by Darren Lee
Chapter 23: Burning Sands of Shinrok
Brutal sun scorched Lian and Sarath’s skin. With each step, hot sand burned and nearly swallowed their feet. Sweat poured down Lian’s face. He looked ahead to Kane, who slowly plowed forward through the deep sand. Lian looked to his left at Sarath taking one step after another, breathing heavily from the heat.
Sarath wiped the sweat from her face and slowly licked her dry lips. She glanced to Lian. “Do we have any water left?”
Lian looked to Sarath and sighed. “No. I gave the last sip to Kane an hour ago.”
Sarath’s jaw dropped open and she stared at Lian. She pointed to Kane and shouted, “The wolf!” She threw her arms in the air. “You gave the last bit of water to the wolf?”
Kane looked back at Sarath. He growled a bit and snorted.
Lian nodded. “He’s a lot hotter than us. We have to work together.”
Sarath huffed and puffed while she wiped the sweat from her chin. “Speak for yourself!”
The three continued onward across the rolling sand dunes, their clothes drenched with their sweat. They moved forward slowly, searching for any sign of Shinrok.
Lian looked up the scorching desert sun and covered his eyes. “Sarath, you said this city was just beyond the edge of the desert. Where is it?”
Sarath let out a long and weary sigh while she rolled her eyes. “How am I supposed to know? I’ve never been. This is the first time I’ve been out of Kynlynn.”
Lian shook his head and spoke between deep breaths of exhaustion, “That… is… not comforting.”
Sarath pointed to Lian and shouted, “You’re supposed to be the hero! Not my fault you never studied any geography!”
The corner of Lian’s mouth twitched from frustration just before he shouted, “Forest!”
Sarath glared at Lian and shouted, “Sheltered!” She took a deep breath. “What I’d give for a breeze… A puddle of water… Mud!”
Lian looked around their immediate area. “We haven’t seen any signs, no tracks, nothing but sand. What if this place doesn’t exist?”
Sarath snorted, then shouted, “I guess we die! Just like you said, oh noble lord of optimism!”
Lian snorted. “Yeah, I wish I had some of that optimism you keep talking about.”
Kane looked back at the sound of their bickering. He snorted at them and shook his head.
Sarath looked to Lian. “Ugh, our fearless leader is right. This bickering isn’t getting us anywhere.”
“So, you elect Kane to be our fearless leader?” he said, shaking his head.
“Why not?” she said as a playful smile crept across her face. “He is hotter than you.”
Lian chuckled. “Oh, ha-ha, very funny.”
Sarath smiled despite the grueling heat. “Well, if we’re going to die, we might as well have a laugh while we’re at it. Don’t you think?”
Lian shook his head and smirked at Sarath. “I don’t see the harm.”
The sun reached its apex just after noon. Lian took his shirt off and walked slowly, using the shirt to wipe the sweat away. Kane continued onward just ahead of the two. Lian looked to Sarath, who had shed her shirt as well, and was wearing only a thin undergarment covering her chest.
Sarath glanced to Lian and spoke wearily, “Staring?”
Lian closed his eyes tightly for a moment. “Just making sure I hadn’t lost you.”
Sarath breathed heavily. “Don’t be… so dramatic. You can’t get rid of me that easily.” Sarath grabbed her breasts, then dropped her arms. “Might as well take a good look. Nothing else in our situation is looking good. Even Kane is struggling with each step.”
Kane looked back to Sarath and whined a bit. Their steps sunk into the sand one after another.
Sarath’s breaths deepened. “Lian…”
Lian dropped his sweat-soaked shirt into the sand. “What?” A few moments passed with no response from Sarath. “Sarath?” he said. Again it was silent. Lian turned to see nothing but sand. His eyes widened in fear as he shouted again, “Sarath!” Finally, he saw her lying face down in the sand. Lian ran to her while Kane followed quickly. Lian knelt down and rolled her over. Sarath coughed out a bit of sand, and her weary eyes slowly opened.
She looked at Lian with blurred vison before slowly closing her eyes again. “Why does it have to be so hot on the day I die?”
Lian slightly smiled in relief. “We’ll have to figure that out when that day comes. It isn’t today.”
