball though."

"That pig, boar, whatever it was I killed a ways back? The leather would be perfect and there is just enough of it to make at least one, maybe two. Being at that creche is just sad."

"Why it sad? They safe, have food."

"They exist. Nothing more."

"Play with each other so why you worry so much?" Asha began rinsing his back off.

"Those foals havent got a single toy to play with, they just sit around scrawling in the dust, starting fights or play with broken reeds."

"Normal."

"I suppose it is but it is also just sad, they should have at least something to play with."

"That why you spend much time cutting sticks into strange shape?"

"Whittling, and yes. My "skills" as a carver are on par with a cross eyed idiot but they need something to occupy themselves with."

Smiling Asha leaned forward and pulled him into a hug. "You nice, not care what other say. Think of foal and want to do nice things."

"Asha, I dont know whether it is out of pity or because I honestly care about them... I just cant tell anymore, I know that I care deeply for you and about the well being of those I command but it has just been so~ long..."

Spinning him around on his heels in the mud Asha's ears perked forward and she stared at him with a hard expression. "That sad excuse. You at least think and try. Others happy to eat and breathe but you want more. Maybe you pity? Yes... You pity. But also care. Pity mean you able to care, if this just pity you not try so hard."

"My whittling could hardly be considered "trying hard" Asha."

"No care. You care, maybe need time to learn again."

"True but I shut those emotions out a long time ago less others try and use me."

"Some here try."

"I know. Asha? How do you make a ball?"

Asha stopped a moment in confusion before giving Verik a strange look and shook her head. "Not know..."

"Did you ever have one?"

"No. Maybe ask Awe?"

"Or Sefu."

"Both, we ask both."

"Just hoping they agree." Verik walked away from the muddy ground and after a short distance held a foot out and began rinsing it off.

"Think they agree to help, I get water, long walk... You walk to granary and get food?"

"I can make it that far, I think. Muscles are loosening up a bit but still aching."

"Yes, you walk strange but make it."

Strange looks were given as the two had made their way around the village but most had stared at Verik as he walked while leaning on his spear, no one said a word however as seeing him staggering back from the training grounds had been a usual occurrence for some time. Asha had actually beaten him back despite having to travel twice the distance and had nearly come looking for him but once their double helping of breakfast was either reheating or boiling away they sat down and waited. Staring at the two jars Asha scooted closer before leaning against him slightly and as Verik looked down and into her big emerald eyes he shook his head.

"No."

"Have time."

"We just bathed and I dont think my hips could stand-"

"Once maybe not cause problem? You just lay-"

"No."

"But-"

"No." Verik pulled her into his lap and held her close and tried to will himself to resist. "I know how badly you want to start a family but I need to recover some first, after that... And also, yes I think they would notice from the strange looks I got this morning." Letting out a small and disgruntled snort Asha did not move from her position but accepted the embrace while sitting quietly. "Dont start pouting either-"

His voice died out as she twisted around and stared at him, eyes sad and ears laying back slightly. Slowly she rotated in his lap and put her arms around him while making certain to press herself into him while shifting herself around in his lap and grinding against him.

"Asha..." Verik's voice was strained as she gently moved her body around and without thinking his hands wrapped around her waist and began moving down her side before coming to rest on her flanks. Gritting his teeth he closed his eyes. "Asha, stop."

"Why?"

"Because we did not just bathe to go through this all over again and besides-"

"You not move, just sit." Asha leaned into him a little more. "Not resist much longer..."

"Asha you know damn well if you keep this up I-" A small growl exited his mouth as he kept his eyes closed and tried not to look her in the face. "No. Asha, please... Not right now, I want to, desperately, but not this instant."

Her movements slowed and looking up she stared at him. "Promise later?"

"I promise."

Turning back around in his lap Asha smiled. "You lose though."

"What?"

Shifting herself slightly she felt him twitch slightly. "You not resist so well."

"Well..." Verik put his arms around her and leaned forward. "When I have a gorgeous zebra like you in my lap it takes all my power and then some to say no. But yes, you won."

