Chapter 7: The Road to the Red Desert
Kade pushed forward through the dense forest, the morning sun filtering through the canopy above. The fight with Riven had left him drained, the cuts on his arms and legs stinging with every step, but he couldn't afford to stop. The guild would be on his trail, and every moment spent resting was a moment closer to death.
The forest began to thin as the day wore on, the trees giving way to rocky hills and sparse vegetation. Beyond them lay the arid expanse of the Red Desert, a place as treacherous as it was vast. Few ventured into its shifting sands without a guide or a clear purpose. For Kade, it was both a sanctuary and a prison — the one place where the guild's reach might falter, but also a land filled with its own dangers.
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As the sun reached its zenith, Kade spotted a small village nestled in a valley below. Its simple wooden houses and dusty streets suggested it was little more than a stop for travelers heading toward the desert. Smoke rose from a few chimneys, and the faint sounds of life carried on the wind.
Kade hesitated at the edge of the village, pulling his hood lower to obscure his face. It was risky to enter a populated area — the guild had eyes everywhere — but he needed supplies. His rations were nearly gone, and his wounds needed tending before infection set in.
He descended into the valley, keeping to the shadows where possible. The village was quiet, its streets nearly empty save for a few merchants unloading goods and a pair of children chasing each other near a well. Kade moved swiftly, his eyes scanning for a place where he could resupply without drawing attention.
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He found what he was looking for in a small general store on the edge of the village. The inside was cramped, the shelves lined with dried meats, jars of preserved fruits, and simple tools. An older woman sat behind the counter, her sharp eyes narrowing as Kade entered.
"You don't look like you're from around here," she said, her voice wary.
"Just passing through," Kade replied, keeping his tone even. He placed a few coins on the counter. "I need rations. Enough for a week."
The woman eyed him for a moment before nodding. She began gathering supplies, her movements slow but efficient. As she worked, Kade's attention was drawn to a faded map tacked to the wall behind her. It showed the surrounding area, including the edge of the Red Desert.
"Do you know the safest way into the desert?" Kade asked, his eyes lingering on the map.
The woman paused, glancing at him with a hint of suspicion. "No path into the desert is safe," she said. "But if you're looking for a guide, you might try the tavern. There's a man there who knows the sands better than most."
Kade nodded, taking the supplies she handed him and tucking them into his pack. He thanked her and left, his mind already turning over her words. A guide could be useful, especially if the desert was as dangerous as he'd heard. But trusting a stranger came with its own risks, and Kade couldn't afford to let his guard down.
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The tavern was a ramshackle building near the center of the village, its wooden sign creaking in the breeze. Kade entered quietly, his eyes adjusting to the dim interior. The room was sparsely populated, a few patrons nursing drinks at worn tables while the barkeep cleaned glasses behind the bar.
Kade's gaze swept the room, landing on a man seated alone in the corner. He was broad-shouldered and sun-weathered, his clothes dusty and worn. A long, curved blade rested against the table beside him, its hilt wrapped in faded leather.
Kade approached cautiously, his hand resting on the hilt of his dagger. "I hear you know the Red Desert."
The man looked up, his dark eyes narrowing as he studied Kade. "Depends on who's asking," he said, his voice rough but calm.
"A traveler," Kade replied, keeping his tone neutral. "I need to cross the desert."
The man leaned back in his chair, his expression unreadable. "The desert's not kind to travelers. What's on the other side that's worth risking your life?"
"That's my business," Kade said evenly. "I just need someone who can get me there."
The man chuckled softly, shaking his head. "You're not the first fool to come looking for passage. Most don't make it past the first dune."
Kade met his gaze, unflinching. "I'm not like most."
The man raised an eyebrow, then gestured to the chair across from him. "Alright, stranger. Sit down. Let's talk."
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The man introduced himself as Toren, a former mercenary who had spent the last decade guiding travelers through the Red Desert. He was blunt and pragmatic, his words carrying the weight of experience.
"The desert's more than just sand," Toren said, his tone serious. "There are creatures out there — things that shouldn't exist. And the further you go, the worse it gets. If you're not prepared, you won't survive."
"I've faced worse," Kade replied, his voice calm. "I'm ready."
Toren studied him for a long moment, then nodded. "Fine. But my services don't come cheap."
Kade slid a pouch of coins across the table. "Will this cover it?"
Toren opened the pouch, his eyebrows raising slightly at the amount. "More than enough." He tied the pouch to his belt and stood, grabbing his blade. "We leave at dawn. Meet me at the well."
Kade nodded, standing as well. "One last thing," he said. "Have you heard of anyone else asking about the desert recently? A group, maybe? Or someone… unusual?"
Toren frowned, scratching his chin. "There was a group that passed through a few days ago. Kept to themselves, but they were armed to the teeth. Didn't seem like traders or mercenaries."
Kade's stomach sank. The guild was already ahead of him.
"Thanks," he said, turning toward the door.
As Kade stepped into the fading light of the evening, his mind raced. The guild was moving fast, and whatever they were searching for in the desert, they weren't far from finding it. Kade had to move faster, had to stay one step ahead.
Because if they reached the Shadow King's prize before he did, the world would never be the same.