Sarath barely opened her eyes. “You and those promises. If you break them, I’ll kill you.”
Lian scooped her up and smiled at her. “Guess I had best keep them then.”
Lian looked to Kane and nodded. Kane nodded and continued across the desert. Lian carried Sarath while she slept, watching her carefully. It was becoming more difficult for her to breathe. Lian took a deep breath. “If we don’t find water or shelter soon… she’ll die…” he thought. “I fear Kane and I won’t be far behind, either.”
Lian’s steps grew slow. The heat was taking its toll. Lian looked to Kane in the distance, he was nearing the top of a dune. Lian started up the sand dune. His boots sank while he struggled with each step. Kane started yapping at the top.
Lian raised his head at Kane’s yaps. “What is it?” Kane jumped and looked beyond the peak of the dune, then back to Lian. Lian nodded and increased his pace. “I hope there is something there and you’re not just telling me about more sand.” Kane sat down just as Lian reached the top. Lian’s eyes widened as he looked in the distance. “Sarath! Sarath, wake up! You have to see this!”
Sarath’s eyes slowly opened. She looked up at Lian to be greeted by a drop of sweat. She made a soured face and turned her head. “Could you please stop dripping on me? It’s disgusting.”
Lian looked down at Sarath and shouted, “Look!”
Sarath turned her head and looked into the distance. Her eyes widened, followed by a gasp. “We found it! That must be Shinrok!”
Lian laughed a bit. “I don’t care what it is.”
Sarath struggled to smile. “Optimism, Lian. Let me down, I can make it from here.”
Lian looked down to Sarath. “You sure?”
Sarath wriggled in Lian’s arms. “Yes, I’m sure!” Sarath struggled to stand in her weakened condition.
Lian grabbed her waist to keep her from falling. “Here, put your arm around me.” Lian smiled. “We’ll make it together.”
Sarath looked up at Lian, her eyes gleaming with hope. “Together?” She smiled. “For some odd reason, I like the sound of that.”
They peered into the distance at a large city. Tall buildings crafted from mud brick and stone occupied the skyline. Bronze decorated towers rose high into the sky. The entrance to the city was marked by a large arch, allowing passage in and out.
Lian gazed upon the city in astonishment. “I’ve never seen a city so large.”
Sarath stared at the city as well. “I don’t guess you can blame the forest this time.” Sarath laughed. “This makes Allendale and Riverwood look like heaps of garbage!”
Lian glanced to Sarath. “It’s not my fault I was raised in a forest.”
Sarath looked over to Lian with a sly smile. “Shel-tered,” she said, drawing the word out playfully.
Lian shook his head. “Are you making fun of me?”
Sarath burst out laughing. “It doesn’t matter. Let’s go before we die.”
Lian nodded. “Definitely making fun of me.”
Kane took off down the dune. Lian and Sarath followed, sliding and laughing along the way. The trio approached the arches and saw a banner hanging in the center. It was green with gold stitching, and a golden sun was embroidered at its center. They entered the city and saw many people bustling about within. Most of them had their faces covered by veils and wore long flowing robes of many different colors. The few that did not have their faces covered had darkly baked skin from a grueling life under the scorching desert sun. The local people lo
oked at the three and whispered to each other.
Sarath studied them from afar. “What are they saying?”
Lian glanced to Sarath. “I don’t know.”
Kane turned to face Lian and Sarath. He shook his head and snorted, then looked back towards the people.
Sarath looked to Lian with wide eyes. “Well, that can’t be good.
Lian chuckled. “Probably not.”
An old man’s voice called out to them, “Ahh, do not mind them, strangers.”
Lian and Sarath turned to their left to see a bold-seeming old man with very dark skin approaching them. He limped toward them on his cane while his old and tattered brown robe dragged on the sand covered street.
The old man reached up and ran his fingers through his long silver beard. “We rarely receive travelers. The desert claims most who try.”
Lian looked at him as he approached. He looked to the old man’s eyes. They were completely white. He was blind. “Who are you?”
The man smiled and bowed his head. “I apologize. I am called Anok-rin, most simply call me Rin.”
Lian nodded. “No apologies necessary. I’m Lian.”
