Chapter 760: Desert Inn

The sand still felt hot between her toes and sandals, though not unbearable, as Titania climbed out from the buried well house. The last rays of sunlight stretched across the sky, dyeing it a variety of orange and purple hues. It was enough light to make out what little remained of the village once called Bright Wind. Dunes speckled the horizon in all directions.

“How are we supposed to figure out which way to go?” Titania said in dismay.

“The stars. We read their patterns and orient our own position and which path we need to take,” Noct said, climbing out of the sand tunnel behind her.

“Whoa, is that some kind of secret sand tribe technique?” she asked, wide-eyed.

“No, it's called basic wayfinding.”

“Oh. I knew that,” she grinned abashedly.

“Uh huh. This way.” Noct didn’t wait for her and walked off.

“W-Wait!” She ran after him. For every step he took, she was forced to take two to keep up. “The stars aren’t out yet. How do you know which way to go?”

“I read the stars last night. This path will lead us to the east.”

“Path?” Titania said skeptically. There was nothing ahead of them but piles of sand.

“The desert may seem devoid of natural markers, but that is only in the deepest parts of the desert. A few oases exist scattered across the inner region. Villages and trade routes were built around them.”

“So if we find an oasis, we find a village?”

“And horses, yes. Hopefully.”

“Hopefully? Why wouldn’t they have horses?”

“These are modest villages. The people there are not wealthy like the ones you know back in Olduun.”

“What about the merchants? I bet they have some horses.”

“Possibly. I imagine you would find the merchants around here ‘poor.’ A person does not settle down in the inner regions of the desert because they are wealthy.”

“I know that.” She raised her head up high. “Merchants leave the outer region and venture deeper into the desert in search of riches and glory,” she recited the words of one of her tutors.

“I suppose they do.”

“...Hey, Noct?”

“Hm?”

“You’ve been to deeper regions of the desert, right?”

“The sand tribes call those lands their home, so, yes. I have.”

“What was it like?”

“Hot.”

“Yeah, but like, what else?”

“Dry.”

“You know that’s not what I mean.” She puffed her cheeks in frustration. 

“Ask what you really wish to know then.”

“I’ve never met any rulus besides you. The sand tribes rarely leave the deep desert.”

“Those are not questions.”

Titania gave him an annoyed look. She wanted to know more about the weapon, but she didn’t wish for her own family’s relation to the weapon to be discovered either. So she settled on something a little safer, she hoped. “I guess what I’m trying to say—to ask, is… why are you here? In the inner regions?” 

“...I was searching for a weapon.”

“The one the warden spoke about?” She ventured, hoping it was a natural segue.

“There are many seeking it.”

“Why?”

“The weapon is powerful. People crave power.”

“Is that why you want it? To have power?” He already seemed strong enough to her, with the way he had fought those slavers. If Mother saw his skills, she would no doubt hire him on the spot.

“Enough questions.”

“But—”

“I said enough.” His voice was sharp and it cut through her curiosity.

She dipped her head and held her tongue.

The rest of their journey was met with silence. They walked for hours, the sand gradually cooling as the night darkened. They took no break, even when Titania’s legs grew tired. Eventually, when her limbs felt like wet noodles, she begged for a break. Instead, he tossed her on his back without a word. She was left stunned.

Titania had never been carried on someone’s back before. Her father had never bothered with such tedious things. He would have probably ordered one of the servants to do it had Titania asked. As for her mother, Lydria would rather die before carrying anyone, even her children. 

Though Titania would never admit it, it was nice to be carried. Noct’s back was broad and his skin was cool to the touch, a nice respite from the desert’s heat. She found herself not wanting to get off. Time fell away in a blur with the rhythmic beat of Noct’s steps.

“We’re here,” Noct said, rousing her awake.

“H-Huh? Wha—?” Titania blinked the drowsiness away. A trail of saliva had drooled down her chin and onto Noct’s cloak. She rubbed it away as best she could, hoping he wouldn’t notice.

“Can you stand?”

“Yeah, I think so— Ow!” Noct dropped her unceremoniously. She landed on her butt with a wince. “Why would you do that…?” Her voice trailed off. A village, untouched by the midnight sun’s destruction, lay below in a small valley surrounded by dunes. Even from here, she could make out the oasis, its waters shimmering under the moonlight.

