Saiyi was sitting atop the hill as always. Her friends had gone, but she enjoyed the time alone also. She stared out into the wastes as the sun set. From here she could see her house. Smoke was bellowing from the chimney and she wondered what her father was cooking. She preferred cooking herself, but every so often she took some time to just admire the sunset. When the sun had finally sunk beneath the distant edge of Cyla, she gathered her basket and shook the worst dust from her clothes. She wore traditional garb of shroom leather and vine weave. It was very brown. Saiyi, against her father's suggestion, wore pants instead of the traditional skirt like everyone else. She found it far more practical. Once she made sure she looked somewhat presentable, she made her way home.
On her decent from the hill bright flashes sprung up along the length of the wall. She shielded her eyes. Within a second a rush of air and multiple booms made her drop her basket of produce and dive to the ground. Saiyi had too little experience to immediately know what was happening. Closer to the foot of the hill she spotted a group of villagers. They seem to be having an argument with a guard. Then there were smaller flashes and a few cracks. The guard crumpled, the group not looking back as they continued into town. Saiyi's eyes stretched and tears filled them. An involuntary peep came from her. She placed her hands over her mouth not daring to move at first. She stayed there on the ground for some time, until she saw another group moving together. She did not know if it could be the same group as before, but this time they seemed to be heading toward the walls. She immediately realised what was happening. This was a Sand Eater attack. She had heard the stories, but was not prepared for how despicable an act it was in reality.
Saiyi looked back at the town. The flames lit up the night in orange and red. Shouts and screams drifted up with the embers of her home lighting up the lower reaches of Thay above. She looked out into the desert and could see tiny lights moving swiftly away into the wastelands and into the night. Anger gripped her. The young woman got to her feet defiantly and started running. She did not know if she would catch up and she did not know what she would do if she did. She did know that those were her people and her friends that were being taken, to what would most likely be their deaths. She had a strange feeling that regardless of the outcome, village life was about to change forever for her.
She kept running. The walls had been blasted open in places that she now used also. For the first time in her life, she was outside the town. Though she had little time to ponder the fact as she started off across the wasteland beyond. Her footing was difficult on the desert sand. The heat from the day still radiating from the ground. Her legs hurt and her lungs were burning and yet she did not seem to be getting any closer to the lights. A few times she lost her balance and tumbled, but got back up immediately and kept going. After an hour of struggling and exhaustion, she found herself now walking painfully across the dead reaches. She wondered offhand what it looked like before The God War. She was unable to imagine that where she walked used to be the bottom of a large globe-spanning ocean. Saiyi often peeked over the side of a cup imagining the water inside as an ocean. But imagination could only serve her so far.
She looked back and could faintly spot the glow of the fires in the distance, now almost extinguished. To the opposite side, she could only faintly see one light, possibly of a straggler. Perhaps a rear guard. If she didn't turn back now, she may not make it home before the desert sun starts shining down. She had never stood in noon sunlight before and she was aware her people do not fare well in it. Still, she continued. If she could at least find out where they were being taken, she could make a difference.
Another hour later, perhaps more, she arrived at the light. It was but a pole driven into the dune with a lantern attached. A diversion tactic no doubt. The Sand Eaters could be anywhere by now. They would likely have to get back before the sun rises also. She looked around, and in the dim moonlit night, she saw the Reish Mountains on the horizon. Saiyi was not aware of the fact, but these were the remnants of a continental shelf from ages past. Some tracks led vaguely away from the post toward them.
"That must be where they were going." She thought out loud to herself. It was close enough, but still a two-day walk for her. She squared her shoulders, took a deep breath, and started walking. She was very aware that she had no food or water with her. If she died in the wastes, everyone would assume she was taken. Perhaps it's better that way.
In the town, Sailus was running around frantically. He asked every soul if they had seen Saiyi. Nobody in the confusion had seen her. Many of them were too busy looking for their own kin. Eventually, Sailus dropped to his knees. Tears rolled down his old face. This girl was his charge from the gods themselves. He had also come to love her as his own daughter, having raised her for the last 18 years. He looked up toward the village tower knowing what he needed to do. Making his way through the chaos and past the last of the fires, now nearly out, he reached the tower. This was the tallest structure in the village, perhaps under the island. He started up the many stairs. Every few flights he had to take a break, feeling his age catch up to him as he ascended. When he reached the top, the whole village lay before him. It was the largest shadow dweller village to his knowledge, yet it only spanned a few kilometers end to end. He hastily dismissed the guard. Fat lot of good they did anyway. He steadied himself as he drew a deep breath. Then shouted at the top of his lungs: "Kez Visat! Seer and lord of Thay! I require your assistance please!"