He nudged Sarath. “I’m Sarath,” she said, then looked to Kane. “And that is our fearless leader, Kane. If not for him, we’d be lost.” Kane looked to Sarath and growled a bit, then snorted.
Anok-Rin turned his head towards Kane. “Ah, a wolf. And a smart one at that.”
Lian looked to Kane, then back to Rin.
Sarath studied Rin for a moment. “How did you know he was a wolf? You obviously have no sight.”
Lian let out a long sigh and looked at Sarath in annoyance. “Must you insist on being so outspoken?”
Sarath crossed her arms and turned her nose up smugly. “I didn’t talk much throughout my life. I’m making up for lost time.”
Rin let out a cackle while he brought one finger to his eye. “Don’t let my eyes fool you girl. They may not have sight, but I do.”
“What’s that supposed to mean?” she asked.
Rin grinned widely, showing decayed teeth as he pointed at them. “It means I have been expecting you for some time.”
Sarath looked at Kane, who shook his head. She then looked to Lian, who simply shrugged his shoulders. “Well, if he’s not a friend of yours…” Sarath paused for a moment. She let out a grunt of frustration, then ranted, “You fucking heroes and your quests and gods and deserts and almost getting me killed….” Sarath took a long deep breath to quell her frustration before looking back at Rin. “Well, if you were expecting us… You must have some water waiting at the very least. I’m pretty sure all three of us are moments away from dying.”
Rin nodded with a grin. “Yes, of course. Water, food, a place to bathe and rest.” Rin pointed his cane toward the large building he had emerged from. “Right this way, my guests.”
Sarath quickly walked towards the building. “Good!”
Lian sighed and dropped his head, using his hand to cover his face. “Thank you, Rin.”
Rin smiled and nodded, motioning for Lian and Kane to follow. They followed Sarath into the large building. The three were awestruck at the elegance of the building. Smooth tile covered the floor, large marble columns with bronze trim at top and bottom supported the roof. Stairs made of the smoothest stone led to the second level. Atop the stairs, a walkway lined with a decorative marble railing wrapped around the entire room. Along the walls were green silk drapes, embroidered around the edges with gold stitching. Each had Shinrok’s emblem of the desert sun embroidered into them. And in front of the weary travelers was a large stone table covered with a feast.
Sarath slowly looked around the room with wide eyes. “Well… this makes Allendale’s castle look like…”
“A garbage heap…” said Lian. He looked to Rin. “All this… can’t be for us? Can it?”
Rin laughed as he hobbled toward the table. “Only the finest for Elintae’s chosen.”
Sarath quickly looked to Lian. “Elintae’s chosen?” She crossed her arms and cocked her head. “Does he mean that goddess you told me about? Does he mean you?”
Rin grasped his side and cackled. “No, not just him.” Rin pointed his cane toward Sarath. “All three of you.”
Sarath’s eyes widened while she brought a curved finger to her chest. “Me… But I just met Lian in Riverwood…” Sarath paused and remembered Lian’s quest to seek out green eyes in Riverwood. Sarath blinked her eyes. “Shit…”
Lian looked to Sarath and took a deep breath. “I guess that answers your question.”
Kane looked around the room, then to Lian and Sarath. Then, he trotted to the table and propped his front paws against the top. Lian and Sarath watched as Kane he peered at the vast amounts of food.
Sarath sighed. “Well, if it’s good enough for our fearless leader, it’s good enough for me.” Sarath took a seat, reaching for a glass pitcher. It was filled with deliciously cool water. She turned it up quickly and gulped down the water. Lian sat next to her. Kane looked at Sarath and whined a bit. Sarath lowered the pitcher and looked to Kane. “Okay, okay. I guess it’s your turn.” Sarath grabbed an empty bowl and filled it with water. Kane’s eyes widened, and he wagged his tail. Sarath placed the bowl on the floor before Kane. He lowered himself from the table and lapped the water as she patted his head. “See, we can get along.” Sarath giggled lightly. “Maybe.” Kane looked up, snorted, and shook his head. Sarath pulled her hand away and shouted, “Fine. Be that way!” Lian laughed at the two. Sarath pushed Lian’s shoulder. “What are you laughing at?”
