The Angfauglir desert was a barren and hostile wasteland, not even the few insects that could bare to live within its arid environment stayed there, opting for somewhere where survival was easier, why then would two humans come through this desert was anyones guess.

The two that made their way through now were an unlikely pair at best, the mercanary and profit seeker, Phineas King and the Wizard Arlen Elderson, the duo had met within the Misty Woods of Arda, lost and confused the pair had endevoured together to find their own way out of the woods in the terrible fog it produces.
With blind luck and confidence in their abilities the pair found their way out and have stuck together since.

On word that great profit lays across the desert, the pair set out to find their quarry and to claim the valuables for their own.

The day was not suited for travelling, the sun blazed in the sky as waves of heat rolled across the endless arid dunes of Anfuaglir, debris of decayed and burnt plants sat at random points in the sand, a reminder to both the travellers that nothing was unsuseptable to the hostilities of the wild.

Arlen followed behind Phineas, although used to travelling great spans at a time, he wasnt used to such extreme travel across such terrain, usually he would walk at his own leasuirely pace but now he had to keep to the stride of Phineas, a man who seemed confident in his abilities to navigate these lands.

"You seem to aquire ill advice on a regular basis Phineas" spoke Arlen, not sure whether Phineas heard him or not, as he picked the sand from his mouth as it blew in whilst he spoke.
"What is so special about this, 'Desert jewel' anyhow."

The jewel would have to be worth some kind of reward for Phineas to put himself through such a hike across this desert for its sake, and Arlen was curious to know why it was so important.

The desert sun shone like a midnight bonfire, withering everything in sight. The parched landscape was a lifeless abyss of sand. The wind howled, sending sand cascading onto the pair as they trekked across the terrain. A white bandana covered Phineas's mouth, and a cloth protected his neck, but he still remained buffered by the inhospitable weather. Occasionally he would stop, raise a filthy, dry hand above his eyes, and scan the horizon for a sign of civilaztion, but to no avail.

He listened as the Wizard grumbled. "What is so special about this, 'Desert jewel' anyhow." the bald man asked, trying to catch up with Phineas. "Number one," began Phineas, stopping, but not turning to look at the Wizard. "Me sources are more than valid, mate," he continued, surveying the dunes infront of him. "Number two," he added, finally turning to look at his companion, "This Jewel is the material o' Legends, me good friend. If I- Fine, if we were to find this beauty, you'd be kissing me feet for ages. And besides, even if didn't exist, it's one 'ell of an expirience, no?"

Phineas continued to walk, now descending one of the larger dunes in sight. He remembered back to when he found out about the "Jewel of the Desert". It was a bar in Lomedor. he had just barged in for a drink after killing one of the tougher targets he's ever had. The only available seat was next to a bag of skin and bones. The man must've been a hundred years old. His grisled beard was black and white, his mouth occupied by a sole tooth, which was the color of a sunflower petal. After buying Phienas a couple of awfully good ales, he began to tell a story of of old, about his "adventures". He said there was a cave in the middle of the Anfauglir desert, that held a trove of beautiful desert diamonds. They would be worth sacks and sacks and sacks of gold, he said. Phineas, who was a bit tipsy from the quantity of ales he had consumed, bought it.

The next morning, after this little encounter, Phineas did something he rarely did. He went to a library, and inquired about in amongst the immense collection of tales. Indeed there was a rumor that there was a cave of diamonds, but the travellers who confirmed this also stated that it was extremely hard to reach, and guarded by a rogue group of desert marauders. And they were just travellers, The adventurers and treasure hunters who went after it disappeared off the face of the earth, and never came back.

Only one as crazy as Phineas would go after such a treasure. Of course, he didn't divulge too many details to the Wizard, because he knew he'd refuse if he had indeed explained the full situation to him.

The explanation that Phineas had given would have to suffice for now, they were both stuck in the middle of the desert, the time for questioning had long since passed, he should of questioned Phineas long before they had reached the desert, now it was simply to late to turn back, he was stuck with the warrior now, like it or not.

"Your explanation shall have to validate the reason we are here for now, there is little point in arguing the case since we have already arrived"

The weather was becoming troublesome, waves of heat surged across the dunes as far as Arlen could see, the wind lashed at his face, the sand like small hot rocks bashing into his face made this whole trip all the more uncomfortable for Arlen to endure.
Arlen had come sorely unprepared for such an escipade, of course Phineas had come prepared with the cloth across his face but even that wouldnt fully dull the wrath of the desert that was forced upon the travellers.
Arlen could only hold his ragged and dirty sleeves up to his mouth and nose to stop the tiny particles of sand from intruding any further, though that did little to protect his eyes.

"What do you suppose were looking for exactly?"
It was a point, Arlen had no idea what they were looking for, he had no indication as to what signs would lead them to the Jewel of the desert, he hoped that Phineas would know.
Arlen was skeptical as to whether the Jewel existed, Arlen being a learned man would of at some point come across a reference to a jewel of great worth or properties hidden within the desert of Anfauglir, but no crusty tombs or dusted leather bound books held any written word on such a jewel, he hoped this whole journey wasnt moot.
A point he was thinking of all to often as his throat dried more and more, the urge for water growing deep in the back of his mind, though he knew to survive this journey they had to ration what water supplies they had in order to have enough for the journey back, the cave may contain some hidden body of water but relying on a maybe was a dangerous game in such conditions.

Arlen had nothing to lean on as he walked, he could feel his muscles aching from constant strain of walking up and down dunes on shifting sands and burning from the heat that surrounded them in abundance, his feet burnt but he found some small relief, fleeting as it was.

He scanned the visible horizon for any sign of anything but to no avail, orange hills lined the distant skyline endlessly, waves of heat flickering in the distance, with a resigned sigh he shrugged and carried on in the footsteps of his new found companion.

Phineas rarely had expiriences with the Anfauglir Desert, and this one had proven to be the best yet. He was the kind of slightly twisted man who enjoyed coming in such a brush with death as this. He was without direction to his destination, without a large supply of water, and with a comrade. What more could he ask for besides this? This was the kind of harship that really molded him into the man he had become.

He tried to ignore the trivial grumblings of his companion, pushing forward with an unrelenting drive to succeed. But what he could not turn a blind eye to was the sand that now whipped his face. He tried to shield his eyes with his forearm, which now was raised infront of him. He squinted slightly, still pushing ahead. The very footsteps that they left in the sand were blown away, which made their path impossible to trace. He stopped for a second, before lowering himself onto the hot sand, unshouldering his pack as he did so.

He beckoned for the Wizard to sit too, slipping open his pack's cover. Inside he had to vials of water, which were both nearly empty. He uncorked his own and said, in his characteristic hoarse voice, "Bottoms Up!" before downing it in a single, relieving gulp. He laughed in ecstasy that he had quenched his previously parched throat. He finished his little fit of chuckles with a sigh, gazing into the horizon. It must've been an hour or so after midday, because the sun had just barely begun to low back into the horizon, begining its twelve hour dip.

Phineas looked into the horizon, where to sand dunes where being blown away in a ferocious wind. Behind them was something spectacular.


It was the color blue. He doubted the Oasis was one of reality, for he had heard about mirage's, but he could not help himself but to run towards it, leaving his pack carelessly behind. "AHAHA!" he barked, his croaky voice emitting the sound of undeniable joy. "What'd I tell, baldy! What'd I tell you! We'd make it! What'd i tell you!" he shouted. He was prepared for the disappoint of a mirage, for it all to vanish in an instant, and for the Wizard to ask something along the lines of "What'd you put in your water, son?". But this momoent never came. He through himself face first into the blue.

