“Where are they going?” asked Gewey.
“They head east to join more of our people,” Pali replied. “Our business here is done.”
“And what was your business?” asked Aaliyah.
Pali unslung his pack and pulled out a thin, blue blanket. “This.” He handed it to Gewey. “We trade with the humans in this area for spices and wool.”
The blanket was as soft as silk, and warm to the touch, as if heated near a fire. “What is it made of?” he asked, handing it back.
“The plant is called Trulu.” He shoved it back in his pack. “It will keep you warm on the coldest night, though I prefer a fire. Humans tend to be more sensitive to the cold. You will be happy I brought them come nightfall. With Soufis in the area, we cannot risk a fire.”
The rest of the day they wound their way between the dunes. Pali occasionally climbed to the top to take a look around. The sun was brutally hot, and Gewey's legs burned from trudging through the soft, deep sand. After only two hours he drew in the flow to give himself enough strength to continue. To his great relief, Aaliyah caused a cool breeze to follow them, making the heat more bearable. This caused Pali to take notice.
“My mother would be very displeased,” he remarked. “But I must admit, it is a useful skill.” He glanced at Gewey. “Though I was unaware that humans could steal life from the earth. Or perhaps humans of the desert have forgotten such things.” Receiving no reply and seeing Gewey's sudden unease, he shrugged. “It matters not.”
They stopped only once to rest and did not eat. By sundown, even using the flow Gewey could feel the tightness in his legs. He almost dreaded the evening when he would release it and the pain would set in. They found a high dune and climbed up onto it once night began to fall.
Pali distributed the blankets and some dried meat. “I know you may be accustomed to more frequent meals, but in the desert, a full stomach will cause your gut to knot.” He smiled at Aaliyah. “Though, with such a soothing wind at our backs, perhaps tomorrow we will have a small midday meal.”
Just as Gewey feared the moment he released the flow the pain in his legs struck hard. He moaned with discomfort.
Pali laughed. “It will take some time to build your strength.”
Aaliyah leaned over and placed her hands on his aching legs. Gewey could feel the flow rush in and the pain immediately subsided.
“Thank you,” said Gewey. For once he did not feel shy at her touch. “My father told me stories as a child of terrible creatures that roam the desert. Some I can hardly believe.”
Pali tilted his head and grinned. “There are all manner of beasts on the sands. Most leave you alone, as long as you do the same.”
“What about the giant lizards?” asked Gewey.
“Your father must have listened to an elf lore master to have heard such stories,” said Pali. “If they exist, they must be in the North West canyons, where no human or elf roams. I have never seen such a creature here… and there are few places among the dunes I have not traveled.”
Gewey couldn't help but be disappointed. “What about wolves?”
Pali nodded. “They are very real. Though not as perilous as people believe them to be. They will not trouble you as long as you are not alone, and even an elf does not wander alone. Not even a Sand Master.”
They stayed up and talked for another hour. Aaliyah kept quiet, preferring to listen. Gewey found the blanket to be more than adequate for keeping out the cold. The wind brushed across the dune rhythmically, and soon Gewey felt himself drift.
No sooner had his breathing grown deep and steady, he was awakened by a low grumble. He quickly rose to see Pali and Aaliyah already on their feet, weapons drawn. Gewey reached down, freed his sword, and filled himself with the flow.
“What is it?” Gewey whispered.
“Wolves,” Pali replied, in a low tone.
“I thought you said they didn't bother people,” said Gewey. He closed his eyes and listened. At once he sensed them. Six beasts, large as ponies, were slowly circling the dune. The feral growls rose, causing the hair to stand up on the back of his neck.
“They don't,” said Pali. “There's something wrong. I have never heard of them preying on anything but a lone traveler. And even that is rare.”
“Do not fear,” said Aaliyah. She drew in the power of the air. A small ball of flame burst to life above her head. “I have faced fierce beasts in my lands, yet I still live.”
“They go for the throat,” warned Pali. “Stay low.”
No sooner did he speak than all six rushed up the hill at once. Their speed made a Vrykol seem slow by comparison, and their immense paws appeared to glide effortlessly across the sand. The flame above Aaliyah flew down and exploded, engulfing a wolf in white-hot fire. It let out a high-pitched cry, and tumbled down the dune. Gewey caused the sands beneath another to heave skyward, but to his dismay the wolf fell back, only stunned. Another jumped at his throat, and he just managed to duck away in time. The wolf slid to a halt and turned, its teeth gnashing. Gewey quickly glance over his shoulder. One wolf lay dead at Pali's feet, and he was keeping another at bay with his long scimitar.
A flash of light illuminated the dune, and Gewey heard another wolf cry out. By then the first wolf had recovered and reached him. It didn't go for his throat as had the first one, instead ran straight at him, its cruel teeth gleaming. Gewey brought down his blade in a narrow arc, splitting its skull in two. Its body slammed into him, knocking him from his feet. The other wolf was on him the second he landed, bring its deathly maw down hard at Gewey’s neck. He raised his sword and the sound of fangs on steel rang out. He pushed hard with the flow and sent the wolf sprawling. It landed a few feet down the side of the dune, turned and stopped. Gewey struggled to his feet. Aaliyah and Pali were already next to him. Pali's left shoulder hung loosely at his side, soaked with blood that poured off his fingertips. The beast’s black eyes suddenly glowed with an unnatural green light, then it slowly backed away and disappeared into the darkness.
Pali stumbled and collapsed. Gewey caught him and gently lower him to the ground.
Aaliyah knelt down and ripped away Pali's shirt. Blood poured from a vicious bite. The teeth had sunk deep and nearly pulled his shoulder from its socket. She closed her eyes and directed her power at the wound.
Pali tried to push her away. “No,” he protested. “You cannot.”
Aaliyah did not yield. “I swore an oath to your mother that you would return unharmed. I intend to keep it.” She looked up at Gewey. “You must help me.”
Gewey placed his hands on Aaliyah's and their spirits combined. The flow rushed through him, and for the first time he drew both air and earth together, as she guided his energy. Pali struggled at first, then gasped, arching his back. Gewey could feel the wound close as the flow surrounded it. He had healed before, but Aaliyah's skill astounded him. In less than a minute, the wound had closed.
“We must help him recover the blood he has lost,” she whispered. She sent the power deep inside Pali's body. It expanded and pulsed, saturating him completely. Finally, she lifted her hands and smiled. “It is done.”
Gewey stared at her in awe. He understood now, just how much he still had to learn.
Pali sat up, his face twisted in anger. “What you did is forbidden. You had no right-”
“I had every right,” snapped Aaliyah. “I made a promise to your mother, and even had I not, I would not allow another elf to suffer death if I have the power to prevent it.” She rose to her feet. “I need not justify myself to you. If you prefer death, seek it somewhere else. And if you must leave us, so be it.”
Pali glared for a long moment, then closed his eyes and lowered his head. “I will not leave you. I made a promise as well.” He looked up at Aaliyah and rose to his feet. “I will guide you. But we must leave this place before the scavengers catch the scent. They can be far deadlier than wolves.”
The heaping bulk of the slain wolves were scattered across the top and sides of the dune. The glow of the wolf's eyes still burned in Gewey’s mind. Pali led them east for about an hour before bringing them atop another dune. They all wrapped the blankets tightly around themselves, and stared into the darkness. Gewey reached out with the flow and to his great relief, heard nothing.
“I am sorry I was angry,” said Pali, after a time. “You saved my life. But you must understand how we feel about such things.”
“I do understand,” said Aaliyah. “And had there been another way, I would not have gone against your wishes. But I will not return your dead body to your mother if there is a way to prevent it.”
