Well of the Ancients

Dry Grove

The sun beat down on the group as they wandered through the petrified forest, sand lashing out at them from between the ruins of the half buried shells of trees. Changing Tides was walking ahead of the others, surveying the shifting sands for a stable path. Doug stuck to Marwen's side behind the goblin while Kiran made sure none of the group lost their footing from the back.

They marched through the fossilized thicket for a couple hours before pausing on a small hill among the grove. The resting spot provided an eerie view of the husks of trees breaking the unending sea of sand. Tall barrel cacti stood among the trunks but were hard to differentiate from afar. The sun had darkened them in an apparent attempt to impose uniformity on the land.

The group sat scattered across the sandy hill. They rested their feet and drank some water to power them through the rest of their trek. Marwen decided that their moment of rest would be a great opportunity to know their new companion.

"How long have you been studying as an acolyte?" He asked, wanting to break the ice with what he hoped would be an easy question.

"My whole life, really," she replied with a solemn grin. "Not much else to it when you're the granddaughter of the Fortune Teller. Magic runs through your veins and you have to answer the call," she added, her voice trailing off as she tried to imagine if her life could have gone any other way.

"What kind of magic are you able to use?" Marwen asked hoping to keep the conversation going and to pull her from her thoughts. The other two watched the conversation with curiosity, for they wanted to know what their companion was capable of as well.

"I've trained in divination magics, though my ability to see the future hasn't manifested yet. I can tap into divine energy to heal us if we ever get hurt. I also know a few defensive spells, though I hope I never have to use those powers," she said, her gaze trailing downward as she spoke.

"Yeah, I've had enough of battles," sighed Doug. Marwen nodded silently as they took in the scenery. No one spoke for a few minutes while their thoughts lingered on the ambush. Tides had heard of the attack and tended to some of the wounded when they arrived.

"Where are you from?" she said, looking across her new companions.

"A little town called Keyote. It isn't anything too special," answered Marwen.

"I've seen it from the plateau, well the smoke trailing from the town. It's a little too far to make out. I've always wondered what they people from there were like." Tides said, a wide smile growing across her face.

"I hope we haven't been a let down," joked Kiran as he smiled.

"I guess we'll have to see on that one, won't we?" Tides teased.

As the group erupted in laughter, a glint in the distance caught Doug's eye. He saw a lone cactus or tree standing apart from the others.

"Guys, does that seem out of place to you?" Doug asked as he paced back and forth, hoping to catch the glint again.

"Does what seem out of place, Duck?" Asked Marwen, standing from the hot ground. He watched the pacing Ginea as he craned his head.

"Maybe the heat got to him," Kiran said, turning his head to look across the grove.

"I saw it, I swear-" Doug began before squeaking from excitement.

"Look! Look from here," he continued, waving his paw for Marwen to bring his head closer to the Ginea's. As Marwen ducked to bring his head, he saw the glint coming from the lone blackish blemish.

"We need to go check it out," Marwen said, heading for the spot in a hurry. The others quickly grabbed their packs and caught up with Marwen. Their cloaks all billowed in the hot breeze as they ran to the long beam.