With a bit of luck, using a Fairystone and guidance of the merchant they picked up, Kihet and his group finally arrived at the edge of a vast desert.
Pamalyra, the desert of the land, the largest country claimed by the beastmen. The beastmen were separated into two main races, the Werecats like Tama, and Werewolves. However, most of the desert was uninhabitable and its hard conditions could claim those unprepared crossing golden sea stretched all the way into the horizon.
During the day, the sun scorched the land and by night, winds colder than winter freeze the air. As the capital was built around an oasis blessed by Pamalyra’s World Tree. The tree was able to regulate a comfortable temperature in that area, shifting between spring and fall instead of summer and winter during day and night.
Their next journey began with the desert concealing the path with mounds of sand.
“It’s soooo hot.” Lily laid on the floor at the back. Even the shade underneath the carriage’s canopy wasn’t enough to cool her down. “I don’t understand how everyone here is fine.”
Familiar to her homeland, Tama let out a stretch in the sun’s presence. “Nyi’m used to it.”
“What about Aten?” Lily peeked over at the Insectoid. She saw a net of shadows blended in the shade to help disperse the heat from his body. “That’s cheating.”
The Dragonfly shrugged off her complaint and resumed his duty as lookout.
“Kihet, why is it so hot?”
“Here, catch. I finished making this. Hold onto it and make sure you don’t open it. If you do, you won’t keep cold for long.” Kihet said, handing a small vial attached to a necklace with cryogenic solution inside. “We’re lucky we managed to get some swamp salamander’s hide. It’s a great insulator.”
“Ooh! It’s cold! It feels nice!” Satisfied, Lily curled up in a corner with a smile as the cool air emitted around her neck.
“Tama. How do we navigate through this?” Kihet turned his attention back to the front. His eyes glued onto the map. “There isn’t much I can make of the area with no landmark. I can’t find the tower with all the sand blowing around.”
“There’s a trick we Beastmen like to use to get around. Nyit’s called instinct.”
“So, you’re just going to guess?”
“Nyi’m joking!” Tama reached her paws in her coat and pulled out a flat circular object. “Give it a moment.”
“What is that?”
“A compass. The red needle would always point north and the black would point south. Nyit’s pretty convenient to tell if you can’t tell which way you’re supposed to go.”
The needle spun for a moment after Tama revealed it and quickly orient itself to point north. Tama then licked one of her fingers and point it to the sky.
“Narighty! The wind’s coming from southeast. Go west from here and we’ll find a port.”
“Are you sure?”
“I was born and raised in Pamalyra long enough to know some tricks to nyavigate through the desert. The road should be fine for the horse to move on until we find a port.”
The horse crept on the sandy path, finding its footing undesirable. It snorted and slowly sank its hooves while checking the ground every few steps. It wasn’t used to the arid lands and it would’ve probably been better if Kihet had another durable mount or as sturdy as a Girax, a bull like animal favorable by the Giants to pull their carts. At least they arrived at the port without trouble.
Pamalyra ports were what you expected. With many Sand sails, ships, boats docking at the edge of town, it’s a business for shipmasters to be hired and sail the travellers to their destination. The ships themselves weren’t as large as the ones sailed at the seas and were built very low with tall masts to catch the winds. They were long slim boats mostly made of wood except for the hulls. They were assembled above shells of giant monsters hunted from Pamalyra’s desert.
“I don’t understand these words.” Lily pointed to a sign hanging from a post.
“It says ‘Shipyard’, that’s where ships dock. Right, you don’t know the beastmen’s language.”
“Oh nya? Tomoe, are you trying to learn Pamariane?” Tama’s eye sparkled as she pulls something from her bag. It was a deck of cards encased in a wooden decorated box. “Holy one, I have these training cards if you wish to purchase them.”
“We don’t need them. Kihet can teach me and I’m certain he’s a lot better at teaching than me using those cards.”
“I don’t know… the language is kind of tricky. Writing is easy, but speaking it requires different tones using your throat to produce them. If your pitch is off by a bit, it’s a whole different word.” Kihet picked a card from Tama’s hand and examined the drawings. “If Tama sold it for cheap, I might buy it.”
“If you buy now, I’ll sell the deck for twenty-five silvers. Nyie usually sell it for forty.”
“Sold.”
“Kihet!”
“It’s useful. Besides, Aten looks eager to learn as well.”
The dragonfly took a few cards from the deck and practiced on his writing slate. Lily held the rest as a gesture to concede her retaliation.
“Tama, I hope you have connections you can use to get us across the desert.”
“Depends if we’re lucky or not. Nyie have to see if the right folks are here.” Tama flicked the coins into her pouch and skipped down the intersection.
