The Elder's Curse by Andrew Walbrown (ereader for textbooks TXT) ๐
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- Author: Andrew Walbrown
Read book online ยซThe Elder's Curse by Andrew Walbrown (ereader for textbooks TXT) ๐ยป. Author - Andrew Walbrown
Ulam stood up suddenly, sending a deluge of ash pouring from his lap back to the ground. โDo you see that? By the obelisk.โ
Amantius turned as Nilawen climbed to her feet, both looking across the valley to the next hill, where another obelisk stood like a beacon of hope. At the base of the pillar was a black shape, its outline contrasting on the ever-increasingly orange and pink horizon. Amantius only saw the silhouette for an instant before it vanished.
โSomeone is watching us,โ Nilawen whispered. Though the night was warm, her words sent an icy chill down Amantiusโ spine. Knowing someone had been watching them was unsettling, but not knowing for how long heightened the apprehension growing in his gut.
โSo it seems,โ Ulam muttered, โbut the true question is whether they are friend or foe.โ
โIs it possible weโre just seeing things that arenโt there?โ Amantius asked, unsure of what he saw. โMirages happen in deserts.โ
Ulam grunted. โI doubt that was a mirage. It disappeared as soon as all three of us started looking. Whoever, or whatever, is over there realizes we know they exist.โ
โSo what now?โ Nilawen said. โDo we continue? If that was a person perhaps there is an oasis or a village nearby. Do we have any other choices?โ
If we turn back now we will certainly die from either thirst or hunger, Amantius thought as the initial wave of fear had passed. Better to chase desert ghosts than become them ourselves.
Amantius hefted his backpack from the ground. โThere is no other choice.โ
Without another word, he started descending the hill into the valley, a long stretch of land covered in prickly plants waiting to rip open any piece of flesh that came too close. The lack of strong winds, as well as the absence of fauna, created such a quiet environment that he could hear the three individual sets of footsteps on the desert floor as they marched through sunrise. The air quickly dried Amantiusโ throat, his lungs burning from the fragments of ash he inadvertently swallowed. By the time they reached the base of the next hill the sun was already high in the sky, baking everything its magnificent rays touched, and forcing Amantius to drink the rest of his water. I canโt go on like this for much longer.
Ulam was the first to the summit, crashing into the base of the obelisk as soon as he reached the top. He drank what little water reserves he still possessed as he rested in the pillarโs shadow, no longer caring about rations. Nilawen was not far behind, also taking refuge from the sunโs onslaught by staying in the shade. Amantius was last, dragging his feet and ready to collapse into the ash. As he neared the top he tripped over a divot and stumbled outside the obeliskโs protection, exposing himself once more to the sunโs oppressive rays. It took a second for his eyes to adjust to the explosion of light, but when they did, he was dumbfounded by what he saw.
โBy the Gods,โ Amantius shouted as he broke into excited, if not slightly maniacal, laughter. โI canโt believe it. We found water!โ
Ulam and Nilawen shuffled around the obelisk and began cheering as they laid eyes on the oasis at the base of the hill. Together all three darted downhill, falling over themselves in a mad dash to reach the glorious paradise that awaited below. Amantius was the first to break through the outer wall of vegetation, slapping away broad-leafed plants heavy with flowers of fuchsia, emerald, and periwinkle. He fell onto his knees and submerged his head into the crystalline waters, slurping away happily as a cool, refreshing river flowed through his body. Around him he was vaguely aware of Ulamโs presence, his foster-brotherโs big Orcish head creating a tidal wave as it was plunged into the water somewhere nearby. Amantius looked up and saw Ulam on his left while Nilawen was on the other side, both seemingly on a divine mission to drain the oasis of all its water.
The oases they had found at the beginning of their expedition were little more than large puddles of water surrounded by a few trees and some shrubs. This one, however, was much more expansive. This oasis was as large as a lake, with a thick barrier of palm trees and tall grass that shielded the heart of the oasis from invasive ash flakes. Date trees grew in abundance, heavy with ripe fruit just waiting to be picked. The canopy above provided a more temperate environment as well, as a constant shadow kept the edges of the water in perpetual shade, a blessing for the weary travelers. Even the sand was softer than outside the oasis; it was much finer, similar to the sand on the shores of Accaria.
Amantius laid back after quenching his thirst, staring at the oversized dates hanging above him. He opened his mouth in anticipation, hoping a fruit would fall directly into it so he would not have to move again. He flinched as he heard an incoming breeze rustle through the leaves, expecting to feel the coarse ash carried on the wind. When the breeze reached him, though, there was no ash; the wall of green captured any unwanted flakes like a spider catching flies. A new wave of joy swept over him as he felt the wind caress his body; he loved this enchanted place so much the thought of leaving was outside his realm of understanding.
The
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