Wadi Rum lay ahead, and Grizk observed that the town remained pristine—yet for how long? As they drove along the town's streets, they noticed towering, luminescent willow trees lining the roads. The passengers gasped in amazement. How could such stunning trees thrive in such a parched and desolate landscape?
"I warned you that this place is strange; even the trees challenge your perception of reality. They thrive on a natural underground stream of flowing water. It's the same water that contributes to the city of Nakuru, known as the Waterhole town. Just wait until you see the locals," Grizk responded.
No sooner had he finished speaking than the inner city of Wadi Rum's residents sprang to life. Animals dressed in elegant, flowing gowns of neon hues sparkled and shone with each graceful movement. Many sported long, flowing hair or dreadlocks, embellished with flowers and vibrant, colorful jewels.
Oridian spotted an animal perched oddly with its legs crossed and its palms facing upward on its knees. Their long, platinum blonde hair veiled their eyes and flowed down beyond their shoulders. They inhaled and exhaled at a leisurely pace. As Grizk cruised along slowly, they marveled at the scenery.
"What is that creature doing just sitting there?" she asked.
Grizk glanced back to see what had captured her attention. He observed that the creature she mentioned was in a state of meditation.
"Oh, that's simple! They refer to it as meditation. Many locals here believe in rejuvenating and healing the inner self. Most of us see ourselves as the architects of our own paths," he responded.
Dane felt disturbed and slightly bewildered by Grizk's outrageous beliefs. He started to question the young lizard, asking, "Are you saying that your people in the desert don't believe in either a single God or multiple gods?"
"We definitely don't. Why would we need to? We are our own Elohim. We've gotten by just fine on our own for this long. Life is easier like this. Plus, we don't have to answer to anyone; we are accountable only to ourselves and can just blame those we don't like."
Vulpix gently tapped Dane on the arm and subtly shook his head, signaling to steer clear of the discussion. He recognized that Dane wasn't prepared to confront this challenge directly. It was wiser to leave it in the hands of the master himself.
Meanwhile, Pipsie, in her pure innocence, giggled as she observed the shimmering city slip away. Everything exuded a neon glow, vibrant and translucent like glass, radiating with bold energy. Even the butterflies passing by seemed to possess a fluorescent sparkle in their large wings.
Pipsie exclaimed, 'Look at the beautiful butterfibbles! And those birds—they're on fire! Wow, they're glowing so brightly!"
Grizk chuckled at her portrayal of the what they called the Phoenix bird. They flourished in Wadi Rum, where a variety of exotic avifauna and insects gathered in this unique part of the desert. Such a phenomenon was quite rare; for some reason, these creatures considered this area an oasis away from their natural habitats.
Vulpix gazed at the vibrant green patches of grass that dotted the light brown rock faces, adding a distinctive charm to the city. The houses also showcased intriguing designs, with roofs crafted from the same grass and constructed from willow wood. The homes appeared to be stacked atop one another, resembling towering apartment complexes. White horses galloped freely through the lush greenery, their coats shimmering like diamonds. Everything around them was a hundred times more captivating than anyplace they had ever known.
"I can't help but wonder if the map arrived here safely. It could be anywhere at this point. If I were a map keeper, where would I go to conceal it?" Oridian mused to herself.
Grizk interjected, "I'm certain of one place I wouldn't take it: Shadizar, the City of Thieves. I wouldn't want to risk it among such untrustworthy individuals. Instead, I might consider heading to Zerzur, the white city of the desert. It's well fortified with weapons and trained armies. As for Nakuru, the waterhole town—maybe not. I'd worry about losing it or having it damaged by water. However, Oasis City would be a safe haven. Filled with honest, noble judges and a well-managed court system, it would be a fair and just place to visit."
"Regardless of which city they find themselves in, Saurkear hasn't laid a hand on any of these yet. And why are we so certain they're heading to the other cities to conceal the map? They could very well be out in the sand dunes looking for one of your hidden spots to bury it," Oridian replied.
"Or perhaps they are searching for the keys themselves," Vulpix interjected.
Vulpix was growing weary of the never-ending search for the elusive map. Pipsie, too, was becoming quite hungry and longed to be back in the comfort of their cool rooms.
"Grizk, is there any way you could take Pipsie and me back to Nomad? It won't be long before it's time for her nap, and my stomach is growling with hunger," Vulpix asked.
Everyone concurred that it was a wise choice. They required food and some time to devise a more effective strategy than pursuing a phantom map or key. Grizk made up his mind to head back home. Red Zipper efficiently navigated the drive back through the arid terrain.
Pulling into the garage was a bit unsettling. He hadn't anticipated bumping into his brother Rez and his crew. Sure enough, Rez was deep in conversation with some of their relatives about more serious topics. Although he didn't notice his arrival, he definitely spotted the bright cherry red flash as it zipped inside. It didn't take long for him to catch up with Grizk.
Rez rested his hands on Grizk's door, pressing his body firmly against it. He was determined to keep his brother from getting out of the vehicle.
"Fancy running into you here, little brother. Better yet, why don't you explain why you were driving a dune buggy full of guests around the Saudi desert?" said Rez with a stern tone.
Grizk was not pleased with his brother's tactics. In fact, he was infuriated by the fact that he had kept such a significant secret.
"No, I won't reveal my reasons until you clarify why I had to learn about the portal keys and the attack on Jindan from a friend this morning. Explain that, brother," Grizk said with a serious tone.
Rez stood in speechless astonishment, his expression one of disbelief as he gazed at his brother, wondering who could have revealed such vital information.
"Why does it matter? Now you understand. Does Dad know you took Zarda's company for a joy ride? I'm sure he'd be interested to learn. Anyway, Ill just get my answer from Dad why you were out. Get lost, you idiot." - Bullied Rez.
"We went to Jindan," he suddenly announced.
Rez had already begun to walk away when his brother's words stopped him in his tracks. He pivoted sharply, his eyes tweaked with fury.
"You did what? You idiot, you could have been captured or killed by Saurkear's raiders! What were you thinking? And to make matters worse, you had our guests with you! Dad is going to go ballistic. I can't wait to see the fallout," Rez replied, brimming with excitement.
Grizk disregarded his brother and shifted his attention to Oridian, Dane, Vulpix, and Pipsie, who were all gazing at him with worry. Rez turned and walked away, shaking his head in disbelief and stifling a chuckle.
Oridian gently rested her soft hand on his shoulder. "Don't worry; he doesn't need to know about our new plans," she said.
Pipsie quickly chimed in, "Will you take us back to Wadi Rum again someday? I would really love the chance to explore more."
"Absolutely! The ideal time to visit is at night. You'll understand why they refer to it as the Valley of the Moon. It's a breathtaking experience, if you can just picture it," Grizk replied.
"If the night is anything as amazing as the day was, I'm sure it's going to be incredible," said Vulpix.
Grizk nodded in affirmation, feeling a surge of happiness that his new friends were so supportive and eager to accompany him on the journey once more. No one had ever treated him with such respect before. He couldn't quite identify what set them apart from others; they felt unique, distinct in their own way. Was this what love felt like? If so, he reveled in the warmth of that emotion.