19 Sand

Traveling through the desert is very fun, riding ATVs, launching from slope to slope, racing with friends, and drinking cold water every now and then, yes it is a very fun activity.

That is what keeps going through Curtis' mind. He loved to travel, eat exotic food, do various activities unique to each venue, and enjoy the culture that each country has to offer, he crossed off at least 20 countries on his list by the time he died.

Well he does want to enjoy that here, it's been a few days that they've been trekking through the desert, normally he would be thrilled to go on a long journey but, currently he's suffering from severe dehydration, sunburns, and a very active imagination. For the past hour of walking he's been seeing a lot of stuff flying in the air, people emerging from holes that were popping up out of nowhere then vanishing like a puff of smoke. Even the sky has been acting weird, it looks like it's being sucked in. And adding the sea that has been in his vision for who knows how long but is never getting closer, well he is never gonna want to come back here.

"Esbern how far are we from the edge of the desert?" Curtis voiced out, throat dry and chapped lips he sounded like an old man. "We should be near the edge." answered Esbern, in a similar state as Curtis, his training was keeping him going, He was even carrying Millie on his back; who unfortunately isn't as fit as him, she couldn't keep walking anymore.

"I think I see the edge, there." Millie pointed out from his back. "I've rested enough, I think I can walk from here." she said guiltily, if it wasn't for her collapsing earlier maybe they would already be out of the desert by now.

Arriving at the edge, Curtis couldn't help but feel relieved, they have been stuck in that sandy hell for longer than he thought, there was sand everywhere and he means EVERYWHERE and it was a very uncomfortable experience.

Ahead of him is the sea that's been haunting him for more than an hour now. to his left the small town; the one which they should've arrived at after exiting the tunnel called Rushi. His family should have some property there that would shelter them for now.

Across that town is a forest, the one responsible for providing the town wood and some game from time to time. Looking at the tall trees, Curtis couldn't help but feel that there is where he should head next. Keeping that in mind they should get to the town before they collapse.

"Hey are you guys alright?" A guard asked them as they were entering through the wooden gates.

"We're fine, just tired from crossing the desert. We got a bit lost." Esbern explained handing the guard a small emblem. The guard took a look at the emblem carefully then giving Esbern a respectful look, he said. "Follow me."

Curtis gave Esbern a questioning look to which he just gave a tired smile. "Let's go, we need to get to an inn." he explained, "De Leon is law here." he whispered, getting a disbelieving look from Curtis. "I'll explain later."

Following the guard they arrived at what you could call a smaller version of their mansion, he led them to the main hall, where a small retinue of butlers, maids and guards were waiting.

"We are at your service." they voiced out at the same time bowing to the Curtis, Esbern and Millie bowing to him from behind.

"Everyone here is loyal to the house, willing to fight to the death for you." Esbern explained. "This place is one of the many safe houses built by Master Jacob over the years, the town was sponsored by the first De Leon, up until now, in which we funnel some gold to keep it flourishing. So the house has absolute authority here."

"It's a bit of a lot to take in." Curtis said. "I need to get some rest for now." walking off and approaching one of the maids. "Lead me to a room." turning back he said. "You two get some rest too."

...

Curtis got a few days of rest mixed with some anxiousness as there was no news from what happened in the city of Shesari. Millie and Esbern will come by a few times comforting him that news travel quite slow as merchants need to travel around the desert, and that itself takes a week or two. Messaging birds aren't able to travel across the desert, and its too troublesome and dangerous to set up outposts to receive them in between so the previous nobles didn't really bother.

He got the maids and staff to set him up with some supplies, and got Millie and Esbern to get ready as he wanted to go to the forest as soon as possible, something in his mind was tugging at him that he needed to get there soon or else something bad might happen.

And he really wanted to find out how to take control of his gift, and something's telling him that going there was the answer.