The unrelenting sun barred down on the merchant caravan. Sweat is pouring out of every pore. Vultures danced above them as they marched. Their hungry eyes gleam at anyone falling behind the pack. The only sound you could hear was the paddling of feet. The one thought in everyone's mind was to move, or else they would be swallowed by the desert. For months, they marched north to the nation's capital, Akun. It was the last piece of fertile land in the whole country.
"Halt" yelled the caravan's Guide, Aden. He was a tall man with a large grey and lean build. He was said to be the only guide that could cross the Gobi desert.
The crowd muttered around him. Maybe the old man has finally gone insane. It was too early for a break.
" what nonsense is this"
" has he gone mad"
" silent!" Mohamed yelled "Father, what is it ? "
Mohamed watched his father carefully. Aden looked over the vast desert, scanning the sky but there was nothing there. His father had a gift. It was like he could smell danger as if it was rain.
" wind coming from the west…. There is going to be a large sandstorm."
Mohamed's heart dropped. They only had a couple of days' worth of water left. They had to reach the king sword landmark. They were supposed to meet another caravan to refill on supplies. Gobi sandstorms are known to last for weeks or months. Sandstorms can bury entire cities. The worst part was the monsters that were lurking inside the sandstorm.
" set up the tent. We are staying here " he yelled back at his men.
" Are we going to listen to this old man?" yelled a man in the crowd. " We must reach to king's sword before we all die."
" You Dog" Mohamed snarled back at him. " We move when the guide does. If you wish to die, go. "
The man turned to the crowd again. " We all die waiting for this old man." Based on the swirl blue pattern on his clothes one could tell he was a nobleman from the River tribe. It was already swallowed by the sands 2 years.
" Let the vultures have him" said Aden as he got ready for his tent.
"you heard him. Get the tents ready"
It was suicidal to try crossing the Gobi Desert without a Guide; even a child knows that. The nobleman's face turned red. He was expecting at least some begging and maybe some compensation from the caravan captain. Did he not know who he was? He had an invitation from the king; he couldn't be late because of some measly sand.
He stormed off along with his guards. Caravan guards started to draw a large circle encompassing the caravan. Every few feet metal posts were erected.
" captain, we're ready"
The metal posts began to glow in a blue light. A hexagon plate of light formed at the base reaching all the way to the sky, encompassing them. This shield was meant to protect them from sandstorm but also what lurks in it.
A massive sandstorm came from the west. It blocked out the sun and covered everything in sand. After a couple of minutes, bloodcurdling screams echoed in the wind.