On A Knife Edge

Chapter 14: The Cavern in the Desert

"We should get some rest," Kainith announced, his voice firm. "Tomorrow, we will press on towards the center of the desert. Hopefully, the inscription on this...sandworm souvenir...will guide us to the Sunken Temple."

The others murmured in agreement. Exhaustion weighed heavy on their eyelids, the desert wind whispering through the dunes. With a shared nod, they settled into their makeshift beds for the night, the strange canister nestled safely beside Lucian.

"You approach the next gem, little devil." A menacing voice slithered into Lucians dream.

Lucian opened his eyes only to see Vornath. A gnarled smokey face in the darkness with two murderous red glowing orbs for eyes.

"Rory, I need your help!" Lucian shouted.

A grating laugh sounding like coins rattling in a metal box rang out. "Lucian, you're in a dream again. I'm not going to come hang out in the desert. I just wanted to let you know that you are approaching the next gem. The Tears of Aela is just a basic sapphire that enhances magic within beings that can cast magic. Find the Temple and get me the gem."

"Well if you've been snooping again Vornath you know we also know where the Eye of Thanatos is then. Tell me, is that a gem as well." Lucian spat.

Vornath smiled. "Yes and I'm so glad you found that info as soon as you did. I honestly had no idea where to even start looking for that one."

"The point I'm trying to make is we need the gem to not only cure the tomb robber and get the information on where to find the Eye." Lucian shot back.

"Watch your tone with me, whelp. Fine, get the gem, cure the man and then give me the gem. I'll bring you and your friends to hell to see me. We'll have a grand old time." The demon smirked.

"How about you let us get the gem, cure the man, then take the gem to find the Eye..." Vornath started to interrupt but Lucian spoke over him "...Wait. What if we need the Tears to ensure we don't get cursed from the Eye. We won't do you much good if we get cursed by the Eye and cannot retrieve it for you. Then you can bring us to hell and take both gems at once."

The demon lord shifted his weight in thought. After what seems like forever but must have only been a minute. "Fine. But do not make me regret this. Because if I regret this, you and your friends will be greasy smears and I'll find someone else to do the work."

"Deal." Lucian said.

As quick as he approached in a snap the demon lord faded from existence.

Dawn arrived, painting the eastern sky in hues of fiery orange and bruised purple. Refreshed from a fitful sleep, they started making some of the questionable stew Rory had bought from the suspicious merchant.

"Guys Vornath came to me again last night." Lucian started saying as he was breaking down the tents.

"What? What did he want?" Rance said with worry.

"He said that the Tears we are chasing down is definitely a gem of power. He said we could keep it to help break the curse on the man so we can learn where the Eye is at, which is also a gem he wants, and use the Tears to make sure we don't become cursed." Lucian explained.

"I knew it." Rory shouted from the dwindling fire.

"Well that's good at least." Rance said. "At least that gives us some time."

As the party ate Lucian looked over at the canister. The inscription on the canister, now bathed in the golden morning light, seemed to thrum with energy.

As the party traversed the sand dunes they noticed that the light on the canister dimmed as they continued on their way. So the party turned ninety degrees and started walking that way. After an hour more of walking Lucian noticed the light just kept getting brighter and now there was a quiet sound of thrumming coming from the canister.