Sailus slumped down. He felt weary beyond even his years and his entire body burned from the ordeal.
"How did they get in?" He exclaimed. "We were supposed to be defended."
"I will find out friend." Came a reply from beside him.
Sailus looked up at the familiar voice and tears of joy streamed down his face accompanied by a wide smile.
Saiyi had lost track of time. It was late on the first day. It would be dark again soon. But her skin was burned and every muscle ached. The mountains were drawing closer and from here she could see Thay in a different way than ever before. She imagined she could make out shapes like buildings near the edge of the impossible landmass. "What a life it must be up there. Without worries and fears. I hope when I die here, I am found worthy."
When night fell Saiyi stopped for a short rest when she found a rocky outcropping. Her breaths were ragged and dry. She sat down against the stones which were still warm on her back against the settling desert cold. She did not fully expect to ever get up again. She closed her eyes and her body toppled over. The last of her energy leaving her.
"Here is where I will lay. Beneath the sand for all time" She thought as she lost consciousness.
A warm light spread over her face. She opened her eyes, unsure if it was hours or an eternity later. A figure stood behind the light. A light coming from what looked like an amulet.
"Am I dead?" Saiyi managed to squeak out.
"Very nearly I'm afraid. But worry not child, for you are found." Said the voice of a woman.
"Who…" The young woman tried to say.
"It matters not dear girl. But I want you to know that I saw you. I saw that you are of noble blood and worthy spirit." The woman said. Her voice was warm and gentle.
Saiyi closed her eyes smiling. This must be an angel. Perhaps she would find out what the islands are like after all. Warmth touched her chest and her breaths started to ease. Her whole body flooded with warmth like lying next to a hearth. Her sore limbs, burned skin and dry throat all eased. But she was still tired. More tired than she had ever been before.
"I am ready," She said softly.
"More than any that had come before child. Of this I am sure. With love I willingly give you this power Saiyi. Be the best of them." The woman now barely more than whispering. This was the last thing Saiyi heard. Then she slept. She slept as never before. A deep sleep with fantastical dreams of flying in the rain. She never wanted it to end. Perhaps this was what death was like for the worthy. Freedom and water in abundance.
At first light, she woke. Her clothes wet and cool despite the dry environment. The sun casting the boulder's shadow over her. She felt refreshed and alive. She looked down at the weight around her neck. There was an amulet like the woman was wearing. But the gem was like transparent glass. She wasn't sure what this meant, but she was sure now that it wasn't a dream. She decided to go on toward the mountains. She wasn't dead and now she was well rested. Even her hunger seems to have been sated. Though she did not get far before another voice spoke behind her.
"So this is certainly something. Found you I guess" The voice said.
Saiyi turned but did not recognize the man. What was more is that he was floating a few feet above the sand. Her eyes went wide and she promptly fell to her knees.
"My lord. I am humbled by your presence." She said. Being the daughter of the village Tabake had prepared her for this unlikely encounter.
"It is I who is humbled," Kez Visat said landing next to her.
"It does not surprise me to find you here. After all, you were raised by Sailus." Kez continued.
"How I found you is the puzzling part. It would appear that Cyla has a new chosen."
Saiyi looked up to find the God of her father bowing to her. She looked down and took the amulet in her hands. The gem now a faint red colour.
"I'm sorry my lord. I don't understand." She begun.
"No need to worry. All will be explained. And please if you must, call me sir. Though you are welcome to just call me Kez."
Saiyi blushed, eyes wide. Besides for Kez Visat's looks, she never expected him to be so nice.
"Come," Kez said, "let's get you home. Your people will be safe. I promised it to an old friend once before and it still stands. I swear on his grave."
With this, he took her hand. His were warm and gentle. Then she was flying again, towards her village. Though toward what future she could not imagine. But she was not afraid anymore. Not for her or her people.