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They continued, for as long as they were able, to put as much distance as possible between them and the hyntas. When camp was finally made, Gage and Eshu collapsed into the shade. The five alajin simply sank to their knees in a huddle. Elfric had suffered a severe sunburn but sat stoically at the edge of the awning. His eyes were fixed on the dunes they had come through for any sign of their pursuers. Taan seemed to be the least affected by the heat and occasionally roamed around the edges of camp.

Gage quickly distributed water to everyone. Though, he ended up sharing most of his with Eshu. The dog was panting heavily, worn out from the combat as well as the oppressive heat. A heat that had only grown throughout their march. Gage went to his pack and dug around before pulling out two items. The first was a dog brush which he set aside before taking the second over to Elfric.

“Here,” Gage opened the cap and handed him the tube, “It’s from a plant called aloe. It should help with the sunburn.” He showed the elf how much to apply before calling Eshu over. As the dog plopped down in front of him, Gage began brushing the dog’s fur. Excess fur, sand and grime began to pull free.

“Excuse the interruption of harmony.” The voice was soft and warm, while the words were spoken with a very clear precision. “We have received the impression that Kind One can understand the tongue.”

Gage looked up to see one of the alajin standing a few feet away. Hiding behind their robes was the child. “Ah, yeah, hello. And yes, I can understand you.”

“Ah, most pleasant. This one is Aeliana, and this pupa, Faelenor.” A hand gestured towards the child. “Come Faelenor, speaking is permited”

Faelenor stepped forward. “Thank you, Kind One, for saving us. May we pet your beast?” A weary smile appeared on Aeliana’s face, though Faelenor looked entirely too hopeful.

Gage paused, a look of slight confusion on his face. “Uh, yes?” He looked to Aeliana who nodded. “Of course, this is Eshu. Here, if you hold your hand out like this.” Gage showed Faelenor how to hold out a hand for Eshu to sniff. “It lets him get to know you,” Eshu reached his nose forward, sniffing at the small, offered hand. Faelenor giggled. “See, and now you see how he dips his head down? Now you can pet him, gently.”

Aeliana watched as Faelenor knelt and began petting Eshu. After a few silent moments, “Are we the first alajin you have met?”

Taken by surprise, Gage nodded. He looked around to see Elfric who, with his shield over his head, had left the pavilion to keep watch with Taan. “I believe so?”

Aeliana followed his gaze, “Ah, yes. That one is of the vantar. It is believed by some, and heavily refuted by others, that we once shared a people. If ever it was true, none now know.”

“I do not mean to be rude,” He hesitated a moment and Aeliana seemed to take pity on him.

“You need not worry. We are aware our speech is different.” Aeliana motioned him to follow and led him over to the group. “These are Sarnai and Roshani,” the two bowed their heads, “and this one is Eiravela. We are a unified people and as such do not address ourselves as the separated people do.”

“I apologize, I don’t… oh. Oh!” As he spoke, the difference in their speech clicked. “I think we called that ‘the Royal We’? There was a monarch a few generations ago who spoke in a unified manner, as she was the representative of her people. Or something like that.”

Aeliana looked thoughtful for a moment, “Not quite, though we understand the term you used. While that is part of it, we are not separated by the sex as your people are. We are collective, singular.”

Gage processed for a few moments, making sure he understood. “That sounds like non-binary, I think would be the closest term. Though, from what you say, it may be slightly different. Gender was becoming a… complicated subject among my people not long before,” he looked out at the surrounding desert, “things changed.”

Aeliana considered this for a moment, then nodded. “Yes, similar, but different.” It was then that Faelenor came back over, Eshu happily trotting beside them. “Thank you, Kind One, for your time, and for allowing Faelenor to meet Eshu. Please, do not let us keep you from your harmony.”

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Gage recognized the dismissal for what it was and gave a slight bow, honestly unsure what else to do. He turned and walked away. Moments later, Eshu followed behind him. When they sat again, Gage continued cleaning the dog’s fur.

“You handled that quite gracefully, my Lord.” Ma’tuk floated over to them. “You are doing quite well making a name for yourself.”

Gage shook his head and chuckled, “Ma’tuk, including you I only know the eight people here. It is kind of hard not to be known in a group that small.”

The orb did a small flip. “I do not think you understand! You have a moniker now. Kin, the Kind One.” It did its happy bob, adding a more elaborate spiral up to it.