She led the group to the only tavern of the port. Many shipmasters and their crew raised their mugs and made animal noises. The whole room sounded like a zoo. Canines cackled as they barked at each other while Felines purred, finding bliss from basking in sunlight at a spot outdoors.
“Tama! You dare show your face around here?!”
A giant silver furred Werewolf smashed his ceramic mug on the table and raised himself off his seat.
The Werewolf towered over Kihet and the group. He was abnormally taller than all other patrons in the tavern and much muscular than most people, but shorter than giants without their ‘wars blood’. His sharp fangs hanged from the side and the ears were also abnormally large holding piercings and rings. He wore the innkeeper’s uniform and stomped towards the Tama with his claws out.
“Eep!” Lily hid behind Kihet.
“Yo, Doglas. How nya been?”
While Tama earned a nasty glare from the innkeeper, patrons of the inn silenced themselves when they overheard her calling the wolf using an inappropriate name. They remained seated with terrified faces, their eyes down on their drinks. A few minutes later, Douglas’ expression lightened and flashed his fangs that somewhat resembled a smile. Everyone in the room sighed and the atmosphere of the tavern returned to normal.
“Ka! Same old, same old! It’s been so long!” He cackled. “How’s business?”
“Landed a jackpot on a recent trade!” Tama stuck her tongue and winked. “Nyie got the deal you wanted over from Sanctuary. Here are the ingredients you requested but in return they demanded a fifteen percent extra charge for transporting services. Here’s the ledger and receipt of the items.”
“You managed to talk them down to fifteen percent?! Ka, you really saved my ass there!”
“Nyit wasn’t easy. So, how about the usual?”
“Still no word bout teach. I’m afraid the trail’s getting colder and colder. I sent my guys to look through the other side, but none of them reported anything useful of his whereabouts. Sorry.”
“Hmm… Thanks Douglas.”
“No, no. You always helped me. I gotta do what I can to repay you.” The wolf redirected his glare at Kihet and the others. “Hm. Two Devil Folk and uh… insectoid? Hey Tama, aren’t insectoids supposed to be, you know, less monster like?”
“They said he’s unique.”
“Well, he is indeed. I’m afraid I don’t understand how to speak other languages could you ask why they’re here?”
“We need a shipmaster to take us to Stusis.” Kihet answered. “One with a large enough space to fit a cart and us.”
“You speak fluently despite not being a Beastmen. Were you guys hired as mercenaries by the Scalemen to fight in their war? If you are then buzz off. I don’t want to feel guilty sending you brats off to your deaths.”
“Me, a brat?” Kihet returned the Douglas’ glare twice the hostility.
“Yeah, brat. Hate being called that? Suck it up or do you want to be torn to shreds?”
“Try it. I dare you.”
“Bold words, hairless monkey. Challenge accepted!” Douglas quickly swung a fist aimed at Kihet’s gut.
Kihet used his arms to deflect it and dash forward with his fists. He jumped up to the wolf’s height and threw a punch at Douglos’ snout. Before his attack landed, an hand came up and caught it.
“Oops. Careful. That could’ve hurt-.” Douglos felt a chill and strands of hair stood up. Thanks to his beastial instincts, he raised his arm as Kihet slipped free from his grasp and blocked an overhead kick. “Yer getting my blood boilin’. Not bad kid, but it’ll take a lot more than dat if you’re gonna survive in Stusis!”
“Douglas, wait.” Tama hollered. “I don’t see him. Where’s Rogus?”
“What do ya think?!” Douglas suddenly slashed the counter, chopping off the corner. “Dat nimwit said he twas gonna fight and left without saying anything ta ma and me!”
“Nyie figured.” Tama snickered and nudged Kihet to drop his fighting stance. “And that’s why he didn’t want you guys to go. Don’t blame Douglas. He might look mean, but he’s got a good heart.”
“It’s the older sibling dar gotta take car uf the young.” Douglas snorted then took a deep breath to calm himself. “Hey, you’re not traveling with that group to Stusis, are you? It’s too dangerous.”
Stolen story; please report.
“They seem like an interesting bunch.”
“Oi. We had a deal and I fulfilled it.” Kihet interrupted. “We were only escorting you to Pamalyra and here we are.”
“Nyaw, C’mon. I didn’t get to say everything I want about your friend.”
“You were supposed to tell me everything!”
“Our deal was specifically information that satisfied you at the time. I never agreed to spilling everything at once. Not yet anyways.”
Kihet clicked his tongue while Douglas cackled in the background.
“Careful around her. She’s crafty about her words.”
