| Sect seven: treasure of the sands By Richard LeBlanc Julia and her new found traveling companion Drake had set up camp. Julia looked up at the sun that was glaring down at her. She shielded her eyes and returned into the tent that Drake had set up. "Do you see why it is best to wait until nightfall now?" Drake asked curiously. "I've never been in this sort of environment before. How was I supposed to know?" she replied calmly. Drake smiled and poured her a drink. "Are you from these parts? Is that how you so much?" she asked curiously. "No - I just travel a lot. In my travels I happened onto this place and foolishly tried to journey across under that unforgiving sun. My horse died about halfway in - I almost followed suit," he replied pouring himself a drink. "How did you survive?" she asked curiously. "Group of nomads found me and nursed me back to health. They taught me what I needed to know to get out of that place alive. And as they have helped me - I guess it is my duty to help you," he commented. She listened closely to every word while at the same time trying not to look overly interested. "If you have traveled so much you must have many stories," she began on an almost subconscious level but stopped. In her mind she remembered how she mocked other girls that acted the way she was acting now. "I'm sorry," she muttered. "For what?" he asked. "Nothing," she replied - focusing her attention on her drink. "Will the animals be okay out there?" she asked - changing the subject. He smiled and nodded. "Left them some water. The oasis should be a few hours away. Get them watered and rested there. Then - to Gemma," he answered as he looked over at her. "Have you ever done any traveling?" he asked. She smiled and shook her head. "Up until recently - the furthest I've been away from home was the forest to collect firewood," she admitted hesitantly. "Must be a bit scary for you then," he commented. "A little bit," she replied. "How about I tell you about the oasis we are heading to? It is really quite a place when the sun goes down," he began. She smiled and looked over at him. "Really? How so?" she asked. Time seemed to race by. For before either of the two realized it - night was upon them. Drake dismantled the lightweight tent while Julia checked on the animals that were still sleeping. "So - others go there on a daily basis to trade?" she asked. "Every night - same time. How is Midnight and your wolf friend?" he asked. "They seem okay - still a little sleepy though," she answered. Drake smiled as he whistled. His horse almost instantly rose to its feet. The wolf opened his eyes and looked over at Drake. "Still as friendly as ever," he muttered. "Be nice - both of you," Julia remarked. Drake got on his horse. Julia climbed onto the wolf. It rose up. "You lead the way - we'll follow," she added. On that note they were off. After a seemingly short ride through the nighttime desert - the oasis in question. Even from a distance it was something to behold. "What did I tell you?" he remarked as he slowed down. Julia caught up and rode beside him - not taking her eyes off the spectacle off in the distance. From where they were it seemed as though hundreds of tents were set up. At least as many torches illuminated the darkness. "I've never seen anything like it," she admitted. They rode on until they were where the makeshift stable was. The stable hand was a touch hesitant when he saw the size of the wolf the girl was riding - but when he saw it lie down at her command - some of the apprehension departed. "If you leave the wolf alone - it should leave you alone," Drake commented as he and Julia walked away. The statement made the stable hand went cross-eyed upon hearing that. "Should?" he muttered - looking over at the wolf that was now staring at him from where he was lying. At that moment amidst the rows of tents that were set up - Julia was in awe at the sights and scents. "What do you think?" he asked. "I have never seen such things," she admitted as she traced her fingers over a silky fabric. It was at that moment that she became aware that Drake was watching her. She turned and scowled at the smiling man. " What? You find something funny?" she asked. "No," he replied. "Then why all the smiles?" she asked. "Seeing you - the way you are looking at all this reminds me of the time I was first brought here," he stated as he walked over and picked up the roll of fabric. He unrolled a bit and held it before her. "This would look great on you," he stated calmly. She looked at him and found herself blushing again. "You have excellent taste sir," the merchant stated. "Can you have this made into a dress?" Drake asked. "That's okay - it would be too much for me," Julia began. "Probably - I know a fine tailor - makes the prettiest dresses you have ever seen," the merchant replied calmly - all but ignoring her protest. Drake reached into an inside pocket and pulled out a golden locket that was encrusted with precious stones. "We will be by this way shortly. If it is ready by then - this is yours," he stated - holding the locket before the merchant. The merchant's eyes widened as