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“Problem?” the man asked he stood in the center of the room, a pack at his feet. We’d seen no sign of an animal outside. He appeared much too fresh to be travelling on foot.
“I’m worried about the storm sealing us in.” An apt fear given this house hadn’t been visible until now. What if the storm hid it again? Being buried alive sounded like an unpleasant way to die.
“We won’t get stuck.”
Yaanik entered and snorted. “Bah. A little bit of digging, we’ll be fine.”
“There’s a shovel in the corner,” our mystery host teased.
“Keep making those kinds of jests, and I might just use it.” I stepped inside, and my entire body tightened. Not a big space. Enough for all of us to lie down and not have to snuggle, but not a ton of extra room. Especially once the bags were dropped.
The door shut, cutting off the breeze from the approaching storm. I didn’t realize I’d dug my nails into my hand until Daisy leaned close and said, “Relax.”
Me, tense? Not a familiar feeling these days. Blame the fact I could usually do my job, and do it well, with little effort. And even less danger.
Why had I agreed to come out to the desert again? I should have told Jrijori and Qynn no.
But I didn’t. So I had to fake courage and make the most of the situation. The giants didn’t seem worried. They set up some beds using the bedding they had in their bags. Found some flasks and food too.
As for the stranger, he somehow stood in a shadow despite the lantern light. Its flame remained steady despite the howling shriek of the wind outside. We’d gotten to shelter just in time.
“Drink.” Jord pressed a flask into my hands, and I wasn’t about to refuse the water inside that somehow remained tasting fresh. The giant then started introductions. “I’m Jord, the one in charge of these lunks. That’s Yaanik and Daisy.” At her name, the woman grunted. “And this here is our dear, sweet Sliver.”
I wanted to throttle him. Instead, I laughed. “I think everyone is sliver-sized compared to my companions. My name is actually Sharia. And you are?”
“A name is a powerful thing to share. How do I know you can be trusted with it?” The stranger arched a dark brow, which only served to highlight the brilliant green of his eyes. His tanned skin had him as one of my people, but those eyes… I’d never seen the like. Obviously of mixed blood.
“Why would you fear telling me unless you’re a wanted man?” My sweet reply.
That brought laughter from the stranger. “No one remembers me. Not anymore. But I am hoping that changes. I am Oriz.” He eyed me and the giants currently pulling out various food items and discussing their options for cooking it. Not good, given we had no way to vent the smoke. “Where are you and your companions headed?”
No point in hiding it since the road we followed only went in one direction. “North to the city the Seventh Jewel. I’ll be rejoining my uncle who is visiting the king.”
“What a coincidence. I’m on my way there as well, although the company I keep isn’t as lofty.”
“I don’t usually socialize with kings either,” I admitted. “Where are you coming from?” Because I couldn’t place his accent.
“A place you probably never heard of.”
I wanted to claim otherwise—after all, I knew my Ulkruuba geography—only to remember I was supposed to be from the South. “Are you visiting someone?”
“Doing business actually. I’ve been given an important task to accomplish.”
“Oh?” I queried with no real interest.
“I stumbled across them by accident and have been promised a great reward once I return with my prize.”
“Good for you.”
“Water.” Daisy shoved a flask at me, and I had to lift my gauzy veil to drink. Harder than expected because Oriz fixed an intent stare on my face. Harder still keeping the veil lifted. A Weztrogian would have been eager to remove it. Something I should remember.
Oriz excused himself to pull out his own contribution to our meal: a loaf of bread and cheese. How they’d survived in his pack I couldn’t even guess.
The giants contributed meat jerky, juicier than any I’d ever tasted, and dried fruit that teased my tongue. For water, the house actually had a working spigot. It took some pumping by Yaanik before it blew more than dust, but the basin under soon filled, and we could take turns wiping off the dust and quenching our thirst. What a great way station this place would make for travelers. The few shelters along the road didn’t have water or even intact roofs.
The stranger appeared amenable enough. He spoke to anyone. Jested and took teasing in positive measure. He didn’t share much of himself, though, and I found myself often glancing at him, trying to puzzle him out. I could have used my wiles on him and gotten answers, but I didn’t want to waste any of my potions. Not until I’d gotten a better measure of the situation at the castle with the king.
The wind howled for hours and showed no sign of easing. While I couldn’t see the sun set, I knew night had fallen. We wouldn’t be going anywhere until morning so no point in staying awake. The giants placed me in a corner with the spare bedding. Apparently, they weren’t as trusting as I’d thought. They would take turns sleeping.