And it splashed. It was real. He soaked himself in it, his sandpaper-like hair soaking it up eagerly. He shed the heavy equipment he had, so he was down to his basic clothes, and began to swim, splashing like a little child. "AHAHA!" he screamed, pointing a newly-drenched finger to the sun. "You cannot kill the great Phineas King!" he laughed, his outstretched arms welcoming the now seemingly cool breeze. He then turned on the dunes. "Did you hear that, you pitiful sandmounds! Even you cannot send me to my demise. Even you!!" His childish behavior actually seemed rational after the daylong ordeal he had just went through. He turned to the Wizard, and with a final croak, before collapsing under the palm tree next to the water. "Just stick with me baldy, and we'll make it."

As the mercanarie begged him too sit, Arlen allowed him that honour and sat down beside him on the baking sands of the desert, hot underneath his already warm robes, it burnt at his skin, though knowing full well it was unavoidable he ignored it and concentrated on what Phineas was doing, carefully opening the bag and pulling out two small vails of clear liquid.

Arlen took the vail of the cooling liquid welcomly, removing the cap in almost a frenzy, he swished the water around a little to make sure he wasnt seeing a mirage, how foolish he must of looked if he was, the small glass container felt warm as he placed it too his sandblasted lips, but he knew he was neither seeing no mirage nor feeling one as the water refreshed his parched mouth, though warm it was still a welcome relief to the wizard as he sloshed it around, and then allowed it passage down his throat.

The water seemed to lift a great weight off him, the muscles in his throat felt more at ease and relaxed, though the feeling was fleeting and wouldnt endure the desert, he savoured it greatly and smiled an appreciative smile at his companion who carried the burden of the supplies.

He was about to speak when Phineas jumped to his feet, screaming in the midday sun, Arlen wasnt quite so sure what he was screaming about until he skwinted his eyes and looked out once more on the horizon.
Then he saw it, he could hardly believe his eyes, already Phineas was running towards it, he jogged behind at a pace that didnt show him as too eager to be fooled by a mirage, but Arlen was still over joyed to see the sight of a great body of water.
As Phineas jumped in Arlen had only just arrived, the water was real as the sand he walked on.

Dropping to his knees, he cupped his hands and scooped them into the water, bringing it up to his face, the soothing water washed away all feelings of fatigue and wear as he continued to apply it to his moisture starved skin.
Jokingly, he took splashed Phineas.

"You contaminate drinking water by swimming in it."

Although Arlen felt the need to endulge himself too, his feet were disgustingly worn, blisters, cuts and burns from the walk ravaged his feet and were a constant source of pain, though by dipping his feet into the azure water, he could feel it all wash off.
Such a simple thing as water now seemed to calm Arlen, but he knew they couldnt stay here for too long, after all, there was a jewel to claim, they couldnt just frolic in an oasis for the rest of their days.
No they would have to leave at some point, whether it be homeward or onwards to adventure.

"We should move soon, i would like to find that cave before sundown, the desert may be hot during the day but if we leave here to late, we should never dry off, the tempreture will drop to freezing, wet wares shall not aid us then.
Gather what water we can."

((just an ooc note. You wrote that he begged the Wizard to sit down. I meant to write "beckoned", twas a mistake of mine. I apologize))

Phineas savored the most welcome water, dunking his drenched head repeatedly. He felt like drowning would not be that bad. He had been so dry he was like a prune, and now he felt like he could float for hours on end. But he turned to the Wizard as he warned Phienas of contamination. "Don't be so ridiculous, baldy, I ain't contaminating anything," he barked, a grin plastered across his soaked face.

But this did raise an important issue. They could not mill around the Oasis forever. And as the Wizard talked, Phineas became more and more aware to the problem. He started to swim hsi way toward the shore of the pool-like Oasis. He emptied his bag of the 6 glass vials that had been completely drained of their contents. He then proceeded to dip them into the water, filling them to the top, before corking them. He then slipped them back in the bag before shutting it.

He turned to the water once again, and began to drink savagley. He gulped aggresivley, his hands cupping the water as though what they held was gold. He knew that he must be completely refreshed, so he could survive long without touching the stock in his bag. This, he knew, would be an extremely important factor in the future.

Once he had finished replenishing himself, he turned to his companion. "We should get started again as soon as you're finished refreshing. We will know we're near when we see a tall, stone, naturally formed turret. It should be around four miles north from that point. We'll have to creep up on the cave, there are marauders that protect it...Or at least that's how the legend goes," he finished, ending with a slightly unsure tone.

He threw off any apparent uncertainty and drew his scimitar, which he then slowly started sharpening under the nearby palm tree. he felt completely rejuvinated, his throat completely replenished to a healthy state. His legs had become more and more powerful, and the dazed feeling that he had in the desert was making room for his more serious, business-like self.

((ooc: hope you don’t mind an obstacle in your quest… or a friend… depends on how the events transpire))

Another figure was there, into the near vicinity of the oasis, and that figure belonged to Zekhen, a young man (by elven standards) who was carefully watching over the small patch of water located into the middle of nowhere. The presence of the two adventurers at the oasis have enraged him greatly, yet he remained in his hiding spot. From there he couldn’t be detected too easily by the two men or by anyone else, he had the desert on his side which made him look like a mere illusion, a mirage, an incorporeal and shapeless form which blended perfectly with the rest of the desert and the burning light of the sun.

He slowly approached the two, coming from behind Phineas, remaining stealth as always, no sound could be heard as his boots moved along the soft sand, his breathing didn’t betray him, his clothes were of the purest white color, loose-fitting with a cloak billowing behind him in the hot breeze of the desert. His head and face were protected by a turban and a white scarf. And so he continued to approach, scimitar in right hand, coming from behind the palm tree where Phineas was resting, the blade lowered, coming dangerously close to the soft flesh of the man, Zekhen was threatening him. And from that very second the young elf was not hidden anymore, he was there for all to see, appearing all of a sudden, as if the desert itself summoned him, a mirage, and nothing else. But he was made by flesh and bone like anyone else.

“You have brought the greatest offense to the Desert and his people, you have desecrated the oasis by bathing yourself in it. The Desert is ruthless, he will take his revenge, go back from wherever you came, or else you will face the wrath of the Desert.” Everyone knew how dangerous and ruthless the desert was, and in how many ways it could inflict pain and insanity to those who traveled it, it had the most wicked and venomous of creatures, giant worms traveling through the sand, stealth scorpions and snakes, quicksand and sand storms.

Water was the most prized possession in the desert, nothing could lift to its standards, not all the gold in the whole world, not a jewel or some magical items, water was practically worshiped in the desert. The very element which sustained life, and the desert didn’t have plenty of it, like all the others terrains did.

Oh, and the wizard didn’t go unnoticed either, Zekhen was looking at him with the corner of his eye every once and there, however he remained slightly behind that palm tree.

It was to see how bold the two adventurers were, how they would react to this new appearence, by force or they would try to settle things peacefully...

Arlen pulled his feet from out of the water and back behind him, so he was knelt before the water, there he drank savagly just like Phineas had done, there was a great need to stay hydrated until they reached the cave, and this tell tale oblisk that stood alone in the desert could be any number of leagues away, better that he over compensate for the journey than pay later.

He could see Phineas in the reflection of the water, though he didnt see the newcomer with the sword, splashing his face into the water, running it over his bare head, he felt completly refreshed.
And was able bodied enough to continue on the journey ahead.

Though it was to his great suprise when someone whos voice Arlen did not recognise spoke.
"You have brought the greatest offense to the Desert and his people, you have desecrated the oasis by bathing yourself in it. The Desert is ruthless, he will take his revenge, go back from wherever you came, or else you will face the wrath of the desert.”

Though a tree obscured Arlens vision, the warrior wasnt completly out of his sight, in the reflection of the water, once the ripples had calmed and the liquid become still, Arlen could make him out very well, a Scimitar at Phineas's neck.
He didnt expect desert raiders to find them in all earnest, the journey insofar had been quite and uneventful.
It seemed though that the pair had transgressed by dipping themselves in the pool.

