Chapter 2: A Morning Shadow

Chapter 2

Night came and went for Jack as he'd hunkered down in the Aquos. Crystal blue skies crept over the horizon from the south as the sun rolled over Kharm's odd axial tilt. Beaming slivers of light traveling through the horizontal clouds that hung in the distance stunned his eyes before he could move to the shaded side of the Aquos. Trickling water sounds tickled his ears as he settled his motion, and Jack turned his head to see the clear dripping water slithering off the small stalactite rocks into the pool at the back of the Aquos.

Jack hustled over, cupped his hands under the falling water, and rubbed it over his face and hair a few times. The minerals in the water would benefit him throughout the day. He, of course, drank a handful as well. His firepit from last night still smoldered with smoke. Jack noticed the glow of the logs still radiated their orange sparkle, and the rest of the Snax remained skewered over the smoking log. By now, it would be thoroughly smoked and dry, and its skin looked crisp and red. Perfect!

Jack stepped over, pulled his knife he'd thought he lost with his mount in his boot sheath and cut a thin piece off the flank of the critter. "Mmm, tastes like bacon," he murmured. "Not quite like mother's, but it'll do." The crispy crunch of meat between his teeth went well with the thorny kraut, though the kraut still had that sour taste nobody seemed to like. He washed it down with a sip from his canteen as he stared out the opening of his outcrop. Dusty wind flowed across the horizon. Two medium shadows floated on top of the sand, moving west. Darters? He couldn't tell. Those things usually move so fast no one really sees them, not even their shadows.

A larger, more ominous shadow followed in their wake. This one Jack caught an eyeful. Proteon. The great dragon's darkened mass rushed over the sand, stirring it into little dust whirls. Jack flattened himself against the wall of the Aquos, praying the foul beast hadn't seen him. The smoke emitting from his fire blew out from the rush of air as it forced its way into the opening. His eyes fell on his katana on the other side of the cave. It called to him, beckoning to be held close and unsheathed. Jack dared not try it. The ash from the beast stung his eyes a little.

As abrupt as it began, the trauma passed. Proteon seemed not aware of his presence yet, and Jack prayed it stayed that way. He wanted no part of testing himself against that horror right now. Ba'aron hummed from its place against the wall, and Jack moved over to place his hand on the scabbard. It quieted, seemingly at ease with its master's touch. He needed to move out today. Hanging around in Nar'chu for too long would surely get him noticed by the monster, eventually. Best not to tempt fate.

Jack washed off his face once again. The ash always stung. Left on too long, it would eat off your skin within hours. He scrubbed every inch he felt twinging—hands, face, and neck. His canteen helped in pouring the water across the different areas. Then, thoroughly soaked from lying in the pool, he gathered his other items and rinsed them off. His Snax had been ruined, though. The ash from the dragon had already penetrated the layers of meat, turning it gray and blue.

"Damn, dragon, that'll probably be the only meal I'll get from here to Destiny," Jack cursed his situation again. He placed his cool drenched hat onto his head, wrapped his bandana about his face again. Then, with Ba'aron strapped on, he flung the water-soaked jacket around his shoulders and fastened it, letting it drape down.

"Hell, I feel like an Otter Fox now," he joked, knowing that otter foxes wouldn't be caught dead in this heat. Instead, their aquatic lifestyles were more suited to Karm's Sla'vera region—jungle and river environments. Humid but shady and full of cool running water. Sticking his blaster in its holster, Jack moved slowly out of the Aquos. Searching the sky above, he squinted, making sure no sign of Proteon hovered about. Two Snaxes ran by as he shuffled off toward the nearest dune. He had no care to try to snag them right now. Getting out of Nar'chu was the top priority. His canteen of water and the thorny kraut he managed to save would have to serve 'til he reached Destiny's borders. There he could rest, eat, and buy a new ride. He just needed to survive. His water-coated clothing would help for a time, but this desert was a lot bigger than it looked on the map. As best as he could tell, he turned southwest and began his lumbering journey, dripping as he walked.