Lian smirked. “You. Now, are you going to share that, or what?”
Sarath handed the pitcher to Lian and looked away. “I guess you did earn your share by carrying me through the desert.”
Lian turned the pitcher up and had a long-awaited drink. He put it down and looked to Rin. “How did you know to expect us?” Sarath and Kane also looked to the blind man in anticipation.
Rin grinned widely. “The sight has shown me many things. Not only do I see, but I listen when it speaks.”
Sarath crossed her arms and lightly shouted, “Stop being so cryptic!”
Lian sighed and looked to Sarath. “Please, try to show some manners.”
Sarath snorted. “Sorry, sorry.” She rolled her eyes. “Continue, Rin the Mystic.”
Rin cackled, facing Sarath. “All will be made clear soon.”
The corner of Sarath’s lip twitched. “You’re mocking me.” She turned her head to Lian. “He’s mocking me.”
Lian shook his head at Sarath. “Let’s eat.”
She snorted. “Fine, but next time you’re going to defend my honor. I don’t care who insults me.”
The three ate and drank their fill after barely surviving the desert. Rin stood and pointed to the stairway. “Go, clean yourselves. New clothes are waiting for you as well. You must be presentable for your audience with the supreme ruler of Shinrok.”
Lian looked at Rin. “Audience with the supreme ruler?”
Rin laughed. “Yes, now go. Kane may stay here with me.”
Sarath looked down to Kane. “Why does the wolf stay?”
Rin shook his head. “Stop questioning, girl. Now go, relax.”
Lian placed his hand on Sarath’s shoulder. “Come on. Kane can take care of himself.
Sarath looked to Kane and winked. “Well, he is our leader, after all.”
Kane watched the two as they walked toward the stairway. He walked over and sat next to Rin. Rin stared in the general direction of the stairway while placed his hand on Kane’s head. “Don’t you worry, noble creature. They are in no danger here.”
Kane glanced up to the old man, then back to Lian and Sarath, who were climbing the stairs. They reached the top and walked through an archway to a different room. Before them was a deep pool of water carved into the floor. The water shimmered in the light from a skylight.
Sarath crossed her arms and leaned against Lian. “Now, that is what I c
all a bath.”
Lian’s mouth dropped and slowly formed a grin. “I’ve swam in smaller streams.”
Sarath looked up to Lian and smiled. “Don’t complain. This way there is plenty of room for us both.”
Sarath walked toward the pool, removing the thin undergarment covering her chest. She bent down and unlaced her boots and removed them, then shimmied her tight pants off. Sarath walked into the pool and down the steps that led to the deeper water.
The water reached her waist as she turned back to Lian. “Coming?” Sarath gave him a warm, welcoming smile. Lian stared at her for a few moments before removing his clothes and following. Sarath submerged herself momentarily. She surfaced and gasped for air, then pulled back her wet hair back and looked at Lian. “I’ve sand in places that I didn’t know I had.” She laughed lightly.
Lian smiled and looked away. “What places would you be referring to?”
Sarath let her jaw drop slightly before smiling. “You’re awful! Here we are, about to meet some royal person, and you are having such inappropriate thoughts.”
Lian smiled and stepped towards her a bit. “Well, when you’re standing in front of me, covered only by water… it’s hard to think of anything else.”
Sarath walked through the deep water to Lian and wrapped her arms around him. She laid her head against his shoulder. “I haven’t thanked you yet.”
Lian wrapped his arms around her. “Thanked me for what?”
Sarath let out a soft sigh. “Carrying me through that desert.”
“Don’t thank me. Thank our leader,” he said, smiling. “I wanted to leave you there.”
Sarath’s mouth dropped open, and she looked up to see that Lian was smiling at her. She playfully hit his chest. “And I thought you cared…” Sarath frowned and looked away.
Lian lifted her up. Sarath giggled and wrapped her legs around his waist. She rested her arms on his shoulders, smiling at him.
Lian looked into her eyes. “Maybe just a little…”
Sarath grinned and leaned in towards him. “Just a little?”
Lian felt Sarath’s forehead touch his. “A little.”
Sarath brought her lips to his. Lian kissed her passionately while he held her tightly against him.