Reaching the village was no great challenge – long, but uncomplicated. As Riniock and Linry approached the academy gates, ready to depart, they found a man waiting with two beasts, already fastened and prepared for travel.
'A politamus,' Riniock noted as they drew closer.
Linry nodded. 'That's right. They're perfect for crossing the rock barrens – they can go days without water and handle the rough terrain with ease.'
Intrigued, Riniock stepped forward and placed a hand on one of the creatures' heads.
The politamus had wrinkled, leathery skin, smooth yet uneven, like that of a hairless animal. Its large, round eyes held a surprising depth, curiosity gleaming within them. Its snout-like mouth gave it an intelligent – if slightly eerie – appearance. A long, sturdy tail flicked behind it, likely aiding in balance or communication.
Linry finished paying the stablemaster and turned to him. 'Shall we?'
Riniock gave the politamus an affectionate pat on the snout before nodding. Without further delay, they mounted their beasts, secured their belongings, and set off on their journey.
As they traversed the wastelands, they encountered many sights. Though much of the terrain was an endless expanse of sand and rock, a few details stood out amidst the desolation.
Whilst riding, they crested a dune and spotted a gathering of creatures below.
'What are those?' Riniock asked, turning to Linry.
She squinted against the glare of the sun, shading her eyes with one hand. 'Remazods. Nasty things.'
As they neared the creatures, the entire pack snapped their heads towards them in unison. Then, in an unsettling display, a dozen or so of them reared onto their hind legs, their massive black eyes locking onto the politami and their riders.
Without warning, they let out a shrill, piercing screech, their maws gaping wide to reveal rows of razor-sharp fangs.
'Don't be alarmed,' Linry said quickly, raising a hand to stop Riniock from making any rash moves. 'It's just a warning display. Stay calm, act normal, and don't make any sudden movements.'
Riniock eyed the creatures warily, his gaze shifting between them and Linry.
The remazods were reptilian beasts, their bodies covered in rough, almost armour-like hide with jagged spines running along their backs. Their heads bore long, tendril-like appendages resembling beards, adding to their eerie, ancient appearance.
Amidst the encircling remazods, a carcass lay sprawled in the sand. It was large and covered in coarse fur, its flesh torn open and entrails strewn across the ground, staining the desert red.
'What are they eating?' Riniock asked, though he quickly answered himself. 'Is that a shimlee?'
Linry nodded. 'Poor thing. It's slow, making it easy prey for every beast in the region.'
The words lingered in Riniock's mind.
The weak are always preyed upon, fodder for the strong. If his luck had been any worse that day in the sandstorm, he might have ended up dead at Fladd's hands – or worse, de-souled by the emerser.
As they put more distance between themselves and the remazods, the creatures lost interest in them and returned to their meal.
The rest of the journey proved uneventful. They passed jagged rock spires and winding canyons, spotted a lone oasis, and even rode by a crater eerily similar to the one left behind by the emerser.
After several days, the village finally emerged on the horizon – a small, impoverished settlement.
Given that none of its inhabitants were maegis, it was a wonder how they survived in such conditions. Their homes were built from the materials available, crude bricks of dried mud stacked together to form humble dwellings.
'This is where you lived?'
'Surprising, isn't it?' Linry replied, her voice tinged with melancholy. 'It was poor back then, and it's even poorer now…'
Riniock scanned his surroundings as his politamus trudged forward.
Villagers toiled beneath the relentless sun, dressed in little more than rags. Some diced up carcasses, others hauled building materials. Tanners stretched leather, whilsta blacksmiths hammered away at their forges. Even children no older than Riniock and Linry worked tirelessly alongside the adults.
Only the youngest gathered in the streets, their wide eyes fixed on the newcomers and their unusual mounts.
'So many people in such a small village,' Riniock muttered, scanning the crowd. Even amongst the children alone, the numbers were staggering. 'How do they manage to feed everyone?'
'They don't,' Linry replied bluntly. 'Some babies don't even make it past their first year. There's just not enough food to go around.'
'Seriously?'
Linry shot him a sideways glance. 'You grew up in a wealthy household, didn't you? I doubt you ever imagined such a thing was possible.'
Riniock hesitated before nodding. 'That's true…a single garden at my family estate could probably feed this entire village. And we have over a dozen of them.'
Linry sighed.
She didn't need to say it outright, but it was clear – agriculture wasn't part of their way of life. Even if it was, there were few crops that could survive in such a harsh landscape.
The only trace of plant life in the village was a single withered tree. Or at least, it resembled a tree, though its twisted branches looked more like exposed roots clawing at the sky. It bore no leaves, no fruit – just dry, lifeless wood.
Something about it felt oddly familiar.
'What is this tree?' Riniock asked.
'That old thing?' Linry chuckled. 'It's not a tree. That's daqroot – one of the only ones for leagues. Probably the only plant you'll find around here too.'
'A daqroot? The same one used in the deterrent potion?'
'The very same. Why do you think the village was built around it?'
'To keep predators away?'
'Exactly. But it also bothers more docile creatures, which means we can't keep livestock or raise beasts for food.'
'Gods…why do people stay here?'
Linry gave a small shrug. 'Where else would they go?'
'…fair point.'
Haitenshire. A crumbling village with more people than houses, barely any food, no vegetation – just a daqroot that fended off threats but made survival even harder.
Truly, their luck was rotten.
Then, out of nowhere, Linry brightened. 'We're almost there! My father's house is just down that way.'
The politami trudged at their usual pace, but at a nudge from their riders, they picked up speed.
The house in question was no better off than the others – weathered and neglected. Bricks were piled haphazardly against the walls, as if repairs had been abandoned mid-task. Several holes dotted the structure, unfinished and exposed to the elements.
The door hung loosely, unhinged and swaying in the wind. Even before they reached it, the truth was clear.
The house was abandoned.
Linry's expression darkened. Her hand clenched, and a flickering flame ignited in her palm. 'Something's wrong.'
She didn't wait. 'Father!'
Silence.
The moment they reached the front, Linry thrust her reins into Riniock's hands and rushed inside.
Minutes later, she reappeared, her face pale with panic.
'He's not here…there's dust everywhere, and most of his things are either broken or missing.'