“When we get down there, I will do the talking,” Noct said.

“Can I have a weapon?” Titania asked.

“I already told you no.”

“But it could be dangerous down there. What if I have to defend myself?”

He considered her words and nodded after a long pause. “Fine.” He unslung his round shield from his hip and handed it to her.

“A shield?” Titania scrunched her face in disgust. “This isn’t a weapon.”

“There is no other weapon that will protect you more.” He dropped it in her hands and she cried out as the weight dragged her to the ground.

“Why is it so, heeaaavy,” she groaned as she lifted it.

“It’s not. You’re just weak.”

“No, I’m not!” she protested and did her best to carry the shield to little success. Finally, she managed to wrap it on her back. The distributed weight made it at least somewhat viable. “See? Easy?” she huffed.

“Yeah. Easy…” he said dryly. “Come on.” He walked down the hill of sand.

“Wait—” she huffed, “for me.” 

The first few steps were agonizing as gravity threatened to tip her forward into a steep fall. An idea popped into her mind and she quickly unslung the shield and threw it to the ground. The shield was already beginning to slide and when she hopped onto it, the shield took off like a sled. She cried out in delight as she zoomed past Noct and down the hill. Noct watched her with mild surprise and a small smile formed at the corner of his lips.

~~~

The innkeeper was busy pouring some ale in a couple of clay cups when another pair of strangers walked into her bustling inn. Though this time one of them was a child, an odd sighting this late in the evening. Then again, nothing had been normal the last few days. The stranger with the child was tall, taller than most. Both wore shabby cloaks that did not seem to fit them.

“Evening,” said the man, walking up to the bar.

“Aye, I’m busy. Give me a few moments,” the innkeeper waved him away, though he stayed where he was.

The child took off her cowl, revealing a little sune girl with round dusty cheeks, auburn hair tied in a simple braid, and bright golden eyes. “Hello!” she said with a smile.

The man turned to her and his lips twisted in a faint scowl.

The innkeeper couldn’t help but smile at the child. “Why hello there, what’s your name?”

“Titania,” she said, causing the man’s scowl to deepen.

The innkeeper leaned over the bar to get a better look. “Well, aren’t you the cutest little thing? My name is Samantha, but you can call me Sam, everyone does.”

“Nice to meet you, Sam,” she said somewhat shyly.

“It’s very nice to meet you, too. Is this your dad with you?”

The man coughed at her words. Titania went to speak but paused, uncertain of what to say, and glanced up at the man with a question in her eyes. 

“Uncle,” he replied quickly.

“I see… And do you feel safe with this man, Titania? If you don’t, just say the word and I’ll get my boys to take care of him.” Sam gave a signal and five men stood up from their chairs and walked over, each with their hands on the hilts of their swords.

Rather than tensing, as Sam expected, the uncle seemed to relax, his hands going to his side, palms open.

“No.” Titania grabbed her uncle’s hand, her small fingers barely wrapping around two of his fingers. “I feel safe with him.”

“Are you certain?” Sam asked.

“Yup,” Titania nodded.

“...Alright.” Sam gave a gesture for her men to sit back down. “Now that that’s settled, how can I help you and your uncle?”

“We’d like a room for the night.” The uncle tilted his head up ever so slightly and for a moment Sam met his vibrant green eyes.

A shiver ran up her spine. The rulus tribes were dangerous and close-knit. If one was here, then others would not be far behind. “I don’t think I have enough to accommodate a large group. Ever since that rumoured midnight sun, people from all around have been flocking to our inn.”

“I’m aware. This is the third inn we’ve tried tonight. The rest are full.”

“W-Well,” Sam glanced at the little girl looking up at her with borderline tearful eyes. “If it’s only one room, I think we can find something.”

“We only need one,” he said.

“In that case, that’ll be five copper pieces.”

“Will this do?” The man put down a pair of small golden rings that seemed just the right size for Titania’s small horn nubs.

“Th-This is too much,” Sam stuttered. Had it been anyone else, even a sune, she would have gladly scooped out the rings and never said a word. But she was wise enough to know never to cross a rulus.

