The sound of crackling fire mixed with the jarring noise of nothingness and desolation that plagued the outlands. The smoke, white and billowing, seemed almost like a protest to the sharp dust. It contrasted with the dark air, forming a resistance against the desert hue.
More enticing than the sight was the aroma that intertwined with the smoke, as if from meat roasted by a skilled griller and seasoned to perfection. It was such a divine aroma that it was impossible to tell it came from the burning flesh of an ugly serpentine creature.
"How long do you plan on staying here?" Lerai asked, rotating the meat above the fire.
Aldric glanced at him, thinking for a moment before deciding to indulge the stranger's attempt at small talk.
"As long as I need to."
The man nodded, not looking up from his roast as he let out a small chuckle.
"You don't seem to be in a hurry to leave this place."