Though Arlen wouldnt have his companion slain and himself left in the desert to rot for all manner of creatures to come and pick at his bones.
"You make a terrible mistake desert man; i would brandish your blade else where, the Wizard Arlen Elderson is not so forgiving."
Of course Arlen had no spells but he had something up his sleeve.

Moving so he could see the defender of the desert, his whispered something quietly under his breath, making sure every move of his mouth was small and unnoticable, every syllable of every word perfectly eloqueted to make sure nothing would go wrong.
He would place a magical fear upon the man, with his own skills he could empower the spell so that it would last longer than normal or make his visage more terrifying.
He had to hope it would go well.

Phineas glanced down at his newly sharpened weapon, enjoying the way the lowering sun's rays hit the tip. The weapon he had owned all his life, and showed more care for it than he would a child. Unlike a child though, he would be more than willing to expose it to extreme levels of violence. He ran his thumb across the blade to test it. It would be most perilous in the hands of a skilled warrior. Phineas grinned to himself. That's me

It was at that moment that he heard a voice behind the tree. His slightly closed eyes snapped open, but he restrained himself from any sign of shock. He slowly tightened his grip on the scimitar in his lap. He took a daring, quick glance at the Wizard, and noticed the fact that he was casting something. Damnit, Phineas thought angrily, I need to get me some o' 'em spells,. But then he remembered...He did have one. He shut his eyes tight, trying to remember the words...And then they came to him .

He begin to whisper them at the lowest of volumes, words that would supposedly create an atmosphere of fear around his enemies. The enemy had snuck up on them was certainly not an immortal, and Phineas thought that perhaps this would be effective. He slowly began to rise, his lips still forming the words. His sword was in his handbut he did not raise it in a combat-ready position. He opened his mouth to speak, but shut it on a second thought. Perhaps it would better if the Wizard spoke. Phineas wasn't one for diplomacy when he wasn't speaking with a weapon.

He slowly turned to face the intruder. His eyes widened, but only slightly. The man seemed to be a native of the desert lands, his clothing that of a camoflauge nature. Phineas tried to figure out his motives from the man's expression, and all he could gather was immediate unfriendliness. He also noticed that the newcomer was a elf. Phineas did not like elves. He found them to be stuck up...And annoying.

But he shrugged off the thought and concentrated on the current situation. he slowly began to lower his sword, into a more defensive stance.

The wizard had moved, perhaps he should have been wiser than doing that, Zekhen had all the time in the world to slice the jugular vein of his companion. They both tried a spell against him, a spell which he had many times before, he could feel chills of fear running up his legs, but they were quickly shaken off. Elves were by nature a race that dealt with magic, thus every each of them knew how to counter more or less spells, especially the ones of the lowest level, how this Fear inflicting spell was. He no longer felt the fear crawling throughout his body, his hearing sense was cut short, the frightening words did not reach his being anymore, he was as good as new. The one used by the wizard was stronger, more accurate, but he managed to not let it affect him. However the grip on the hilt of his scimitar never loosened, it remained as firm as before, and it even moved closer to Phineas’ neck.

“Stay where you are wizard! Or you shall no longer see your friend again.” The wizard was unarmed, that was a comforting thing for the elf, but he might have some tricks up his sleeve, something able to hurt him. But Zekhen had a major thing on his side, he knew how to use the desert to his advantage, the confidence into the desert’s killing power was also on his side. When fighting on a sandy terrain his senses were heightened, his slashes more accurate. No outsider should be able to take him down in the Desert. Of course that was a little impossible to achieve, but the confidence was high, and confidence always played a important role in the battle which went on the psychological plane. And that’s what they were doing right now, the three of them, trying to scare and impress each other. Zekhen was a great man to have on your side when traveling through the desert, he could be used as a guide and in his presence you would never die of thirst or by the hand of some strange creature.

“So what it would be?” The 'marauder' still awaited for the answer, the answer he had never get to what he had said earlier. He couldn’t help but wonder what the two of them were doing in the desert. There weren’t too many visitors out here.

[Ooc; I didnt cast my spell yet =p.
Sorry for the shortness too <.<]

Arlen glared at the desert warrior, the blade pressed against Phineas's neck, he would allow his newly found friend to die in such a way, to beat the wrath of the desert only to be killed by one of its flunkies.

"It would be wise to remove that blade of yours desert man, for i grow impatient, we mean you or your desert no harm, lest you mean us harm, then we shall answer in kind"

He spoke the last few syllables of his own spell under his breath, his body seemed to grow taller, shadows cast under the sun from Arlens now great height, an eerie green smoke poured out from his eyes and magical energies crackled at his fingers tips, jumping to and fro.
His voice began to sound like thunder and resonate across the desert.

"Step back Warrior!"

Of course this was all just an illusion of Arlens fear spell, he had modified his own image so that the desert warrior might fear him and listen to his words, however, Arlen couldnt see he was an elf and resistant to magics in general.
Little did he know that the desert warrior might see through his tricks, it was down to sheer luck now.

((Uhoh, the Wizard posted as I was posting. Urk. I'll have to edit mine))

Phineas eyed the blade of the newcomer as it neared his neck. It was way too close for comfort. He knew that he could survive this. He had survived much worse. But there was something about the character that stood before in now that made him somehow intimidating. But Phineas knew that he could be intimidating too. He tightened his grip on his sword, raised it slightly higher and in a flash, it all happened.

Phineas dropped, He puled his own legs out form underneath himself, falling softly onto the sand. The blade that was previously near his neck was in mid-air, and Phineas was on the ground. He rolled quickly to the side, and rose extremely fast back to a standing position, his blade in a defensive position, protecting him from an oncoming strike. He grinned at his smoothness. That went well, he thought. He was now a bit to the right of the intruder, and they were even.

He had given up on the Wizard doing the diplomacy, seeing that the Wizard was unarmed, and being armed said a lot for how much you controlled the situation. So Phineas cleared his throat and began to speak, his features growing more intimidating by the second. His naturally hoarse voice rose above the silence. "What do you want?" he asked confidently, his eyes searching the man for any sign of motivation.

Phineas thought perhaps, if the man was payed with gold, he could be a guide. They needed a guide...The desert might proove to be more ruthless at night than in the day. His eyes wandered again to the stories of creatures who inhabited such lands, never anything but aggresive.

He arched an eyebrow, waiting expectantly for a reply. This might get interesting... he thought to himself. He did not notice what the Wizard was doing, but did hear his attempt at diplomacy, and rolled his eyes mentally. Baldy, leave it to me, he thought angrily.

The elf cursed in his mind, with the corner of his eyes he could see that the wizard was taking a horrific appearance, he hoped for his own sake that those was just an illusion. Wizards were supposed to be smart, how could you do that in the middle of the desert, to transform and not thinking that you could draw attention of an unwanted creature, or a band of the true marauders of the desert. They were as ruthless as the desert itself, and appeared even more violently than Zekhen did, just like a mirage, nothing more, slicing through the bodies of adventurers like through thin air. They were experts, slicing machines.

Though, Zekhen did not have enough time to look at the wizard in order to be intimidating, the soon to be victim of his blade rolled away from his reach, and even prepared from an incoming attack, he took a defensive stance, he looked like a worthy opponent, and they both had the same choice of weapons. Zekhen preferred only curved, keen swords. From the very moment the man rolled away from the blade of his sword, Zekhen kicked the ground before him, causing a cloud of soft and small particles of sand to rise, it was sent straight towards the mercenary’s eyes and face, and engulfed the desert elf, concealing him perfectly, his clothes designed specially for this. That was a diversion, a distraction, when the sand would be scattered away by the breeze of the oasis, Phineas would realize that he was talking with himself. The elf was nowhere to be seen, he had disappeared.

