Private Tales Desert Convoy

[Kjaran Mak Aodha]

Amol-Kalit was different to Kjaran.

So much had changed but the last time he'd been here was nearly a score of years ago. He'd been young then and loving life. Work was easy to come by and he'd pissed away plenty of gold and silver knowing that he'd easily make more by signing on with a company here or there. Now the land of a ten thousand kings was being slowly forged into one. He'd seen statues of their so called god-king and that same face stamped on the newer minted coins. All but the most stubborn seemed to be bending the knee and it was only a matter of time before that gaze turned south and east. He could sense the change on the wind, the Cortosi city-states varied between sending cautious tribute or panicked raising of troops.

And yet some things hadn't changed. The heat and smells he remembered, the oddly spiced food, the scented perfumes. That same fierce proud honour that they wore like armour. And there was still work. It was in the service of the empire but while they had managed to unite many of the cities, even this new lord could not eradicate the persistent banditry and endemic warfare that made up Amol-Kalit. The gods could have come again and there'd still be raids on caravans.

Ragusa's scale dwarfed most of its southern neighbours. He could spend hours wandering, admiring the alien architecture or sampling the sights and smells of the bazaar. But Kjaran was low on coin yet again and he'd signed on with a company to escort a caravan, even though it meant venturing out of the safety of the city and into the heat of the desert.

Kailyn

 

[Kailyn]

Kailyn held a parchment paper and pen, walking down the caravan. Astute molten gaze shifted between the supplies and what was on the list. Ordinary brown hair was done back in a loose braid. Her clothes were one of function, desert garb for the journey with the Empire colors.

While she was far from a vizier, she was also no longer a slave. She was recognized now, as someone important. Someone who worked close to the god-king. Kailyn wasn't sure how she felt about that. She missed the anonymity that her old life offered her. But she supposed she would have to make due with the new cards she'd been dealt.

As she walked down the line checking in those that would journey with them as well as their supplies, she had the air of someone who was approachable yet respected. Kind, yet no-nonsense. And so, she found herself stopping in front of one Kjaran.

Warm, molten eyes track up his frame until they met his own gaze.

"Are you the ones we hired? Was it Kjaran? I'm Kailyn, Mistress of the Trade Route and I'll be personally accompanying this load." She offered a hand, slender digits betraying that she was used to more of the inside-of-house tasks. Smooth and unblistered.

 

[Kjaran Mak Aodha]

The caravan guards hired for the journey seemed to be a motley mix of locals and foreigners. The former tended to clothing actually suitable for the climate while the latter stood out by their outlandish garb. Kjaran had gotten enough looks when reporting in. His size generally managed that alone but the heavy chainmail and léine were not common sights in the heat of Amol Kalit.

They'd been formed up for an inspection by some dignitary. The locals took it a lot more serious than the foreigners but Kjaran dutifully joined the line. They were paying him after all. His eyes clicked open a little wider though at the sight of the one inspecting them. Dherra you're too fookin' old now bai, he chided himself.

"Kjaran" he repeated, putting emphasis on the word, Kyar-in. "That's myself it is". He was surprised to be offered a hand but his large callused one took it gently. Looks barely old enough to be out unescorted let alone running trade. "Is it common for nobles to accompany the caravans your ladyship?"

 

[Kailyn]

"Kyar-in," she repeated carefully, making sure she got it right. She wanted to give respect where it was due and she found getting names right was a simple way to start. He shared fair skin, like her own. She'd always thought it quite unfair to settle in a place like Amol-Kalit where the sun seemed to easily burn her complexion.

And she felt her cheeks warm at his question. Again, that attention she wasn't used to getting. There was a delicate clearing of her throat as she withdrew her hand from his own.

"I imagine not, though it is hard for me to say considering I am not of noble-birth." A self-deprecating smile.

Moving onto business.

"You came highly recommended. I would like you to take point in leading the security detail, working with Jafar." Jafar was one of the regular locals. And she wanted Kjaran to help bridge the gap between the hired hands and the Emperor's men. If they worked together it would make them all safer in the end.

"It should be about a week's journey to the first oasis. Then a few days until the gulf of Annuak, where our port city is. And then, of course, the return journey. Now tell me, have you ever ridden a camel before?"

 

[Kjaran Mak Aodha]

Kjaran's eyes widened fractionally at the mention she wasn't of noble birth. He wasn't from here but he knew blood was something they prized and their pedigree. Any further questioning was forestalled by discussion of business. "You want me in the vanguard?" he repeated, he hadn't expected to get shoved in between the locals and foreigners. The curse of age and experience.

"Does Jafar speak Common?". Kjaran's own command of the local tongue was reduced to single words and expletives. It'd be an interesting trip if their relationship consisted of gesticulating and shouting. He was dreading it already.

"I have not and I don't intend to. The gods gave us two legs for walking and that's what I intend to do"

 

[Kailyn]

"He does," Kailyn answered. "And I do." The corner of her mouth twitched slightly at the man's outburst to riding a camel.

"It's a very long journey and I'm afraid if you fall behind we won't be able to wait or pay you." Those amber eyes of hers blinked at him innocently, a spark of amusement behind them. If he wanted to walk he was certainly welcome to try. She wondered, even with his tall stature, if he'd be able to keep up. Especially in the shifting and burning desert sands of the dunes section.

A much shorter man, though stocky, came forward. He had long dark hair pulled back tightly against his head. He sported a gold tooth and dark tattoos on his cheeks and up the length of his coffee-colored skin. He dipped his head respectfully to Kailyn as he approached.

