Darkin A Journey East - By Joseph A. Turkot Page 0,15

Winds really were. Vapoury and magic, Erguile had already shown, were fictional in his mind. More talk of it now was useless.

They walked on and Erguile talked a bit about his own life. He, like Adacon, remembered little about his earliest years. His father had died when he was young, and he had been moved away from his mother at that time to a slave training program. They trained him similar to the way they had trained Adacon, they found by comparing stories. Also like Adacon, Erguile was without a family; at the least he was sure his father was dead and his mother a slave somewhere, or dead too. He had no brothers or sisters. It was when his father was killed, Adacon learned, that Erguile had begun to hate the oppressors. Adacon also explained the shaky idea spoken of by Krem: that there was a single Lord to the free world, a sole leader of the slavery. As Adacon expected, Erguile had never heard of Grelion. Still, Erguile fancied meeting the mysterious Krem already, for after Adacon’s description Erguile had a strong impression of curiosity.

They grew acquainted as they trudged on toward the desert. Adacon was certain that Erguile’s resolve for freedom was strong, and he dared not wonder if it could be stronger than his own. Their course continued, and soon the two found themselves leaving the Red Forest behind and approaching a cool and dark desert. The moons were almost directly above them in the sky, set between meandering clouds that concealed most of the night’s stars. Adacon realized the lack of light would make it hard for them to find Krem’s stronghold again. All around them were endless rows of dark dunes, all looking nearly the same. Adacon continued his conversation with Erguile, making sure no distress fell into his tone, as their path led them deeper into the abyss of the maze-like desert.

“So, how much farther do you suppose we have to go before we find this hermit?” asked Erguile with a trace of agitation in his voice. Adacon sighed, and for a moment stopped in his tracks.

“When I arrived earlier it had been midday, and the sun was still strong in the sky. I’m sure we’ve come the distance—if not more so—to reach the damned place; I just don’t see the dune with the door in it, it’s too dark,” Adacon said, trailing off into silent thought. Erguile stood patiently awaiting his next words. “I think we might get ourselves killed before we find the place, if we keep walking deeper into the desert. Perhaps we should find a flat bit of sand and rest some, at least until the sun is upon us again...”

“You wish to sleep out here? Stay in this foreign desert all night without worry? You truly are mad, Adacon,” Erguile retorted, but he reluctantly considered. “I guess you’re right though. I can barely make out the dunes fifty paces from here,” he said in uneasy agreement.

“Alright then, we’ll set camp there,” Adacon said, pointing into the darkness toward a flat plateau of sand. They walked in the direction Adacon had designated, and before long they found themselves sitting down on the cold sand. There was a deafening silence about the desert night, and for a good stretch the two weary travelers sat wide-eyed, staring up at a glowing moon. They didn’t feel tired enough for sleep, and the intimidating prospect of spending a night in the desert had not completely withdrawn its fear. Erguile broke the quiet.

“Do you suppose Adacon…” He trailed off. “Do you suppose we could ever come to meet one of the lords—or this Grelion, if he truly exists?”

“I hope so—that we may wring his neck. I think we’ll at least encounter one of his patrols before long. The little man, Krem… he seemed very wise. He told me he travels throughout the country often. I’m hoping he’ll come with us, perhaps be our guide about the land. It would be best if we could increase our numbers before any real fighting—not that I don’t think we’re a strong army of two. My fears would have me believe that Grelion’s sentries march throughout the whole country.”

“I think you should take first watch Adacon; I fear I’d fall asleep if I watched first. Let me get a good hour or two, then wake me up and I’ll cover us until dawn,” Erguile said as he removed his swords from his belt and placed them nearby. He