From studying maps and believing the description given in stories, I falsely believed that the desert would have clearly defined borders. I had imagined a meandering boundary separating a world of lively vegetation from a deathly wasteland. A clear and visible edge between the relative safety of shadow and the sun’s unrelenting force.
It wasn’t until the professor informed us that we had officially entered the desert an hour earlier that I took better notice of my surroundings.
During our descent out of the mountain pass, the trees had become smaller and further in between. In some areas, the gaps between had become so big that most canopies didn’t touch one another. The difference had been so gradual that I hadn’t noticed until now. Further uphill from the stream, the trees were mostly of a leafless variety. Dry black sand clustered in patches throughout the thinning forest floor and was clinging visibly on the sides of our boots.
“The sand will rapidly build up on the insides if you keep them tied so loose.” The sun-weathered face of the professor looked disapprovingly. Het gestured at my boots. “Next stop, knock them off and tie them properly. We don’t want your city boy-feet to get all blistered. We can’t afford to get slowed down by you or your equally inexperienced comrades.”
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I nodded. I wondered what the right way was, but didn’t ask. For the umpteenth time the professor didn’t seem in the right mood to answer questions.
“And make sure to refill your canteens. Spirits knows how fast you lot will deplete the reserves.” He quickened his pace as I trotted through a boots-high patch of black sand.
The grains fine grains trickled like a hot liquid between the clasps of my boots. It didn’t hurt, but I could feel it quickly settle within the thin space between my socks and boots. It restricted the movement of my feet ever so slightly. Not enough to be a problem in the short run, but I could see how it could become a problem in the long run. At the next stop, I would have to ask someone to explain it again to me. Despite the professor’s condescending demeanor, I was still excited about the journey.
As the valley widened, the vegetation slowly gave way to an expanse of blackened rocks and sand. No longer protected from the sun, I stopped to readjust my hat and shawl. In the near distance, the faster members of our group had stopped near the point where the stream trickled away from our path.
As I took in the environment, I noted that it was neither barren nor plain. Yet another contradiction to my expectations. The sand was not black throughout but formed intricate wavelike patterns of light and dark I also noticed a small leafless tree growing in the shade of a large boulder, bravely defying the harsh conditions.
As I reached my comrades, all of them were struggling to adjust their boots. Equally laughed at as encouraged by the caravaners.