A Record of Ash & Ruin: The Grieving Lands

Book 3: Chapter 13: Return

On the fairest of morns, mariners whisper of glimpsing Heaven's Pillar across the shimmering expanse of the Glass Fire Sea. I have beheld it with my own eyes. During a voyage to document the courage of those seafarers who dare the perilous waves, I saw it rise up from beyond the horizon. Truly, it stands as a shadowy column, stretching toward the heavens, as its namesake suggests.

It is doubtful that nature alone sculpted such a wonder, yet its origin remains shrouded in mystery - perhaps it is a creation of the gods themselves or simply created by the hands of men? Its true essence remains unknown, for to date, no soul has traversed the Glass Fire and returned to tell the tale.

- The Fanciful Travels by Beron de Laney 376 AC.

Being alone with no companions, under an alien sky, brought with it a minor spell of agoraphobia, as my world expanded with the heavens above. It took me a few moments to gather myself as I took in the breathtaking view. Under the midnight stars, I started the mental maintenance of sorting out the tangled knot of my emotions and taking general stock. Looking across the dunes of Wastes, I saw a familiar straight, dark line, cutting across the silver sands in the distance.

It was the Samasutum, the Green Road, the only familiar landmark in the desert, and the only hope of reuniting with my companions. I have never been great with judging distance, as the translation from abstract measurements to a good approximation was a difficult task for me. Even so, I estimated the distance to the river to be around half a days walk. With the greater part of my reserves of Stamina remaining, my body was willing, but my mind sought rest, stretched to the limit as it was. I longed for the healing void that only true slumber could bring.

However, to sleep so close to the gates of my personal hell would be a fools choice, and night would be the best time to travel. With an almost full moon high in the sky, it would be easy to navigate across the sands. And so, with a mental prod, I began my tiring trek. I was driven by a will to live, and a fear of death, and underlying all of that, an ambition to be something more. After all, I was brought to this world for a reason, but it would be up to me to find my destiny. Or to create one, free from the meddling of those more powerful than I.

So I plodded on, up and down the dunes, while the shifting sands under my feet sapped my Stamina at a greater rate than I had thought it would. Climbing a particularly difficult dune, I spent a minute or so just getting my breath back. It was no doubt cold, but my exertions fuelled an inner fire that kept me warm.

A wondrous, if a little worrying, sight filled my eyes as I looked across the vast expanse before me. In the pale light, I spied a group of creatures cutting through the air, a meter or so above the sands. Diamond-shaped bodies that were flat and thin made, and twin tails, whisking through the air, resembling a school of manta rays.

The expanse played merry havoc with my already poor sense of distance, so I could not truly judge the size of the manta ray analogues correctly. Also, they were well beyond the range of my Identify, not that it would have given me any useful insights. Still, it would have served to satisfy some of my curiosity and, at the very least, would give a name to these creatures.

Once they had disappeared far over the dune, I resumed my plodding walk toward the Green Road. Careful not to stumble, I made my descent down the slope of the dune before making another climb up the next. This pattern repeated itself until the first light broke over the horizon to the east.

The silver of the Green Road changed into a yellowish orange and the stars of the night sky were dispelled with the new pastel dawn. As time passed, these colors, in turn, gave way to a clean azure blue as the sun made her presence known.

Even at this early hour, the cold of the night was swiftly being overcome. I was grateful for the scraps that remained of my tatty robe, for they would provide some protection from the suns rays.

However, with my high Constitution, I was pretty sure I could survive, even in a furnace, for a good amount of time. The dry desert heat did, however, sap what moisture I had, and I had to drink often and deeply from my supplies. The water I had acquired from the underground lake tasted acrid and unpleasant, the metallic notes reminding me of the taste of old blood.

Then I noticed something odd as I drank a mouthful of stale, leathery water. I observed a thin, wavy line that reached up into the sky. Initially, I believed it to be a mirage, a deception of the eyes on the brain. However, unlike a mirage, as I got closer, the vision remained. It was a column of smoke, and here in the Whispering Wastes, it could mean only one thing, the presence of people.

Encouraged with new purpose, my stride lengthened as I walked towards the source of the smoke. An hour passed, or it could have been two, and my eyes were greeted with a flashing glint of something reflecting the suns light. A minute or so later, there was another glint, this time closer. I thought that this could be the flash of metal, and here on the sands of this desert, the presence of metal meant the presence of people.

Worried now, I paced myself and watched my Stamina. I wanted to be able to face whoever it was, and have the ability to swing my weapon a few times. I played with the idea of simply stopping and observing to conserve my Stamina. However, this thought was born from my old way of life. My soft way of life. An excuse to procrastinate when facing a difficult or delicate situation. My Stamina was a non-factor, as a quick glance at my Status confirmed. At around three-quarters full, there was plenty of gas in the tank, so to speak. I would act and investigate.

