Silsene woke up after a good night’s rest. It was still dark outside and was rather cold, which was unsurprising. The desert was arid and hot in the day, perfect for a cold-blooded Lizan who preferred a drier, warmer place than the Seaside Region, with the addition of not having to be worried about the Aether.
The decision to move further inland was the right choice. She always knew that the settlement they were forced to abandon would never be able to sustain them permanently, owing to the dangerous, mutated creatures and the saturated Aether from the sea. Sil had been checking the beach sand under and around the wooden, stilted buildings. They were the remains of the civilization of the past, clearly during the time when the sea had not receded, as there were remains of ports and buildings which were intended to house boats. If they did not convince anyone, the remains of said boats were found near the mostly wooden constructs. None of those were used and thus were left in their dilapidated state while she and her group chose to inhabit the town’s center.
But while the town was as accommodating as Pescita, it was always a temporary settlement. Sil was made aware of the increasing amount of saturated Aether in the black sand and was well-aware on how it could affect everyone’s health. In a hot summer, the Aether evaporated and became airborne. While it was harmless at first, continued exposure to Aether could potentially damage their body. It would not be noticeable at first, but the effect would become apparent after several cycles. But she became aware of this because of Narati, who became ill after several visits. She thought it was due to the side effects of her healing, considering how a Dark Race was far more vulnerable to Aether than a normal person.
This was one of many reasons for Sil to convince their leader, Jonas Sakkinen, to move. The most immediate concern was the slow, continuous exposure to Aether that could have a permanent consequence. The second concern was more due to Sil’s past action, though one that she had anticipated and never regretted.
Several months ago, Sil requested help from a group of bounty hunters in exchange of healing one of their own. Karkas and the Loup named Jacques went to sort things out with the cult called Nihilo, but came back with a surprising twist; Jacques was a former member with a grudge, and his actions annihilated the cult. After healing Narati, it was the last time Sil ever saw Jacques. On the next visit, the quartet was reduced to a trio. Raine asked Sil not to disclose Jacques's real affiliation to anyone, citing complicated reasons. Thus, aside from the three of them, Sil was the only one who knew about Jacques's past, while also the only one who's free.
Ever since then, Sil became worried that her request turned out to have lasting consequences. She used her findings of the saturated Aether and threat of the cult's retribution to convince Jonas and the others to move further inland. Everyone was only convinced when she was proven right. Several surviving members of the Nihilo cult came to the makeshift town and started to harass them. They tried to force Sil to heal them. Being a doctor, she was obligated to help them, as per her oath. Her friends were aware of this obligation, and thus to prevent her from being forced to help dangerous people who were clearly still fanatics, they decided to move, knowing that the Seaside Region was no longer a place for decent people.
Their new, nomadic life felt rather liberating. Sil woke up in the tent she erected, cleaning herself while preparing to open her clinic and drug store. It was like any other day in the desert, but less worrying, as the desert was free of Aether. Water supply was still an issue, and only one of them had knowledge to cast an ice spell. Even then, her spell was not as effective due to the desert heat and arid conditions. Nevertheless, they pressed on, and thus, they found a settlement generous enough to share their water.
Sooner or later, they would have to move again when the settlement they depended upon decided to stop helping them. They would also need to negotiate with one of the havens to let them move in. A nomadic lifestyle was liberating and gave a chance for an adventure, but it was not sustainable as their town started to grow. Sooner or later, they needed to settle. They needed to establish a farm and a sustainable business to let their town grow again.
She never thought she would have those ideas fulfilled by a visit from old friends.
As morning came, and while she was setting up the shelf behind the counter, she had visitors. A gruff growl, followed by someone clearing his throat, made her aware. She thought they would be Nathan Stevenson and Bors Arugli, her human and Vulpin friend. Nathan was a gruff, big man who worked as their reliable labor, while Bors was a crafter. They were usually her first customers as they also worked early in the morning.