"Good! Now we eat."

Verik stared with some confusion as Asha removed the pots and began serving their greatly enlarged breakfast. "Asha? What was that really about?"

"Sibi say if that work-"

"I dont want to know what Sibi said and stop listening to Sibi, for the sake of my health please, dont."

"You not complain though hm?"

"Wai- Never mind."

Asha simply smiled as she handed a bowl to Verik before joining him on the mats, the mush was lumpy from sitting overnight but tasted good all the same. All the advice Sibi had given her had worn him out completely including herself, but that he would still be aroused despite his state made her smile quietly. It really did work and he was not only willing but even to the point of bodily injury, it worried her a little but also made her happy. Sibi had encouraged her to just keep going but a part of her had said to stop when his pleading had reached her ears, she wanted foals but not at a cost and while her friend knew how to get the largest and longest reaction out of her mate, she was unwilling to push things quite that far. For now. He loved her deeply and desired her greatly and that was enough.

"We go now." Asha put the bowls on the shelf and shooed Verik out of the hut. "You not stay here and sleep."

"If all the foals hide from me at the creche I will sleep there."

"Maybe that not so wise."

"Why? Will they try and tie up the giant monster and stake me to the ground?"

"What?! No! Why they do that?"

Verik scratched his beard. "Your right, if they had that much rope they would probably use it to climb over the wall."

"Not forget leather?" Verik held it up for a moment and as they walked down the road towards the creche she stopped and stared at him. "Walking strange."

"A testament to how we spent all last night and most of the wee hours of this morning." Stopping he turned around and glared as she laughed at his attempts to walk normally. "This is not funny."

"Very funny."

"Well get used to it because-"

His voice died as did her laughter as Nuru walked down the road with a smile on her face, they stared quietly and when she spent a brief second to look each of them in the eyes they flinched. When she had gone they looked at each other confused, worried and Asha's ears were laid down somewhat as she continued to watch Nuru as the shamaness disappeared around the huts.

"I'm scared. I really am..."

Asha looked at Verik and nodded. "Why she smile like that?"

"I dont know, dont want to know, wont ask, wont listen if anyone offers an explanation... That is not her usual shit eating grin where she knows something we dont or is plotting, that is something else and I really dont want to know."

"We go." Asha quickly gave Verik a gentle push to get him moving down the road towards the creche.

Their late arrival was not challenged by either Awe nor Sefu who had things well in hand as the food delivery was not due for a little while yet. Slipping inside they watched as the foals who were still awake migrated quickly to the far wall nearest Awe and Sefu before laying down to sleep again, content that Goliath would protect them. Sefu and Awe however watched with narrowed eyes as Verik stashed his spear, dropped his whittling bag, leather and then gingerly lowered himself to the floor while using the wall as a guide, the two looked at each other a moment quietly before Awe finally pointed at the leather.

"What that for?"

"I wanted to know if you could make a ball with this or maybe two."

"Balls for foals?" Awe's head leaned to the side curiously. "Think that help?"

"Nope! Probably make them even more crazy. Wouldn't hurt either, they need something to play with other than sticks and dirt."

Awe shrugged. "Let me have leather."

Verik tossed it to her as Sefu nodded at him curiously. "Bribe foals maybe work for some... Why you want to give up leather for this? Not your foals."

"I am not bribing them and honestly I dont know, its like I told Asha this morning, I just dont know but it does not sit right with me that... Well just look around the place." Verik motioned to their surroundings which made a Spartan barracks looks plush.

Sefu shrugged. "Maybe true, but all we have and this normal now. Still, it maybe make foals happy and is... Nice idea."

"Now? So you used to have-"

Awe nodded. "Yes but wear out, much time needed for other things so no time for these things yes? But you make much time and then take time away..."

"That "structural support" is for your own good and you know it."

"Agree but not all think so. Not care." Awe spread the leather out once more. "Make one big ball or two?"

"You can make them?"