he took the fabric from him and smiled. "I will have the dress ready good sir," he reassured. On that note - Drake and Julia began to walk away. "You didn't have to do that," she pointed out. "I know - I wanted to," he answered seriously. Again she found herself blushing. She quickly lowered her eyes - hoping he wouldn't notice. "I - am going out on a limb here. You aren't used to people doing things for you," he added. "My parents did stuff for me," she replied. "That - isn't what I meant," he clarified. She sighed looked over at him. "Not really. Not many boys were overly interested in me - and those that were only wanted one thing," she stated quietly. "If you are expecting me to," she began - he raised his hands and stepped back. "I expect nothing save the pleasure of your company - nothing more," he reassured. "I'm sorry," she began. He reached over and gently held her hand. "Don't be. These are dangerous times. One has to be wary. Come - I want to show you some of the other merchants. I heard a rumor float around that one of these merchants procured a gold dragon's egg," he stated with a wink. "A gold dragon? There hasn't been one of those around in - in - well as long as I can remember," she replied disbelievingly. "It is a rumor though. If we can't find that - perhaps we can find you some equally exotic treasure?" he suggested with a wink. "I'd like that," she replied as they continued to explore the surrounding booths and tents. Later on - the moon was directly over the encampment. Julia and Drake had made their way back to where the first merchant was. As promised the dress was finished on time and Drake was waiting outside a small tent as Julia tried it on. "Are you going to come out?" he asked curiously. "No," she replied. He shook his head. "You can't stay in there forever," he remarked. "It isn't me," she muttered - peeking her head out. He looked over at her and smiled. "It can't be that bad," he stated. "Promise you won't laugh?" she modestly asked. "I swear," he reassured. She sighed and stepped out. Drake's eyes widened as he looked at her. Dressed as she was she looked picture perfect to storybook princess. "Wow," he muttered. He tried to think of something more descriptive - but he was at a loss for words. "You - you really think it looks okay?" she asked - turning around for him. "You look - amazing - wow," he replied. He shook his head and smiled. "And the dress looks nice too," he added. She laughed at the joke and then sighed. "I've never been around someone like you before. You almost make me forget everything - like nothing else really matters," she stated sincerely. "The feeling is more than mutual," he stated as they headed back towards the stable. "So - is - it far to Gemma from here?" she awkwardly asked. "Not that far. You want to head out?" he asked curiously. "I do and I don't," she replied. "Perhaps - you are right," he began. "I am?" she asked. 'The sooner - we get to Gemma - the sooner we can focus on more important things," he added mischievously. She looked at him suspiciously. "Such as?" she coyly asked. "Getting to know you better," he replied seriously. All levity drained from her. She lowered her eyes and tried to slow down the rapid beating of her heart. "You okay?" he asked hesitantly. "My heart - it feels like It's in my throat," she replied. He walked over and helped her sit down on a fallen log. "Do - do you really mean that? You aren't just saying this are you?" she asked timidly. "I wouldn't do that. May I speak honestly with you? Of something that must remain between us?" he requested. She silently replied by nodded her head. "I - I didn't just happen onto that mountain by chance. I was searching for someone," he began. "Me?" she asked hesitantly. He quietly laughed and shook his head. "No. An oracle told me that - the blood of the one who killed my father would pass atop that mountain. I have waited all my life - for the chance to avenge his death. But then - I saw you - and for the first time - since as long as I can remember - I could think of nothing else," he began as he looked into her eyes. "You couldn't?" she asked. He reached over and held her hands. Slowly he began to lean forward. She closed her eyes as she felt his lips gently touch hers. He then backed away and smiled at her. "Shall we be off?" he asked. As if in a trance she nodded. Within moments they had the supplies they needed for their journey and were on their animals riding outwards from the encampment - much to the relief of the stable hand. "The ruins shouldn't be far from here," he reassured as they rode up a large sand dune. When they reached the top both stopped and looked at what lied below in disbelief. "That - is impossible," he muttered. "I thought that Gemma was in ruins," she added - both staring at what appeared to be the Kingdom of Gemma in all its splendor. Drake dismounted his horse and looked at the distant glimmering castle. "Up until a few days ago - it was," he replied. "But what does it mean?" she asked. "It means that the daemon residing there is more powerful than rumors claimed," he answered grimly. To be continued... |