Seconds had passed, and the sudden silence which had installed among the oasis was penetrated again, by the voice of Zekhen. He was up on a pretty large dune of sand, starring down at the two adventurers, he almost scoffed, dealing with him wouldn’t be so easy.

“What is that you have to offer?” So, he looked open to negotiations, however the desecration of the water could not be forgotten so easily.

Phineas refrained from turning around to see the Wizard, lacking the knowledge of what he had morphed into, or that he had morphed at all. Phineas was eyeing the marauder. He was gaining confidence, noting that the character was slightly surprised at his move. He grinned to himself, keeping that move in mind for future reference. He gripped his scimitar, gritting his teeth as he did so. This might be long.

And it was. The flurry of sand clouded Phineas's vision just long enough for the marauder to disappear. He cursed to hismelf under his breath. Luckily, his combat reflexes had enabled him to close his eyes as the sand was kicked up, so none entered his eyes, which would have been qutie the painful expirience. He dug his boots into the sand, and raised his bladein stead into an offensive position. He was not ready to lose, especially in a two to one battle.

Phineas looked up when he realized that the newcomer had made his way up to a sand dune. How annoying. That was cowardly, he thoguht to himself. He's running, that's what he's doing, he continued in his little mental rant. He would not stand for this. He listened as the elf called down towards them. How dare the elf speak to him from a higher position. This was a common indication of contemptious nature, and Phineas would not be humiliated.

Phineas, with newly-acquired speed, thanks to the water, ran up the small dune. he was now perched atop it with the newcomer. He turned to him. "We just want to travel through this...region. I see no manner in which that harms you. Let us pass, and I will not be forced to kill you." he said, raising his scimitar in a defensive stance. He was too far away from the marauder to be kicked, but he could stab with a lunge. Phineas was ready for anything.

[Edited]
Arlen looked at the desert warrior, who now stood between himself and Phineas, Arlens illusion settling down so he appeared back as he was before the spell had affected him.

Phineas had rolled away from out under the blade of the desert warrior who was no asking what it was they wanted, when the truth be told was that it was he who should be answering to them.

"I ask you the same question before you get our answer"

he wasnt about to let the desert warrior get the better of both he and Phineas, the two had braved the desert with limited supplies, if they wanted to swim in the waters of the oasis then they would swim in the waters.
Law of the desert or not.

"I do not take kindly to you placing your blade to my companions throat but i shall over look the transgression just this once, if you have something worthy for us to take with us through this desert.

He planned on taking this desert warrior with them, he looked savy to the whole environment and probably knew where this cave was or even if it existed, indeed, the man would be useful to have around, so long as he didnt plan on any more stunts like that again.
Arlen pulled a face of clear unhappiness at the Warrior.

"Your name would be an asset too!

With a scoff, the desert warrior watched Phineas run towards him, climbing the dune clumsily, well he expected no less and no more from this man who was not familiar with the desert. Phineas walked exactly into his trap, one half of the dune was made of stony sand, as the other half was purely quicksand. Phineas would soon feel his feet pulled down, dipping into the sand. It was obvious that Zekhen had climbed the dune from the other side, but the cloud of sand he had caused earlier made his movement unseen. Probably the dune looked strange itself, most likely it was created through means of magic, by those who protected the oasis, it was full of traps, and only the true men of the desert knew how to avoid them, and their exact location. That just showed how much they valued water. Probably everything was lost for Phineas now.

Zekhen chuckled from behind his scarf and jumped away from that dune, keeping his eyes on Phineas though, he needed help if he was to get out of the quicksand, probably his companion could help him, but what if the desert elf would not allow it. Zekhen was able to keep his ground against the wizard long enough to see Phineas completely sunk into the sands, where he will suffocate. With another graceful move, the marauder moved between Phineas and Arlen, keeping a safe distance from both of them. Scimitar still in right hand, and a wicked smile was on his face, not visible though, since he wore a scarf. “I do not take kindly the desecration of water either, and insults brought to my address. My name is not important right now. So what it is, are we going to let ‘our’ friend here die, or you will help me cure the waters? And I ASK you again, what is that you have to offer?” He smirked, he sure liked to keep the advantage of negotiation on his side.

(hope you don't mind, just to add a little more drama, drama is the spice for an RP)

((You do realize that quicksand is escapable.))


Phineas watched his target with slight interest. He seemed to find something that was either comedic or plain entertaining. This discomforted Phineas to an extreme extent, seeing that the newcomer appeared to be laughing at Phineas himself. He closed his eyes, humiliated that he was unaware of the source of such entertainment. he grit his teeth, and was about to inquire about what was causing the marauder's lighthearted reaction, when it came to him.

Something tugged at his feet. Phineas glanced down in an effort to identify the source of such a sensation. He quickly realized why the man was laughing. he was standing in quicksand. He gave a slight grunt of distress, panic coursing through his body. He began to sweat, his eyes widening. He grunted again, trying to pull a foot out. He then came to realizing that he wasn't sinking that fast at all. With the lack of moisture aside from a nearby oasis, the quicksand was of a weak nature. Phineas grinned mentally, and with a tremendous heave, brought his left foot out, and stepped on a more secure piece of ground. With one foot out, he could securely push up, and brought himself out of the trap, though now he was slightly exhausted.

He gave three deep breaths before bring his scimitar to his chest. "You think you're a genius, don't you? You think you're the only one who knows anything, eh?" he asked, speak through grit teeth. His senses had been slightly dulled by the panic of the quicksand, but now they were retunring, acompanied by rage. He was furious at the embarassment of falling into a trap. He gave out a battle cry, a roar of anguish and humiliation, before jumping an unsual height, losing control of rational thought. The warrior rose high into the air, above the marauder, and brought his scimitar crashing down with him. It would be hard to come completely unscathed from such an attack, with the power of rage fueling it, and its peculiarly quick and unexpected nature.

Arlen watched the desert warrior run off over the dune, persued by Phineas, Arlen was quite away from both of them, as the wind wracked at his face from the east, leaving one side of his body sore.

He couldnt stand this desert warrior and by the looks of it neither could Phineas, Arlen could see he was balatantly angry, his scimitar drawn and ready to attack.
However, Arlen knew better than this, he shouted at the pair but neither could hear him, his voice being carried off by the wind before it could reach their ears.
Cursing himself he began to sprint, the sand beneath him shifting out from under his feet causing his movement to be more akin to a deer on ice.

"PHINEAS!"
He yelled once again, though sand caught in his mouth as he yelled, this was madness, the pair would need him for a guide if they were to survive this trip right now, hostile he may be but useful he could also be.

"STOP! NOW!
Still the wind carried off his cries as he approached, and knowing no more spells that could catch their attention he had to make do.
Taking his bag from his shoulder he threw it at the desert warrior, hoping that it might distract him from the more violent of the adventurers.
Muttering under his breath, he had to formulate a plan, and then it struck him.

Waving his arms in an Arcane manner and shouting words that sounded like they were about to unleash a cataclysmic spell would surely catch someones attention.

Phineas struggled behind Zekhen for a while, his moans and grunts of panic showing that he had a hard time dealing with the quicksand, he proceeded wrongly, more sudden moves he make faster he sunk. Zekhen, for a second, had his gaze on the man’s companion and friend: the wizard. He was standing between the two trespassers, but he could hardly hear what the wizard was saying.

Some strange words fueled by madness and rage echoed behind the desert marauder, and even reached his ears. It was Phineas, somehow he managed to get out of the trap, and now was jumping towards him with his scimitar readied to slice him in half, if he had the needed precision, accuracy and strength. He once again underestimated the desert elf, after all they were fighting on his ground, how the mercenary hoped to win.