“They gave that to me, though, right? To ‘Gage’?” He began petting Eshu, as the dog gave a chuff for attention. “Does a moniker actually do anything?”

“If you mean, does it give you a super awesome power buff?” Ma’tuk seemed to be vibrating with excitement. “Not at all!” It gave an echoing giggle. “Though, they are still nice to have. A moniker, especially an appropriately given one, helps draw mortals to worship. ‘Hello, who do you worship?’” The orb dodged to the side and pitched its voice lower. “‘Who me? I worship Jacobo.’

‘Jocobo the Great?’

‘No, just Jocobo.’

‘Agh! That is stupid.’

‘You’re stupid!’

‘You take that back! Argh!’

Pew! Pew! Thwak!

‘Noooo! My leg! Jocobo! Help meeee!’” Ma’tuk dipped back and forth between the two characters, before simulating a mock battle with itself and falling to the sand in defeat.

“So, monikers are… cool?” Gage offered.

“The coolest!” The orb jumped back up to float in front of him. “You absolutely must get as many as you can! Okay!?” Ma’tuk zoomed forward, pressing himself into the space between Gage’s eyes.

Gage fell backwards, blinking rapidly to clear the stars from his eyes. “Okay! Okay! I get it. All the monikers. Understood.”

…

It was just after moonrise when the camp was packed up. Taan took the lead as he was the one who knew where the settlement was. As they walked, Gage was able to translate for the talasqar. The settlement was originally that of an elven people called the kumdahari. The kumdahari had made their home in the deserts of their world long before things had changed. When worlds had shifted, the village had stayed in one piece.

One of the first things they had managed was to track the sun. From the sun’s zenith to zenith, the kumdahari had estimated the day had increased in length by nearly three of their hours.

After some conversation and a little math, they were able to determine that an elvish hour was roughly two hours on Earth. Not only that, but their day was twenty-six Earth hours. Meaning that the new day and night cycle was roughly thirty Earth hours.

Gage also learned that not only that, but a number of those who survived the change found themselves to be nearby. The Respected, who was similar to the head of a village, had given into hospitality and begun taking in the refugees. Some minor conflict had arisen when a young elf of the village had spoken out against taking in the refugees, concerned about the usage of resources. Many of those welcomed into the village had promised to help for the betterment of all. However, being surrounded by desert on all sides had made things difficult.

Some had even decided to try and move on and find a way out of the desert. They had left on the third day, and no one was sure if they had made it. Taan had been one of a few who had decided to go out into the desert to scout for both resources and survivors. He had found a small group of something called a skryftling. As he described them, none recognized them. They were short, even more so than the elves, green skinned, with a set of curved horns and a whip-like tail.

His second trip out was when he had run into the alajin, and they had been traveling together only a day. That was when the hyntas had started pursuing them and they had been forced to abandon their supplies. While there was still concern for the hyntas to return, the limited water supply was now a greater priority. What was meant to be rationed between three now had to sate nine.

So far, each of their new companions had a bottle, while Elfric and Gage both used their camelpaks. Even with Gage using his water for Eshu, what had once been meant to last a week or so, was running low. It was only Taan’s assurance that the settlement was not much further that kept them going.

…

They had pushed through until dawn. Once they had started looking for a spot to camp for the day, the hyntas had made themselves known. Instead of attacking the travelers outright, the pack had kept their distance and begun the arduous task of wearing down their prey.

That left the group with two options. Either they could risk camping and being attacked in the day, or they could press onward and hope to reach the settlement by midday, as Taan estimated. They decided to press on. The alajin were in the middle, a blanket held between them with Eshu and Faelenor walking in its shade. Taan kept to the front, both to lead and to defend against an ambush. Elfric kept to the rear, keeping an eye on the creatures, while Gage circled, doing his best to keep a presence on each side.

…

They could see it! Only a few hours later, they could see it. In a relatively flat expanse of sand there rose a tower of stone. Even from this distance they could see it was massive. Spread around it was a thin line of color. Taan had informed them it was a tent city, made of whatever spare cloth was available to provide shade.

As the settlement came into sight, they picked up their pace and the hyntas noticed. The pack harried them, making exploratory runs at their group. None had yet come close enough to get in a blow, but the hunters were starting to get more courageous.