“Do we need anything else?” SJ asked Fas as they walked back towards the inn. It was strange to see the town so active at night as SJ watched two nagas wearing chain shirts slither down the street. They held tridents, and SJ could only assume they were the town guard, as they were dressed similarly to the one at the main gates.
“Not for now, apart from collecting rations,” Fas said.
“I should have asked Floretta for some; her preservation skill would have lasted for five days.”
“Perhaps, but you will find your diet isn’t as large as it usually would be in the desert. Many only eat small amounts of food. Only being active at dusk and dawn will mean we won’t burn as much energy.”
“What rations do we need, then?”
“The desert regions specialise in dry rations. Several fruits or dried meats, maybe nuts, will provide the nutrients you need.”
SJ noticed several stalls sold food and was about to suggest heading to one when Fas spoke again.
“And never buy dried meat from the vendors in markets without finding out about them first. You never know where the meat originated.”
SJ frowned. “What do you mean by that?”
“I mean exactly what I say. It wouldn’t be the first township in a desert where they pass off dust drifter meat.”
SJ shuddered at the thought of eating the flesh of the monstrous beast.
“Where will the meat come from then? I don’t think there will be many hoglings around here.”
“Probably from anything they kill. Scorpoids, lizards, et cetera. I haven’t seen any domesticated beasts yet, but they could have some.”
“Domesticated?”
“Yeah. Like the dairy cattle that you see in other territories, but in desert regions, there are beasts known as Ancursa, which are strange creatures that absorb water from the air. Similar in size to cows but have multiple humps on their bodies.”
SJ couldn’t really imagine what the creatures even looked like. As soon as the word humps had been mentioned, she could only picture a camel.
“Let’s go back to the inn and ask about food vendors then,” SJ said.
Fas nodded in agreement. The streets were bustling, and SJ watched as two young gnolls were hitting a black object back and forth. The black object was overhit, and it skittered across the street. That was when SJ saw it suddenly unroll, and a large black beetle tried to scurry away from where it was being used as a ball. One of the gnolls chased after it, again swinging its stick at it. The beetle immediately curled up into a ball again as it was hit back down the street. SJ just shook her head in amazement at the scene.
The beating of a drum could be heard as they entered the inn again, the pipers no longer playing. The beat was mesmerising as the naga rhythmically pounded it, before it sang. The words were haunting yet melodic, and SJ watched the naga play for a while.
Fas had moved to the bar again and was talking to the innkeeper. He returned momentarily, turning to look at the naga as the song concluded.
“What did he say?” SJ asked.
“The most reputable food vendor is on the far side of the town. Not cheap from the innkeeper’s words, but he has always maintained a strong reputation, and he uses him for his meat sources for the inn.”
“Great. We may as well go now,” SJ said, looking back at the stage. The naga that had been playing the hand drum placed it down on the small stage and slithered off through a draped doorway.
They left again, and Fas led them, following the innkeeper’s directions. All the buildings were similar, and as they moved through the streets, several beings approached them, attempting to draw them to their stalls. As they neared the end of a street, the scene that opened up in front of them made SJ stare in wonder. It was the first sign of greenery she had seen since they had entered the desert region. Tall trees similar to palms grew around the area, their massive leaves drooping down as though too heavy for the trees themselves. Bushes of varying colours also dotted the space, and many appeared to have berries or similar fruit on them. In the centre of the area, there was a large black expanse. SJ realised it was water as she watched the lantern light from the surrounding poles reflecting off its surface. A fence stood around the large pool, preventing any beings from entering it.
“They have a pool. I didn’t expect to see one in the town,” SJ said.
“You will find that it is the primary water source for the entire township. This must have originally been an oasis before the town was built around it,” Fas said.
A being stood near the pool, and SJ watched as a blue haze floated from its outstretched arms. The surface of the pool shimmered, and in amazement, SJ watched as ice formed over its surface. The cold emanating from the pool was intense compared to the townships’ heated streets.
After crossing the area, Fas led them down a street that resembled the others. Apart from the names of certain establishments on signs, there was little to distinguish most of the structures from one another. He travelled a little further before he came to a stop outside a shop with a huge awning that stretched in front and across the width of the street.