Zekhen turned quickly, to his own luck he had his own scimitar already ready, and held firmly in his right hand. The weapon was quickly raised, in a flashing second steel crushed against steel, blade against blade. Zekhen put all of his effort into parrying the incoming attack and stop the blade from going further, closer to his body. He held his scimitar with two hands, his right on the hilt and its counterpart on the not sharpened part of the weapon, keeping the mercenary at a safe distance. “Fool! You are on my ground, I am the master here, I must admit I am shocked you made it so far through the desert since you don’t know nothing about it.” He shouted through his tensed teeth and lips. He didn’t have the fragileness of an average elf, desert had constructed him rough and strong.

Phineas clashed with the elf loudly, their swords emitting a sound that he knew all too well. Several sparks flew from the collision point, due to the immense velocity of the conflict. Phineas landed with a thud, upright, but with all of his might pressed against his opponents sword. He grunted, continuting to push his wait against the surprisingly strong elf. He gritted his teeth, listening to the elf's words.

“Fool! You are on my ground, I am the master here, I must admit I am shocked you made it so far through the desert since you don’t know nothing about it.” Phineas opened his mouth and shut it, deciding to save his breath for the current struggle. But he had to consider the elf's words. Perhpas Phineas did need help in a land so not his own.

He considered the idea of a guide. Phineas was supposed to be an adventurer, not a tourist. He shouldn't need a guide. But then again...He was in the middle of no where, with a mere single sign of where the treasure might be...And his own pride was worth less than the gold that he could potentially have.

"Perhaps..." he hissed through gritted teeth. "Perhaps you...assist us...in our travels...*grunt*...in return for a small amount of gold..." Phineas said, making sure to still hold his side of the fight with strength.

The pair were at each others throats, but Arlen was getting nearer and could now here the pair grunting and moaning as they struggled on in their duel for supremecy, Arlen knew that Phineas was an excellent warrior with his scimitar, but it seems that he was at an environmental disadvantage.
The Desert warrior was perfectly prepared to deal with fighting in the desert, since Arlen assumed he lived there that was just as well.

He could hear Phineas now, talking about a guide, finally he had stopped this idea of trying to murder this desert warrior out of petty revenge and used his head.
Perhaps Arlens Wizardly intellect was rubbing off on the mercenary, then again, Arlen was not fooling himself either.

What Arlen was hoping for now was either some kind of spell that would allow him to separate the pair of them, something that could control the elements, air or earth, move them with the power of the air or have the earth come alive underneath them or just common sense to arrive in both of their skulls and to stop fighting.
However it seemed like the latter was about to happen, after all, right now Arlen did not know such spells.

Jumping forwards, he would have to jump between the pair of them and stop them, he hoped like hell this would work.

Zekhen had to admit, that his opponent managed to surprised him a little, the desert elf didn’t expect Phineas to still have so much strength after he struggled in a quicksand, and earlier leaped to make this attack against him. That would have fatigued the human a little, and Zekhen wanted to use this to his advantage. More strength was put behind the sword, and from the defensive position the elf was now it advanced, trying to push the man, but none of them managed much thing against the other.

He had one more concern though, the footsteps of the wizard could be heard closer and closer, he was coming their way, from behind him, he now had to pay attention once more to the both of them even if the main threat was Phineas. Both of them, the human and the elf were hotheaded, neither of them liked to loose or back away one feet. They threw insults one at the other in an attempt to be become the dominant party. The blades grazed one against the other, breaking through the grave silence which would have installed, since none of them said anything for a few seconds. Phineas just offered the marauder the opportunity of working for a few gold coins in exchange of him tagging along with them in their travels. He had to admit, the gold and the opportunity to go out of the desert once more sounded nicely, but his job here as a guarding of the oasis didn’t have to go neglected either. He replied, the words coming through his lips quickly, in small series, as much as he could say before having to take another breath of air. The sword duel was pretty exhausting, both physically and mentally. Their gazes were locked, their eyes did not blink, they were trying to intimidate the other.

“I accept, *deep breath* but you will have to help me cure the oasis first *deep breath* I need a sample of your blood, and another one of the wizard’s blood...” The elf started to relax a little, as it seemed that they were coming to a co-sense, none of them had to die that day, if each of them was willing to cooperate, and in exchange for their blood and some gold they will be sure not to get lost in this journey of theirs.

Phineas looked at his opponent, his vision obstructed partially by the blades that they both wield. His muscles had begun to falter from the various struggles he had experience that past hour, and he knew that he would be unable to hold it for much longer. His jaw ached from his constant clench, and his legs, which were assisting his body in the push against the newcomer’s sword, were now also tired. He winced slightly, before, very slowly, withdrawing his sword and stepping back.

“I accept, *deep breath* but you will have to help me cure the oasis first *deep breath* I need a sample of your blood, and another one of the wizard’s blood...” is what the desert man had said. Phineas couldn’t help but characteristically arch his eyebrow when his foe spoke of blood. “And why, why would you need a drop of my blood to merely purify water?” he asked, his vocabulary unlike his usual. His question was less out of cheek and doubt and much more out of his constant stream of curiosity.

He sheathed his sword slowly and carefully, eyeing the mans every move. A lack of trust for him still was buried someone in Phineas’s head, and he was not about to go unarmed without being ready to draw his weapon once again, and with ease. He stepped back slowly, now out of sword’s reach, disabling the elf across from him of the opportunity to attack, unless it had some ability that Phineas was unaware of (which the fight had proven was not unlikely.)

Phineas turned to the approaching wizard, and held out a hand, signaling for him to cease his advance. “So,” Phineas began, turning back to the elf. “Let’s talk business,”

Arlen watched the pair struggle, muttering under his breath about the rash actions of fighters, and how all they ever wanted to do was to hack at one another until they had proven that they were the greatest
at thier chosen craft.
Unlike magic, where it was a civilised trade,Fighters, he muttered again and shook his head.
The pairs struggle however seemed to lessen, though at the minute no one seemed to be relinquishing their grip as they spoke, both Phineas and the desert warrior seemed to be looking for that little niche which would allow them to finish one of the other off.

It was Phineas who first withdrew his sword and stepped back away from the desert warrior, it seemed very out of character for Phineas to Arlen, a man who would normally just fight to the death, however, these circumstances were more than reason enough for him to stop fighting like he did.
Though it came to some great relief for Arlen when the desert warrior seemed to agree with the idea about gold for services, however, he had a catch, which Arlen didnt find very unsuprising.
At Phineas's signal he stopped his advancement, his feet slowly sliding through loose sand, the pair were to talk business, in so far there was no clear price on how much gold would be crossing over the desert warriors palm, however Arlen guessed that it may be quite a significant figure.
Though the talk of blood was quite unsettling for Arlen, he valued blood, he was after all a blood magus, though he hadnt told anybody yet, not even Phineas.

"I agree Desert man, why blood to cleanse water, surely you know some other ways?"
It was futile of course, Arlen knew that much, the desert people were different from those that dwelled in cities, most magics that Arlen practiced were developed by means not unlike the desert mans but they were far less primal.
It was time however for Arlen to ease the friction between the pair of them.
"Forgive myself and my companion here Desert Warrior, you see the heat here is irritating enough, we would not of acted like that should we have met under normal circumstances nor at the point of the blade, i am Arlen Elderson and this is my travelling companion Phineas King, and what might your name be Great Warrior?"
Diplomacy was one of Arlens stronger point, if force could not break down personal barriers between people then it was time to use softer methods, this was indeed one of those times.

The mercenary was the first one to step back from the duel and sheath his sword; and with an abnormal breath Zekhen did the same, taking a step back as well, he made sure to be out of the human’s reach, far enough to be able to react just in time, before being surprised with an unwanted and sneaky attack. Humans were famous for being sneaky.

His body was slowly becoming steady once more, his veins did not pump with adrenaline anymore and his muscles relaxed. A smirk formed over his face as he listened to Phineas’ reply, of course, he didn’t expect them to be so willing when donating blood, but this was the only way. “I am afraid there is no other way, either you will cooperate or either I will have to take the blood from you by force.” And no, that did not sound like a threat.

