Confrontation/Chapter 7

I fled the grove, determined to escape the clutches of The'Galin and his dark intentions. Before long, the sand beneath my feet told me that I had fled the boundaries of the oasis entirely. I had no idea where I was going, only that I wished to be far away from the influence of that darkly suggestive voice, free from that strong impulse to betray my people in vengeance for their intentions.

The evening sun was already sinking beyond the horizon and the cool of the desert evening was rapidly taking the place of the heat of the scorching day. For many races, being out in the desert during the day was folly and many merchants shunned the desert except during the moonlit hours. For the Silari, uniquely adapted to the desert environment, travel was possible at any time. The uniqueness of our fur-lined scales allowed us to readily dissipate the heat of the sun during the hottest hours and trap ambient heat during the coldest nights.

Dehydration, however, was an issue that all living beings faced and the Silari were no exception. Running headlong into the desert at any time of the day was folly. The acknowledged foolishness of my actions, however, did little to slow my flight from the desert city that had been my home. Logic could not command the deep-seated fear that had taken root in my mind.

I had no idea where I was going and even less idea what I was going to do once I arrived. I knew only this: if The'Galin had attempted to recruit me, he was surely doing the same with others, and others might well agree to his demands without a second thought.

This thought was very much on my mind during my flight from the oasis to the near edge of the Skraeling Wastes. I considered momentarily my options and then turned toward the port of Lolosia. I would leave the mainland entirely, seek refuge as distantly from my home as possible.

Fleeing The'Galin was a foolish thought... You cannot flee destiny.