The City of Sand was aptly named.

Even in the middle of the city, where there were stone roads and numerous buildings side-by-side... there was still sand stacked high.

It looked as if they had only recently swept most of the sand to the sides, and most likely had indeed done so simply for my visit.

I could tell that was the case thanks to the stacks of sand in-between buildings, where pathways and walkways were.

However their naming sense most likely wasn't just literal. This place was named not just after the thing that buried it... but also after themselves.

These people weren't only used to the sand, they lived with it. They walked on it as I would a road.

Sand to these people was like ice to me.

A part of home.

The oddest thing wasn't the stacks of sand though, but the stacks of sand in odd places... like on a canopy, or sand trickling out of a window as if there were stacks within the room hidden within.

Maybe there was...

“Around this well, to the north we will find the farmlands,” my guide said.

She was a bright woman. And what shone wasn’t just her personality. Her clothing was decorative and numerous in colors. To be honest it was quite pleasing, since the rest were still wearing their gaudy gold and jeweled patterns.

Normal cloth looked so much better than such inane displays of wealth.

“How do you protect them against the sands?” I asked as we neared the well.

“Ah well... walls, tents, and during my father's time they had used magic as well,” she explained.

The way she spoke wasn't just hesitant shame, it was acceptance. She had long accepted the fact that there was only so much you could do.

She had accepted her fate.

Sure enough, the farmlands were covered pretty much entirely by sand.

The sight was absolutely freighting, and I didn't even need to rely upon them for my own survival. They didn't look as if a tenth of the lands were being used, and the few sections that were had little to no vegetation.

“I see... hopefully they'll regain their splendor soon,” I said as we watched the wind carry more sand onto the farms.

“Yes, indeed,” she agreed with a heartfelt nod.

Although I wanted to inspect more of their farms, to see hints of how they had once long ago protected against the sands... back when they actually had something to protect against, I also didn't want to get sidetracked.

After all, I needed to get through this so I could finish my business with the House of Derri... and the sooner I did that, the sooner we could leave.

Following my guide, wasn't just myself... but a small entourage. Yevin, and two of his men were behind me, and about a dozen guards from the many Houses followed them.

I couldn't tell if any were from the House of Derri, but I assumed there were.

“There are also several mines throughout the city and around it... but none are used anymore. We lack the magic necessary to properly utilize them.”

“I see,” I said, pleased with the news.

That was simply another thing I could trade for, another thing to overprice.

She's shown me their warehouses, their trading markets... honestly, the city lacked many basic foundations.

But there wasn't much they could do about the lack of such things. After all, it's not like they'd have a harbor, or have any need for a true entertainment district.

Without a true water source, or travelers to entertain, there was no point.

“So... is the city truly separated by Houses?” I asked.

“Separated sir?” she asked back.

“Like... are we right now in a certain Houses territory?”

“Oh. No, not at all. Although there are certain sections that are dominated, but those are normally the main household's buildings. Other than those sections, which are walled off clearly, all houses intermingle as needed. Like these buildings here, some are owned by the House of Hombil, and others the House of Brillo,” she explained.

“I see,” I said, and tried to remember what house she had said she belonged to.

I couldn't remember.

“Would you like to see the decorative memorials to the lost now? Or would you rather return to your duties, Commander?” she asked with a small skip in her step.

Although I did indeed wish to see what such a memorial was, I chose to fulfill my position's expectations. “Not today, maybe another. Would you please lead me to the House of Derri?” I asked.

“Of course, this way,” she guided.

She must have suspected I wanted to get to work, for we didn't have to walk very far. It only had taken a few dozen streets, which considering the size of the city it wasn't much.

As she had described, a giant wall seemed to surround the House of Derri's compound... or whatever it was. It wasn't anywhere near as tall as the wall that surrounded their city, but it was still larger than any of the buildings surrounding it.

“The House of Derri,” my guide said, stopping.

“Thank you,” I said.

“We need much, but we have much to offer,” she said as she bowed, staying near the wall.

“Thank you for your time, it was lovely. Thank your House for me,” I said, leaving her behind.

I silently kicked myself for not remember her house in time before parting with her, but decided to let it be as I entered the House of Derri.

The giant wall did indeed guard many buildings... and what seemed to be many courtyards and the like as well. At one time there may have even been grass, or trees, and it might have been absolutely beautiful.

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Now though, it just looked like a bunch of giant stone buildings being slowly buried by sand. Unlike the many streets outside, there was only a layer of sand to be found within the walls. I couldn't even tell if there were paths of stone or not hidden beneath the sand since there was so much of it.

As we entered, I noticed it wasn't just the Guide who had stayed behind. All but one of the guardsmen had done so as well.

But unlike the Guide, the guards had remained in place... forming something of a perimeter around the wall's entrance.

“I shall alert the Elder's to your arrival,” the guard who remained with us said, hurrying into the largest building nearby.

Being left alone, I glanced to Yevin who only scoffed and kicked a small pile of sand nearby.

“You'd have figured there'd be lotta' people here to greet us, what with the way they all act,” Yevin's second in command said.

“He could have at least invited us in,” I said softly.

A good long moment passed, and I was about to simply enter the building, but luckily I was saved from committing such an unsightly act as someone finally emerged.

The young girl who appeared, was far from ready to greet us. She froze at the sight of us, her eyes growing far too large to be comfortable, and she stammered as she gestured to the door. “P-please enter.”

I refrained from thanking the young girl, lest I made her go into shock. She was sweating far too profusely for it to just be from the heat. Poor kid was probably scared of us.

“Thisway,” she said, so quickly that it was one single word.

We followed the girl, and it was a good thing she was so young. Any older and we'd have had to go faster than a brisk pace to keep up, she was practically running.

