“The Port of Hammerdown used to be known for its ships, having made and launched the ship the Sultan used to cross the sea to the Enlightened Kingdom, or as you call it, the Other Lands. Today, Hammerdown is known for being a paradise for the financially savvy and explorers.” - Captain Khaa, Captain of the Laughing Lynx

  ~*~

  As they walked to the shoreline, Athia’s eyes focused on the tower with the blazing fire. Basim said it was used to guide the ships to Hammerdown, while the bell that clanged shortly after they arrived signaled a ship docking or leaving. The bell must have been well made, as the tone was rich as well as loud.

  Abasi picked a spot where they could speak close to the shore. While it was momentarily distracting for them to see the ocean, Abasi could only be sidetracked for a moment before asking Athia how she was involved in the murder of the Sultan.

  With nervousness in her heart, she decided to tell them the whole story, from her encounter with Nef outside White Tree to the Porcelain City. Abasi and Basim were difficult to deceive and she knew she couldn’t cook up a lie in time. With no other choice, she settled with telling them the truth.

  By the time she finished, the sun had completely fallen and the waning moon had risen. Bayek gave his input when he could, but it was Athia’s they seemed most interested in hearing from. Bayek noted the way Abasi studied her when she spoke, as if he was intimidated by the girl.

  While Athia found herself telling a second and third person about her story, the giants not counting as they were already familiar with the god’s handiwork, she did it in much the same way as she did when telling Bayek. By the end of the story, she demonstrated the only way she could that her words were true - she cut a few strands of hair off. The keen-eyed con artists watched her closely, trying to spot a trick, but it was plain for all to see. While it was not a Porcelain City or a giant woman with a large cart filled with the souls of the dead, it was convincing enough for Basim.

  Basim was all too happy to believe Athia. He listened happily while Aida, who was perched on his shoulder, leaned sleepily against his head. Athia noticed how he smiled a foolish smile at her throughout the story, but she tried to ignore it.

  By the end, Abasi nodded in understanding, as if he followed an educational lecture from some traveling scholar, but still doubted the truth in it.

  “You saw the apricot the guard took from our food pouch,” Bayek told him. “Is that not further proof of our journey?”

  “I have seen large fruit before, it is not unlikely,” Abasi said skeptically.

  “I don’t know, Abasi, it seems pretty godly to me,” Basim noted. He had stepped over to the food pouch and withdrew the apricot when Bayek had mentioned it.

  “Still, it does little-”

  “What about this!” Basim said, withdrawing a large date. “I can't even wrap my fingers halfway around it!”

  At this, Abasi did hesitate and then said-

  “Wow.”

  At last, the skeptic was convinced, but it seemed he was still more than unhappy with Bayek. He glared in Bayek’s direction upon hearing of the Sultan’s assassination and still wore a grim stare every time it was brought up. It did little to worry Bayek.

  “Another one brainwashed by the stories of the Sultan,” Bayek thought. “Atlasi certainly captured the hearts of almost everyone in the desert. I should count myself lucky that so few know it was me who put him down.”

  Abasi and Basim wouldn’t do anything about this knowledge, because Athia’s story was bordering on the ones that are legends in the desert. That was enough for the pair of adventure seekers. The two could sense each other’s excitement as the story was told.

  “The gods are ever-watching,” Abasi thought. “Our part in this story could change the face of the Everlasting Desert.”

  “Danger everywhere they go! Miracles, curses, and the power to destroy the gods,” Basim thought. “It is an adventure we can’t miss out on!”

  The two practically radiated their excitement and interest in being a part of Athia’s quest to restore the gods and Bayek’s quest to destroy them for good, as by the end of the story they realized that the gods are not as benevolent. It was probably no coincidence either that the past fifteen or so years were most peaceful in the desert since the gods' meddling was put to an end by the Sultan and their creator.

  “You have been silent for a while now, what are you thinking?” Athia asked.

  “I think, as I’m sure Basim does as well, that we would like to help you,” Abasi said firmly. Basim nodded.

