Desert Rain (Preview)

Chapter 1

Kenta decided that the Desert had to be the absolute worst place for someone to live. 

He couldn't tell what he hated more, either the chill of the freezing nights or the blistering heat and the blowing sand. He trudged on through it, at his side was his trusted partner, Kei. 

The blonde and blue haired woman was a couple years older than him. Her eyes were deep red and she was wearing a dark blue and yellow scarfed garb, signature of her people. Stoically, she walked the desert beside him. Though she was silent during travel, Kenta knew she was there for him if he needed her, which he knew he would.

As Kenta watched the sun set, he began to wonder how far they were from their destination. It had been three days since they first came to the desert, and lately water and food conservation had become an issue. They had enough food to last them two more days, but water was becoming increasingly scarce. It made Kenta wonder that if the civilization was as close as others said it was, then how could the people go on without water for such long periods of time? As he thought to himself he took out the bottle he had with him and began to drink, making sure not to gulp down too much.

"According to the people we spoke to at the inn, we're supposed to reach the city tomorrow, is that right?"

"It is," Kei replied, swiftly and succinctly.

"Good. Then we'll set up camp for the night before it gets too cold," Kenta said before getting his tools from the bag and setting up the tents. Beside him, Kei had already gotten out the wood and tinder for making fire. She laid the wood on the sandy ground below first.

"Would you like to start the fire?"

"I would. Thank you," Kenta said with a smile before he drew his sword. It was what appeared to be a rapier-like blade. It was small and thin, meant to move swiftly and rapidly through the air and those who opposed it. The metal gave off a bright, golden sheen, much like the pommel. Touching it, its wielder felt a familiar warmth, one that radiated through his body and calmed him. Placing its edge against the center of the wood, he watched as a small flame started where the sword had touched.

Smiling with self-satisfaction, Kenta sheathed his sword. Kei grinned back slightly at him.

"Did I do something funny, Kei?"

"No. I had a feeling you would enjoy that. The last few times I tried to start a fire for us you would beat me to it with Solan. I thought it would be worth it to see you smile like that when you succeeded, just like the times before now."

"Thank you, Kei, I appreciate it. Still, I need to make sure Solan is used for more than starting campfires, otherwise I'm not fit to wield it," Kenta said as he went back to securing the tents, making sure the pegs would hold despite the shiftiness of the sand.

"And that attitude ensures you shall," Kei added as she dug out some dried meat and bread they had purchased. "Now we should eat."

"At this point jerky does sound good, even though I'd rather have some of grandpa's filleted fish," Kenta said as he took a nibble of the salty piece of dried beef. It wasn't lacking in taste, but having eaten it for the past few days had made him grow weary of it.

"You could very well have been eating it now if you did not insist on leaving so soon."

"Yeah, but I feel the need to follow my dreams. Literally."

"Dreams often are important. Both our waking and resting ones. Still, for this moment let us focus on what is before us, surviving another day."

"Right," Kenta muttered before finishing the jerky. "To be honest, I'd settle for hunting for lizards to cook. Or maybe something bigger."