“Dalon’s Desert Delicacies,” SJ read the sign above the shop front.
“This is the place,” Fas said, leading them inside.
The inside of the shop was packed full of supplies, and a variety of new and strange smells assailed SJ’s nostrils. Sweet flowers and bitter, almost chocolaty scents flooded her nostrils. They were quite complimentary, and it was a pleasant sensation.
“It smells good,” SJ said, Kibble squeaking in agreement, and his little head perked up as he looked at the shelves and stands of food.
Everywhere they turned in the shop, there were samples of various types of food. Trays of dried fruit, neatly stacked, all labelled in a perfectly legible common tongue. The shelves contained jars filled with what SJ could only assume were spices or similar substances. Prominent haunches of dried meat hung from hooks in the ceiling, both Fas and SJ having to swerve around them as they entered.
At a counter towards the rear of the shop, a thin man stood. He definitely looked human to SJ’s eyes. He wore a long white kaftan, its sleeves rolled up to his elbows.
“How can I help you?” the man called, seeing them enter.
“The innkeeper says you are the best provision supplier in the town, and we require desert rations,” Fas said.
“That’s very kind of him, and I can provide you with whatever you may need for the desert wastes. May I ask how long your journey is?”
“Unknown,” Fas said.
“Ah, okay, then there are various options open to you. You may wish for some fresher food for the immediate journey and then more preserved food if your timings exceed your expectations.”
“That sounds like a great option,” SJ said.
“So, you require food for two, sorry, three,” the man corrected himself, seeing Kibble.
“Yes. Enough for three for a week, please,” Fas answered.
The man fussed about moving around the store as he collected various types of food, placing them into a large stone bowl. He made two trips before he presented his selection to them on the counter.
“Okay. I think this should be sufficient for you,” he said.
The pile of food was not as substantial as SJ had expected, given that it would provide them with sufficient cover for seven days.
"You look alarmed?” the man said, smiling, as he noticed SJ’s expression. “I can guarantee that this food will keep you fed and nourished while in the desert.”
SJ, not having realised she had frowned, coloured slightly. “Sorry. I didn’t mean to be rude. I have never been to the desert before.”
“Ah. Well, you’re in for a treat, then. It’s a wonderful environment. The creatures and beasts that make it their home amaze me as much today as the first day I saw them,” he said.
SJ wasn’t sure she could ever describe her initial experience of the desert as wondrous as he made out in the slightest.
The man continued to rearrange the food types, placing them in an order of consumption.
“Starting here on the left are rations that will last three days. On the right here, these will last you a fortnight, if not longer, as long as they are kept in your inventories. If you plan to stay in the desert for only a week, these will provide the best nutrient return. They aren’t the cheapest, but you don’t want to skimp on rations.”
Fas looked the produce over, picking up a fruit-like object that resembled a shrivelled apple. SJ remembered her first experience of an apple when she arrived on Amathera and didn’t fancy a repeat of the horrible taste it left.
“Do you mind?” Fas asked, holding the fruit.
“Not at all. Please do try it,” the man said.
Fas handed one to SJ, and she held it to her nose, smelling it cautiously. It didn’t smell terrible, but it also didn't smell fresh. SJ curled her nose. Fas bit into his one, his eyes closing as he did, as he let out a satisfying moan. SJ looked at him strangely before sticking her tongue out to lick the fruit. It gave off no taste, and she cautiously placed it in her mouth and bit into it.
On doing so, her mouth came alive, the sweetest yet most balanced flavour she could ever imagine flushed over her tongue. “Wow,” she said around a mouthful of the fruit. “These don’t look like they taste.”
The man chuckled at her comment. “They are a fine fruit. We are lucky that there are several trees at the oasis that bear them.”
The flesh of the fruit was firm, like an apple, and SJ had to chew. It was strange swallowing the fruit; her stomach seemed to feel much fuller than a single mouthful of an apple could ever have achieved. SJ tore a small piece off and fed it to Kibble, who grabbed it excitedly.