  “That is not necessary-” Athia began.

  “It is nothing,” Basim said dismissively. “We are always happy to help those in need. We may be con artists, but we are still good people.”

  “We understand that, but we don’t-” Bayek started.

  “Say no more,” Abasi nodded firmly. “If Vel is somewhere in Hammerdown, we are the ones to help you find him. Are we not, Basim?”

  “That is correct, Abasi.”

  The two put a stop to all Athia and Bayek’s efforts of swaying them from having a hand in the adventure. Bayek resigned himself to the pair being either brave or foolish, already thinking of ways to ditch them when they were finished in Hammerdown. Athia wasn’t sure what to think of them. The two seemed like opposites, so she had trouble understanding how they could share the same interests.

  “I think perhaps you should tell us your story next,” Athia asked.

  “We surely will, but not here,” Basim shivered. “It’s too cold for us to stay here any longer. I saw an inn not too far from the entrance of the city. We warm up and rest there, then search the city for Vel in the morning. Of course, it would help if we knew how to spot a god in mortal form.”

  “Well, there’s no real way to tell from the outside,” Athia said. “Nef did mention that in mortal form she was unable to age or die, no matter what ailment or injury she suffered. But we can’t strike down everyone we meet and see who still stands up.”

  “Of course.”

  “Yet, these gods have a way of keeping to their strengths,” Athia continued. “I don’t think it was a coincidence that I met Nef in a dying oasis.”

  “Vel is the god of wealth and luck, so I guess it makes sense that you were sent here,” Abasi nodded. “Of all the major cities, you would struggle to find one with as much trade as Hammerdown. The people are hard-working, merchants travel through here frequently to purchase goods and gambling is commonplace.”

  “So you can also see why we decided to come here,” Basim added.

  “But the city is large, filled with successful figures and no doubt a fair amount of fortunate gamblers,” Abasi continued. The group neared the inn that Basim saw and decided to leave the conversation there. “In the morning, I think it best that we split up and search the city. Find out who has been here since the gods were made mortal, who are the most successful, and if we can, who hasn't seemed to age since then.”

  It was a good plan and Bayek had to admit that four people searching the large city was better than two. Besides, Bayek knew they would have to be quick. If he were Mirza, he would send the Red Guard in every direction, not just falcons to deliver warnings.

  From what he had seen in Red Rock, the Red Guard were true warriors, unlike the common guards you would find in other cities. The Sultan had only the best and Bayek wasn’t so confident in his skills that he thought he could take on the entire army.

  Unlawfully taken from Royal Road, this story should be reported if seen on Amazon.

  Entering the inn, the four were able to rent rooms and purchase warm food. As for the warmth, the inn offered some, but the cold air incessantly drifted inside, causing no small amount of chills. Athia felt it the most and wondered how people could live so close to the sea. Looking around, she found her answer.

  The people of Hammerdown wore full robes and scarves. The material looked warmer and thicker than the robes they wore. The heat was not so much an issue by the coast, but the cold was an issue when night fell.

  Without such robes, the group turned to the food for help. After the long day and the cold of the coast, all felt hungry enough to eat several bowls of the fish-based dishes that the inn served.

  It turned out to be a wonderfully new experience for all four, as none of them had seen, let alone eaten, such a variety of fish. Some were meaty, others were soft and flaky and then there was fish that the three youngest found too rubbery and difficult to eat. Bayek, the glutton, ate without much chewing, eating what the others did not finish.

  Abasi had Aida tucked inside his robes, where she slept soundly, her head occasionally peaking out whenever she nodded off to sleep.

  “It won’t be long before you have the appearance of a wealthy merchant,” Basim laughed, amused by Bayek’s appetite.

  “I do not have the pleasure of full meals like this so often,” Bayek replied, dishing a new portion. “I make the most of it when I can. Fighting and feasting is what nomads pride themselves on. Although, I saw plenty of troubles in this desert, even before meeting Athia.”

  “I think I keep you out of more trouble than I put you in,” Athia argued. “What troubles did you encounter before?”

