The Dreaming Land

Chapter 23: The Ruins in the Shattered Dunes

The stories about the Shattered Dunes that Orius had heard had not done it justice. This was, by far, the worst place on Veonys he'd been to. And he'd been to the Gigas City sewers. The thought of using his dream to erase this place was very tempting, but either way he'd have to deal with it to get there. The group pushed on, though, trekking single file across the shifting dunes.

Behind them, the harsh winds quickly covered their footprints, leaving with them with no reference point of what direction they'd just come from. Quintir's compass and map kept them on track, or at least they assumed it was. There really was no way to tell. There were no land marks, or buildings around. Not even a road. The optimal way to pass through the dunes was on horse back, but they didn't have the money for a wagon, even after their short stop at Fort Zalain. You can only pickpocket so much before people start to notice. The harsh sun beating down on them was almost enough to make them want to turn around and risk getting caught pickpocketing, if it meant they could get a caravan across this forsaken hell-hole.

Nightfall came eventually, but not quick enough for their liking. Even the night on the Shattered Dunes became unbearable quite quickly. Temperatures dropped to near freezing, as they huddled around their campfire, wrapping themselves in whatever they had to keep warm. Morning came, and the sun warmed their chilly bones, and them some. Glaring up at the sky, they wished for just one cloud to come and shade them a while.

When clouds finally came, they realized just how bad clouds could be on the desert. It started with one or two, and then the clouds became an overcast, which was nice for a little while. Then the already vicious winds picked up, knocking them around, and whipping their cloaks around. In the distance they could see the flicker of lightning, followed by the roil of thunder across the dunes.

"I hate this place." Misha groaned.

"We're going to need to find cover, fast." Imara said, turning to Quintir.

"According to my map," He said, checking it quickly, "there should be some kind ruins just south of here. If we hurry we can make it before the rain hits us."

"A little rain will soothe this heat," Orius said, "but let's get going."

"You not talking would soothe my ears." Misha smirked.

"Misha, I will drown you." Orius sighed.

"In what?" She laughed, gesturing to the lack of water around them.

"Have you ever tried to swallow sand before, you little brat?" Orius seethed, glaring at her menacingly.

"Now, now ladies." Quintir said, starting to walk towards their new destination.

Misha laugh and ran ahead as Orius chased her. Behind them the storm churned, moving closer and closer. After sometime the dark, black clouds began to loom over head. The air became damp and the winds roared, whipping up clouds of dust. As they crested another dune, they found the ruins, half buried by the shifting sands. Without hesitating they made a break for nearest opening they could find, getting undercover just before the rain hit.

Immediately the air began to cool, giving them a moment of repose. The sound of the rain beating against the sand, stone room of the small outcropping they took cover under, was nearly deafening on its own. A bolt of lightning struck close by, crackling fiercely, its rumble echoing off in the distance. Quintir found a small staircase leading down into the ruins nearby, but it was too dark to see further down.

"This much be some kind of tower... Interesting." Quintir mumbled to himself, "The entire ruin has been swallowed up by the sands."

"We should go inside an make camp, then," Orius suggested, "I don't think this storm is going to let up anytime soon."