to relieve his mouth from the tiny grains, and dusted off the thin coat which covered his body in all visible areas.
“I believe he was more frightened than we thought.” Thomas joked while continuing to stare at Kale’s pants, which hung low at his bottom from the weight of the sand.
“All right, that’s enough, you two.” Kale shook his legs, allowing sand to rush to the ground.
“Let’s get movin’, kid.” Illadar ruffled Kale’s hair and lightly shoved him forward. “It’s bloody hot and we’ve got a long way to travel.”
They walked a great distance in the dreadful heat. Kale removed his tunic, cleverly wrapping it to fit over his head and shield against the sun’s rays. Any amount of relief was vital to guard against excessive exposure or fatigue.
Eventually, the high temperature wore on Thomas who requested temporary refuge beneath a lone tree which cast minimal shade. He sighed, knowing that without food, the risk of teleporting would prove fatal. He lifted a satchel to his blistering lips and took a long swig. Though the water was warm, it soothed his dry throat.
“While I regain strength, we must discuss things, Kale. I wish to know more about this new mutation of yours. Your body, just as the dunes of this desert, is shifting. Has this new ability happened often since you’ve first discovered it?”
“Only once before—though I felt it for the first time back at Alden’s camp.” Kale replied.
“I see. We must keep close watch on this—I could plainly see you have no control over the ability. It’s just as before. The worst scenario at this point is that you permanently obtain these mutations and find yourself stuck in a void between human and dragon.”
Kale cringed at the thought. Because of Neelan, he was willing to accept his human form; but to be trapped within an inhuman shell was something he could not bear. His aching stomach interrupted the moment, growling in response to his hunger. “Can’t you conjure us something to eat? Our last meal feels like ages ago.” He gripped his gut.
“If only it were that simple.” Thomas chuckled. He braced his hands upon each knee and rose to his feet. “Shall we continue?”
Illadar cupped a hand over his brows and examined the position of the sun. “By the looks of it, we are workin’ with limited light. You’ll just have to tolerate it, kid.”
Along their trek, hunger finally began to get the best of all three. Their feet felt sluggish and weighted down as each man sifted through the hot sand with his shoulders hung.
“Kale—stop,” Thomas commanded.
In the near distance, slithered a thick, and very lengthy, brown snake. At the end of its tail was a shell-like, textured carapace.
Kale’s mouth filled with saliva as he eyed the serpent.
“It’s a Rattler, as we called them back in Mirion. Very deadly if struck by their venom—but also very edible if you’re able to catch ’em.” Illadar’s eyes glazed over with excitement. The creature was the first sign of life they had encountered since beginning their journey to the Imbola Clan’s camp.
Kale wasted no time; his hunger consumed his rationality and his natural dragon instincts took hold. He sprung forward with amazing speed, pouncing upon the unsuspecting snake. With a swift motion, he barbarically slammed the Rattler’s head into the ground—smashing it with his fist until blood spattered the sand.
“Jumping balt toads, Kale, it’s a snake, not a cougar. I believe you’ve killed it.” Thomas wrinkled his nose in distaste.
After a brief debate, they decided it would be wise to break and cook supper. The risks were too high to continue on as they were. Using dried leaves Thomas had collected from the tree he earlier rest below, he focused a minimal amount of energy to ignite a small fire. Due to his fatigued state, a blackened discoloration immediately appeared in the veins of his hands. He knew that during their quest, he
“I believe he was more frightened than we thought.” Thomas joked while continuing to stare at Kale’s pants, which hung low at his bottom from the weight of the sand.
“All right, that’s enough, you two.” Kale shook his legs, allowing sand to rush to the ground.
“Let’s get movin’, kid.” Illadar ruffled Kale’s hair and lightly shoved him forward. “It’s bloody hot and we’ve got a long way to travel.”
They walked a great distance in the dreadful heat. Kale removed his tunic, cleverly wrapping it to fit over his head and shield against the sun’s rays. Any amount of relief was vital to guard against excessive exposure or fatigue.
Eventually, the high temperature wore on Thomas who requested temporary refuge beneath a lone tree which cast minimal shade. He sighed, knowing that without food, the risk of teleporting would prove fatal. He lifted a satchel to his blistering lips and took a long swig. Though the water was warm, it soothed his dry throat.
“While I regain strength, we must discuss things, Kale. I wish to know more about this new mutation of yours. Your body, just as the dunes of this desert, is shifting. Has this new ability happened often since you’ve first discovered it?”
“Only once before—though I felt it for the first time back at Alden’s camp.” Kale replied.
“I see. We must keep close watch on this—I could plainly see you have no control over the ability. It’s just as before. The worst scenario at this point is that you permanently obtain these mutations and find yourself stuck in a void between human and dragon.”
Kale cringed at the thought. Because of Neelan, he was willing to accept his human form; but to be trapped within an inhuman shell was something he could not bear. His aching stomach interrupted the moment, growling in response to his hunger. “Can’t you conjure us something to eat? Our last meal feels like ages ago.” He gripped his gut.
“If only it were that simple.” Thomas chuckled. He braced his hands upon each knee and rose to his feet. “Shall we continue?”
Illadar cupped a hand over his brows and examined the position of the sun. “By the looks of it, we are workin’ with limited light. You’ll just have to tolerate it, kid.”
Along their trek, hunger finally began to get the best of all three. Their feet felt sluggish and weighted down as each man sifted through the hot sand with his shoulders hung.
“Kale—stop,” Thomas commanded.
In the near distance, slithered a thick, and very lengthy, brown snake. At the end of its tail was a shell-like, textured carapace.
Kale’s mouth filled with saliva as he eyed the serpent.
“It’s a Rattler, as we called them back in Mirion. Very deadly if struck by their venom—but also very edible if you’re able to catch ’em.” Illadar’s eyes glazed over with excitement. The creature was the first sign of life they had encountered since beginning their journey to the Imbola Clan’s camp.
Kale wasted no time; his hunger consumed his rationality and his natural dragon instincts took hold. He sprung forward with amazing speed, pouncing upon the unsuspecting snake. With a swift motion, he barbarically slammed the Rattler’s head into the ground—smashing it with his fist until blood spattered the sand.
“Jumping balt toads, Kale, it’s a snake, not a cougar. I believe you’ve killed it.” Thomas wrinkled his nose in distaste.
After a brief debate, they decided it would be wise to break and cook supper. The risks were too high to continue on as they were. Using dried leaves Thomas had collected from the tree he earlier rest below, he focused a minimal amount of energy to ignite a small fire. Due to his fatigued state, a blackened discoloration immediately appeared in the veins of his hands. He knew that during their quest, he
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