"Be prepared to leave."
I crossed my arms, fear shooting through me. "He'll be okay," I whispered, unable to bear the idea of Batu being killed over me. Come on, Batu. I can't lose anyone else.
Khulutei said nothing. I had the feeling he'd yank me out of there fast if the battle passed the point of no return for Batu. I wasn't schooled enough in this kind of barbarism to identify that moment. Even if it came, I'd rather stay here and face my fate than run away and live with Batu's death on my conscience.
Batu's grip around the giant slipped, and the larger man rolled free. The two launched to their feet and another brutal round of punches, grabbing and kicks. I still didn't see what Khulutei did; Batu didn't seem to be pulling punches the way I expected someone with a broken arm to do.
Khulutei shifted his weight between feet beside me, the only indication he was worried. I glanced at him and swallowed hard. I was starting to like this world even less watching how they settled disagreement. It didn't seem likely that any of them had made it this far.
"Good," Khulutei murmured.
I focused again on the battle, frustrated I didn't understand the battle like Khulutei did. Batu had just been thrown off the back of the giant, who was staggering. All I could think of was that Batu did something before being tossed onto his back. He rolled and hopped to his feet, a little more slowly this time, but still bright eyed and focused.
The giant, however, was shaking his head and stumbling.
"Finish it, cousin," Khulutei said under his breath.
As if hearing him, Batu pounced. Any mercy he had shown the giant in letting him stand whenever he fell appeared to be gone. He smashed one of the giant's knees and sent the man crashing down with a cry of pain.
And then he began to pound his fists into him. Over and over, until the giant fell onto his back and weakly tried to fend off Batu's blows.
Batu didn't stop and continued to beat the man's face and neck. Blood sprayed everywhere while the men around us cheered more loudly.
Sickened by the sight of a man being murdered, I closed my eyes and ducked my head, seeking my happy place.
The sense of detachment stirred and tugged me away from reality and consciousness. The scary world outside vanished, for which I was grateful.
See me. Hear me. Touch me.
This time, I fought the attempt to bring me back. My senses, however, disobeyed me, and I gradually became aware of Batu's body pressed to mine, his arm around me, the scent of his sweat and blood as I was held against his chest.