“Like I said…” he continued “The Desert is ruthless, and so is the Goddess of the Oasis….” Even thought it was enough he would have said more, but the words of the wizard interrupted him. He apologized for himself and his friend, then told the elf their names: Alren Elderson and Phineas King…

He gave a soft nod to the wizard’s words, and in return he said. “I am Zekhen, Guardian of this Oasis. Now do we have a deal or not, it won’t hurt much I am sure… Just give me a drop of your blood onto the blade of my trusted scimitar.” He scanned over the both of the adventurers, after all it seemed that they could discuss peacefully.

((Sorry for the short post, I didn't have much time))

Phineas thought over the idea with slight hesitation. He would have to draw his own blood for a man who had so far proven anything but friendly without any logical reason. It seemed utterly ridiculous. He scratched his beard, thinkign to himself shortly before finally making a decision. He drew his sword and quite quickly made a tiny cut on his thumb. He drew several drops of blood, walked over to the elf, and wiped it onto the desert guardian's blade.

It was over as quickly as it had happened. Phineas sucked a tiny bit on his thumb as he backed up, back out of the elf's reach. He sheathed his own sword again, and turned to Arlen with expectany. He cleared his throat slightly before speaking up, "Okay, baldy, your turn. I got your back."

Arlen grinned a wry grin "I got my own" walking across to the desert man, he stood fast for a moment, his own green eyes gazing into Zekhens own green eyes.
He did not make any rash moves, neither did Zekhen, he was not about to have the warrior believe he was going to make a sudden attack.
Slowly raising up his arm, he pulled back on his sleeve, revealing his bare flesh, red and irritated from the constant blast of sand that found its way up his sleeve.

"If you are sure there is no other way..." he muttered quietly under his breath, he placed his open palm on the edge of the blade and quickly brought it up, without dragging it across the blade it left only a small nick on his skin, clenching his fist, small droplets of blood began to seep out and into his palm, then he smeared his hand down the flat surface of the scimitar.

"You have what you need, i would be most intrested in seeing what you do now Zekhen"
He nodded as he stepped back next to Phineas, wiping the remaining blood on his own robes.
He looked at Phineas however, unsure as to whether they had done the right thing, however, time would tell.

Zekhen looked at the two adventurers with much interested, his kin eyes scanning over their frames, trying to anticipate their intentions, their actions, to be ready in case they tried to trick him. It looked they didn’t trusted each other yet, none of them was completely comfortable with the other. But to the desert elf’s surprise the mercenary was the first willing to give a sample of his blood. A few drops of crimson liquid poured onto the blade of his scimitar, now it was the wizard’s time to do the same, and he cooperated as well.

Satisfied and happy that he didn’t have to kill them in order to spill their blood, Zekhen gave a soft nod of appreciations, as a ‘thanks’ of sorts. Now with the blood samples he needed on his weapon, the marauder turned and walked over to a palm tree, the most weird and old of them all. It was a short, and unusual ritual, the blood was given as a sacrifice to the ruthless Goddess of the Oasis, and she, with her divine power will cure the waters. Maybe it would look weird to the adventurers as Zekhen leaned forward, taking a hand full of soft sand with which he would wipe the blood off his sword. The now bloody sand was thrown into the wind and carried by it, over the whole spring. Zekhen’s job was done, now the goddess herself, if she existed was to bestow her divine power over the oasis, and cure it from any impurities.
“We should go now!” He shouted towards them so they could get ready and gather the things as he did the same. Instead of going to join their sides, he walked over to another magical spot of the oasis, drawing a symbol over it, bordered by a circle the small vortex was formed within the sand leaving behind a medium sized whole. That’s where the marauder, had his other sword hidden, his magic one, the bane of all those natured aligned. He had a nasty experience with nature when he was still a teenager, the forest has sent its wrath against him, and now as a revenge, Zekhen would turn his wrath against the nature, and that sword was specially crafted for that, it had a saw blade. Flora’s Bane Sawblade was placed on his back, the hilt pointing upwards and the blade hiding beneath his cloak, as well, the scimitar was idling in its sheath at his left hip.

As soon as he was done equipping himself, Zekhen joined the side of Phineas and Arlen, waiting for them to tell him what was to happen next.“Where exactly to you intend to go?”

Phineas did not like rituals. He found them oddly unnatural, making him uncomfortable to an extreme extent. He fuond himself squriming whenever they were performed, for they all seemed to involve some unneccesary weird or violent act. He never thought that they actually did anything either, feeling more that they were just something to provide the conductor of the rite with some assurance (be it cement or not) that something was going to happen, for the situation was not in his or her hands.

He watched with a mix of distaste and boredom as the Desert elf performed the little ceremony, tossing the sand into the air. Phineas really found it slightly foolish, but gave a mental shrug. He needed the elf to get the money, even if he had to sit through unentertaining performances and take the risk of trusting some desert lowlife with a spiritual aspect. He glanced down at his healing thumb before turning to the Wizard, raising an eyebrow.

He directed his attention back to the marauder as it began to do something completely out of context, and abnormal. It dug. Once it was through, it retrieved something even weirder. A sword, and a large one at that, was extracted from the hole. Phineas quickly unsheathed his, preparing for an attack. He got into a defensive position, signalling for the Wizard to do the same. But Phineas slowly lowered his weapon when he realized that the elf wasn't going to be as foolish as to attack them after all.

Phineas nodded to him, turned to the wizard, and listened as the marauder inquired about the destination. Phineas countered this with his own question. "Do you know of any tall, stone pillars? Our destination is close to that point." He knew it sounded silly, but that was all he was knowledgable of.

The gem the pair were after was apparently the jewel of the desert, if someone here was bound to know something about it then it would be Zekhen, of course the warrior had a certain pride and reverance for the desert, perhaps he would find the taking of the gem yet another thing on a list of many that goes against the will of the desert, of course leaving the journeys route up to the point of the stone oblisk wass going to be a factor that would reveal that these two adventurers before Zekhen were inded going to steal the gem.
Arlen interjected after Phineas had spoken.
"We hear of a cave, a mile from the Oblisk, we heard it has been over run by maruaders and must be cleansed."

He hoped that cover story would help a little, the pair were going to steal the gem and it didnt seem to Arlen that Zekhen was about to let them anytime soon.
Arlen placed the flat of his hand to his head as he wiped sweat from his brow, shielding his eyes from the rays of the sun with his hands, he looked out to the sky, the sun had reached its Zenith it seemed and the desert was now at its hottest point for the remainder ofthe day to come.
Arlen felt the air warm up around him, his own body now felt clammy with sweat, the desert being a vast open wasteland lacked any real sort of shade, and already the feeling of refreshment that the oasis had left upon his was wearing off.

Zekhen watched the adventurer’s face as the words escaped his mouth, he wanted to him to guide them towards some sort of tall, stone pillars, the information he gave the ellf were not too accurate, so he couldn’t help but wander what was he talking about. Pillars belonging to old ruins were like everywhere around the desert. A moment of silence had fallen over Zekhen, he tried to think if any ruins would catch their interested in order to travel all the way here and through the whole desert. They looked very determined to find those stone pillars, they didn’t even turn back when they were encountered by a master of the desert.

But then again, the wizard spoke, he seemed to handle the gift of speech far better than his warrior counterpart, he explained the situation better to Zekhen, making a strong feeling of curiosity rise within the elf.

Zekhen began to laugh slightly, while listening and now looking at the wizard, how did he expect him to fight against someone of his own kind? Another group of marauders, this brought them back to the square one, where they began to fight because they insulted the desert and the oasis. But Zekhen didn’t look hostile this time, and his mind suddenly enlightened.

“Of course, this should be it… but the ‘marauders’ you are looking to slain are not normal, actually they are spirits, undead… they are maintained alive by the gem hovering into that cave, it says it would turn anyone who touches it into an undead being. I can take you there, but I won’t go anywhere close to that gem.” Legends should stay legends, Zekhen was not one to see if they were true, but he didn’t mind if those adventurers would check either.
“There is still time to return, the marauders you are many, they are undead, fighting on the back of a skeletal horse, their weapons are diseased, and they have a powerful undead wizard as their leader.” He looked at both of them in turn, to see if they were still interested to venture there.

Phineas watched the marauder with a careful scrutinizing eye. He could tell with distaste that the elf despised him. This angered Phineas, but he did not let his face betray him and express his emotions. His eyes continued to study his newfound partner's face. He inferred that the elf was thinking hard. Phineas reached one of his own rustic hands to scratch his beard as he eyed the elf. Phineas had a talent for reading people, but the marauder's mask was giving him trouble.

Finally the character spoke. “Of course, this should be it… but the ‘marauders’ you are looking to slain are not normal, actually they are spirits, undead… they are maintained alive by the gem hovering into that cave, it says it would turn anyone who touches it into an undead being. I can take you there, but I won’t go anywhere close to that gem.” the desert dweller said. Phineas gave a raspy, bark-like laugh that often surprised people. He had plenty of encounters with the dead.

“There is still time to return, the marauders you are many, they are undead, fighting on the back of a skeletal horse, their weapons are diseased, and they have a powerful undead wizard as their leader.” the elf continued. Phineas kept the grin plastered across his face. He slowly began to spoke, slight hand gestures accompanying his words, as though in an effort to further articulate what he was trying to say.

"Elf. I understand why you might think I am some...greenhorn human, fooling himself into thinking he can survive out here in the," Phienas put a bit of sarcasm on the next word., "almighty desert. I completely see how you can find me an idiot. But that is merely because you are uneducated in my ventures. Do you really think that a group of undead marauders can stop me? I've met in combat and slain much worse, my good friend. I am no woman when it comes to using a weapon. Lead me to the gem, and I will demonstrate the truth in my words,"

"However," he continued, his face somber and slightly infuriated that the marauder would look down on him so. "I cannot speak for my companion," he said, gesturing to the Wizard.

Their eyes both fell upon Arlen, who looked at both of them equally as shocked, Phineas had told them of his tales briefly, claiming that he was well suited to dealings with such monstrosities, however the case with Phineas it was now Arlen's turn to lay claim to his endevours.
Such as they were..

"My endevours have only ever been through life, i cannot say i have fought hoardes of the undead maruaders or slain dragons, i have fought something with greater peril, magic and as you can see, and i have over come.
But if you seek such a meaningless body count, then you may throw in my very family, my siblings to be exact, my two brothers and my sister; she was an Acolyte of the skin.
I doubt you know what that is, so in laymens terms, someone who stuck demon parts to themselves, more specifically their skin.I should be quite alright in this apparent hell hole were venturing into"

It was not exactly something he reveled in talking about, he also always missed out the detail about his own death, yes it was true, as he killed his own troublesome siblings, Arlen's fight was not without concequence, it is true he lost his life, however the call of blood brought him back into his own body.
He is a rare kind of wizard, a Blood mage no less, though he chooses not to delve into that aspect here in Arda, not just yet.

"Or is that not good enough for you!?" He said looking either one in the eye as he muttered the incantation to bring the flaming lash from the weave and into existance. He was angry, terribly so, it was clear that he did not wish to carry on discussing this topic.
"We should move on" he said with a bitter growl, spitting some sand from his mouth.

Zekhen watched and listened to both, they seemed pretty determined to continue their journey, and also pretty determine to prove themselves before the elf. Why would he care about their adventures? He just wanted to give them a heads up of what was to await them once they reached that cave they were looking for, he didn’t ask them to tell any of their stories about their past, and whatever they had fought before. A second shrug was given when the wizard stopped talking as well, he was pretty angered with something, it was the first time when the wizard was angry in this encounter, maybe because his companion didn’t consider him to be good enough.

But then again, why would the desert marauder even care, he did the part of his job, he was fair when warning the two of the horde of the undead, not it remained only to lead them there, if they succeeded or not, that’s was to be seen. However, the elf would not die this day, and not any time soon, not by the hands of a human, or by the hands of some undead.

“Assumptions, assumptions…” He replied to Phineas. “You know it is not so wise to make assumptions, and not healthy either.” He looked at him from behind his scarf, only a blank expression could be seen in his green eyes. The mercenary has the made the assumption that Zekhen hates him and thinks low of him. Well he was free to believe whatever he wished.

Before any more words or actions would be shared, the elf made a step forward, thus walking past the two adventurers. He went over to another dune and climbed it, looking into the distance, he was trying to discern the location of the ruins with that cave. As soon as he had all figured out and made a mental map, he looked over his shoulder at the two adventurers.
“If you are ready, follow me!” And once again he started off, but he couldn’t help to wonder deep in his thoughts where his horse was, he might have to call it later on, he would not walk on foot forever. Also he fought better on the back of a horse, if he needed to.

Phineas went silent. He listened, not really interested, as Arlen spilled his life story. Phineas rolled his eyes with a characteristic mental shrug. He was solely concerned with arriving at the gem. He had not meant to brag about his own ventures, merely to inform. Perhaps his arrogant self had gotten in the way of his tone, mutating it until it appeared as though he was boasting, which he was not.

He watched as the marauder walked up the hill. The immediate effects of the water were wearing off Phineas, and the heat was once again making its presence known. He slowly began to follow the Marauder, making his way up the dune. On his way up, he stopped, and stooped once last time to drink from the Oasis. The fight had drained him a bit, and he needed to regain the lost hydration.

Once he was done sipping from the Oasis, he rose again, placed his hand on his hilt, gazing about the arid landscape. The elf's warnings of the desert's tricks were echoing in his mind, and he was now watchful. He followed the marauder up the dune, scanning his surrondings. He beckoned for Alren to come up to the spot.

Heat waves distorted the horizon, blurring it. Phineas stared at it, waiting for Arlen. He knew it would be a long day ahead, and prayed to all the gods that the elf was trustworthy.

The pair of them began to walk off, however Arlen stood there for a moment in silent contemplation as he looked out across the way he had all ready travelled, his foot prints washed away by the tide of the sand, he saw before him nothing but a great expanse of open desert.
As he slowly turned his head around across the whole horizon he saw nothing but the same, and if he was going to die out here, then he would not die feeling like this.
Angry and bitter the pointless deaths of his siblings.

"It was their choice" he muttered and carried on walking behind the fellow adventurers, he had faith in the new found guide, he only seemed to live by his own strict moral code, the law of the desert, not unlike Phineas.
The pair were more alike than they knew, it made Arlen laugh as he carried on behind them.

His feet trudged through the hot sands, each step like walking on burning hot coals, of course he could not shake it so he persevered as he had done this whole trip.
There was no sign of the giant monolithic stone spire yet, with a resigned sigh, he carried on.
Faith in Phineas and faith in the guide.

After all, it was he who would gain most from this trip, Phineas would never understand the powers that the gem could possess, and something like that was worth alot more than mere money, it was worth power.
Grinning, he put his best foot forward.

And there they left, in a pretty strange walking party, they were walking in line, Zekhen first, always aware of his surroundings, to his each step, to each breath of his now companions, and every sign that the wind of the desert might try to give him. He could smell a creature coming towards them if the wind blew into the right direction. The elf was followed shortly by the human mercenary Phineas and in turn he was followed by the wizard. They already began to feel the heat of the desert, unlike the desert elf who was used to that, his clothes functioned to keep him cold during the days and warm during the nights. His face was covered so his lips were not cracked by the hot breeze, or infected with sand, he knew how to shield his eyes too.

