Alone Together

This story really starts in the middle. Ari, who often goes by A, is propped up against a tree in the middle of a forest with a dagger in her stomach. She's lost a lot of blood already, and she keeps losing more. Helios is kneeling next to her, and they're both trying to figure out what to do.

I'll start at the beginning, though. Ari is a wanderer, traveller, adventurer, and lots of other things. She doesn't have a home, until one day she does. She's chased into the Akiire territory by the Akiire's enemies; the Tesera. Luckily for her, the chief of the Akiire tribe takes her in. Akiire medicine men and women fuss over her until they're sure she's safe.

Then the Akiire initate her as a member of their tribe. She gladly accepts. She's started to like it there, after all.

Then Helios starts talking to her. He's nothing special in the tribe. He's a good warrior, but all the warriors are good. The bad ones have already died. Nonetheless, by the time we get to the forest with the dagger and all that, A has only spoken to Helios a few times. Now he's her only way to stay alive.