Chapter 16 : Sondor : The warring village

In the base, Timothy beheld intricate clockwork mechanisms crafted from brass, copper, and wood—materials wielded with a finesse far beyond mere construction. The people of this world seemed to use these materials way smarter than where he came from.

"I just want to get back home."

Timothy spoke twisting the knob on the wall.

"Clank ~hiss~ whirr~creak"

Timothy was startled as the whole place lit up. On the wall were industrial metal lights with rusty lampshades. All of this was new to him. On the wall behind him was a huge analog computer, and on his right was the weapons rack. The wall was made of metal ,and so was the ceiling . This place was so fascinating for Timothy , he spend a few minutes just busy scrutinizing the place.

"Why are all the weapons here so strange?"

Timothy thought to himself as he inspected all the weapons with his eyes stopping at the Ray gun. It had a unique tip, two cannisters, and a connect tube.

"What am I to do with this - holy mother of the land."

Timothy exclaimed as he dropped the ray gun, which had just fired a beam of light the moment he placed his finger on the trigger. The beam hit the wall , leaving a slight dent on it.

"I really need to get back home now."

Timothy thought to himself as he sat on a chair in front of the analog computer and dozed off...

Back in the carriage, Jake and the rest were looking at Timothy as he tossed and groaned in his sleep.

"It's almost daybreak now, and he hasn't stopped," Jake said worriedly.

Just as he finished speaking, Timothy woke up hurriedly, his head hitting the carriage roof, which seemed to wake him up completely. He looked at his surroundings with caution.

"Jake?"

"Yeah, pal, it's me. Relax. Timothy, look at me, breathe in and out. It was just a dream."

Timothy inhaled deeply as he sat down beside Ver, his eyes totally unfocused. His mind was trying to make sense of what happened to him.

"What did you dream about?" Finn asked calmly.

Timothy kept his head down, trying to arrange his thoughts first before answering.

"What do you know about the forgotten lands?"

"Huh, the forgotten lands. Where did you learn of that?"

Finn looked at Timothy with slight shock briefly before regaining his composure. Timothy was wondering if he should tell them all the details of the dreams, eventually deciding otherwise.

"I dreamt about a place called the forgotten lands."

"What was it like?" Finn asked.

"Different."

With that, nobody said a word as they all looked at Timothy, who had his head down. He could feel their gazes on him, but he didn't care; his mind was occupied.

"Stephen huh?"

Timothy muttered, but everybody heard him, making Jake and Ver look at each other with weird gazes.

"Who's that?"

"Huh?"

"Stephen... who's Stephen?"

Ver looked at him, waiting for an answer to her question because ever since they knew each other, she has never heard him mention a Stephen.

"Oh, him... he's someone I'd have loved to get to know."

Everyone in the carriage looked at him, but nobody said a word as the carriage kept moving steadily.

"My Lord, we are about to reach the village of Sondor," Elaine spoke, shocking both Timothy and Jake, with Ver looking amused at their expressions.

"I thought Ver was the only female traveling with us?" Jake looked at Finn as he spoke.

"You thought wrong. Well, if we are about to reach Sondor, then that means we are going to reach the capital before nightfall, that is if we don't meet any trouble along the way."

Nobody responded as the carriage continued its journey. About two hours later, they reached Sondor. They all got out of the carriage and walked.

"From here on, we will walk."

"Why?" Jake asked, reluctant to walk in the desert's heat. Ver didn't say anything, and she simply got out of the carriage, followed by Timothy, and Jake was the last to exit.

"Oh, my."

Ver said as she looked at the village. The desert village is enveloped by a vast expanse of sand dunes, creating a mesmerizing landscape that stretches as far as the eye can see. The dunes rise and fall in graceful curves, shaped by the ever-shifting winds. Occasionally, distant rocky outcrops or mountains may punctuate the horizon, adding a sense of rugged beauty to the scenery, and at the heart of the village, a serene oasis was found around a man-made water source. Lush vegetation seemed to thrive in this oasis, providing a stark contrast to the arid surroundings. Tall palm trees swayed gently, their slender trunks standing as testaments to the abundance of water. The oasis seems to serve as a gathering point and a source of relief, where villagers can relax in the shade and enjoy the tranquility offered by the shimmering water.

Within the village, open courtyards and plazas were the most common features. These communal spaces are the meeting points for residents to socialize, exchange stories, and conduct daily activities. Decorative fountains and small ponds provide the village with a soothing ambiance, while colorful mosaic tiles embellish the ground, showcasing intricate patterns inspired by their local traditions.

The buildings in the village exhibit unique architectural details reflecting the local culture and history. Ornamental carvings adorn the facades, serving as visual expressions of the community's artistic heritage. Arched doorways and windows with intricately designed screens allow airflow while maintaining privacy.

While remnants of ancient defensive structures could be seen, bearing witness to a history of protection against marauders and sandstorms. Ruined fortresses and watchtowers atop nearby hills serve as reminders of the village's resilience and the need to safeguard its inhabitants from external threats.

"I thought you said it's a village?"

"Yes, it is a village."

"Then why does it look like a miniature warring city?"

" That is why it is called sondor the warring village ."

Finn spoke with a smile as they entered the village, passing through its simple-looking gate. The moment they entered, a man wearing a surcoat came forth and bowed to Finn.

"My lord, the elder requests your presence."

"Very well, get my people a place to freshen up and some food," Finn spoke.

The man bowed once again.

"Follow me."

He gestured for Timothy and his friends to follow him, leaving Finn and Elaine alone.

"I should come with you."

"No, I need you to take care of the kids."

Finn said as he turned around to leave.

"Stubborn fool." She retorted

"I heard that." Finn yelled back

Elaine smiled and left.