“Here they are!” she said loudly, guiding us into a large room.

As we entered, I felt the wave of cold air. A catalyst of ice.

One we most likely had provided them the night before.

Not that I was going to complain, it felt nice to get out of the heat.

“Commander Noth, welcome to the House of Derri. My apologies for the improper welcome... we are doing much, and there is little time and little hands to do it,” an old woman greeted as we entered.

Glancing to the young kid who had guided us, and who was hurrying to pull out several chairs for us to sit in... I wonder if she meant little hands as in children, or few in number.

Maybe both?

“It is fine. We are friends after all,” I said, trying to be the polite business man.

“Indeed. Please, sit. The others will join us shortly,” she said.

Although the young girl had struggled to ready enough chairs for all of us, I was the only one who sat down. Yevin and his two men stayed standing near the door, with the two standing outside of the room.

“Thank you Marli, would you go get us some drinks?” Rivini asked.

“Yes Grandmother!”

The young girl hurried out of the room, nearly tripping on Yevin's foot in the process.

“Your granddaughter?” I asked.

“Ah, no. She's not of my blood. But all girls in the House of Derri are my granddaughters,” she said.

“I see.”

While the old woman sat, I took the time to cool off and relax. It was hot outside, and I'd just been walking in it for several hours.

My homeland was one of ice, so I was far from accustomed to such a climate.

“I just received a tour of your city. I must admit, even in its current state it is quite a sight. I wish I could have seen it in its glory,” I said.

Rivini gave me a splendid smile as she nodded. “I enjoy your brisk honesty, Linesman. Indeed, our home is just a shadow of its former self... but hopefully, with what you've brought us, we can return it to its proper condition.”

“I mean no disrespect. I meant my words to be compliments, testament to you and your people’s tenacity. I have personally met many others who couldn’t last a fraction as long as all of you have,” I explained.

“No offence was taken. Only a fool would ignore the truth only to save face,” she said.

Before I could continue, a loud clatter quickly followed by a tiny shriek drew my attention behind me.

The young girl from before had returned, but had done so face first. The several cups she had been carrying were now rolling along the stone floor, and she was hurriedly trying to gather them up.

“I'm so sorry!” she shouted, and I glanced to Yevin.

He shook his head to me, and I knew he hadn't been the cause. She must have simply tripped.

I gave him a wave, and he sighed as he accepted the order and went to help her.

“I apologize, she's young and...” Rivini started to say, but I simply waved her off.

“So, once your warehouses are ready, my people will begin unloading. And we shall assist you in bringing the goods to them, like the first batch,” I said.

“Yes, thank you. I'm told tomorrow or the next day will be the last room, there are only a few left,” she accepted the topic changing rather smoothly.

“Thank you,” I heard the young girl whisper to Yevin, and then listened as she sniffed and left the room.

Hopefully she was crying from embarrassment and not because she'd be punished later.

“As you know, once this exchange is over your House will have to vie with the rest for anymore goods or services,” I said.

“Yes...” her response wasn't anywhere near as vigorous as the ones before, and I took note of it.

“However, as you've said... it will still be a day or two before we reach that point,” I continued.

The old woman blinked a few times, and I hoped she understood. “Indeed,” she accepted.

Sitting back a little, I half-heartedly gestured with my hands. “So that being said, I've come today to finalize my contract with my old friend,” I said.

“Finalize...?” she asked.

I nodded, and noticed the old woman's eyes glance behind me. Half a moment later the sound of tiny feet trying to be careful entered the room.

“Thank you Marli,” Rivini said as the young girl handed her a cup first.

“Thank you,” I accepted the next cup, and was a little surprised to hear Yevin accept the third.

While the young girl gave drinks to Yevin's men, I smelled the drink and noticed it was a familiar one. One we had given them.

Had they none to share themselves, or did they simply think we'd prefer our own familiar drinks over theirs? Regrettable, I would have liked to taste their own unique flavors.

I dared not ask for it, lest they truly didn't possess any themselves.

It wasn’t proper business to humiliate your trading partner, after all.

“Yes. If you'll forgive me for being blunt... Quite simply, I've come to ask if there was anything specific you and your House wished for. Things that were not outlined in our original deal,” I explained.

“You have given us more than we could ever hope to ask for,” she said wearily.

Taking a drink as I studied the old woman, I wondered if I should just let the matter drop.

Maybe she and the rest of them really didn't want anything more.

After all, to someone dying of thirst... a drop of water was all one wanted. Anything else was of no importance.

And there were many forms of thirst.

“Well, you have time to consider it,” I said, deciding to let it be.

“Yes, thank you Noth. I'll consult with the others, though I highly doubt we could ask for more...”

Shrugging, I noticed that the young girl hadn't left... and was staring at Yevin with a pair of wonder filled eyes.

Was she scared of him, or entranced I wonder?

“I am to assume that the other Houses have bothered you, concerning our arrangement?” Rivini asked, changing topics.

“Only the usual. Don't worry, it's all fine. I am used to such political bickering, it's normal,” I said.

“Still, it's a shame you've had to endure it. Sadly the state of our city has caused everyone to be... rather desperate,” she said.

I smiled at that, since it was quite a statement coming from her.

Her House had been the worse off. For her to say such a thing was humorous indeed.

“They'll calm down once we begin trading,” I said.

Rivini shifted a little in her seat as she unsurely nodded, and I hoped it was just because of her old age.

“Then, I shall return to my Line. As long as all goes well, we both shall have some peaceful nights in a few days,” I said as I stood.

“I pray to the Sands that you never have a restless night, Noth. For me though, I fear I shall be as busy as the sand for some time,” she said with a smile.

“May you enjoy it at least, then,” I said in parting.