Silvenya and Zuula tried to scramble their way up Jugs side, but once again required the assitance of Shuug, who happily lifted them onto their camels back. The caravan set out, Into the desert. The sand was the pitch black of tar, The sun beat down on their necks. Tiny bug buzzed around every ones head, and the heat sent contagious yawns spreading around the crowd.
They traveled through out the day, pausing frequently to eat, or water animals, or situate various supplies. Traveling was slow. They climbed and descended dune after dune, with little to break up the ocean of sand except for the occasional lone cactus, which shown bright green against the obsidian dust. A wide trail of foot prints was left in the caravans wake, marking their winding trail across the sand dunes. The days seemed to drag on forever. The burning sun taking longer with every day that passed to dip below the horizon.
As the sun dropped, so did the temperature. The travelers set up camp in a large circle. With men on the outside, and women and children in the center. Howls and screeches could be heard echoing through the night as unknown animals paid their respects to their favorite moons.
Breezes glide across the cooling desert, blowing the sand, and covering the caravans tracks. The winds made the cool night seem even chillier. Silvenya was grateful for the night weather, the water she continuously poured over herself evaporated slower. It was nearly impossible for the newt girl to keep the sand from sticking her her damp skin, and through much of the journey she squirmed uncomfortably.
The open space, with no shelter to hide from the howling and screeching beasts made Silvenya uncomfortable, and for the first night she did not sleep at all. She fidgeted in the sand, staring at millions of stars over head. Unable to keep herself quiet' she continuously muttered to Zuula. Quietly, so not to wake up traveling companions who were snoring around her, Silvenya described The shapes of the stars she learned growing up. She was surprised to find some of the stars she had never seen before, and started to make up her own shapes.
After the first night, Silvenya took to cuddling up to Zuula, feeling safe nestled against by the much larger woman. There she slept, though fitfully due to the ever present sand on her dehydrating skin.
For 8 nights, and 9 days they traveled. Stopping and going as the Caravan allowed them. Zuula would occasionally draw water deep from under the desert. It was a slow and arduous spell, that left the equillre exhausted every night. With the water, she filled her water skins, and Silvenya's, and as money others as she could manage before the drain of the spell was too much for her to maintain. Zuula had none of the problems sleeping that her friend did. As well as being exhausted from the spell, Zuula was immensely pleased that she could help so many people get a drink in the hot dry desert. She slept like a baby in the wide open night.
Finally, Early on the 9th morning, jug crested a particularly large black sand dune. Far in the distance, Silvenya and Zuula caught their first glimpse of the city of Cinnccritt. A magnificent castle with an enormous golden domed roof basked in the rays of the morning sunlight. By mid day, the entire City seemed to be glowing. The caravan took far fewer breaks on this day, hustling towards the city. Anxious to reach its destination. it was nearly dinner when the mass of people finally arrived at Cinnccritts gates. They poured through, Making their way to Stables, and artisans. To exchange gold for much needed services after a weeks travel in the dessert.
Within minutes, the entire caravan had disappeared into shops, or restaurants, and Zuula and Silvenya were left in the middle of the road, with no more company then the camel they road.
