You know, my father, Galegantis, always said, "Life's funny, as soon as a wish is granted people are unsatisfied." He was so right. Just a few weeks ago I was sleeping outside, tired and alone on the streets of Freestone wishing for a way out of that exhausted city. No sooner do I leave than I want to be away from the sea and back on land, free from the rowing and the constant threat of storm. That wish is granted and I wish to be hidden from the penetrating and relentless rays of the sun. Soon after, I was below the surface and eager to escape to the world of fresh breezes and starry nights. Impossible to satisfy, I longed to be with new people and fresh faces, and now find myself looking for work in a salt mine. Life's funny indeed, papa.
Crossing the desert was amazing. After weeks of seeing an unbroken horizon of water, of being able to see the oncoming storms, and even the line of the rains, I never expected to see anything quite so beautiful. The swells of the ocean, to me at the time, were a gentle massage of welcome, the boat and the ocean caressing each other, kissing and breaking away, the meeting and the parting, all at once.
When we got to the desert I met the earth's response to the ocean. As the shells and palms met the ocean so too did palms and plants meet the desert. Linear discussed the relationship between the four creatures, the seashells, the ocean-bordering palms, the scrub bushes and the desert palms. He spoke of balance and synergy, a relationship that helped all of them grow stronger.
Lines of unbroken sand dunes met the scrub-bushes at the foot of the small town we discovered once we landed the small rowboat. I admit, I was eager to explore the sandy wastes, but once we were 3 days in, with no end in sight, I began to regret my haste. I have never experienced want like I felt while crossing the Kesh. I almost welcomed the attack, when it came, to end my days of thirst.
Hesma Al-Kesh Kmir was a sight, his colorful robes and dancing desert horses told me survival was possible despite these conditions. I knew the oasis must be near. I figure his people treated the oasis as their city, guarding it from attackers and greedily hoarding their bounty. I was surprised when they took us to their seer, and cured us in their restorative waters. These were good people and in my heart I wished them all the success possible.
We traveled with Kmir for two days before arriving in one of his Salt Tribe villages. There the people were friendly and we discussed many things, including their history and the politics involved with their current, unfortunate situation. I have seen the toll the merchants of Freestone have taken on the poverty-stricken citizens of my city and here it is little different.
The few live well, keeping the edge of their curiosity whetted for the next big thing, while the many (so many) live on the edge of physical and economic breakdown. I knew I would do what I could for these people, but whether it be soon, or far from now, I had no way to tell. It turned out to be soon. Kmir asked us to pose as miners and infiltrate a stronghold held by the robber-merchants. I nodded my head to Kmir, signaling that I would go. Hoping my friends from the Lido would join me, I was relieved when Angry Pipe dramatically said, "I accept the mission." We leave in the morning.
