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Gage ran, circling around the alajins to the other side of the group. His heart was in his throat, nearly choking him with panic. As they had left the dunes and entered into the flat, open sands, a hynta had managed to flank them. With a yowling hiss, it charged their unprotected side and bore down on Aeliana.
Roughly a dozen feet out, it leapt forward! Time seemed to slow for Gage as he watched the creature fly through the air. His feet dug into the sands as he did his best to power forward. With his eyes locked on the beast, he nearly tripped in shock!
A wooden spear sunk into the scaly hide, knocking the hynta to the side. It collapsed to the ground and slid on the sand. Everyone froze and turned to look towards the settlement. The air shimmered with heat for a moment as from the veil stepped several individuals.
Two of them were short, roughly half a head shorter than Elfric. The first wore a hooded cloak with ornate embroidery along the edges. Underneath, she had a long-sleeved garment that fit close to her body. Her pants were loose like Gage’s own. Across her chest was a harness, holding various pouches. The male next to her had a scarf wrapped around his head and shoulders. He sported a thick, orange-red beard that was neatly trimmed. His tunic was long and belted, with armor worn over the shoulders and arms. His pants were tucked into high, laced boots. Gauntleted hands held a long-reaching hammer, while she carried a double-sided hand axe.
With them stood three more elves. However, in strict contrast to both Elfric and the alajin, they each stood two heads taller with slightly longer ears. Each of them was even taller than Gage, though none came close to Taan. All three had sharp features, with high cheekbones and strong jawlines. They were each quite muscular with well-defined physiques, clearly evident as each of them wore only a drape of cloth around their waists. One had dark skin of a dusty blue gold. His hair was curly and styled upwards, away from his angular face. The second’s hair was dark and swept back from a face of dark amber. The third had an earthy hue, like polished clay. If ever Gage had seen a more intense and broody expression, he could not recall. Each had bracelets of gold, with more bands wrapped around their upper arms.
As much as each of them stood out, it was the final member of the group that called the most attention. A beast-kin taller than Taan. It had the head of a black wolf, complete with alert ears, a pointed snout, and dark fur. From where Gage stood, he could not see the wolf-man’s eyes. He wore a broad, gold collar with intricate carvings and several bracelets and bangles. A long black skirt, with golden embroidery, was secured at the waist with a solid gold belt. The wolf-man struck a very imposing figure.
The hyntas seemed to think the same. With angry hisses, the pack turned and ran. They quickly disappeared into the dunes. Gage did not even watch them go. Instead, he swallowed, only to have his very dry throat catch and leave him gasping for a moment. By the time he recovered himself, Elfric and the alajin had drawn close to him. Taan, however, had stepped forward. “Hari, hari, esteemed patrons.” Taan’s voice carried over the sand and the wolf-man stepped up to great him.
The wolf-man shook its massive head. “How you managed to pick up their tongue in so short a time, I will never understand. My Gift of Speech ran out shortly after dawn. You are on your own for this.” He stood back, watching everything with a stoic eye.
“Then it is good I have brought a friend. Gage’kin, if you would be so kind.” Taan turned to Gage and gestured him forward. “While I have learned many phrases of the kumdahari tongue, this is a bit beyond my capabilities.”
“You have already started learning their language?” As Gage spoke, every one of the newcomers looked at him. As six pairs of eyes fixed on him, he could feel his heartbeat tick up. “Ah, hello. I am Gage’kin, cleric to the god, Kin. It is through his,” Gage’s gaze darted back and forth to each of them, “blessings that I am able to speak to you all.” He gestured to Ma’tuk.
Ma’tuk flew forward to hover just over Gage’s shoulder. It did a little bob, before floating there silently. The wolf-man leaned forward to peer down at the little floating ball of light. He snorted, then stood back. Gage was so focused on the great beast, he almost didn’t catch the two kumdahari behind the broody one exchange a look.
The broody elf stepped forward, “I am Kossi, of the Akalahari tribe. It is our home you head towards.” His head tilted slightly, and his eyes slid to the side. To Gage it looked as if he was indicating the other two elves with him. “Taan, you bring many more mouths to feed with you.”
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Before Gage could relay the words to Taan, the talasqar, spoke up. “Those words are familiar to me.” With one of his thick claws, Taan gestured to the hynta corpse nearby. “Tell him that these travelers prove their worth already. He will then follow it with the fact that it was they who slew it, but he will then offer to let you all prove yourselves. If you fail,” He hesitated for just a moment, “Then, I will shoulder that.”
Gage did his best to search their savior’s face but could not read his scaled features. “We have proven our worth already,” He pointed to the hynta before turning to face Kossi.