“Douglas, you’re making me blush! Nyi’m going to prowl around for a shipmaster.”
“A new wave of them crashed in yesterday. They’re hanging out at the bar upstairs.” Douglas gave Tama directions and watched until she disappeared up the stairs. “Hey, kid. There’s something I want to ask you and your friends. Might get a bit personal, so come with me to the back.”
“Not interested. We’ll wait right here for a ship.”
As Kihet turned away from the wolf and head towards the exit, a giant paw grabbed his shoulder before he took his first step towards the door.
“Something about your smell bothers me. You have a heavy scent of Devil folk. No, it’s that girl’s, but there’s a faint smell there that doesn’t belong to Devil Folks. It doesn’t remind me of Fairies or Alfs. You certainly don’t look like a beastmen, Giant, insectoid or Scalemen either.”
“So?”
“It’d be really troublesome if I start barking what I think you are.” Douglas held a taunting grin and pointed to the door behind the bar. The wolf walked behind the bar and held the door for the three. “Back. Now.”
“What’s going on? Is he insulting us or something?” Lily asked.
“He’s asking us to follow him.”
“Us?” Lily followed Kihet and entered the room behind the bar.
The first thing they noticed was a wanted poster that looked like Douglas proudly hanging on the side of the door. It was written dead or alive, reward, seventy-five thousand silvers.
“I-is that him?”
“Ah, you saw that?” Douglas noticed Lily’s shriek. “Brings back memories of my piracy days, but the one in the picture is my pops. Bastard. Left ma, I and Rogus to become some bigshot criminal. It’s the only portrait I have left of em.”
“Only one?” Kihet asked.
“Ka. No one needs to remember a scum like em. This poster reminds me of the time when I killed my own pops. There wasn’t anyone strong enough except for me to take em and his gang.”
Kihet remained silent.
The Wolf strolled into the kitchen and returned to the room with a tray. He placed dried tea leaves into the pot and began stirring the contents by waving it around. “Tea? It’s brewed from Pine leaves has a nice minty aftertaste. Cools you down from this heat.”
“Lily, Aten, you guys want tea?”
“Sure.” Lily responded and Aten nodded.
Like a giant holding onto miniature tableware, Douglas gently poured the contents into two cups and slid a box of condiments towards them. He sat across from Kihet and held his paws under his snout. His tail gently brushed the floor while he found a comfortable spot for his bottom.
“A Devil Folk with two horns and a prehistoric insectoid. Quite the group you got together. No wonder Tama couldn’t let her claws off ya.”
“Get to the point.”
“Don’t mind if I do.” Douglas leaned in. “Earlier you saw my outburst about my brother. I want to ask a favor for you to bring him back.”
“What would we get if we were to accept?”
“Well, is there anything particular you or your compatriots looking for?”
“A ship to get to Stusis.”
“You’re keen on getting in on the fight ain’t cha. Something tells me you’re not just planning on fighting there. Don’t tell me you’re chasing the Oracle that’s heading there too?”
“Oracle?”
“You don’t know?”
That would explain the Prisoner’s statements he interrogated in Vivrus. Although Kihet could easily dismiss the claim by of the other Oracle by revealing his crest to Douglas, he found some truth to the wolf’s words.
“Are you sure that person wasn’t a fake?”
“He was real. He had the crest of the Oracle to show and made a hell of a performance of the power of his light too right here, in this port.”
Kihet scribbled on a piece of paper, relaying the message for Lily and Aten to understand.
[Second Oracle?]
“There’s two? I only thought there could only be one.” Lily said. “Did you ask it wasn’t a fake?”
“I did.” Kihet turned back to Douglas. “Was he travelling with others?”
“Hm. It was about a month ago, but I’m sure he had a Giant, an Ogre, a fairy, another Enui with him and recruited my younger brother behind my back.”
“What did this Oracle and other Enui look like?”
“I can’t really tell, but one of them had clear glass on a frame he wears over his eyes-.”
Elius!
Kihet forcibly stood up with his hands slamming the counter, eyes widened. There was a look of confusion all around as Lily and Aten quietly pestered Kihet to translate the context of the exchange.
“Sounds like you heard what you wanted. If you want more details, do me a favor.”
“I’ll drag your brother back to you. If you tell me everything.”
“Heh, excellent! Be a little rough on him if ya want. He could be quite stubborn since he takes it after me. Any questions?”
“One. Earlier you asked if I was after the Oracle too. Was there someone else chasing after him?”
“A Rozzalian was searching for the Giant the Oracle had with him. I don’t know the details, but she was here a week ago and took a ship there. She was too geared up for me ta see what she looked like.”
