Poet Goes To The Desert

[Hinoten]

The desert is beautiful and hostile! So many dunes to roll around in to get some good dust baths in. I accompanied Willow and Wisp in a separate caravan as Willow had some Order business to attend to on the way. Something about antlion nests and management of them. I arrived in the city of Gandra and was set to care of Wisp while Willow attended to more Order business. I came across the rest of Meadowmere. I am curious why so many appear concerned over me watching over Wisp for Willow. I have a younger brother that I watched over often when he was a baby… Perhaps I’m too silly? But babies love silly!

“It’s a baby! Hi baby! Mwaaaah~ Ooooooo!”

I give lots of kisses and cuddles to Wisp, she seems to like me.

Willow returns from her business and I am relieved of baby watching. I spend some time to visit an elephant graveyard that I heard others speak of. I am sad to have missed the most recent journey for a beasts’ final resting place. I have so many questions that I would have loved to ask. The graveyard is well kept and peaceful, a deep and beautiful contrast to the fields of war. There is no anger and fear, there is rest. I pay my respects.

I returned to the marketplace and listened to all the bustle of commerce. But then started a different bustle. Mu’kan, Dahlia, and another snakefolk had entered into a beast folk temple, without weapons as was the tradition of the temple. Entrance was blockaded by other members of Meadowmere. There is murmurs of concern, warranted as we are in unfamiliar territory and our friends were now unarmed and out of our sight.

There was so much chaos. Screams and shouts from within filled with panic. I know those screams. Meadowmere responded with charging inside to aid. I did not want to risk entering into tight quarters. I spotted Hermes exiting from a side entrance through a high window with our friends, and the unfamiliar snake folk. I raced over to check on the unmoving body of Mu’kan’s friend, I tried to heal just to be sure, but he was already gone. Mu’kan was in hysterics. I wish there was more that I could do to save him, but I did what I could to make sure he rested. I held his spirit’s hand for one moment, and asked him if he needed a message delivered to his loved ones. Upon giving me his message, he passed to the other side.

“I’m so sorry…I let my guard down for one moment, and I lost everything.”

I knew it wasn’t much in this moment, but it’s words she could hold later in her grief. The battle inside seemed to be settling. People were leaving…but where was the Sage? Wasn’t he supposed to be in this temple? I had to go in. I left behind my weapon out of respect for the temple and asked for a boost through the window. There still lingered people in the temple, wielding nasty swords and standing around a table soaked in blood. One approached and seemed intrigued, but did not attack me outright. I played into it, best to be underestimated. I was unarmed after all.

“Barrier!”

One exit blockaded from Sanctuary and allowing Meadowmere to enter. We had to find the Sage, I could at least be a distraction an continue to respect the no weapons policy of the temple.

“I’M A DISTRACTION!”

More chaos, but the Sage Ayaan was able to escape. The artifact was taken though, we missed our chance. Following the loss of the artifact and retrieval of the Ayaan, the temple collapsed crushing any that were inside. I tried to go through the rubble but there was no way I could access any way inside. After a while, all I could do for those that perished was say tribute, speak for their passing, and hope that they lay to rest proper. A temple ground should not be haunted by lingering spirits.

Ayaan explained that the lantern was actually an artifact that belonged to another Sage, one called “Ed” who is located in Ancuram. Ayaan seemed concerned over Ed’s safety and asked for us to check on them. I hope that Ed is alright…I’m beginning to become very worried about Hanu. At the very least Sanctuary doesn’t seem to be trying to kill the Sages…

I miss you big brother.

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