"Jafar, you'll be working with Kjaran. Jafar can fill you in on the route. I need to go finish checking the supplies, then we'll be on our way. Can I count on you two?"

 

[Kjaran Mak Aodha]

Thank the gods for small mercies. At least two of the locals would be able to understand him when he was ranting and raving. His jaw tightened as the woman commented on his choice of transport. "Understood" he grunted, even walking pace on a camel would beat slogging through miles and miles of desert.

He gave a curt nod as Jafar approached. Kailyn seemed to consider the matter finished so the mercenary decided not to press it. "Of course your ladyship" he said, regarding the newcomer coolly.

The caravan was gradually formed up, a string of camels, some ridden, others just carrying goods and cargo. A motley mix of foreign and local guards intermingled with the camel drivers and various other passengers. Kjaran knew a little about caravans and a little less about camels but a few minutes later he was acting like he'd done it all his life.

Lack of command of the language didn't seem to matter with hand gestures and raising his voice. He'd beaten them into some kind of order using Jafar as an interpreter. He'd already selected a beast to dump his pack on, it'd make walking a bit easier at least.

 

[Kailyn]

Kailyn gave one last check on the supplies and made her way to her own beast of burden. A camel named Nigel. Fingers smoothed along the soft fur of his neck.

"Here we go again," she whispered into his ear.

He bared his teeth. She rolled her eyes and saddled up, body swaying as the beast rose. She'd had to ride them most of her life, even for the Sparrow family when conducting trade outside the walls of Salitra. When she and the other slaves were allowed to travel a short distance. Kailyn found herself in the middle of the pack and soon enough they'd left the safety of the city walls far behind. After a few hours, she found her camel walking alongside the soldier for hire.

"Kjaran," she called down quietly. "Are you regretting your decision to walk?"

 

[Kjaran Mak Aodha]

Kjaran had settled into his pace with the ease of long practice, making mild adjustments to account for the ground. He plodded along at a steady rate, keeping one hand on his camel's reins. He'd done harder marches fully laden, it was a relief to have the beast carrying most of his pack.

Lost in his reverie, he almost didn't notice the approach of the noblewoman. He started, looking up before he relaxed. "Níl" he responded curtly, "I'll do twenty, thirty mile like this easy. I just wish I'd a mule instead of a camel" though he had to admit the creature was far better suited for here.

 

[Kailyn]

"I'm afraid a mule would require more water than we'll have on this journey," she commented down to the man, though even perched atop a camel and he on foot, he seemed very tall. Her gaze tracked to the horizon. A quick glance behind. The city was nearly a blur on the horizon now. Soon they'd be surrounded by the endless dunes.

"What brings you this far West?" It was clear from his clothing he wasn't from around here. Not used to the heat, dryness, and sun of the desert lands.

 

[Kjaran Mak Aodha]

Kjaran coughed to clear his throat. "Regrettably". His last mule hadn't been so fortunate but at least he'd given him enough food to go on another two days. He'd slung his helmet but the heat was still oppressive on his head.

"Work". He took a slug of water from his canteen before wiping his mouth. "The Cortosi states are quiet right now, I've no desire to work for a Cerak slaver or Vel Anir. Amol-Kalit was the next place on the map"

 

[Kailyn]

Her face lit up with interest in the slowly setting evening sun.

A pinch of discomfort as he spoke of a Cerak slaver.

"I've only been to two places in my life. You asked before if I was a noble woman. Until very recently I was a slave in Salitra and before that I was born and grew up as a slave on Cerak At'Thul." The confession was quiet. Grim. Perhaps a bit of shame in her gaze.

"But, the reason I bring this up is because I've never traveled outside of Amol-Kalit and would love to hear your stories about the other places of the land. Is it true that they're as xenophobic as they say in Vel Anir? Are there really dragons around the Spine?"

 

[Kjaran Mak Aodha]

Kjaran diplomatically chose to bite his tongue and not press on how a slave from Cerak At'Thul rose to become Mistress of Trade for a desert spanning empire. Whatever her past, she was a noblewoman now.

"zen-zenofobick" he repeated the unfamiliar word, testing it on his tongue. "Well Vel Anir has probably the best land army in Arethil. They didn't get that way by making friends. And The Spine? Humans don't go too high in areas because orcs are there. The orcs don't go higher because they'll meet trolls and giants. The giants don't go up to the high peaks because there's something worse. Could be dragons, could be worse".

 

[Kailyn]

Well, have you ever seen a dragon?" A part of her didn't think they existed. They sounded too grand. Then again, she'd been tucked away in this side of the world for so long. She knew there was a lot she still had to see.

Honeyed-eyes transitioned to the surrounding desertscape. Could just see the faint outline of the mountains to the right. Lips pursed in a small frown. The sun was already setting.

"Do you have a suggestion on where it would be best to camp?"

Might as well ask the security expert.

 

[Kjaran Mak Aodha]

"Once" was the response "But it was dark, raining, and I was drunk. Might be it had been a storm". He'd seen enough strange things but thankfully a dragon had never been one of them. "They're meant to exist though, further up in the mountains. Sleeping until the end of days" so his own tribal wise ones said.

His eyes followed hers around the mostly featureless (to his eyes) landscape. "Jafar might know better" he allowed after a moment's thought. No point in making a dog's dinner of it.

The Amol-Kalitian cleared his throat, squinting in the evening light. "Past the wadi" he declared, "There should be water there if this ground speaks true". He pushed on past them, leading his camel by the reins.

Sure enough, there was. Jafar set a party to gathering water while the others set up the camp. Kjaran helped, mostly by bellowing orders in Common after Jafar had already given them in a language the caravan could understand.