"Yes, yes. Not hard, borrow some things yes but they not argue when I say why, surprise yes, very surprise but no argue."

"Out of curiosity-"

"Cut, stitch and fill with soft dry grass." Awe moved her fingers along the leather showing where the cutting lines would be.

"Alright. So what kind of things did you have long, long ago?"

Sefu shrugged. "What you ask Awe to make, use reed to make things, clay maybe and carve much." He stopped and stared towards the door for a moment and after nodding to Awe his wife stood and took Asha with her. "Food here, now question for you."

"I cant recall the last time you had a question for me."

The giant zebra made a huffing sound for a moment before pointing back towards the door. "You and Asha now married, she your mate yes? Yes. Things not same here as where you from I think."

"Like you having many wives? That is actually illegal in most places and they will throw you in prison and take your life away, not that its any of their business anyway."

"Mm. Not here, here we have many wives if can afford it."

"You buy them or?"

Sefu glared. "No! But also yes if slave... If stallion is able to feed and house many wife then maybe they take many. Some take many anyway but chief and tribe frown on this sometimes. Not wise to anger tribe hm? Power, coin, these attract so no think with between legs."

"Polygamy is legal here. I already knew that and also the later, so what is your real question?"

"Maybe one day you find another mare, take second wife, maybe more. But... Maybe they come to you, maybe you sometime become wealthy. Make much wealth because you... Travel on water much and find much, much coin. Others take interest in you, great interest, unhealthy interest. Coin mean wealth, power. Greater coin, greater wealth. It attract those not so good but, ones Nuru call wicked. Wicked ones do wicked things to make accept, even harming other or making you think one you trust is not trusted..."

"Kind of like a fat guy with a face only his mother could love winning the lottery, having a much wealth as the entire state they live in and just magically... Finds his one true love the following morning who just five hours ago was a street walking whore with big fake plastic breasts- Never mind, I am aware and have seen it to a degree at a great distance. I have no interest what so ever in that kind and I would rather make everyone believe I am a broke, penniless beggar with no future. If they can love me as that man then I..." Verik paused. "Honestly I never gave it a second thought to have anyone other than Asha, but. For the sake of argument, if for whatever reason it did come up somehow... I would be interested in getting to know them first, I have no interest in anyone who chases after money, power and prestige. We call those "gold diggers" where I come from. Also if they try and break my trust in Asha or she myself... Or even worse do her harm to get her "out of the way" well in that case... The fish in the river will dine well that night."

"Say you not be persuaded by them? Some like that in Wete but also know there many beyond, you resist? They know how to twist minds very well."

"Personal experience or did your brother-"

"Father. Make big mistake, Nuru solve problem though and help him see truth."

"Did they survive the light?"

"Yes, but exile. He lucky, Nuru friend of father and help."

"But she is not mine."

"Maybe, maybe not... Not know, she help but have purposes. Not wish ill on you-"

"I dont think I would survive very long if she did wish me ill."

Sefu smirked a little. "She have interest in you, want you learn much which come with time and pain. Hard lessons. But no matter, you trust Asha?"

"With my life."

"She have good heart and can "see" others, you content with Asha. Good, but never know what happen in future, ambition make things... Hard, shifting. Much become doubted, question much, believe little. Maybe you have much coin soon and it attract many flies, you be careful and trust Asha yes?"

Verik watched Sefu quietly and nodded slowly before speaking. "Your advice does not fall on deaf ears, I know, but I thank you all the same for caring enough to share your wisdom. You are one of the damn few who has ever bothered."

Sefu smiled slightly before nodding quietly. "He not a fool, that good. Maybe Nuru right, all things change in time, maybe she right about this." Sitting quietly he stared off into space before a gentle patting on his chest got his attention and looking down at Auni he nodded and listened to the whispering voice as his son pointed across the room at Verik. Looking up and watching the man cutting into a new piece of wood with his looted knife Sefu stared with his son as the shaving fells to the floor. "He carving things... Not know, think he carving toys."

