The Path to Greatness/Chapter 7

We had been wandering the desert for hours. Initially, we had split at first into two groups, the first following the most likely search pattern of the Drakel and the second analyzing their most recent reported position. We had subsequently rejoined forces and we could see the Drakel encampment in front of us.

At least, we presumed it to be the Drakel. The technology certainly matched, but we could see no signs of life. What we saw instead was a vast excavation of desert which revealed a site the likes of which none of us had ever seen. Though I was well-traveled, a dig on this scale was beyond my imagining.

What lay before me in the depths of the desert sand could only be described as a vast city. The architecture of the buildings, long covered by the desert sands, was amazingly intact. The beating of centuries, even millennia, of weather had not broken the walls or destroyed the roofs. Indeed, it was as if the desert had merely swallowed the city intact, an idea which seemed ludicrous, though I would come to learn it was not far from the truth of the matter.

"Da Muun comin," Culak said, causing me to look to the east and verify the fact that the horizon was slowly taking on the scarlet hues of dawn.

"We have several options as I see it," Kendrel said, glancing toward the rising sun. "We can attempt to rush back to the Skraeling Oasis, we can make camp here in the hot desert sun, or we can descend into the cover of the buildings below and find what we may find...."

"If we do not make it to the oasis, we will have to stop where we are in the desert and will be exhausted...."

"Such is true.... however, if we stay here, we will be exposed to the unfiltered Skraeling sun for certain and we might in fact make it... As to descending into the ruins.... who can say what dangers lurk beneath the sands....?"

"Da muun comin," Culak repeated ominously.... The choice was obviously mine...