[Flashback] Hot Sands, Cold Feet

[Khalid]

Fall 11, 511 AV A day’s march west of the Tent of Hani, some ten days of walking north of Yahebah Khalid knelt on the outside edge of his tarp as Syna’s favor left the world and cast her dying glow across the desert. Already night tinged the sky far above Khalid, but the sign of Leth’s influence – the moon – did not grace the sky to the east. It would be nearly dawn before the moon showed itself. Zintila’s stars spotted the darkness, filling the heavens with beauty, but Khalid’s eyes and mind focused inward. His lips formed silent prayer to Yahal, begging the God of Purity for guidance. Two days past, Khalid rode into the Burning Lands in preparation for marriage. His betrothed, Jelila, readied herself for their union among Khalid’s family. Jelila would be pampered and introduced to his kin while others kept watch for his return. She was a good woman in Khalid’s eyes, beautiful and intelligent and wise, a kind heart and gentle soul. Khalid knew he could grow to love her, someday. But today was not someday, and another love held his heart – Mizahar. As thoughts of lands far and near flitted through Khalid’s mind, the breeze picked up carrying the scent of the sea with it. Syna dropped completely from the sky, then, and her love, Leth would soon dominate the heavens. The moon’s absence from the sky sparked something in Khalid. Was not Leth the God of change, self-reflection and deep thought? The phases of the moon illustrated this point. And did not Yahal demand truth and dedication from his followers; to be true to one’s self and to others? The truth: Jelila was a magnificent woman, but Khalid could not be happy with her – not yet. He felt too young to be so committed, and the horizon beckoned him. He could not dedicate a life, which he had yet to live to its fullest, to another. A plan dawned on Khalid, grown from the roots of treasonous thoughts. He would not be missed for several days, Khalid could make for the coast and then for Yahebah. He knew the shifting sands would hide his tracks until he neare the sea, where his footsteps would leave no trail in the stony ground. By the time the search began there would be little to find. The cool breeze gusted, snapping Khalid from his thoughts with shivers. Goosebumps covered his skin, and only then did Khalid recall he wore naught but his breechclout. Another wave of shivers wracked Khalid’s body – it was time to make a decision. ”I will follow you to the sea; then turn to Yahebah.” He told the wind, his voice quaking with the cold and excitement. ”And when the time comes, I will return home, though it be many years.” The journey would be hard, but Khalid was familiar with the path – Hani’s Tent had followed it just recently after their yearly visit to Yahebah. The oases along the way would be dry, or nearly so, after months spent watering a community of Benshira and their herds. Fortunately, the water only receded beneath the ground and with a little digging Khalid could find it. Once Khalid made Yahebah, he could make further plans. His mind made, Khalid stepped into action. First, he dressed, pulling on a long tunic and coat and tying a wide sash about his waist. He wrapped his turban about his head with practiced familiarity, and drew the extra cloth across his mouth and nose as a veil. His small tent and tarp rolled up quickly, and were lashed to the bottom of his pack. Finally, Khalid took up his spear, a gift from his betrothed’s family. For a moment, the young man hesitated, and considered leaving the weapon behind. He’d grown familiar with its heft over the previous months, and practicality dictated that he should take it – the Burning Lands were a dangerous place. But it was also a gift given in good faith to protect Jelila and his family. Khalid’s hesitation was short-lived, a distant howl pierced the night, and other golden wolves joined their voice to the first. When Khalid left for the coast, nothing remained behind.

[Khalid]

Fall 12, 511 AV Midnight, traveling west towards the coast Khalid trudged through the Burning Lands doggedly. The hills made of themselves obstacles that the Benshiran man slipped around, only straying to the top periodically to check his direction. Biting sand worked its way between Khalid’s toes and under the soles of his feet, but found no soft flesh to chew upon – Khalid was a product of the desert; his hands and feet were clad in calloused skin. The stars provided enough light for Khalid to see several spans about him, with help from the moon rising to the east. The breeze that Khalid followed to the sea carried with it enough of the night’s chill to cool his exertions; allowed him to drink sparingly from his supply of water. The sounds of desert life surrounded Khalid, their sources always out of his sight. The occasional calls of golden wolves sounded in the far distance. Khalid traveled thusly, around hill and over dune, until rocky outcroppings sprung up around him. The land gave way to stone until Khalid strode across a land clad in pebbles and thin sheets of sand. The smell of the sea grew strong about him, and the breeze strengthened at his back. Soon, he neared a finger of stone that jutted up from the rock. Khalid stood near this stone, his first waymark on the journey to Yahebah, and took in the salty air. His back ached and his calves burned from the trek, but he had survived his first night as a free man. The sea graced the horizon, though he could not see where it met land and its sounds were soft. The moon hung above it, and far behind Khalid the sun rose. The young man shouldered out of his pack, and leaned it against the waymaker. Phrases of good fortune and the locations of small oases had been carved into the stone by Benshiran hands. Evenly-spaced notches had been drawn in it to help travelers find their direction, and it was these that Khalid would consult come evening. Until then, he would take a small meal and rest. In the growing light, Khalid put up his tent, angling it so the sea breeze would blow through the openings, cooling him. With desert scrub he found nearby, and some minutes spent with flint and steel Khalid built a small fire. He warmed his food near the fire, and took his meal as the sun crested the hills to his east. Khalid washed his food down with a few small sips of water, then stripped and climbed into his tent to wait out the day.