Dust: The First Oasis: DUST, #3

By Matthew Dewey

Athia, Bayek, and Necho ride to the first oasis to confront the Goddess of Life, Aya. Athia's burden grows heavier as she sees the consequences of her actions. Yet, with Bayek by her side, she is ready to face her greatest challenge. The Radiant Oasis is a paradise unlike any other, with a new benevolent leader. However, this paradise is threatened by the rot of two infamous bandits.

 

Everything has a cost, there is a price to be paid. What will these three lose to free the Everlasting Desert from corrupt gods? What must be sacrificed?

• Language: English
• Publisher: Matthew Dewey
• Release date: Feb 1, 2024
• ISBN: 9798223698852

Book preview

For Athia

Chapter 1

The Tunnel of Tombs

The Tunnel of Tombs is both ancient and mysterious. Our history does not go so far back that we know how and why it was built, or who is buried there. We know it was created by rulers of a very different empire to ours, most of their creations buried beneath the sands, but the Tunnel of Tombs remains as a path that hardly anyone takes on their way to the first oasis. - Fargone, The Map Maker

~*~

When they first set out, Athia and Bayek were anxious about what they might encounter. Both were quiet individuals, which meant most of the time passed in silence. Yet, Necho was a very different person, choosing to fill the silence with tales of his adventures. As he was the oldest of the three, he had much to share.

Athia found this a welcome change and even the usually grumpy nomad found enjoyment in listening to the old man talk about his exploits, as they often involved fighting.

For Athia, this was the calmest she had felt in a long time and she was often smiling. After traveling for so long, she found it easier to not linger on thoughts of gods and burdens.

The vagrant wanted nothing to do with me, so he dropped his blade and ran, Necho continued. Perhaps he thought I was a guard since I carried a sword, but I’d like to think it was the fact that I was ready to do combat should he refuse to leave the man he was robbing alone.

I want to ask you, Necho, if it bothers you that you travel with a thief? Athia asked. I might not be stealing anything now, but I certainly picked a few pockets back in White Tree Oasis...and Red Rock...Hammerdown...and I did rob the treasury in the Great Garden.

It would bother me if you stole from the wrong people...the good people. You have that much honor, at least.

I’ve heard that answer before, but sometimes I see a good person with good coin and want to take it. I don’t think I am that honorable.

Ah, but did you rob them? No! That is what makes you good. