Ethera

VII- SAND BORDER

VII - SAND BORDER

(RAUL'S POV)

"What is this sudden quietness all about?"

She was startled by my words. We have been travelling for a little more than a period without a single word between us.

"Nothing. I'm just trying to think."

"About the Sage, is that it?"

"Of course not."

"Not that I don't know what you did back there."

"I don't know what you're talking about, Raul."

I can't help but sneer a little upon seeing the very seldom embarrassed look on her face.

"If it's all fun and games to you, I don't mind. Just don't betray yourself like that again."

I saw her pressed her lower lip tight before uttering in defense.

"It was nothing."

"The bearer of Aqos wouldn't cause us any problem. He's an obvious prey to this whole chase."

"The hunt decides who the prey is. The hunt has not even started yet."

"Natives from Aqos usually don't make it across the Sand Border. They are not suited for such condition."

"I can't bear to underestimate him. There is something mysterious about that Sage. It seems that he knows so much."

"There is nothing mysterious or special about him. Nothing but a sage lame enough to bore the vitality out of me."

"Is this the sound of a clan leader being jealous of someone he believes to be inferior?"

Great. She's starting to tease me again. And yet, she has always been precise with every character assessment.

As we ascend the hill top, the Sand Border can be seen covering the south horizon. There is nothing in the wilderness but the scorching sight of endless desert.

"According to the device's calculation, it will take us three days to get across this border."

"What's the fastest way to get across?"

"With dragons."

"I'd rather kill one than ride it."

She laughed at me, knowing that patience with flying beasts is a luxury that mighties are not capable of having. Only the proud nobles have access to dragons.

"Your call, Raul."

"I say we get moving, camp by nightfall, and move at first light."

Hot weather is something our native is well-accustomed with. However, even for the likes of us,  this journey we started in the burning streak to Seren is no less than an open death sentence.

"We're losing too much energy, Raul. Tasha and Naho can get dehydrated soon enough if we continue. We need to camp and recharge."

My teeth gritted in anger as I saw the harsh extent of the endless sand insulting our team's defeated spirit.

"Let's camp out."

We finished putting up a tri-tunnel shelter that nests Naho and Tasha in one large partition, leaving the smaller two tunnels for me and Rian. She sat next to me while doing some calculations on her device.

"We only have enough volume of water for regular consumption. Extreme heat condition like this could get us killed even before we reach the border."

"Get some rest, Rian. We will sleep to conserve and build up energy during the day. We decamp by nightfall and gallop fast when it is cooler and easier to travel."

"Perfect. We can travel twice as fast. I'll get the beasts to rest."

"Alright."

I opened a map which I took from the filthy sage we met by the forest. It doesn't look anything different from a typical map of Trium. However, it has details that are more elaborate with complicated navigational reference. The drawing is old ink and almost fading while the smell of the paper is ancient.

The power of Aqos is all about the irony of possessing both advanced knowledge and ancient information. Rian believes that this map could be something important.

I dragged myself to a partitioned space of the tent to lie down and rest while I think of the perfect way to eliminate that rover my sister just kissed. I ought to know a potential threat when I see one.