“How much?” Fas said, after finishing his fruit.
As they had eaten, the man had placed two more fruits on the counter to replace their tasters.
“How are you wishing to pay?" the man asked.
“Coin,” Fas replied.
“Ah. Okay then. Coin, it will be one gold, seven silver.”
“What?” SJ said in surprise, unable to hold her tongue this time when discussing the cost of items.
A gentle smile touched his face as he regarded her. “You are definitely new to the region. Unfortunately, coins don’t hold the same value in the desert regions as water tokens do.”
“Water tokens?” SJ asked.
“Yes. Normal township payments are in water tokens.”
“Oh,” SJ said, she could understand the reasoning being in a desert region, but did not know what they actually were. It also explained the cost of the inn’s accommodation. “How do we get water tokens?”
“Quests, doing odd jobs. Several townsfolk will pay for services,” the man shrugged.
SJ didn’t have time to be trying to work to gain water tokens; every day she was away from Killic was too long in her opinion.
“Thanks. I will keep that in mind.”
Fas again pulled the coin from his inventory and placed it in the man’s hand.
“Thank you,” he said. “Would you like the food wrapped?”
“Please,” Fas replied.
The man carefully wrapped each item of food in a thin, paper-like material, stacking the perfectly wrapped parcels on the counter. He then withdrew a charcoal stick from somewhere within the folds of his kaftan, before marking each parcel with a number.
“That would be your preferred order,” he said.
“Thanks. That’s great,” SJ smiled.
“My pleasure, and if you require anything in the future, please do come and see me again.”
“I’m sorry. I never asked your name?” SJ said.
“My name is Aayan.”
“Thank you, Aayan, and we will if we need to.”
They left the shop again after stocking up on food.
A town bell began tolling as they neared the inn. After five, it stopped.
SJ frowned, her gaze following the others towards the sound’s source.
As soon as the final toll stopped, the streets burst into a flurry of action. SJ had seen nothing like it; the speed at which vendors closed up was remarkable. The produce was hurriedly moved inside before the doors were locked and shutters drawn.
“We'd better get back,” Fas said.
“What is it?” SJ asked, confused.
“Not sure, but looking at the vendor’s reactions, there may be a sandstorm on route.”
SJ followed Fas as they picked up the pace, returning to the inn. They arrived just before the thick stone door was being closed.
“Just in time,” the innkeeper said as they entered. The bar area was now more crowded, as several beings appeared to have moved inside to shelter from whatever was happening.
“Is it a sandstorm?” SJ asked.
“Yes. A big one from the reports,” the naga replied as he slithered off, ensuring that the shutters were all closed fully.
The noise inside was as you would expect in a bar, chatting, joking, and the air filled with casual abandon. Then, the strangest sound began. It started as a low thrum, nothing more, like listening to a motorway at a distance back on Earth, but as time passed, so did the volume along with the apprehensive silence that now filled the inn. The thrum soon developed, whistling and howling. Then came the hissing, followed by the scratching sound as the building’s walls vibrated. Kibble burrowed into SJ’s neck as though trying to sink into her skin. A sudden high-pitched whistle lanced through the streets, and SJ heard something being catapulted along, bouncing unceremoniously, before a loud splintering sound ensued.
The howling transformed as the very ground SJ stood on vibrated, a deep, thunderous, unsettling sound. No one spoke in the inn, all sitting listening to the sandstorm in its full glory.
SJ wasn’t sure if she heard a voice shouting from outside, but she couldn’t be certain. No one inside reacted. As the inn vibrated from the storm’s force, SJ felt trapped and terrified. If this is what it was like being inside a stone building, she never wished to be caught outside in a sandstorm. Fas was leaning casually against the wall, picking at his nails, not even paying the sound that much attention. SJ just stood in awe at the power she could hear being unfurled.
As soon as the thunderous sound began, it faded, followed by howling and whistling, before silence.
The silence was the eeriest time of all. As they stood or sat as statues, SJ looked around at the other beings, none of whom moved, patiently waiting.
Then it came, the faint sound of a bell ringing through the town’s streets. The storm had passed.
