With the break of dawn, Jasper and Lyra rolled up camp, as did Finn. They were weary from the night battle with the altar guardian, but taking down yet another altar was a deed well done, and it gave them a sense of accomplishment and hope.
Chilly though the morning was, they knew the heat would soon return, so they set off early in the hope of putting space between themselves and the ruins before the sun became unbearable.
They walked in silence, each lost in his own thoughts. The journey was becoming increasingly difficult, and every altar they came closer to, it meant more danger.
Jasper looked down at the shattered remains of the Star Crystal he still carried, his guide and a source of power, but now only a broken stone. He wondered if they'd be able to find their way without it.
"We're doing the right thing, right?" Jasper asked finally, after none of them had said anything for a minute or so.
Finn flashed him a reassuring smile. "We're taking out the dark magic that would destroy our world. I think that counts as the right thing."
Lyra nodded. "And with each altar gone, Malachar's power weakens. He won't be able to unleash the full extent of his magic if we destroy them all."
That made Jasper feel a little better, but the doubts would not totally disappear. So far away from home, and every step taken was like another dragged into danger.
Yet, he remembered they were doing it not just for themselves but to protect all that they loved.
The three kept on walking, the only sound being the soft crunching of their feet, until suddenly they heard a soft whistle cut through the air.
They froze and looked at each other in concern. Louder this time, the whistle sounded again, this time lower, and the voice calling out to them from behind a sand dune.
"Hello there, travelers! Be not alarmed; I mean you no harm.
A figure emerged from the dune, tall and lean, with a hooded cloak shrouding most of his face.
He walked with an easy grace, yet something was off about him. Jasper tightened his hand on the hilt of his sword.
The stranger stopped a few feet away, lowering his hood. His face was weathered; a scruffy beard and sharp eyes-which seemed to take in everything about them in one glance-sat upon it.
There was something kind about his eyes, yet also something wild and unpredictable.
"The name's Raylan," he said, nodding affably in their direction. "I've been watching you folks from afar. You're the ones that are desecrating the altars, right?
Jasper exchanged a look with Lyra and Finn. They hadn't told a soul about their mission, yet this stranger seemed to know. Lyra stepped cautiously closer toward him, her eyes in a wary glint.
"How do you know about the altars?" she asked, keeping her tone firm.
Raylan chuckled and crossed his arms. "Let's just say I have my sources. And I don't like what Malachar's been doing any more than you do. I've been tracking his movements for years. But taking down those altars. that's quite a task."
Jasper felt a flicker of hope. If this man was truly an ally, maybe he could help them. "Why are you following us, then?" he asked.
Raylan shrugged. "I wanted to see whether you were serious about this fight. Lots of people talk about stopping dark magic, but not many do anything about it. I figured I'd see whether you are the real deal-and from what I have seen, you are."
Lyra narrowed her eyes. "And what do you want from us precisely?
Raylan raised his hands in a soothing gesture of peace. "I want to help you. Malachar has allies everywhere, but he also has enemies.
I know people, powerful people, who could support your cause. And well, I do know a thing or two about the desert that could save you some trouble.
Jasper thought about the dunes and dunes ahead of them, the dangers they were yet to go through, and how little they actually knew about what lay beyond.
They needed all the help they could get, and Raylan seemed to know what he was talking about. Still, he wasn't so sure if they could trust him.
Finn, sensing Jasper's hesitation, spoke up. "If you want to help us, then prove it. Tell us something useful-something only someone close to Malachar would know.
Raylan's face turned solemn, and he nodded slow. "Fair enough. Here's what I know: Malachar's been watching you, too.
He has spies in almost every village, and he knows about your progress. He's furious that you've destroyed two altars. The next one won't be so easy to reach, because he's stationed his own guards there.
It was as if Jasper's heart had sunk. It had been bad enough getting through the forces of Malachar, now that Malachar himself was guarding the remaining altars, the journey was bound to get even riskier.
"But that is not all," Raylan continued. "The next altar is hidden within a fortress deep in the mountains. It's a fortress protected with a spell, and without a guide, you won't get close to it. Lucky for you, I know the way.
Jasper, Lyra, and Finn shared a look. This was just the kind of information they needed, but it wasn't all that easy to trust a stranger-especially one connected with dark magic.
Raylan seemed to read their thoughts. "I get it-you don't trust me. Fair enough. But think about it this way: I know things that will keep you alive. And I can lead you to the next altar without you getting caught by Malachar's soldiers."
After a moment, Lyra finally nodded. "We'll accept your help. But if you try anything… we'll be ready."
Raylan grinned, clearly amused. "Wouldn't expect anything less."
With Raylan in the lead once more, they struck out across the desert. He strode with assurance now, his feet certain of each step as he took them on some sort of hidden path through the dunes.
They soon realized he knew the land better than anyone they'd met thus far, walking easily where their struggle was merely to keep up.
Raylan regaled them with stories of his travels-some amusing, others bizarre, and a few that made Jasper wonder if he was altogether sane.
Still, for all his quirky personality, there was no denying he was good at his job. He pointed out the hidden dangers, showed them how to conserve their water, and even found food in places they'd never have thought to look.
As the sun started to set, Raylan led them to a small cave that was between the rocks and well-concealed. This would be their spot for the night.
The group sat around the light of a small fire and listened as Raylan spoke about the fortress they moved to.
Malachar keeps his strongest soldiers there," he said, poking at the fire with a stick. "But there are ways in-hidden tunnels and passages that even he's forgotten about. I can get you inside, but once we're there, you'll need to be quick. Destroy the altar, and get out".
Jasper nodded, perking up. Maybe, just maybe, they had the makings of a decent team. With Raylan to help him, they had a fair to good shot at coming out on top at the second altar and nailing Malachar another one right between the eyes.
A flicker of hope danced across his chest as they settled down to sleep. They still had a long way to go, but for the first time in what felt like an age, the path ahead didn't seem quite so insurmountable with Raylan to guide them.
He knew he wasn't sure if he could fully trust their new ally, but he was ready to take that risk.
These would see them off in the mountains each morning, whether the challenges were great or small. For the moment, he allowed himself this serene moment, knowing together they were more powerful than either had ever been as a loner.