QUEST FOR THE RED STONE (Pillar men AU)

New folks in town.

The morning sun was already casting a warm glow across the desert sands as Kars, Esidisi, Wamuu, and Santana readied themselves to move on from the previous night's chaos. They had chosen to rest near a concealed spot in the mountains, their presence carefully masked by a small overhang of rock and the wild shrubs that grew resiliently around it. After bandaging Santana's head wound and giving him some water, they shared a tense, silent meal, with Kars and Esidisi casting stern, lingering glances at Wamuu every so often. Wamuu felt the weight of their disappointment, and he avoided eye contact, instead focusing on the task of rolling up their few belongings with rigid determination.

As the group climbed over the remaining slopes, they eventually spotted a faint line of smoke spiraling up in the distance. Where there was smoke, there was life. And with life, there were resources. Kars nodded, quietly signaling for them to make their way down the mountain. They were all cautious, knowing that a small village could be an invaluable resource—or a potential threat.

When they reached the village, they found themselves in a place unlike any they had encountered before. Rows of tightly packed houses, made from sun-dried clay bricks and with straw-thatched roofs, filled the valley. People were bustling about, their colorful clothing and sun-kissed skin adding life to the humble streets. The air was thick with the smell of livestock and cooking fires, and a chorus of voices and clattering carts filled their ears.

Kars, who prided himself on vigilance and precision, immediately noted that they would need to stay vigilant and discreet. These humans might not recognize them as outsiders at first, but the less attention they drew to themselves, the better. He took the lead, his presence calm yet commanding, as he glanced back at Wamuu, Esidisi, and Santana.

"Keep your heads down and stay close. We'll find what we need and leave swiftly. No straying," Kars warned, his voice low but firm.

The others nodded, with Santana trailing behind as they moved forward. Santana was young, and his curiosity often got the better of him, but the experience had humbled him somewhat. He stayed close as they maneuvered through the narrow pathways lined with merchants and market stalls.

The village's central market was crowded, filled with people shouting over each other as they bartered for goods. Various stalls displayed bright fabrics, baskets of dried herbs, clay pots, and an assortment of grains and vegetables. The smell of roasting meats wafted through the air, and even Wamuu's stomach rumbled. The aroma was enticing, reminding him of how little they had eaten that morning. However, Kars's warning stayed at the forefront of his mind.

Esidisi took a step toward a vegetable stall, eyeing the fresh produce thoughtfully, while Wamuu glanced around the marketplace, on edge yet determined to look as casual as possible. It was then that they noticed something troubling: Santana was gone.

At first, Wamuu brushed it off, thinking Santana was just wandering nearby. But after a quick scan of the area, there was no trace of him. Panic surged through him, and he turned to Kars, a mixture of worry and guilt flooding his gaze.

"Kars... Santana's gone," Wamuu whispered, voice tense with worry.

Kars's calm expression hardened, his eyes narrowing as he scanned the crowded marketplace. "I told you all to stay close," he said, a hint of disappointment lacing his tone. But he wasted no time.

Wamuu nodded, swallowing down his guilt, and followed as Kars pushed through the crowd with purposeful strides, his sharp eyes darting around every corner, every face. The people in the village seemed to have a certain cautious energy, casting wary glances at Kars and Wamuu as they passed. They didn't seem to recognize them, but they clearly didn't trust strangers either.

As Kars and Wamuu moved deeper into the market, Kars noticed that the villagers were eyeing certain items in particular: clay urns, grain sacks, and animal skins. He deduced that the village's wealth was rooted in these humble resources; they lived simply, yet with an admirable sense of self-sufficiency. But he kept his focus on finding Santana, his worry for the young warrior simmering beneath his controlled exterior.