The Ritual.

"Show me." You insist.

"Alright." Donald says. Moving over to Kleg, he yanks the blade from his throat and wipes it clean. Placing it on the floor, the Prince takes a dagger of his own and carves a simple rune on the blade. He beckons for you.

You approach, falteringly finding your knees beside him. Donald slashes open the brigand's leather armour, exposing his back.

"See that rune?" You nod. "Carve it on his back."

You glance sidelong at Donald.

"Hey, that's what you're supposed to do. Men in Beatha have been doing this for centuries. Then again, you are Itherian..."

Determined to complete the ritual, you take the knife. Slicing through the dead man's flesh, you mark him as indicated. A little more spidery than what was indicated, but satisfactory.

"What was this for?"

"You're the one who slew him. Only right you get to make the final statement on what he was." Donald explains. "That rune's Old Beathan for "Bandit"."

"Is that it?"

"Part one of three." Donald shakes his head. "Next... the Marking."

He smears his hand on the carved rune, until his entire handprint is bloody.

"I'd close my eyes if I were you." the Prince advises. Deciding to fully embrace the ritual, you oblige, lifting your face as Donald delivers a bloody handprint.

"You're to leave that on as long as possible." Donald tells you. "We wear all our kills like a coating of dust. The first is just more literal."

"What if someone sees me?" You ask, bemused by the Beathans' strange culture.

"It's a mark of honour, brother. Most likely they'll congratulate you!"

"What was step three?" You ask.

"Ah. Well, we'd march the newly minted killer to the nearest brothel and pay for one of the lasses to fuck him." Donald states. "That part... usually did the most to chase any discomfort over having ended someone."

"I'm not surprised." You laugh. "A shame Daena's not available."

"We'd be fools to bring her back from guard duty, aye." Donald observes. "And you're not interested in anything I have to offer, are you?"

You go to nod in agreement, but find yourself questioning it. After what you've just went through, a dark, animalistic part of you would welcome any pleasure, no matter the source.