Settle

Harsh Environments Create Harsh Individuals

By the time I awoke the sun was blessing me with the last rays of light. I searched through the saddle bags trying to find something warm. My body going into shut down as the temperature between the desert and Gothgorra plummeted. I gave up and placed the blanket back under Tridents saddle. Luke, who had been settled beside a large Western Soapberry trunk, sauntered towards me. Pushing a thick woollen poncho into my grasp before leading his mare straight out of the forest. Placing the poncho on before following suit. My eyes feel upon the humongous ivory totem poles marking the entrance to the Desert of Ghosts. Running my hands along the fine carve structures my eyes landed on a watchtower. A single figure slouched there. Curiosity got the better of me, pressing the reins into Luke's palms and un-shelfing my sword I crept forward. I squinted trying to make out any sign of movement. My eyes feel upon a dark crimson liquid which was rapidly seeping down the varying layers of wood of the haphazardly constructed watchtower. Only a small portion of the blood was dried, whoever had stolen this piece of existence was still close by. My eyes were drawn to a flapping motion of red to my right. Someone stood staring at me between two crossed short swords, blood leaking off them creating tainted spots on the flawless sand. They uncrossed their weapons, letting their hands fall to their sides. Before bowing and scaling one of the ivory totem poles and disappearing from view. One thing which burned into my memory was the symbol which was upon their scarlet scarf; it was the emblem which was born into the new world, originally intended as a mark of a sinner but soon to be reborn as a symbol of revolution and courage.

Making my way back towards Luke his face was grave. Stepping towards Trident I realised the saddle bags, but left the saddle and blanket on him. I walked around, stroking his muzzle before letting him run back into the Gothgorra. Trusting Trident to make his way back to Anzaloney's Ranch; as he wouldn't withstand the peaking temperatures within the desert wasteland. Luke still hadn't made a move to unpack his mare.

"What troubles you?" I spoke softly, trying to get a truthful answer from him.

"The visions and ghouls which leach the very soul from you. Why are you not troubled?" He spat the question, glaring directly at into my eyes.

"Because if you have nothing to regret, you have nothing to fear." I kept my tone calm but a feeling of despair began to fall. I do have acts to regret. I left my family to die within the walls at Fortis which was designed to protect not trap. I ran like a coward when I could have stayed to put out fires and lead more people through the gap I'd stumbled on. A shiver snaked down my spine and I shook it off like I shook my guilt thoughts off. I wouldn't be a coward again, I wouldn't run. I'd make my way to the Blood Falls with or without Luke.

Stepping forth I entered the desert again, this time not planning to make it back to the totem poles but the Blood Falls and then further lands. At the watch tower I turned and saw Luke, weighed down by saddle bags, making his way towards me. An I wondered to myself what could he possibly regret?

Within the shade we settled during the days, sleeping off our fatigue on the soft sand. Many a time I heard Luke mutter within his sleep, looking over in the dim light I could see him grimacing. Pulling his arms close to his chest, legs tucked underneath him. Squirming with facial features contorted. I could hear his breathing shallow and quick, mumbling to himself as he tossed and turned. Perhaps the rumours of the desert were true maybe the ghosts of the fallen did affect your passage through; haunting your dreams.

The journey through the desert took more time than I first anticipated, the heat plays tricks on your mind making you lose track of time and the ghosts of the travellers who had died in the godforsaken place, interrupted your sleep and made you think horrifying thoughts. The first wave of nightmares forced me to resort to a no sleeping tactic. I was plagued by cowardly actions and blood rain, within my dream. The moon shone overhead, just barely lighting our way. With Luke besides me I felt strangely comfortable. We talked quietly as we walked, for two main reasons as a distraction from our aching feet as well as to form a connection which had been missing from our journey so far. The Blood Falls appeared as nothing more than a sink hole at our distance. But with the sound of water alert me to the expanse of falling water, underground caves and intricate rock formations below.