Chapter 3,

A Long Walk

The death of the riktor meant they’d hit the jackpot. They could carve almost a wagon’s full of armor off it, and that wasn’t even including its teeth and talons. The destroyed caravan had more supplies than they could gather in a week’s time. It was a hunter’s dream come true. Unfortunately, it was also a deathtrap.

The riktor had laid claim to the oasis and likely kept every other creature away. Now as its lifeless body steamed under the baking sun, everything would know the oasis was unclaimed. The scavengers and predators alike would be coming for such a large meal and undefended water source. They had to leave as soon as possible.

That was why they barely stopped to catch their breath after the battle. Diake, Mekov, and Sakien drew long blades and went to work on the riktor, pulling its valuable armor off in messy pieces. Sakien’s arms ached from the fight and by the time he’d finished, they were almost completely numb again. Kira was told to carry the sinewy armor bits to the least damaged wagon which Dezzlin was repairing. Once he was done, Dezzlin moved through the merchant’s supplies, looking for the most valuable pieces. It was late in the day when they decided to take their prize and flee. As they pushed the cart down the road, scavs were already appearing to admire the flesh left behind.

“We’re not going to get far tonight, especially with the wagon,” thought Diake aloud. “We should find a secure place to camp.”

“How long until something comes for the riktor’s territory?” asked Mekov, looking at Dezzlin. Dezzlin thought about it as he took in the bloodied oasis behind them.

“A few days, if we’re lucky. Anything on or under the sand probably won’t notice for some time. Anything in the air has probably already seen it.”

“I haven’t seen any birds since we came inland,” said Sakien. They all looked up expectantly, but the sky remained empty.

“Let’s set up camp over there.” Mekov pointed with his lance to a ridge with some rock formations not too far from the road.

“I like it,” said Sakien and gave a good push. The cart lurched forward. He and Kira had the front while Diake and Dezzlin were pushing from the rear. Mekov was wheezing just carrying his gear and was almost falling behind by the time they made it to the rocks. The sun was falling swiftly and they could hear the scavs chittering as they feasted.

“Are we just leaving the wagon?” asked Kira.

“There’s nothing in there they want.” Diake drew his sword and Dezzlin followed his example. It took less than a minute to be sure the rocks were clear. “It won’t be comfy, but we’ll have some cover.”

“Perfect cover against dragons,” said Dezzlin cheerfully, winking at Diake.

“Perfect place to be killed by dragons,” Diake warned.

“What? Why?” Dezzlin had assumed the larger rocks would give excellent cover.

“Spots like this give you a false sense of security.” Diake threw his pack down and found a spot to sit. “You’re thinking of hiding behind a boulder. That works for one second before the dragon takes to the sky and drops enough fire to melt anything hiding in here.” Dezzlin reconsidered their hiding place. Kira looked at them all apprehensively.

“There aren’t dragons here, right?”

“No, they’re usually in the mountains of Iltret, my home,” said Diake. Kira blew a sigh of relief. “We’re safe here.”

“He means safe from dragons,” huffed Mekov. He had to take a long painful inhale before he continued. “Everything else still wants to eat us.”

“As long as they stay over there,” muttered Sakien, taking a position so he could see the oasis clearly. “Get a dinner fire going, Dezzlin.”

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“Why me?”

“Just do it.”

Dezzlin grumbled before dropping his helmet on a rock and going to the wagon. Between the merchant’s supplies and debris from the wrecked wagons, they had plenty to burn. They’d even taken a little bit of meat off the riktor to enjoy for themselves. He was placing the wood when he saw Kira admiring his helmet.

“Did you really kill that riktor’s brother?” she asked.

“No idea but this is full riktor plate.” He tapped his knuckles against his armor. She ran a hand over the helmet.

“That’s incredible. Do you think we got enough to make me a suit?”

“It’s not yours,” coughed Mekov. Kira scowled at him.

“Some is,” assured Sakien. Mekov looked annoyed. “She helped.”

“Barely.”

“Riktor armor is expensive and difficult to work with,” said Dezzlin, drawing Kira’s attention back. The emphasis of expensive reminded her that just because she had the armor components didn’t mean she could afford for someone to make the armor. “I’d start with your scav leather for now. Where are you from?”

