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Volume 3: The Conspirator of the Free City Chapter 9: Desert Journey, Ominous Premonition

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    Summer is coming to an end, but the sun is still blazing, especially when trekking through the long sands of the Abrahamic Desert. This feeling is even more intense.  After the sun sets, the temperature drops rapidly, and travelers must find thicker clothes to wear in late autumn to resist the pervasive cold air.  The Abrahamic Desert has always been called a forbidden place for life. Except for the oases in the hinterland of the desert, there are few hordes of wild beasts here. The greatest threat to travelers is the harsh natural environment, which includes not only strong sunlight, but also deadly  Quicksand, and violent storms that appear suddenly without warning.  Fortunately, this trip went smoothly.  It has been three days since the team of the Tianping Merchant Group set out from the free city of Tatarchuk, and they have been walking among the unpredictable and huge sand dunes for the past two days.  This morning, they set off from the bivouac known as "White Hill" and continued eastward.  "White Hill" is a semi-permanent camp built by the mercenary king Joseph Tito. It is guarded by a high-ranking knight and a team of elite warriors to provide travelers who are about to enter the hinterland of the Abraham Desert with expensive supplies and their last night.  Sleep peacefully.  After bidding farewell to Baiqiu, the team entered the hinterland of the desert.  Due to the strict confidentiality required before, there is no map to compare as we continue forward.  In fact, even drawing a map is of little use. Oasis and lakes in the desert do not exist permanently. Sometimes a strong storm will flood the oases, block the lakes, and turn an originally smooth trade route into a  A journey to death.  Three consecutive days of sunny weather made the temperature even hotter and unbearable. The clouds in the sky could not block the terrifying power of the golden sun. It threw infinite light and heat into the lower world, baking the gravel to a boil. Even the sand lizards and twin peaks adapted to the desert climate  The wild camels are reluctant to take a step, and the rider and driver need to wave their whips desperately to barely maintain the forward speed.  During this period of time, Tomad's riding skills have improved greatly. At least now, when he rides next to Captain Chama, he can no longer see any jerkiness or nervousness.  In particular, the black wild camel he was riding was very obedient. Although the pace was a bit stiff, it did not need to be pushed at all, and it seemed even more relaxed than most mercenaries.  "Captain Tomad, you are making rapid progress." Captain Chama took off the sheepskin water bag from his waist, raised his head and took a sip of the water that had been warmed by the sun. "Of course, this good beast  I also did you a big favor. When I was practicing riding, I fell at least seven or eight times." Tomad accepted the sour compliment with a smile, and then changed the subject, "Captain Chama,  This is my first time in the Abraham Desert. The scenery here is really magnificent, isn't it? "" Magnificent? Maybe." Captain Chama couldn't help but take another sip of water, and then reluctantly took the water bag.  Hang it back around your waist.  In the desert, clean water is very precious. Although the Tianping Merchant Group has sufficient reserves of supplies, it cannot be wasted casually.  "You won't have this feeling after watching it for a long time. I just feel very monotonous and desolate, as if I have been abandoned by the whole world, and there is only a solitary journey of people struggling to move forward." "I didn't expect that you also have the talent of a poet." Tomad said.  It was a harmless joke.  "Captain Chama, it seems that you are very familiar with the desert?" "This is my fourth time here. The first two times were to replenish supplies for the Baiqiu camp and did not go deep into the desert hinterland; the third time was to search for missing traders.  At that time, I led more than 40 brothers and encountered a desert storm two days after leaving Baiqiu" Captain Chama's tone suddenly dropped, and he was playing with the reins in his hands absentmindedly.  "Then what?" When Tomad was hesitating whether to continue asking, a member of the Sons of Flame had already asked for him, "Captain Chama, what happened next?" "Then the Sons of Flame lost twenty  Many brothers." Captain Chama let out a heavy sigh, his tone so strong that the mercenary who asked the question turned pale.  "The scene was terrifying. The whole world was in chaos. Sand dunes tens of feet high moved faster than galloping horses. The suffocating sandstorm swept across the sky and covered the sky, leaving no chance for you to dodge or escape. In the blink of an eye, you could not dodge or escape.  In a short time, the brother who was lying on the ground was swept up by the strong wind. The person who wanted to save him had just raised half of his body and was also swept up by the strong wind. When he finally found them, he had already fallen to his death.  "It's really bad," Tomad commented, deliberately avoiding sympathy or pity in his calm tone, "Is there any sign of the desert storm?"  I mean, we won't take the same risk this time, right?" "Probably not." Captain Chama was indeed diverted by the new topic. He touched his beard with his hand and said decisively.  ofThe news announced, "Although summer is almost over, strong winds rarely blow in the Abraham Desert during this period. According to the leader of the business group, our escort mission will not exceed thirty days and we will return to the Tatar Hills.  "At that time, the autumn, which is prone to sandstorms, has not yet really arrived." "I hope everything goes well. The old fox's speculation was just a random thought." Tomad muttered, then sat up straight.  His eyes were cast far away at the junction of the sand sea and the blue sky, with a thoughtful expression on his face.  The business group continued eastward, trying to walk in a straight line as the terrain allowed, while accelerating.  The weather in the desert has always been changeable. If we don't move forward as soon as possible, once the team encounters difficult weather and is forced to stop advancing, the windy autumn will be accompanied by the migratory birds returning south to Abraham, which will bring troubles to the indigenous people and travelers here.  causing fatal and horrific effects.  Before nightfall that day, the convoy of the Tianping Merchant Group stopped at the foot of a tall sand dune. The leader of the business group¡ªa middle-aged businessman with a short stature and a pleasant smile¡ªcame to Captain Tomad and Captain Chama and whispered.  expressed the worries in his heart.  The first oasis that the trade route passed has disappeared, replaced by a huge area of ??quicksand.  This not only loses a rare camping spot, but also because quicksand blocks the way, the team will have to detour dozens of kilometers to get back to the original road.  "It will almost add one day to the trip, and two days if you include the return." Captain Chama spread his hands, "By the gods, I'm worried that this unlucky incident is just the beginning. Mr. Thompson, the last time you passed this trade route  "When was it?" "I walked through it once last month, but that time there was less cargo, and the strength of the Tianping Chamber of Commerce's escort team was enough," Team Leader Thompson recalled with a sigh, "The oasis here was still there.  Now, although the lake has shrunk a lot and the water tastes a bit bitter, we still had a good night's rest and picked a lot of sweet and juicy cactus fruits. " "That is to say, after just one month.  , is this oasis buried under a large area of ??quicksand?" Tomad asked with a serious expression, "Captain Chama, I remember you once said that there are usually no major desert storms during this period.  "Of course, I said that. But that's just the usual." Captain Chama replied, "Obviously, we have encountered unusual hospitality. The Great Desert of Abraham does not look very hospitable this time." "I hope so."  An oasis is safe and sound." Leader Thompson anxiously flicked his fingers and made a series of snapping sounds. "Although the convoy's supplies, including clean water, are enough to support us to complete the entire journey, we have made such detours several times.  If so, it¡¯s hard to say whether it will be enough to reach the orc tribe. ¡°What¡¯s disappointing is that after spending a whole day bypassing the quicksand, the convoy still has to camp at the bottom of the valley surrounded by sand dunes, the second place the trade road passes.  The oasis has not disappeared completely, but the few clusters of shrubs and dry lakes full of yellow sand left behind cannot bring even the slightest comfort to people.  Leader Thompson and Captain Chama carefully explored the traces left by the oasis, and finally came to the same conclusion - perhaps the reason for the unsatisfactory journey can only be attributed to the unpredictable providence of God.  Not long ago, a small storm hit this oasis. Although the roots of the plants buried under the sand have not died, it will take at least ten years to grow enough to shelter travelers.  