The Lilliad 26 (reworked)

“Shit.” Lilli said blandly, watching the sand rise up to swallow the city whole, circling like a whirlpool. She barely closed her eyes before whipping sand flew into her face and swept up a scorchingly hot wind. A rumbling sound grew louder and louder as the earth twisted underneath her feet. It built and built, rising to a howl that struck at the forefront of her mind and left her ears popping from pressure and pain.

The sand rose and fell like a tide, filling buildings and building its way up. A roaring wind knocked her back, and Ser Alcuin caught her as she stumbled backwards.

When the wind died down, she opened her eyes.

“It’s like the city was never there.” She marveled.

Benk cleared his throat. “Yeah, that’s scary. The sand looks flat and undisturbed. I’d never know it was just here a second ago.”

“Yes, yes,” Elathor said, obviously disinterested. “Magic will do that. Are you going to marvel at hot sand all day, or come with me to Ulante? I suspect that we are quickly running out of time.”

“Oh!” Benk scrambled up, sand running down his armor. “Let’s go. I bet they have beds.”

“And substantially fewer corpses.” Ser Alcuin agreed.

They walked in the cooling desert for hours before it got too dark to carry on. Elathor walked ahead, long strides overtaking the rest of their heavily armored party.

It was hot. So hot that even she was starting to feel a little uncomfortable.

Lilli shielded her eyes from the bright glare of the suns. Arelt was stoically attempting to grin and bear it beside her.

Benk had a different sort of idea.

He had gradually shifted his position in their group, to be conveniently behind Igni for the worst of the suns’ glares.

“You know, with those suits of metal on, you’re essentially baking yourselves.” Lilli pointed out, turning her head around just a bit to Benk’s exact position.

He stopped in his tracks.

“I wonder if there are similarly large things out here in the desert that would appreciate your doing the meal preparation for them.” Igni mused. “I look forward to hearing their reviews.”

Ser Alcuin didn’t even pause while walking, trudging ever in Elathor’s intended direction. Arelt had paused momentarily, and was eyeing Benk in his coveted position of relative safety.

‘Safe so long as Igni doesn’t decide to swat him away to get him to back off.’

Lilli satisfied herself by tracing her fingers over the hilt of her blades, memorizing every curve. It seemed that touching them brought her more and more comfort. They made her feel safe.

‘Is this what it’s like to have nice things?’ She pondered, rubbing the pads of her fingers over the intricate details.

It began to get dark very quickly, and with the dark came biting cold. Lilli’s ears flattened against her head as she trudged resolutely forward. Elathor was slowing down significantly as the temperature dropped, drifting from the head to the back of their group with Lili.

Now it was Ser Alcuin who was leading the group towards the coastal city, strong and proud against the fading skyline.

It took them several days of travel. By the time that they arrived, most of the party was wincing with bloody feet and dry eyes that were cracking from the relentless sand. Only Elathor was completely unaffected. Even Igni seemed a bit worn down.

“Where shall we start?” Elathor hummed absently. They spun in a circle once they had cleared the gates. “There is something quite interesting over there, in that direction.”

“Currently,” Benk said, “I am interested in borrowing one of the beds at the hospital.”

Elathor blinked. “For what purpose, Penk?”

No one answered. Benk had the right of it, so they all trailed in the direction of the house of charity. The matron seemed unphased by their party, which was a very impressive feat. She passed the same amenities to Igni as she did to Ser Alcuin, and then bustled off to do other good works.

“Do you think they have a bed for me?” Igni asked wistfully. “I should like to try to sleep.”

Arelt tipped his thumb backwards. “There’s a lovely rock garden. Do you think that would be comfortable?”

“One can only hope.” Igni let their apportioned wooden bowl, spoon, and sliver of soap drop to the stone with a clatter. Lilli bent to gather them, mostly so that she had the excuse to pilfer Igni’s soap ration.

“I don’t understand. We have been resting,” Elathor complained. Nonetheless, they followed to the dining hall. The group all dutifully pretended to pray so that they were allowed to collect their rations. Lilli attempted to mimic the person leading them in prayer, wondering if memorizing it might be useful. To her right, Elathor was merely humming. On her left, Ser Alcuin was solemnly listing the quantities of flour, sugar, milk, and fruit necessary to make fruity muffins.

Deep down, Lilli had a suspicion that Benk was actually praying. She didn’t call attention to it, so as not to embarrass him.

After a night’s sleep and an equally inspired meal of bread, beer, and “the vegetables that were available to cook in a pot”, the group set out again. Igni had enjoyed the rock garden, as a matter of fact, and was nearly chirpy.

“Where was that oddity you mentioned, Elathor?” Ser Alcuin asked. “Over yonder, was it?”

“No, it was hither,” Igni interjected.

Elathor squinted at them. “Don’t be ludicrous.”

“I think it was zither and beyond, actually,” Arelt corrected. Lilli followed the direction indicated.

“Yes,” Elathor hissed, pleased. “One of you can navigate. Follow me.” They set off at a good clip.

Lilli glanced up at Arelt, who looked mildly surprised. “Were you joking?” she checked. “I thought you were continuing the joke.”

Arelt shrugged. “Who can say.” Then he took off after Elathor, long strides covering ground faster than Lilli could comfortably walk. She sighed and followed at a jog.