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Chapter XXXI : Wasteland
Midday of Denuo, Third Day of Autumnmoon
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After hours of trekking through an ocean of white sand, Bram broiled inside his armor. His enchantments were meant to counteract heat, but nothing matched the midday sun of Saladin, especially when heightened by the blistering heatwaves rolling across the Northern Continent.
His body oozed perspiration, and he rapidly lost hydration. His canteen, already empty. As sparingly as he used it to moisten the lips of the young girl in his arms, its contents were quickly depleted. Earlier, he had taken the opportunity to drink his fill at a small stream at the base of the mountains, but the Saladina sun had already stolen it from his system.
Before the War, Kitezh ruled the region, all the way south to the Zeugma Pass. The nation had laid claim to the land for centuries, but in the years leading up to war, the government slowly lost control. The famous Kitezhian monarch and Henrich’s predecessor, Ulrich Brandt, set up regency. But it only managed to incite rebellion. The Saladina people believed the desert ruled itself, and they demanded sovereignty. Kitezh’s attempts at governance were met with swift resistance.
After The War ended and Angkor achieved victory, King Richard declared Saladin independent. Angkor seized control of the Zeugma Pass but left the desert and its contents to the native clans. It was a practical matter, since Richard had no desire for added conflict. But to the Saladina people, it meant freedom. Many underground liberationists finally revealed themselves, and the newly freed nation prospered.
As a gesture of goodwill, the Saladina people set up markers throughout the desert to act as navigation points for outsiders. The markers directed travelers to various oases, which were fed by underground aquifers. It opened the entire continent to greater levels of trade and commerce, and it fueled a quick economic recovery.
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Bram now traveled the same path, but sadly without the refuge he expected. He should have already run into more than one oasis; but if there were any, they had long since dried up. Meanwhile, the sun penetrated all.
His helm protected his face from sunburn, but it was also a barrier to breathe. As for his passenger, he tore apart his travel bag and used its wrappings to protect her from the hot rays. As he marched, the load became unbearable. It sapped his stamina, though he dared not stop—even for a moment. Even his hardened body failed to keep up. Each agonizing step required discipline and focus. He wanted to cry out, but doing so would waste precious moisture. If he didn’t find shelter soon, he would die.
He needed a better view, so he headed to the tallest sand dune he could find. Judging by the sun’s position, he estimated three more hours of daylight. After that, temperatures would plummet, and the desert’s scorching heat would give way to frigid cold. It would feel invigorating at first, but without warmth, his companion might not survive the night. He scanned his field of view, trying desperately to see through the blurry waves of heat rising from the hot sands.
He shut his eyes tightly and took a deep breath. Opening them again, he tried vainly to find reprieve from the sun. He needed water, or at least a small slice of shade to rest. But there was neither. White sands stretched in all directions, and a stiff wind created a dusty haze that obscured the details in the distance. He needed sleep. His energy dwindled. It took every ounce of concentration and all his willpower to march forward.
Step after agonizing step, one foot in front of the other, he advanced. His back ached, his face itched, and his mouth was chapped. The endless toil hamstrung his legs and stretched his muscles. He felt like his body would melt. His lungs wheezed, yearning for breath. His pupils dilated, losing focus.
In a last-ditch effort, he drew one more lung of air. It brought a small dose of sanity to an otherwise disoriented mind. He vowed to go on, but his legs gave out. He tumbled forward, burying his face in the hot sand. The world went black.