Though, he did not say anything, he was just too focused on discerning the location of those massive stone pillars, they should be there by the end of the day at most if nothing too serious interfered. But having a swift journey was something hard to achieve, even with a desert-born guide on their side. He could not avoid the natural hazards, but at least he could see them coming from miles away. And so he did, something strange was starting to happen into the air, the wind was agitated, it not blew properly straight in line without changing its direction, now, every here and there small and soft particles of wind began to pick up, forming small clouds, the vision being suddenly obstructed.

Zekhen shook his head and sighed.“This can’t be!” With those words said, he turned his gaze over his shoulder to look at his companions, before speaking. “Now we shall see how tough the two of you are. Prepare yourselves for something really dangerous, a sand storm of colossal proportions is approaching.”

Phineas walked along, the occasional breeze buffering but not breaking the bandana covering his mouth. His back weighed down on his shoulders but did not bother him. The only urgent nuiscasnce was the need to raise his hands to block his eyes from the cascading sand. His clothes were still drying from his bath in the Oasis, and kept him cool in the desert sun. His boots effectivley protected his feet from the hot sand, and none got in. His only problem now was with the location of his treasure.

He eyed his two companions, once in a while turning back to check on the Wizard. Perhaps it was an instinct, but for some reason Phineas's trust for the bald man was declining. he had been unusually quiet in the lifethreatening conflict Phineas narrowly avoided, and Phineas had begun to question his motives. He was quiet at the mention of the treasure, as though there was some obscure fact that Phineas was not supposed to know.

Phineas now turned to face his other companion, the mysteriously violent and all knowing desert elf. Phineas was still trying to figure out whether or not he should be, or could be trusted. He appeared to be configuring their destination, which was a good sign, but that's merely what was apparent. Phineas thought for a second, trying to simluate within his mind how a battle would play out. His ego told him the result would be good, but his concious was not so sure.

Phineas looked around at his surrondings. They did not appear to be as threatening as many articulated. No creeping creatures insight. No snakes. But then the elf spoke up. "This can't be! Now we shall see how tough the two of you are. Prepare yourselves for something really dangerous, a sand storm of colossal proportions is approaching.”

Phineas felt ready to prove himself. He was preparing to open his mouth, to speak of a suggestion that could perhaps help the trio. But he decided against it, not willing to take the risk of embarassing himself with a proposition that would be shut down by the marauder.

There was an easily noticable tense feeling in the air between all three adventurers, perhaps the hot weather and the previous fighting had combined to bring about such a change of feelings, even between Phineas and Arlen.
There did not seem to be any love lost between Zekhen or Phineas however Arlen noted, each one was always trying to out do one another, be it in fighting or in bravado, at the mere mention of the sand storm, both warriors seemed ready to simply just walk into it.
Arlen could simply do nothing but agree, whatever he was going to say now to either of them would instantly be disregarded as weak wizard talk, he would go along with whatever the warriors chose to do, after all he would not desert Phineas just because of a mere sand storm.
He could feel the wind pick up around him, yanking at his robes as he walked like some child craving attention, though Arlen gave it none, he would not allow it to gain the better of him.

His fingers flicked at the sleeve of his robes, allowing his wizard cone to fall freely into the palm of his hands, rather than talk to the pair up ahead about what to do next, he believed it would be more beneficial for him to find out what exactly it was that they were all seeking, of course, Arlen hated talking with the cone, it proved to be nothing more than a mere annoyance, though it provided ample information on request.
Placing the cone upon his moist head once again, his mind begun to fill with the whisperings of the cone.
"You wish to know more about the Jewel of the desert yes? i know you do, such mortal minds are easy to navigate to where they store their desires.
The Jewel was created by the lich priest, Gehekar more than three hundred years ago, you will not find this tale in any book Arlen, hence why you know nothing."
That was obviously an insult at Arlen's intelligence however, he allowed it to wash over him for a second, the wind was picking up now as the sand storm came ever closer, if he complained about the cones lack of manners it might be too late and the wind would carry the cone away in its invisible arms like a theif cutting a purse from a nobleman.
Gehekar, was once a mighty wizard who advised all the tribes of this desert, some found him a holy man, sent by the desert goddess to keep the peoples of the sand forever free in their own world.
However, Gehekar felt the bonds of mortality losen, he could feel himself shifting from this world and into the next, not willing to release himself from the pathetic coil that mortals inhabit, he placed his very essance into a focusing crystal, such was his spirit's prison for nigh on a centuary, harnessing the crystal's power he was able to free himself from the glassy prison and once again walk upon the material plain.
Gehekar was not one to simply disappear like normal lichs, to be forgotten in time would be against his idium, no, he waded across the desert more terrible than any storm to the desert fortress of Keth'aradin, there he saught alleigance from the tribe, though they offered him none, he gave them but one option, serve with him or be swallowed by the sands of Anfauglir.
Those that chose to serve under Gehekar now walk as he does, unliving on this earth, whilst those that did not still remain under his feet.
The pillars you seek are all that remains of the desert stronghold.
I shall tell you no more..."

The cone's voice went silent, there was alot to think about, this lich had been around for centuaries and would not likely give up the jewel out of freedom, after all it contained his very essance and being, and to have that is too have the lich.
Though Arlens attention was distracted for now, he could feel the sands begin to whip more violently, like the slave driver's whip against his face, leaving small gashes in its wake.
With little else to do, Arlen pulled his arm up to his face and covered both his face and nose.
He hoped the warriors knew what they were doing.

As they continued to walk, defying the hazard of the desert, the wind began to pick up more and more violently with each passing seconds, they had no place in which they could take shelter, they were in an open field and in the way of the sand storm. Sand storms were usual in the desert but one of that size occurred only every once and then. Soon the sand threw towards them by the violent wind began to be insupportable even for the desert born-elf, his arm rose to shelter his eyes and his body bent slightly from the power of the wind, as he continued to walk, straight into the storm. The worse is yet to come, now their life depended on how good they were able to stand on their feet, and how they would avoid being suffocated by the sand, the softest of the particles were able to travel through people’s noses and mouth, provoking a long, painful death as they block the lungs from getting any oxygen.

The wind swirled and screamed into the air, making communication something nearly impossible to achieve, yet Zekhen managed to turn and look over his shoulder at the two adventurers, shouting them an advice. “Keep your mouth shut, and make sure you don’t lose the scarf!” It was up to them if they wanted to accept and follow the advice, they wanted him as a guide so he was acting like one, but Zekhen knew that he himself would do so. This was not the first sand storm he had encountered in his life after all.

On the other hand, the larger particles of sand became like projectiles, ruthlessly attacking any exposed part of flesh, it felt much worse than the whip of a slaver, it gave you a burning sensation, and the worse was yet to come… The core of the storm was just approaching, there would be a powerful wind spinning like a vortex of sorts, able to pick you up and throw you away quite a distance, the fall was usually what killed people and creatures. Well the Sand storm pretty much explained everything, the fact that no creature was dwelling outside, they were able to sense the hazard better than humans so they were since long in their burrows, waiting for the right time to emerge once more. Though one more creature was known to pretty much enjoy the sand storms, travel with it, and emerge to the surface whenever one occurred. The feared ash worm, larger in size than a horse, with no eyes and no ears, just a huge mouth full of razor sharp teeth able to swallow anyone without too much of an effort, they are sneaky and travel through the sand like sharks travel through water. It was hard to anticipate where a worm would emerge, hopefully not under anyone’s feet. But like any beasts, they could be tamed too, few were known as ashworm dragoons who shared a special bond with those creatures, and used them like mounts, the same way a knight uses his horse.

As the time passed, the core of the storm approached, yet they had to push forward and walk through it; Zekhen did not have any time to look behind to see if the two adventurers were still there and walking, the storm simply didn’t give him the chance, it was too intense.