“Hi, Nate, Bors,” she said, without looking behind her. “What are you having today?”
She was then surprised by the familiar voice replying her question.
“I don’t know, miss. How about that colorful, scaly face of yours?”
She quickly turned around, almost knocking over her stuff on the table with her tail. In front of her, Raine, the one just talking, and Karkas, who let out a subtle smirk on his Crocodilian face, stood by the counter. Raine gave out a bigger smile, showing a mix of feline and human teeth to complement his Felinari features.
"My scales, you scared me!” exclaimed Sil. “I haven't been expecting you for a while.”
“A month’s not a while, Sil,” said Raine. “Good thing you haven’t moved, or we’ll end up scouring the desert looking for you.”
Sil flicked her forked tongue to indicate elation, before she noticed something unusual.
“Where’s Narati?” she asked.
“He’s part of the reason why we’re here,” said Karkas.
“Oh, no. He’s not in trouble, is he?” wondered Sil with concern in her voice.
“Far from it. We found him a place to stay, and we would like to extend an invitation to you and the others in the camp, too.”
It came out of nowhere. Sil did not expect anyone to come to her booth telling her that everyone in the camp now had a permanent place to live after being forced to move from a death zone. She would just laugh it off, thinking that it was a joke, but she knew Karkas long enough to know that he never joked intentionally. His companion, however, was more prone to that.
“Wait, wait, wait,” said Sil, holding out her scale-covered hands. “You came here just to tell me that?”
“I thought we told you already, about our plan?” asked Raine. “Or, am I just talking out of my ass again?”
“No! No, of course not! It’s just I did not expect you to come and invite us. Are you telling me you found a town? A proper town with everything you ever need?”
“No, not everything,” said Karkas. “It needs a lot of work, especially food production. Then, there is the matter of a—”
“Look, we’d like to extend this to you and the folks who have been so kind to us, like Nate and Bors,” said Raine just as said human and Vulpin came by. They greeted him as he waved his hand. “Besides, who doesn’t want to live in the Valley?”
“Valley? You mean the Emerald Valley? Your homeland, Emerald Valley?” said Sil in disbelief. “Oh my god. I need to process all of this.”
“Uh…why?” said Karkas, confused. “It’s not that surprising, isn’t it?”
“Really? After I’ve explained it to you?” Raine sighed. “There is a premium of lands in the Valley. We’re just fortunate that we met someone who know someone who happens to be an elf who happens to be kind enough to help us. She also happens to be the one who scored the kill of what could be one of the last dragons ever to walk on this world.”
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“By Sobek, you don’t have to explain all that again.”
“Yeah, well, you clearly don’t understand her surprise.”
“L-look, guys,” said Sil, gathering herself together. “I need to discuss this with Jonas. I’m sure he’s going to be elated, but we also need to discuss the trip to your town. I can’t just tell everyone to start packing right now.”
“Of course not. We’ll wait for his go,” said Raine. “If needed, I can explain everything he needs to hear. It won’t be an easy trip to the Valley, after all.”
“But with you two, I’m sure it will be,” said Sil with a smile. “How’s Nara?”
“Having the time of his life, of course,” said Raine with a mischievous smile. “Let’s just say he got himself ‘caught’ between a Chitra and an elf gal. Having to be alone with a predator kind must’ve been an enlightening experience for our dear rat.”
“Seriously? Raine, he’s 17!” reprimanded Sil. “Maybe even younger than that since he doesn’t remember his age! And besides, you know what he’s been through!”
“Whoa, chill! I’m just joking! Damn, Sil, you need to loosen up a bit.”
Sil gave him an annoyed hiss before she started walking away from her tent and towards Jonas’s. Raine simply shrugged at Karkas, who sighed and said, “You’re an optimist, a trash-talker, and now, a joker. Really starting to think that the Valley will make us soft.”
“Soft is good after what we’ve been through, Kar. What? You believe in that warrior mindset bullshit? I prefer farming and hunting to waging a war against everyone who came in our way.”