The abrupt change in conversation caught Kira off guard. “Um, I’m not really sure. Marcatch?” All four of them looked confused by her answer.

“Where’s that?”

“In the jungle.”

“Jungle? You must be from the Green Isle’s or somewhere close.” Kira shrugged. “Did you just hop on a boat or what?”

“Something like that. I wanted to get away. Are you from here?”

“Born and raised in Omagadesh,” he said proudly. “Diake’s from Iltret, and that friendly pair are from the Frozen Isles.”

“Are there a lot of Isles?” asked Kira.

“It’s a common expression for large, unexplored continents,” answered Dezzlin. Kira had no idea what a continent was. Something to do with land.

“What tribe are you two from by the way?” asked Diake. The northerners didn’t even look at him.

“That’s our business.”

“Always a pleasure working with your kind,” responded Diake sarcastically. Mekov flipped him off with a smile.

“Anyways,” continued Dezzlin, smoke rising from the wood. “What were you looking for?” His tone suggested he wanted to ask, why was she out here alone?

“I’m hunting a sanpaco.”

“What’s that?” asked Mekov.

“Giant birds, huge beaks, beautiful multi-colored coats,” answered Dezzlin. They’re really pretty.”

“So one of those?” asked Sakien. He pointed towards the destroyed caravan where a large bird was dropping out of the sky. In the fading light it was hard to see all the colors, but it was clearly vibrant. It slowed its wings into long billowing strokes before landing softly behind the riktor. The scavs hissed but kept their distance. The giant bird screeched at them before putting a clawed foot over the riktor.

“I don’t believe it,” said Kira slowly.

“Too bad,” said Mekov. “Can’t hunt it in these conditions.”

“I don’t need help with this.” Kira was ready to sprint the minute she hit the road. It would take everything she had to get there in time, and then, she’d have to deal with scavs and the sanpaco in the dark. It wasn’t the best move, but it was the only one she had left.

“No.” Sakien held his axe out to bar her.

“Get out of my way!” Sakien met her powerful glare with one of his own. Something in his eyes softened and he began to lower his weapon. Suddenly the ground trembled.

“Earthquake?” asked Diake.

“No,” said Dezzlin. Without a word he stomped out the fire and grabbed Kira, waving for everyone to get low. Kira tried to buck him off, but he weighed a ton in that armor. Everyone else moved to get an angle on the oasis as the shaking grew. The sanpaco began to squawk and back away from the riktor. The scavs were looking around confused when the shaking stopped.

“Where is it?” mouthed Mekov.

“Just wait. It’s here.”

Kira squirmed as the sanpaco turned and took flight. It was gone, flying off with all her hopes and dreams. When Dezzlin saw she wasn’t going to keep fighting him, he moved off her. He pointed to the oasis.

The ground exploded near the riktor. Scavs scattered as something enormous rose out of the ground with tremendous speed. It had a sleek, shiny black body, save for the sand still falling off it. It was hard to make out under just the moon and stars, but they could see enough. A long tail whipped in a circle so suddenly they heard the crack as it broke the scavs. It didn’t roar like most monsters. It strode silently through the scavengers with murderous intent.

“What is that?” demanded Diake.

It was roughly the same size as the riktor. From the side, they could see it had a long angular face with two horns that curved along its neck. What appeared to be two tiny arms snapped open like a praying mantis as it latched onto the riktor, burying its teeth into its exposed side. The hunters had done the hard part of cutting the armor plating off for it. It devoured the riktor quickly and quietly.

“That’s a sand devil. Burrower, very dangerous.”

“We can see that. What’s it doing here?”

“Probably wants the food,” said Dezzlin.

“Will it attack us?” asked Mekov, clutching his lance in preparation.

“It shouldn’t, provided we don’t draw its attention. Just let it eat and everyone stay quiet.” They all nodded and watched the giant beast chew on the riktor. All the surviving scavs had run off with all haste, leaving the sand devil to his meal.

After a while the sand devil finished and prowled about lazily. It slithered its long body into the ground, gradually pushing sand aside. Once it had disappeared, they all relaxed. They huddled under their small blankets and did their best to sleep.

Everybody slept with one eye open that night. Nobody slept well.