CHAPTER 3

Aya straddled as she dragged her sandals on the desert floor. The sun had risen high, reflecting the glistening glossy silver sand. Aya fell headfirst into the desert sands.

Squirming and laughing hysterically in its comfort.

It was unbelievable but it all made sense now.

The rest of the crew fell in tears. The bright blinding reflection of the drew them all to their knees.

Kairui stood straight, admiring their reactions.

Many could not believe it. They took the sand in their hands, rubbing it against the soles of their faces and fingers. It had a soft texture, with a grinded limestone feeling. Chiseled rocks, granite and sandstone, and limestone composite were all in it. Rough but soft at first, the sight was amazing. Nothing like they’d seen before.

On the dunes lay small shrubs and dried cactuses. Dead bones littered across with an exasperated wasted away camel carcass. Picked away by vultures, tearing the last of its flesh apart.

Yannu hugged the pale sand.

“Surely, surely we have crossed over into the new world” he chimed passionately crying in grief.

“Gateway to the Linniq!”

Ussu rubbed his shoulder crying as well.

“We’re not dead. Or having reached the Linniq! This is just the Foretold Realm Past!” Quine replied relieving their worries.

“People Uun Rhiniss told many stories of it. We avoided this realm, traversed on the western banks of the desert instead. It means that army passed through here, look some of their tracks are still visible!” she explained, pointing to the treaded sandal marks.

Picking up a handful of polar white marbles throned in the desert sand. Its reflective glow was really amazing.

“But it's white, it's all white! Plains of white. Like the great plains of our ancestors. Why were we not told of this….! It goes on and on!” Shassii mumbled out raising her voice.

The group lay silent in awe. Kairui paid attention to the road ahead with other thoughts on her mind.

To the east of them in the far distance lay a tall decrepit ruin. Its walls were tall and formed from white limestone rock. Although strong to withstand for so long it was abandoned. With a rundown courtyard and walls. With small pockets of shrubs sat in it. Like a garden, or grain yard.

The sand around them radiated a chalk white color that pulsated blinding them as the sun’s gaze awoke.

Looking in the distance became painful for them. It was like a blazing sprawl of light emanated at them, their minds struggling to make sense of it. Looking for any distinguishable form of life that would remind them they were in the desert. For now, it was the giant sun that bathed them.

“We have to get moving now, soon it’ll be impossible to traverse at day. Not when the sand beats at our eyes by midday!” Kairui advised.

“How did that army make it through??” Quine interrogated, baffled by how they had traversed and crossed in one piece.

Kairui took her headscarf once more. Wrapping it around her head and ripping off a small strip for her eyes. Blindfolding herself.

“Like this I assume!!”

"You're joking right" Quine answered. Her hands folded and her face was distraught and elongated at the sight she stared at.

"Ha, mostly, but they have to skimpier their view to gaze upon this desert!"

“When climbing the mounds and sand dunes, I assume they gazed to the sky or the shadows. When approaching they sealed their eyes shut and walked in small instances!”

“Why?”

“Well, this part of the desert has been known to have burned eyes! The small rocks in the sand shine like the night stars. Damaging the traversers” she expounded. While picking up and rubbing the remnants in the palm of her hand. Before suddenly chucking it away.

Gazing back over at Quine she continued explaining, pointing and showing.

“For now, we have some lee-way but when the sun gets to a certain point. It's impossible to fight or even gaze around in this desert. Night-time and the early day is the best time for us! Not to mention the sun has sporadic bursts and it's worse if there’s sand storm. We’ll be hailed down upon by those little granite, sandstone, limestone & chalk rocks! Either way at the end of it, your death is the same!”

“The White silence is real!” Quine interrupted.

“That name is a half-truth. In reality, during sandstorms, there’s one sound you hear before death!”

“What’s that!?”

“The whistle of the pebbles and rocks glistening. As they slingshot through the air in the moving sandstorm before eventually. Killing you!”

“I’ve seen men, merchants to say really. Arrive in Tonneii with their eyes and limbs crystalized from the desert cold and storms. Their eye sockets bleeding and forming blood tinted soft rock like carnelian.

“You choose to tell us all this now!????” Quine asked confused and annoyed.

“Nothing we can’t handle. Look they made it, so can we” she chippy replied, patting the young teen's shoulder.

“That’s disturbing!” Ussu exclaimed grossed out.

“Horrific sight, but they fetch good prices on the market though. Ha,” Kairui retorted.

“Tonneii where’s that??” Quine pitched in trying to receive an answer.

Kairui gazed off in the distance over the alluding rising dunes.

Their tone arose opening the path for the group to enter.

“Well, that’s where we're headed to!” she answered.

“This desert can play tricks on your mind; you’ve never known before. Stay close!”

Heading through the group marched behind the leader.

Aya awoke but was stuck in wonder and awe. Her sister stood beside her, in euphoria. The two met at one point bumping into each other but were star-struck. Their eyes watery and their faces swelled with emotion.

Hugging and celebrating they lagged the group. Who paused to witness their cheerful scene?

Yannu and Ussu joined in too. Joy filled the friends, they had finally made it out of the hell, they were engaged in.

Yannu span Ussu around, as the two were full of glee.

On the side, in the front of the group Kairui and Quine stood idly laughing at the couples.

Quine turned over to Kairui and shared a short blissful smile.

Kairui in her woven headscarf. She gave a quick smirk before wrapping it around her head. Leaving only her eyes to see.

“I assume, you know how to wrap yourself! Bring them along, hurry!”

Quine closed her fist. Tapping the dorsal of her hand.

Turning back to her friends, still anguishing in their festive mood.

Soon the group started chucking the sand and pebbles at each other.

Aya and Shassii chasing and tackling each other as they fell into the soft cushiony milky sand.

“ouch Yannu, that hurt!!” Ussu wailed after being hit.

Yannu ducked and shuffled past the onslaught of hailed pebbles at him.

Some hit his garment, as the few struck his back. Flailing him to the ground as he slid off the pebbles.

Quine sighed seeing the hopeless man, tussle, and squirm. Play fighting with his lover.

She really felt happy seeing the two’s inseparable bond.

Through thick and thin these two at least will make it! Hope they stay together to outlive all this.

“Right! Guys, we need to get going! Ussu! Yannu stop tickling her!!” she barked at the scruffling pair.

It had reached Sunrise. The sun peeked over the Megalithic canyons. Hitting the sidewalks, streets, and stone chiseled houses.

In one of the streets, a band of men escorted a duo of captives.

Arriving at a small encampment outside of the Town.

Nalnick shouted awaking the sleeping guards.

His hoarse voice struck fear into all the soldiers. Even the patrolling guards straightened up. The camp was alive, bolting and working.

Compared to General Nish’al who enjoyed toiling the day away and being easy on the men. He wasn’t the same. He was reluctant to find the lake and more reluctant to find the woman. Who hurt his family, especially his son in law Losuii TI.

Following behind him were the known captives Klossi Kil’ai and Chainik.

They entered a royal tent. Klossi paused outside to examine it. Spotting the nation's flag and family insignia. His curiosity peeked sending him into a series of thoughts. Unfortunately, they ceased as he was shoved inside by a disgruntled Tannol.

Inside they found seats as well as a giant war round table. Holding figures, units, maps, and documents. Throughout all of them one thing was common.

The Tal Morenn Family Crest!!

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