“Just so you know, I’m a priest.”
“Not anymore, buddy.”
Karkas could just let out an exasperated growl. Instead, he lightly elbowed the cat-eared human’s side while letting out a gruff growl-chuckle while saying, “Ah, fuck you, cat-ears.”
***
Sil waited until she was certain that Jonas was not busy before she entered his tent. He was looking at some map with serious intent. Something was on his mind. Sil could easily tell from the map that he was planning another move, which was a perfect opportunity.
“Morning, Sil,” said the human. “What brings you into my tent?"
“Karkas and Raine came to visit,” said Sil. “They have something to say to all of us.”
“Only they came to visit?” asked Jonas. “What about the young Fa’ar?”
“He’s in a safer place,” said Sil. “Which is part of why I’m meeting you this early in the morning. They offered us a place to stay. A town.”
Jonas’s expression then turned into elation. “Wow. That’s one great news to hear after the shit we’ve been through. And since this is Karkas and Raine, I can tell they’re not joking around. And here I thought I’d have to prepare myself for telling you folks that we’re packing up again.”
“Is that the reason for the map?” asked Sil. “Why? Bandits?”
“Bandits,” said Jonas with a nod. “Syl and Auber reported a commotion nearby involving a conflict between two raider factions. If we stay here, they will start looking for something to raid. Given our situation, I’d say we’re prime targets.”
“Not when those two are around.”
“Good thing they came while we needed help. It’s hard to communicate without knowing who to talk to. I heard they had phones before the war, so I bet the havens have them, too. Too bad, we’re not a Haven. Let them in. We need to discuss it if they’re serious about it. Where is the place?”
“It’s somewhere in the Emerald Valley. I haven’t had a chance to ask since…well, since I’m at a loss of words.”
“The Emerald Valley? But that’s quite far! Wow. They traveled that far already?”
Sil nodded. “We might need to tell everyone to start packing immediately.”
“We need to travel light. Karkas and Raine may be dependable, but I doubt they can protect us every step of the way. Not to mention….”
“Not to mention what?”
“Haven’t you heard? I think it’s best they know, too.”
Sil had never heard anything that involved Karkas and Raine, so she was intrigued by it. Jonas must have had a good reason for it.
“What?”
“Raine, Karkas, and Narati have a price on their heads,” said Jonas. “I don’t know who put it, but I have a feeling they accidentally angered someone bad.”
It did not take long for Sil to find an answer.
“It’s Nihilo,” she concluded. “Someone is trying to exact revenge.”
“Which is why we need to move fast before they realize that those two are protecting us. Tell them about it while I prepare to tell the others. Also, give them my thanks.”
Sil nodded and walked out of the tent. She wondered if she was the one starting the fire as she did hire Jacques and Karkas to take care of Nihilo. The Loup was more than eager to take on the job while Karkas came along for the ride.
The thing with cults was that there were two categories they could fit. On one side, the cult was neutral and did not bother anyone. On the other side, the cult was violent and showed their strength by terrorizing everyone weak enough to bully. Most of the time, that would not work, as the Desert Wasteland was tough. That was also the reason why there were more skirmishes in the desert than many other regions.
Sil, still thinking that Nihilo wanted to finish them off once and for all, approached Karkas and Raine while they were waiting by the stand. Karkas, noticing the Lizan’s troubled expression, asked, “Bad news?”
“For you two,” said Sil. “Someone put a price on your head. And Narati. I think it’s Nihilo.”
“Nihilo? I don’t think so.”
“Why not?”
“Because we got the leader who subsequently turned on the cult, ensuring that anyone who so much as showing their symbol will be caught, regardless of whether they’re part of it or not. Sure, it won’t gonna stop neo-Nihilo, but those guys’ days are numbered."
“I’m willing to believe that this is someone else,” said Karkas. “We have been kicking more than one hornet’s nest.”