time.  In the end, the team chose to camp near the second oasis instead of taking advantage of the fine weather to make a night journey.  There are at least four or five days of journey ahead, and on the premise that no accidents occur, a good rest is obviously an indispensable condition for strong physical strength.  The camp was simple and simple, with twelve desert boats forming a huge circle, connected to each other by strong iron chains; the Bactrian wild camels were driven together, chewing hay listlessly. In fact, this hard-working animal is  They can survive in the desert environment for more than a week without food and water; the treatment of sand lizards is much better, because the desert boat must be towed by them, so when camping, not only are there large buckets of water and phoenix tails mixed with triangle beans  grass, and servants brushing away the grit and parasites from between their scales with small brushes.  Opposite the corral, a low and sturdy desert tent has been set up. A dozen campfires illuminated the faces of many people, and hard wheat cakes were baked on them, or a simmering pot was set up.  The aroma of burnt wheat flour and oil wafted over the camp, making people salivate after a hard day's trek. They gathered around the campfire, wiggling their nostrils from time to time, as if this could soothe their hungry stomachs.  Unlike these servants and mercenaries who know nothing, Leader Thompson andCaptain Chama looked very worried, barely ate a little, and then gathered together to whisper.  Tomad's appetite was better than theirs, and he ate two pieces of scones with the chowder stew. When he was blinking his golden eyes and considering whether to eat the third piece, he was tapped on the shoulder.  "You have a great appetite, Captain Tomad." Captain Chama's whisper contained an imperceptible resentment, "Leader Thompson and I are too worried to eat." "It seems that you have a bad appetite.  It won't help solve the problem, right?" Tomad shrugged, then stood up and patted the gravel on his body. "Captain Chama, you have much more experience in desert travel than I do. Please discuss it with Leader Thompson.  Have you come up with any countermeasures?" Captain Chama shook his head gloomily, "This is no longer a problem that can be solved by experience. In my opinion, if the oases along the entire trade road are destroyed by sandstorms, it is better to take advantage of them.  If a worse situation arises, turn back as soon as possible. " "I am afraid that Team Leader Thompson will not be willing to do this," Tomad said in a positive tone, "The Tianping Chamber of Commerce has invested a lot of money this time, and Team Leader Thompson will return without success.  "It's absolutely true." Captain Chama sighed heavily, "He can't afford it. In fact, I can't afford it. The Sons of Flame are just a loose group of adventurers.  Instead of having a strictly disciplined army, Commander Lena now urgently needs a successful and well-paid mission to consolidate his position. If the mission fails" Tomad suddenly felt that he was full, the smell of stew and scones  Although it still lingered on his nose, it couldn't arouse any appetite in him.  "So you agree to continue moving forward regardless of the danger?" He asked in a low voice, "Captain Chama, you told me that night when you camped at Baiqiu that the desert is very dangerous and the climate is unpredictable. Generally speaking, if the journey begins  If things go wrong, most travelers will cancel the trip. "Whether they are businessmen or adventurers, they are all people who dare to risk their lives for high rewards." Captain Chama rubbed his hands uncomfortably.  "But we just dare to take risks, and we don't plan to plunge into a fatal situation without thinking. Captain Tomad, our plan is for the convoy to camp here to rest for a day. During this time, we will send out personnel to explore the nearby environment.  Especially to confirm whether the third oasis is safe." Tomad raised an eyebrow, "That's a good idea, Captain Chama, what do you want me to do?" "Before departure, Captain Lena asked me to obey you.  Order." Captain Chama spoke in a very serious tone, "Captain Tomad, do you want to go with me to explore the third oasis?" Tomad lowered his eyes and thought quietly for a few seconds.  The little one nodded, "Okay, I'll go with you When will we set off?" "The sooner the better." Captain Chama said, "Leader Thompson told me that the third oasis is about two miles away from here.  It¡¯s a day¡¯s journey, but the speed of the desert boat is too slow. If we ride eastward, we should be able to find it before the sun rises.¡±
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