Twisted Wonderland Book 4: Schemer of the Scalding Sands

Chapter 14: Extravagant Water

Soon enough, the Ramshackle Group and the Scarabia Dorm students arrive at the Eastern Oasis. Briar is still very deep in thought as the march seems all too familiar.

Briar says in thought, "I've seen this scenery in my dream. We're marching like we're in some kind of parade, and Kalim is riding on the elephant like the prince in my dreams. This is getting weird. Why are my dreams starting to feel so real?"

Suddenly, he hears Grim calling out, "Hey, Briar, what're you starin' off into space for? Did the heat get to you?"

"Oh sorry, I'm just a little distracted," Briar says.

"Distracted?" Jasper questions.

"It's hard to explain," Briar says.

Just then, Kalim shouts, "Everyone, halt!"

Soon, everyone comes to a halt.

Grim sighs, "Phew. We made it at last!"

Then Jamil says, "We will take a fifteen-minute break. Then we march back to the dorm."

"Finally, some water..." Grim happily says in relief.

However when they arrive at the oasis, they see the place is all dried up.

Grim is shocked, "Wait. What kinda bizarro oasis is this?! It's empty!"

"Water? You say you want water?" Kalim questions.

"Uh, duh? My throat's dry as a bone," Grim says.

Suddenly, Kalim smiles and says, "Then water you shall have...and I'll make it cool and refreshing for you!" He brings out his magepen and begins to cast his magic, "Respite in the scalding sands, a neverending party. Dance! Sing! Oasis Maker!"

And with that, clouds appear and rain begins to fall out of the sky. Everyone is starting to get wet, but feeling really refreshed.

"Oooh! Sweet, merciful rain!" Grim happily says.

A Scarabia Student happily says, "I was feeling like a withered husk for a minute there, but this water's refreshing me from the inside out!"

Ahhh... I needed that" Another Scarabia Student happily replies.

"You really like it? If water's all you want, then I'll produce enough to fill this whole 's my signature spell, Oasis Maker. It allows me to expend a little bit of magic power to produce large volumes of the finest water," Kalim happily explains,

"Y'know... Making a buncha water seems really low-key for a signature spell. There are plenty of other spells that let you conjure water..." Grim replies.

But Kalim says, "I beg to differ. The point of Oasis Maker is its efficiency. It produces a lot using a very small amount of magic. Back before the advent of running water, one would have had to draw their own water and boil it to sterilize it. A spell like mine would have been a tremendous boon back then. But I guess you're right. Now that running water is a widespread service, it's not the most useful of spells." He then laughs, "Aha ha!" But hey! I'm still confident that the water I conjure is the finest, most delicious water in all the land."

"Now that you mention it, it's basically the perfect temperature. Not too cold to drink, but not lukewarm, either. And it goes down all nice 'n smooth, like fresh spring water," Grim says.

"Since when are monsters water affection?" Jamil questions

Offended, Grim says, "Hey, I resent that! I've got a discerning palate for everything!"

"I figured! I was right to hope you would appreciate the difference. Here, have a cracker as a treat," Kalim happily says and has another cracker.

Grim is not too pleased about it, "Erk! I'm hungry, sure, but this ain't the best time for dry and crumbly foods!"

Briar looks at Kalim and softly says, "He's acting differently than he was before we set out."

"Now that ya mention it, it's like those were two different guys," Grim whispers.

"You're right. He was acting very strange," Sereia says.

"Yeah. Something is very up with him," Briar says.

Kalim notices and asks, "Hm? Did you say something, Briar?"

"Oh, it's... it's nothing... We're just talking about stuff," Briar says.

Then Briar decides to ask, "By the way, have either of you guys see my medallion."

"Medallion? You mean that necklace you always wear?" Kalim asks.

"Yeah. For some reason, I somehow lost it, so I wonder if you two have seen it around," Briar says.

Kalim thinks, "Hmm... I don't think so."

"I haven't seen it either," Jamil says.

"Well, thanks anyway. I wonder where that necklace went off to. I could have sworn I put it on before I left the dorm yesterday, and we didn't go back to the dorm soon after," Briar says.

"I'm sure you'll find it," Kalim says.

"Thanks," Briar says.

Just then, Jamil says to Kalim, "Kalim, our fifteen minutes are just about up. Let's assemble the students and get back to the dorm."

"Already?" Kalim questions, and says, "A little more time to catch our breath wouldn't hurt them any."

But Jamil advises, "The sun will rise higher if we take too long. The hotter it gets, the worse our trip back will be."

"You've got a point," Kalim agrees.

Then calls out to the students, "Okay, guys! Let's get back to the dorm and have breakfast! Back to marching!"

And with that, everyone begins to march back to the Scarabia Dorm.