“You mean burn them.”
“Is my impression wrong?”
“No, we burned the nests. We did more than kicking.”
“Okay, fine. In any case, it might not completely burn. Where did you hear about this?”
“Jonas. He told me about it. He is already planning to start another move when I came to deliver him the news. He said it's about a raider conflict where we could get caught in the middle. I'd say it's a good timing, too."
“Ask him where he heard about it and we’ll check it out,” said Karkas. “In the meantime, when everyone is ready, go to the ruins to the east. Follow the cracked road, and you’ll find the city. You’ll be safe there.”
“O-okay,” said Sil, wondering what the two were planning.
After she left to find Jonas, Raine turned to Karkas and said, “You think it’s him?”
“Jonas? I might have a reason to suspect him if I did not meet him back then.”
“Back then?”
“When I saved Sil. Jonas tried to save her before I stepped in. I remembered him calling me a monster because, well…frankly, I was. The Fa’ars may have caused her initial hatred towards the rats, but it wasn’t necessary to kill them. I suppose that’s when I started questioning my approach.”
“Then Narati happened.”
“Yeah. The kid happened. In any case, I can vouch for Jonas.”
“He could still turn heel, you know.”
“I thought being suspicious is my job.”
“Sure. I’d rather ask a Fa’ar’s opinion than a priest in this situation.”
“And Sobek is not exactly a forgiving type, so my opinion stands.”
“Alright, alright. I don’t want to argue with someone who can bite my arm off.”
Karkas let out an exasperated growl just as Sil approached the two. Jonas walked out of the tent to follow her.
“Hey, Kar,” said Jonas, with hints of gladness in his voice. “And Raine. Wow, uh…I don’t know what to tell. You’re really offering us a place to stay? Permanently?”
“If you’re okay walking for a week or so to the Valley, then yeah.”
“Beats living out in a tent in the middle of the desert. Anyway, you want to know what Sil told you, right? Well, you can find your wanted posters in the nearby town. It’s north from here, half day walk.”
“Free town?”
“No, not exactly. It’s not lawless. I’m sure you’ll cause some heads to turn at you and some shut windows. Just keep your hands away from your weapons and you’ll be fine.”
“We’re civil people, after all,” quipped Raine.
“And I’ll discuss this with the others about that ruined city you told us. Oh, and promise me you’ll come back to us in one piece. You two and Narati have been so helpful before. Narati, he’s…not like any of the Fa’ars who took our home. I know I can’t relate, but to see him happy after what he’s been through….”
“Okay, now, don’t get too sentimental,” said Raine. “We still need to guide you guys so of course we’ll come back.”
“Good to know that’s the case. Wow. The Emerald Valley, huh? I’ve heard stories about the region, but I never thought I’d actually go there. This desert is all I know of.”
“Seriously?!” exclaimed Raine in surprise. “You’ve never been to the Valley? Oh, buddy, you’re missing out! It’s like an oasis in the middle of all these sands. I bet you hate sand, don’t you?”
As Jonas was taken aback by Raine’s sudden enthusiasm, Karkas, ever the stoic one, grabbed the cat-eared human by the shoulder, taking care not to cause unnecessary injuries due to his claws, and said, “We’re going.”
“O-oh. Right,” said Raine, who was just going to tell Jonas many stories about his homeland. Sheepishly, he looked at the human and said, “Well, uh…maybe later?”
“We’ll catch up as soon as we sort this out,” said Karkas. “Keep your guard up. A ruined town is by no means empty.”
“Got it,” said Sil. “And thank you.”
“Of course,” said Karkas.
The two set off to the north, intending to find out who put a bounty on their heads. They only hoped that the whole town would not jump the gun and took away all their changes to negotiate.
Yet, considering their situation, that might not be easy to achieve. They were the only Crocodilian-human pair as far as the desert went. Even without a description, anyone would know who they were immediately.
That was the hopeful case.