“I know. I was hoping this would cover some food and a couple of horses,” he said.

“I can maybe get you a camel, if we’re lucky. Most of the horses were acquired by the caravan in town,” Sam said.

“Caravan?” he asked.

“Yeah, they stopped by for supplies yesterday.”

“Do you know where they are going?”

“Can’t say for sure. Except that they were leaving the inner regions. Everyone around here is leaving after those sand storms destroyed half the nearby trading routes,” Sam said.

“Thanks for the information. I’d appreciate it if you could get us a steed—horse or camel will do—even if it’s just the one,” he pushed the two rings towards her.

She grabbed them and nodded. “I’ll have one of my girls set up your room. In the meantime, why don’t you go find a table? I’ll bring you some food in a bit. But word of warning, we’re a human inn here. Our food is to human taste. The few sunes that have eaten here have liked it well enough, but I can’t speak for any rulus.”

“I’ll be fine, thanks,” he said off-handedly.

“Alright then. I’ll bring out the food,” Sam said.

“Oh, and some juice,” Titania said. “The rings are enough to cover drinks, too, right?” She glanced at her uncle for confirmation.

“Don’t worry, sweetie. I’ll get you some cider. An Olduun merchant sold us a couple of barrels a few weeks back. The cider is all the way from the Jade Realm. I’m sure you’ll love it,” Sam winked and went off into the kitchen.

Titania practically salivated at the thought.

“Come on,” Noct dragged her by the hand.

“But what about the cider?” she looked back forlornly.

Noct ignored her and led them to a table hidden in the shadows at the corner of the inn and plopped her down on a chair. “What were you thinking?”

“Huh?” Titania blinked.

“You never give out your name in a place like this.”

“What’s wrong with this place?”

“—Especially not your real name.”

“Oh…” Titania realized her mistake. They were supposed to be traveling in disguise and she had outright given the big nice woman her true name. She stared at the table, too afraid to meet his eyes. She clasped her hands together and tried to stop them from trembling, but it did little to help. “I’m sorry,” she whispered. “Please, don’t leave me.”

“What?” Noct furrowed his brow.

“I know I messed up.” Her voice grew tight. “But I’ll try harder. I won’t mess up again, I promise. So, please, don’t put me somewhere dark. I—” she swallowed the lump in her throat. “I’m scared of the dark.”

Noct leaned forward and placed a hand over her own trembling fingers. “Is that what someone did to you? They put you somewhere dark?”

Titania nodded weakly, her voice stuck in her throat.

“Because you made a mistake?” he asked.

She sniffed and did her best to speak through the lump in her throat. “I’m not supposed to make mistakes… I’m supposed to be better.”

“Oh, kid,” Noct sighed. “Whoever told you that is a fool. Everyone makes mistakes. Trust me, I know.”

“Really?” she whispered.

“Unfortunately, yes.”

“I’m sorry about what happened,” she mumbled, eyes downcast.

“Look, I’m not angry at you. I just need you to be more careful. The less attention we draw, the better. Okay?”

“Okay.”

“Hey,” he lifted her chin and looked her in the eyes. “No matter what happens, I will never, ever, leave you alone in the dark.”

“Really?”

“Really.”

“You promise?”

“I promise.”

She rubbed her nose with the back of her arm and smiled. “You can’t take it back.”

“I won’t.” He flicked her nose, eliciting a giggle from her. Then he leaned back in his chair, and observed the rest of the inn and its patrons, searching for any potential threats.

His tattered cloak had shifted and Titania stared at his bare arms. They had no tattoos. She recalled the story Vela had told her about the rulus with no tattoos. “...Hey, Noct?”

“Hm?” He mumbled, his attention still on the rest of the inn.

“Why did you slay your tribe?”

He stopped and glanced back at her. “My, you really enjoy asking the worst questions, don’t you?”

“I mean. I get some people in your tribe being bad. Maybe you had to fight. Maybe you had to kill them… But all of them? Why?”

“Why does it matter?”

“I don’t know,” she shrugged.

“I’ve killed many people, kid. Let’s leave it at that.”

“I don’t think you’re a bad person,” she muttered.

He stared at her, surprised. He didn’t know how to respond to that.

“Alright, one ale and one cider for the young miss and her uncle.” Sam walked up to the table, platter in hand.

“Yes, please!” Titania stretched out her tiny arms.