Something was taking place in Stusis. First, the Headsman urged him to go to solve the mystery behind the Tower’s fears. Second, he learned of another Oracle and his group making their way there with a Rozzalian tailing them. Forces from all over the world seemed to be converging in one country.
“Douglas, when are you getting your ass back here and working?!”
“Shaddap woman! I’ve got important guests!”
“Is that the attitude you’re using towards me?! It’s getting busy! Get your fat ass back in the kitchen and help out!”
“Tch. Sorry, brat. Ma’s callin. I’ll write down the other information to give it to you before you leave.” Douglas clawed his way through the exit. “Someone hand me a saw and wood! I gotta replace the damn counter first.”
“What was that?” Lily asked. “More importantly, what did you talk about?”
“Another friend of mine popped up in Stusis.”
“Isn’t that good news? Why are you looking grim?”
“He’s with the other Oracle. Depending how we interact, we might have to fight. Anyways, we got a job from Douglas. We’re going to get his son back to him.”
[Should see Tama.]
“I hope she got us someone to sail us.” Kihet sighed lethargically with a hint of annoyance.
“I hope we’ll be able to ride a big boat.” Lily added.
Stepping up to bar upstairs they found bodies of beastmen laying across the floor. Tama was included in the mound of drunken bodies happily waving their mugs, howling, and dancing. Kihet disappointingly held his forehead and angrily plucked Tama from the group of beastmen slumped on the bar.
“What are you doing?”
“Drinking~ Nya~!” Tama raised a mug with two catnips drooping to the side of it.
“You were supposed to find someone to get us across the desert.”
“I did, they’re… nya~, outside preparing his ship as we drink~. The three of you should join us!” Tama slammed two mugs on the counter and gave them a nudge.
“What kind of drink is it?” Lily asked.
“A local specialty! Nyit has lots of silver vine! Try it!”
“We’re leaving now. If you don’t want to get left behind, then get on your feet.”
“Carry me! Please?”
Kihet dragged Tama by her coat’s collar, letting her feet smack against each step down. Lily pitied the Werecat, but at least it didn’t sound painful.
They found Douglas laughing at them outside as he sawed planks of wood to the right size for repairing the counter he broke. He was mainly laughing at Tama who got drunk and gave her some remedies to detoxify her drunkenness. The effect wasn’t instantaneous, but Tama recovered within five minutes.
“Kid, a few words before you leave.” Douglas gestured Kihet to isolate himself from his group for a moment. The Werewolf stuffed a piece of crumpled paper into Kihet’s hand. “And as promised.”
“Okay? And what?”
“While you’re sailing through the desert, you’ll find runic stone pillars. It’s important you direct the helmsman's attention to them as soon as you spot one. They emit a particular wave of magic to hide the ship’s presence from sand creatures.”
“Stone pillars, got it.” Kihet repeated to confirm Douglas’ advice. “Anything else?”
“Over by Stusis, heard a Dragonborn called the ‘Crimson’s Wrath’ is the one paying mercenaries to work for em Dragonkins. If you ever meet em, do your best to not have him as your enemy. He’s dangerous, a monster of his own league.”
“Crimson’s Wrath. Got it.”
“And bring my dimwit brother back. His name’s Rogus.”
“I know. Stop yelping at me already. I can’t promise he’ll come back in one piece, but I’ll make sure he’s at least alive.”
“Good enough. Take care of yerself and your group.”
Kihet didn’t respond, he raised his hands and turned towards the ship. The vessel was a small ship having two masts and had easily enough space to carry them and their carriage. With harpoons facing every direction of imminent threat, its slim shape was designed to move fast and pursue sand beasts swimming through the sand. He greeted the shipmaster with a nod and boarded the deck. The shipmaster responsible for their safe passage was a Werewolf not as large and intimidating as Douglas.
Aside from fifteen members of the crew composed of Werecats and Werewolves, there were about seventeen Kobolds working along side them. Their small stature looked like pigmy Werewolfs, about forty centimeters tall, as they waddle around with tiny paws preparing the ship for departure. A group of them turned the wheel raising the anchor, others raised the sail.
There was a line of them carrying cargo up on the gangplank. All was well until one noticed Aten and froze up from locking eyes with the Dragonfly’s monster like appearance. Thinking it was going to be eaten, the tiny Kobold stood still, trembling in place as contents of the box it was carrying rattled.
“They’re so cute!” Lily swooped down and lifted it in her arms.
The Kobold struggled to break free as that only encouraged Lily to hug it even tighter. Its tiny paws and legs flailed around desperately but to no avail, Lily’s hold was too strong.