If you spot this story on Amazon, know that it has been stolen. Report the violation.

Perhaps it was my Endure skill, but I felt the extreme temperatures of the desert much less. In full armor, no less. Another hour passed, and I saw dots moving towards me on an intercept course, and the glint of exposed metal flashed again, this time markedly closer. Long hours passed, and the dots resolved into indistinct figures.

Wait, was one of them waving at me? I squinted my eyes, trying to confirm what I suspected. Was the heatwave over the sands playing tricks with my eyes? Should I even wave back? The figures were growing clearer, as if becoming a higher resolution. I fancied I saw a familiar blonde on an even more familiar frame.

After a good while, the larger figure detached itself from the group, coming at me at a loping run that ate up the distance between us. It could have only been Kidu, as he whooped and hollered in a booming voice that could have only belonged to my old companion.

Exhausted, both mentally and physically, I could not return his enthusiasm. I could only plod on, drawing to the next fated moment, my mind a whirl with the fact of the reality before me. Eventually, we made our way to each other across the scalding sands.

By the blood of the gods! It is you! exclaimed the wild man, running up to me and clasping my shoulder. He was almost quivering with joy and excitement. Like a dog that had been too long without its master.

My voice betrayed me, a stutter I did not know I had, stopping me from formulating a response. I simply nodded in acknowledgment before forcing out a reply.

H how long has it been? The weakness in my voice was a surprise, even to me.

five days and four nights since the Earth Dragon came Just as the warmlander woman dreamed, began Kidu in a rumbling voice that was cut off suddenly by a childish squeal of delight.

I told you! Its Gil! an annoying high-pitched voice exclaimed, a voice that could have only belonged to Larynda.

You will have to tell me all later, I panted, before taking the last swig of water from one of my recently acquired water skins.

I looked at Larynda, who was almost bouncing with enthusiasm, pointing at me and whispering to Cordelia, her energy almost infectious. Cordelia met my eyes, with a beatific grace, before she went down on bended knee in the hot sand.

It is just like the vision, praise be the Goddess, she intoned in an uncharacteristically quiet voice, as if she doubted the reality before her. That, more than anything, stirred a little phantom of worry in my gut.

A zealot doubting their faith was as dangerous as one in the throes of religious experience. Even now, was Avaria still pulling at the threads, like a spider at the center of its web? Would it be best if I ended Cordelia here and now? Yes, it would be a waste but

for the better part of the day we rode the great worm before, exhausted, it sought the deeper sands. For the first time in my life, I was lost Kidu continued with his explanation.

But thanks to me, I led us back to the river! I got water for us when we got all hot and thirsty! Then then chirped Larynda, in what she probably thought of as a helpful manner.

We thought that you would head back to the Green Road. We found Pakum there, along with Elwin. By the grace of the Goddess, none of them were injured, apart from a few minor hurts. Truly a miracle. Now, the pair wait for us with nary a scratch on them, with the main part of our supplies, closer to the Samasutum. It was Kidu who ordered them to keep a signal fire lit at all times, the warrior woman clarified, giving a nod of respect and acknowledgment to the large man.

After rejoining the caravan for supply, we spent the next day searching for you. In a moment of weakness, I feared you lost. Then that same night, in my most troubled sleep, Avaria gave me a vision of you fighting the dread minions of the underworld. I saw you walking here along the sands, and so as Avaria showed me, it has come to pass.

Cordelia had been receiving visions, again? I could not help but feel worried. Did this put me into Avarias debt? A being that I truly despised, and the source of all of my troubles.

Minions of the underworld!? Hah! If that is true, you go to places where no normal mortal may walk. Your legend only grows. If only I could have been with you not that riding a Guardian is not also worthy of song. If only I had learned more of the womanly arts, I could make an epic of our deeds! guffawed Kidu, his laugh throaty.

I will tell you all about it, but I would feel better if I did it in a setting that was a touch more comfortable. I inserted, hoping that they got my drift. I still needed a little time to process and digest this little reunion.

Sensing my intent, Cordelia was quick to support me. Of course, Hera Gilgamesh. Come now, let us be on our way. There will be time enough for your account later, she said, her voice filled with new authority.

What were the chances? To be attacked by a great worm, only to be separated from my companions, and then to reunite with them in this vast expanse? A part of me almost expected a gain in my Luck attribute, such were the odds against this fortuitous turn of events. It all seemed so very scripted, like I was indeed part of a game.

It all seemed, well, rather convenient. This could only be Divine intervention, again. Looking back, the whole encounter with Iasis had a certain element of theatre to it bordering on pantomime. It had been orchestrated. Only through the strength of my arms, my magical might, and my own good fortune did I prevail. Or, so I liked to believe.

Though ultimately glad that things had turned out the way they did, I could not quite shake off a feeling of dread. Beneficial, or not, there was the question of free will against the greater powers. It was a dangerous thing when the eyes of the gods were upon you.