Plain

As the walls of Corvidrop fell behind the horizon the grasslands slowly withered closer and closer to desert. Fulcer found himself growing ever more excited by his unfolding journey. The travel was slow, and the conversation limited. But every inch they made their way south drew them closer to their goal, and with the speed at which they were traveling Fulcer doubted that Dilyniant would have any sort of time to respond to his rebellion.

He could have stayed in Corvidrop of course, and tried to travel the countryside and gain more and more support from local lords and disgruntled nobles. As exciting as that sounded and as willing as he was to try to win his way into the political courts of the area, he understood that he was on a strict timeline. The longer he was away the further the Sire would send his soldiers to find him. Another day or two and they might have even begun to search the areas around Corvidrop. 

Though it remained unclear if Dilyniant would even send his men down south into the desert. After all, he hadn't marched his troops beyond Corvidrop's borders, instead settling for further away kingdoms in the North for the ease of travel, communication exchange, and the skill of those opponents. Through Schon he learned of the northern kingdoms, what were now Dilyniant's northern territories. He learned of how they still had magical beasts roaming their lands, epic wild gods who walked the world in the form of great beasts. Great beasts that had since left the grasslands of The Capital and Corvidrop behind.

He also learned that there was a great hunt to be had in The Eastlands, where he had heard the Huntmaster had been deployed. Apparently, there were still threats there, both Human and not, but the Huntmaster would be dealing with them with the aid of adventurers. Even with as many questions as he asked neither Schon nor Vardia could find any sort of information regarding what lie deeper in the desert to their south. There were rumors of tribesmen who called the barren wasteland their home and older rumors of a great Southern Kingdom, but there had been no confirmation. The area itself was too dangerous for human couriers to travel alone.

Due to some clever questioning on Fulcher's part, he learned that the type of ships this world seemed to have access to were still quite unrefined and lacked the necessary structure for deep ocean travel. While he had not sought out the docks at The Capital, he understood enough of what Vardia could tell him to assume they had some form of trireme as their main military vessel. Vardia didn't seem too suspicious of any of the questions Fulcher sought to ask. Though he could tell that he should tread lightly, as Schon was intelligent. The excuse of his father keeping him shut in the castle for all his life was becoming less and less believable. Still, she answered, ever warmer and ever more comfortable with casual conversation. Though they were eventually cut short when they spotted a tent in the distance, and a single plume of smoke rising from it that dissipated into the air above. 

"Is that a campsite?" Fulcher asked.

"Looks like it," said Schon. "That being said, who would have a campfire in this scorching heat? It's almost midday."

"I don't think we'll know unless we're taking a closer look," said Vardia, spurring the wagon forward. As the group shifted closer, they found their answer. A man curled around the fire taking a nap. His skin was a deep red and his hair blazed with living flame. Under the collar of his shirt Fulcher could see what looked like scales that tapered off into smoother skin near the neck. Armor was piled near the man who himself wore thin cloth. One hand held a sickle that seemed to bend the air as it radiated heat, his other hand was extended and resting in the campfire.

"A demi-human?" Vardia whispered.

"Is he?" asked Schon.

"Why is he red? And is his hand in the fire?!" Fulcher exclaimed. They brought their wagon to a halt, the creaking wheel causing the man to stir. He opened one eye and sprouted a grin as he leapt to his feet suddenly. Casting off whatever tiredness he had, he offered a deep bow to the group.

"What curious human wanderers travel along my path? What brings you so far into the deep desert, my wayward friends?" the man asked, stretching as he yawned. For what Fulcher could see the hand that had been laying in the flame was unburnt and nearly the same shade of red as the rest of his body. After a moment's pause, Fulcher found his words.

"We are traveling to the Librarum," he said. "We are seeking knowledge to win a war."

Best not tell him I'm some kind of royalty, Fulcher thought. It might end badly, for all we know this guy's crazy.

"What's your name stranger?" Fulcher asked.

"Who am I?" the man gasped. He offered a deep chuckle and bowed once more theatrically.

"My name is Akaj, the Marquess. First of Jalaj, Prime Cinder, Grand Broker of Brass, the Merchant Emissary of Zinc, the Flameweaver and minor merchant Lord in the City of Flame!" he said. Fulcher stared at him for what felt like an eternity. 

Marquess, is that some kind of royalty? Maybe he could be helpful, he thought.

"I'm Prince Fulcher," he said. "This is My Princeguard Vardia and my wife-"

"Arranged wife," Schon immediately corrected, leaning against the side of the wagon. "Call me Schon." Arrow stood on his hind legs, sticking his paws over the side of the wagon as he peered at Akaj.

"That's Arrow," Fulcher explained. The man hooked the sickle to his hip, strolling forward with wide open arms.

"Oh a Prince, a Prince! I find myself so lucky to be in your presence, my liege. It has been long since I've met human royalty. I was just making my way north to see what I may find of your kingdoms. It has been so long since I've tread the unburnt soil. Though I have to say it is quite cold here. Has it always been like this?" Akaj babbled.  The group members looked at each other in confusion with Fulcher answering awkwardly.

"I mean, no. It probably hasn't changed much," he said. Akaj chuckle as he looked the group over now beginning to circle the wagon.

"Well, not only do I find a little royal procession stumbling across my humble camp, but you seem to lack any of the natives of this land, be it human or otherwise. Tell me, how did you get past the salamanders?" he asked.

"Salamanders?" Vardia asked. "We didn't run into any salamander."

"And the firehawks?" Akaj asked.  Schon shook her head.

"We haven't seen any firehawks either," she said. The Marquess looked at them in awe.

"Are you to tell me you've just been stumbling around the desert heading south without a guide?" he asked. Vardi nodded and Akaj laughed.

"Luck, luck I say! You won't be getting much further. I think you might need my help afterall. That is, of course, if you are worthy."