  “A story for another time,” Bayek said. “I wish to hear our new...friends’ story first.”

  “I will leave that to Basim,” Abasi said, looking at his spritely friend. “The best liars make for the best storytellers, I have noticed.”

  “The two work well together, but I will try to keep from exaggerating,” Basim said, thumbing his necklace as he thought of where to begin.

  ~*~

  Blind Mouse Oasis is-

  “Blind Mouse?” Athia repeated. “I would like to hear the story of how it got that name next.”

  “If only we knew it because the oasis had neither rats nor mice,” Basim replied. “I never saw any blind people either. Anyway…”

  Blind Mouse Oasis is known for its clay. The oasis is large, but its clay deposits are the real treasure. Pottery became the chief export and no matter which road or path you went down, you would find orange, red, and brown pots of all sizes and shapes. With so many potters, you can imagine the competition to sell them was stiff.

  And wherever you find skilled workers and successful businesses, you find no small amount of gold. My family home was filled with such works.

  Before I was five, my father came home one day holding a starved child he found outside the city. It was Abasi, alone and at Nef’s door. My mother and two sisters flocked to him and nursed him to health over the next few days.

  Abasi was older than me, we guessed around twelve because even he was unsure himself. Until he was fit to walk, I kept him company and we became fast friends. We were talking about making him a member of our family one day, the same day he disappeared.

  My parents were frantic, as for my sisters, they were already out in the streets searching for him. Of course, I followed, which only worried my parents when they realized I was gone. My sisters were old enough to wander the city on their own, but I certainly was not.

  I lost my sisters and my way. I had no sense of where I was or where I was going, but I was calling for Abasi all the way. I found him on one lonely road, conning fools with a single coin.

  “I wouldn’t call it a con, but more a hustle,” Abasi interrupted. “I learned how to throw a coin on a table or the ground in such a way the coin would end up standing on its edge. It is difficult with lighter coins, such as silver or gold but easier with bronze. I simply made some mistakes, lured them in, bet them I could make it land on the edge, and soon pocketed their coin.”

  Exactly, but Abasi took more than they had the patience to lose. That’s a skill we learned as the years went by - when to keep going and when to back off. Abasi was then grabbed by one of these people and I stepped in by throwing rocks at them.

  When I had claimed their attention, Abasi made to escape, getting their attention again. They chased after him, leaving me lost and alone again. At least, for a little while, as Abasi had doubled back and helped me get home. It must have been a relief for my family when they returned home to find us waiting for them outside the door.

  Abasi did not stay, but he did leave money for my parents to thank them for saving him. We would have welcomed him as family, but that was a life that did not suit him, even though he appreciated the thought. I still saw Abasi every day and soon took after him. He was far too interested in exploring the city, making his own way, and even making an honest living working for another potter.

  Of course, that didn’t stop us from getting into mischief, perfecting our cons.

  We left Blind Mouse Oasis when I turned twelve, the same age Abasi was when he was carried into our home. When we started conning people a little too well and a little too openly. We became infamous and nobody would fall for what we would say. With nobody left to con and ordinary life being the source of our boredom, we decided to seek adventure, and perhaps fortune, elsewhere.

  Red Rock became our next destination. It was the place often talked about in major cities and Abasi liked the idea of being closer to the Sultan, so that he may have a chance of seeing the legend for himself. And we did…many times over the five or so years we stayed in Red Rock. We might not have spoken a word to the Sultan, but we heard his speeches and listened to the stories that often circulated in the city.

  We even made it into the Palace courtyard for one of his celebrations and it was an unforgettable night.

  Yet, the Sultan was not the only one who kept our hunger for adventure growing. Many others came to the city and left it behind, adventurers of all kinds. Their stories were just as investing. Yet, our story was too short, too simple, to be compared to theirs. It seemed to be closer to great people only made us want to leave their company, as if we were not worthy to be there.

  Many would be happy to settle in a place like Red Rock, but Abasi and I wanted stories to tell people. We wanted the excitement, the adventure. We wanted to save people from raiders, con rich princes, find ancient treasures, and see more of the desert, more of the world…because there is a lot more to it than just Blind Mouse and Red Rock.