“Kihet, can we keep it?”
“I think you should let it go and let it do its job.”
“Aww... I want to hold onto it for a bit longer.”
“It doesn’t look like it likes that. C’mon. Put it down and help me get the horse up.”
“Okay…” Lily replied with a deflated sigh as she gently put the Kobold back on the ground. It immediately picked up the box of goods and scrambled back to its post.
Meanwhile, Aten observed other Kobolds comfort one of its brethren that was traumatized by their brief interaction. He walked up to them, reaching something from his satchel as the Kobolds shifted in front to protect the one shaking in fear. Aten gently placed three jars of honey from his home country and after pushing towards them as a gift, he turned back to help Kihet and Lily securing the cart onto the deck.
In the corner of his eye, he saw them poke the clay jar and slowly opened the lid. One dipped their paw into the honey and licked it. As the test taster’s ears sprung up and tail began wagging, the others joined in and shared the gift given to them.
----------------------------------------
The Kobolds completed their task and took their well deserved break. A group of them decided to pay Kihet’s group a visit and made their way towards the Insectoid while avoiding Lily.
“Why are they attached to you?!”
Lily sulked at the scene of Kobolds next to Aten. Some of them rested their heads on his legs, others laid on their backs and let Aten rub their stomachs. Even the one Lily recognized she picked up earlier curled itself next to the Insectoid sleeping soundly.
“Kihet, I want to be like that too! It’s not fair!”
“When did you get so whinny?” Kihet asked. “Are you tired?”
“The heat must be getting to me. Lend me your lap.”
Like the Kobolds, Lily put her head on Kihet’s lap and closed her eyes. In a few moments, she completely fell asleep. Several Kobolds noticed and dutifully fetched a thin blanket to put over her body then quickly dashed back to Aten’s side.
“Good grief. What am I going to do with you?”
[My fault?]
“It’s not. She’s always been this clingy.”
[What relationship with her?]
“I’d say I’m her guardian. When we first met, it was a bit chaotic. Seeing her grown up with this behavior is kind of worrying, but it’s not that bad. If it weren’t for her, I wouldn’t have the courage to leave the village.”
[Miss home?]
“It’s not like I had a place in the village to begin with, but I do miss the old days. Why are you asking? Are you feeling homesick?”
[Maybe.]
“Even someone as long lived as you feels that way too? I’m surprised.”
Their short-lived conversation quickly came to an end, but the noise of crewmen operating the vessel on deck was as lively as ever. With the port shrinking from his view, Kihet kept his eyes glued to the sands until a door into their room opened.
“Oh nya? Tomoe is asleep?” Tama strolled in and set her baggage in the corner. “So, Holy one. How’s the boat trip so far?”
“Give me more time to see how it goes.” Kihet answered. “How much do I owe you?”
“Don’t sweat the small stuff. Nyie paid.”
“You? Something tells me I’ll owe you a favor.”
“You Nyow what they say. You scratch my back, I scratch yours.”
“Right…”
“Nyanyway! Aten, how did you get these little fellas attached to you? I haven’t seen their kind relaxing like this ever.” Tama poked at one, but all the Kobold did was tipped over with its head on Aten’s arm.
[Gave treat.]
“Nyie suppose that’s one way to earn their affection. What was it?”
[Honey.]
“Ooh! A rare commodity! No wonder they like nya.”
“How well do they fight?”
“Individually, they’re nyot strong. They fight as a unit and can hold a position fairly well. You’ll see when we encounter sand creatures, but pirates on the other hand, they’ll be completely outpowered.”
“Pirates?”
“Nyou know, bandits, thieves and the likes. We might pass through an area or two with them if we’re unlucky.”
“I see. Speaking of which, we’re moving pretty fast. Where does the winds come from? It feels like the sandstorm over there doesn’t die down.”
“It doesn’t. If you haven’t nyoticed, Pamalyra winds blow in one direction.”
In Pamalyra, a never ending sandstorm brew at the middle of the country. It generated infinite winds for vessels and said Guardians of the desert made its nest within it. Markers such as runic pillars around the sandstorm contained it to keep it from growing for who knows how long.
“Since it only blows counterclockwise, we’re going around instead of directly across. It also means we won’t be able to dock at the capital until the return trip from Stusis.”
“How long until we get to Stusis?”
“Nyat this rate, I’d say about three weeks. Of course, we’ll have to stop at a few ports, so it’d be about four weeks. It’s as fast as you can get to cross Pamalyra’s desert. In the meantime, enjoy the scenery!”
“There’s not much to look at. It’s all sand.”
“Nyat’s the beauty of it.”