Auni stared at his father a minute before locking his eyes on the bag and with great care the foal slid from his fathers lap and snuck across the room one careful hoofstep at a time towards Verik. Stopping he looked back at Sefu who just watched quietly before sneaking forward again but finally Verik's movements slowed to a halt as he stared back at the foal. They stared back and forth at each other before Verik looked at Sefu who shrugged, Verik returned to his whittling and ignored Auni who continued to scoot closer before sitting down a short distance from Verik who once more slowed his work.

The two stared back and forth again for a bit before Verik put the knife away and focused his attention entirely on Auni, the two stared blankly until the foal began scooting closer and closer before reaching up at Verik's face. Stooping over so he could reach, Auni reached up and patted Verik's face curiously. Looking down at the tiny foal confused Verik glanced over at Sefu who was maintaining a blank stare, Auni stopped his patting and finally grabbed a fistful of beard and tugged on it a little.

"Sefu?"

"Hm."

"What is he doing?"

"Get used to it."

Staring back down at Auni as he tugged on the beard and ears while thoroughly exploring Verik's face he finally stopped and tugged on his lower lip to expose the teeth and stared before letting go and stepping back wide eyed.

"Alright, that's enough." Verik moved the bag over. "Here, go play with these."

Auni stared at the bag before opening it and quickly began to root around inside before upending the bag and dumping out the contents. Rolling them on the floor he looked up confused before lifting one and examining it.

"I know it takes a lot of imagination but those are little wooden warriors, tried to make them look like some of the warriors in the village but... Well maybe your imagination is better than mine. These..." Verik picked one out of the mass that was cruder than the others. "Is supposed to be one of those bandits your father and I fought."

Handing the carving to Auni, he watched as the foal looked at it confused before staring at his father who did not move but continued to stare quietly. Laying them all out quickly the foal began studying them and organizing them into two piles and began trying to stand them up in the dirt.

"I know their bases are uneven but that is as good as it-"

Auni ignored him and smacked the toys into the dirt floor driving them in so they stood at odd angles but held. Watching him line them all up Verik again looked at Sefu.

"Your son has a better imagination than I do, even I cant really tell which ones were supposed to be what but apparently he can tell."

Sefu shrugged. "Hm."

Two other foals who had been watching began encroaching on Auni who grabbed one of the carvings and gripped it harder, the others kept a constant eye on Verik but began whispering back and forth with Auni as they explored the objects.

"Toys get attention I guess. Did you ever make any for-"

"Yes, but Awe say not allowed to bring."

"You made him a toy sword, didn't you."

"Yes, it not here but at home."

"And she doesn't want him smacking anyone with it."

"He not unless they try to take."

Verik looked at Auni. "And with no toys he would be the target." Another foal joined in but Auni would not part with the one carving. "Well I guess he figured out which one was supposed to look like you."

"That suppose to look like me?" Sefu raised an eyebrow. "Practice carving more."

The gaggle of foals shifted away from Verik and to a "safer" corner of the hut and soon others joined in as the voices picked up. As they began moving the figures around one stopped to look at Sefu.

"Where come from?"

Sefu narrowed his eyes with a smirk on his face and motioned towards Verik. "That one."

The foals stopped to stare at Verik before looking back at the crude carvings before a quiet argument began that soon died off as they began playing again.

"Well I am glad they enjoy them... A bit confused as to how they never noticed considering I have had this bag with me all this time."

"You started something, wait till tomorrow."

"What?"

"Foals have toys?"

"They do now..."

"Who is toy-maker?"

Verik noticed the number of stares he was getting increased as they continued to play with the figures with more joining in to watch or pick one out for themselves. The fear had begun to dissipate and was being replaced with curiosity and a degree of wonder as the mock battle grew in size.

"Ah..."

Author's Notes:

Wete has its first toy maker. Enjoy it, hate it, comment, donate on patreon, up next is Nyah and Khada. Also at 300,000+ words now... Very tired now, goodnight.