  ~*~

  “We eventually decided to start saving for a journey of our own, but with a mix of setbacks and not being in a real hurry to leave, it took months before we had the coin we needed,” Abasi continued. “There were other places we could have gone, but we decided that Hammerdown would be first. It seemed the perfect place to get a leg-up in gold and perhaps take passage on a ship down the coast to the next city.”

  “Now, we found ourselves helping not an oasis from raiders, but a thief and nomad on an adventure we could have hardly imagined,” Basim added in an excited whisper. “I would go into the streets now to search for Vel if I weren’t feeling so tired.”

  “I’m curious as to how Abasi ended up dying outside your city,” Bayek said, looking from Basim to Abasi.

  Abasi looked at Bayek, hesitating.

  “I arrived at another oasis, although I don’t know the name,” Abasi explained. “It was there I learned to con people out of money from the other con artists that made a living there. I was making decent coins and I always had someone ready to fall for my tricks. Maybe because I was so young it was easy to get people interested. Maybe they pitied me or thought I could be tricked. The other con artists must have noticed I was the reason they were losing business…and they had less morals than me. I was bundled in a sack, kidnapped. I woke up in the middle of the desert, left to die, they didn’t have the guts to do it themselves.”

  “You’re very lucky you survived,” Athia said.

  “And before that oasis?” Bayek asked, his words stern and purposeful. “What about your parents?”

  “It’s hard for me to recall,” Abasi said as if admitting this fact frustrated him. “I remember walking and walking with my people, my family. We must have been traveling a long time...all our lives…lost and desperate. Even now, when I try to remember, everything feels too bright to recall. As if the sky was a blinding light, making it hard for me to see faces. One day, I awoke feeling something pinch at my arm. I was tired and sore, I had a headache, and thanks to a vulture pecking at me, so did my arm. I was lucky to have awoken so quickly, or I might have been pecked to death. When I stood up, I was alone, not a footstep in the sand around me, and unable to remember how I got there. All I knew was my name. I picked a direction and walked, that’s when I found that oasis.”

  “How long ago was this?” Bayek asked.

  “It would be close to…maybe…twenty years since I woke up with buzzards picking at me,” Abasi said, finding it hard to meet Bayek’s eyes.

  Bayek nodded slowly, looking thoughtful.

  “What about your falcon?” Athia asked. “Another old friend?”

  “Not at all, Aida is a young falcon and I bought her in Red Rock from a traveling merchant visiting the city,” Basim replied. “ I have this necklace from home, a falcon made from the same clay my parents used for their pots. Seeing Aida was like seeing this necklace come to life - I had to have her.”

  Remembering the day, Basim suddenly laughed.

  “I almost called her Abasi, because they both have scary eyes, but then the merchant told me he was a she, so I called her Aida, after my sister. She also has scary eyes.”

  Aida woke up at hearing her name so often, but she seemed more annoyed than alert. She crooned her head out, eyes half-open and staring accusingly at Basim, who gave her another dead beetle to appease her. This made Abasi less than pleased to have the large bird in his robes.

  “Don’t you ever miss home, your family?” Athia asked, curious.

  “Of course, I do, but I don’t regret leaving,” Basim said simply. “I plan to tell them many stories when I return one day and if I can’t, then I will make sure my story becomes legend and every merchant, traveler, soldier, and nomad passes it on for me.”

  The storytelling had drawn to a close as everyone was feeling their energy begin to waver. Finding their rooms, they settled in to sleep comfortably in proper beds for a change.

  Before her eyes closed, Athia stared out at the city. She could still see movement near the port, the ships rocking gently on the water. She would have liked to have seen them with their sails loose and the ships gliding across the water. It must have been a much more enjoyable experience than riding a camel up and down dunes again and again.

  These thoughts turned into dreams as Athia finally fell asleep.

  Bayek, however, remained thoughtful as he stared at the ceiling.