Book 2: Chapter 44: Going for a Ride

Book 2: Chapter 44: Going for a Ride

The Timekeeper Knot bears an esteemed legacy, once utilized by the venerated imperial emissaries. It manifests as a tangible commitment, a sworn obligation to deliver results with all due haste. Woven amid the elegant silk lies a potent toxin, its potency subject to the mastery of skilled alchemists who can manipulate the poison's onset. The recipient of the package or message alone holds the key to the tailored antidote.

In the modern period, the knot persists only as a symbol, its deadly poison a relic of times past.

- The Fanciful Travels by Beron de Laney 376 AC.

After thoroughly searching the local environs for further signs of the monsters, the Guard Master and Laes listened to our report, and judged it to be safe. Well, relatively so, at least. Laes, informed of our encounter with the toads, appeared to be brooding as he swallowed the news. The leader of the caravan ordered us to stop for the evening near the area where we had first encountered the Sandgorgers. Khalam acerbically commented that if the desert-dwelling creatures were this close to the edge of the Wastes, then something might have pushed them out from their usual territory. A worrying thought.

Larynda, however, proved unrelenting in her curiosity about my encounter with these new creatures, bombarding me with a litany of questions, demanding that I recount each detail time and again, as Kidu observed with a contemplative nod.

She also asserted that her newfound magic would prove invaluable in dealing with this threat. Silently, I had weighed her offer, my gaze drawn to her new pet - a Whispermews that quivered in fear at my presence, seeking refuge in the folds of Larynda's attire. In the end, the girl extracted a promise from me that she would be allowed to accompany us on our next outing.

Despite the potential merit of her newfound abilities, I harbored doubts regarding her untested skills. Still, real combat was one of the fastest teachers, and the potential experience gain might foster her growth.

The girl, in my estimation at least, had demonstrated a startling resilience of mind. After all, it was an uncommon occurrence when a child could display scant remorse after taking the lives of men. Perhaps her prior existence on the streets had tempered her resolve, or it might simply be the norm within this harsh realm, for even the young to lead a brutal existence. The Grieving Lands, it seemed, held a penchant for culling the useless and the weak. To her credit, I mused.

Elwin, too, seemed unusually eager. I had taken him for a bit of a coward, which made his newfound enthusiasm all the more puzzling. Perhaps he was looking forward to working out some kinks. Perhaps people really do change. As for Cordelia, she just smiled subserviently, promising to do whatever I commanded, as it was the goddess’s will.

The man seemed to have reached a decision as he straightened up and said firmly, “Very well, Gilgamesh. Though truly, I cannot fathom your motive, I feel that you should do as you wish. I see no negatives for the Ravens, and the fewer Sandgorgers along the Green Road, the better for all. Still, I would just ask that you try and stay safe and not underestimate the creatures of the Waste. Old Hamsa would reprimand me mightily if anything were to happen to you. Also, I fear you have yet to see what other manner of beasts make the bleach bone sands their home.”

“If we might also borrow some horses... for I intend to go with my entourage,” I thought to add.

“Yes, of course. Speak to Beastmaster Abas about that tomorrow. I will have a word with him myself. He too sings your praises, did you know? Please remember that horses are expensive. Abas believes the animals of this train to be almost family to him. Also, I fear that we have no mount suitable for your... larger companion... the North man,” the caravan master finished with a long-suffering sigh, as if it were him doing me a favor.

*

The next day we found an Abas Yar much recovered now from his ailments. The Beastmaster was more than accommodating when we found him in the early hours of the morning. Straighter of back, firmer of grip, and keener of eye was the old man, with none of the racking coughs that had plagued him. Bowing to me reverently, he found horses and tack for all of my party. Larynda, however, declared that she would be riding on Patches, causing the donkey to bray enthusiastically, as if in agreement.

The question of Kidu was another matter, for the man was much too large for any of the available horses. He would simply break their backs. The Hunter offered to run, but it was Abas who solved our predicament.

The Beastmaster suggested that his nephew, Pakum, should come with us, with one of the train’s Xaruar. The boy would take the reins of the land dragon and Kidu would sit behind him. I pitied the pair, for the bone armor plates of the creature’s back did not look like the most comfortable of seats. This arrangement, as well as preventing the giant of a man from exhausting himself keeping pace with the horses, would also allow us to carry more baggage. The beast itself, Buttercup, a large male who had been hatched by Pakum, would also intimidate some of the lesser creatures of the Wastes—or at least, so I was told.

Pakum himself was a slip of a youth. I was told that he had seen sixteen summers, and he stood tall for his age, his short chestnut hair mirroring the hue of his eyes. However, the boy's slender form was plagued by the awkwardness of limbs still adjusting to their burgeoning growth. Added to this, his face was, in the manner of many adolescents, a map of the unwelcome encroachment of acne.

Once he heard that we were ranging out to clear the way of Sandgorgers, Paku busied himself in preparation. He gathered wooden torches for our journey and armed himself with a modest sling, a spear, and a light mail shirt.

The boy had none of the callow attitude so common among those of his age; he was quiet, respectful and, more importantly, knowledgeable and competent. Pakum seemed to have a strong bond with the animals, and the large lizard and horses responded well to the boy’s commands. From my initial impression, I surmised that he would be a welcome addition to our forays.

Preparation complete, we set off to kill as many of the creatures as possible.