The kumdahari elf snorted, “It was my own spear that brought that animal dow-.” A pained warble interrupted the elf. All turned to the hynta. It struggled pitifully, barely able to even draw breath. Kossi’s frown deepened, and he made to move forward.
Gage stopped him by raising a hand in front of him. “Then allow me to prove my worth for all of us.” His heart was hammering. The weak cry of pain had cut him deeply. It was one thing to kill something quickly that was trying to kill you. It was another thing entirely to let something suffer. While Kossi was most likely going to provide a mercy killing, it still pained Gage to see, what would now be, an unnecessary death.
Ignoring the look of skepticism, Gage walked over to the hynta. He knelt down next to it. As he did so, he closed his eyes and took a deep breath. He reached inwardly for his power, while one hand grabbed hold of the spear. His other hand was laid next to the wound and felt the blood leaking from it quickly coat his fingers. In and out. Once his breath was steady, his grip tightened on the spear. With some power assisting him, he pulled the spear out in a single tug.
He let it fall where it may, as he rushed to place both hands over the now gaping hole. The hynta whimpered with pain and he let his power flow. It raced from his hands into the wound. An image of it formed in his mind. He was rushing, he knew it, but if he did not hurry then, the creature would bleed out.
Even with his eyes closed, Gage could see the pink light emanating from beneath his hands. It pulsed with his power, which he could feel steadily draining from him. In and out. Gage kept his breathing steady and even. More power poured out of him.
Then he felt it. The wound began to close, slowly at first. Then with more speed. Flesh and muscle knitting itself back together. “Gaah!” His hands spasmed and wrenched free of the beast. Gasping for breath, he sagged backwards. An arm around his shoulder caught him and he blinked his eyes open. Elfric was crouched next to him. With one arm, the elf supported him. The other held his axe between them and the hynta.
Gage looked at the animal. Where the wound had been, was a faint, pink scar. With a hiss, the hynta sat up, craning its head around to look at the wound. It turned to look at Gage. There was a long steady moment, their eyes locked together. There was a light, warbling chuff. With blinding speed, it leapt to its feet and raced off and up one of the dunes. It paused at the crest to look back. After only a moment more, it slipped over the top of the dune and was gone.
Elation ran through Gage. It had taken a lot out of him, more than he thought, as Elfric had to help him stand, but he had done it. He had done it! This had not been a shallow wound. This had been something life threatening. He had healed it! He couldn’t help but smile giddily as they turned to face the crowd of onlookers.
There were mixed looks from everyone. Taan looked pleased, while the wolf-man remained stoic. The alajin and the dwarves, yet another assumption Gage had to make, looked interested. Kossi’s frown had disappeared. Instead, he looked satisfied, while the others of his tribe seemed annoyed. “I assume healers are appreciated.” Gage stated, rather than asked.
Kossi gave a curt nod, returning to his frown. “They can be. You let food we could have used go,” Gage set his gaze on the elf and didn’t take it off him. Kossi continued, “But the severity of the wound you were able to heal…” he paused for a moment, seeming to consider something as his eyes roved over the travelers. “It is clear that you are untrained and that works against you. You want these,” his eyes narrowed as he looked to the group of alajin, “these with you then you will be held responsible for them.” Kossi spit into the sand and retrieved his spear.
Kossi stayed closer to the group as the other two kumdahari disappeared quickly towards the settlement. The dwarves took up the rear while the wolf-man walked with Taan. Elfric stayed near Gage, offering his support. “Excuse the interruption of harmony.”
Gage smiled but kept walking. “Of course, Aeliana, please speak.” He winced inwardly, not sure if he had worded it properly. If he hadn’t, the alajin gave no indication.
“We must thank you. You risked much for us,” Aeliana kept pace with him, “and it will not be forgotten.”
Gage shrugged. He knew better than to brush it off, as was his instinct to do so. “I’m not entirely sure what those risks were, but I would appreciate any help you and yours can give.”
Aeliana just nodded. “The vow is made, Gage’kin.”
In his ear, Gage heard a whisper. “You are doing so well, my Lord!”
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Samba clambered up the steps carved into the stone and raced along the walkway. The city of tents spread out below him. He paused to marvel once again at the sea of colorful cloth. Where once, the entire village lived solely within the spire, it had grown considerably.
As a myriad of unfamiliar languages floated up to him, his face hardened. He hawked up some phlegm and spat it over the ledge. Stepping back, he glanced around to see if anyone had seen his distasteful act. With renewed urgency, Samba continued on his way.
He had seen the Light, and the Son of Sand must be told.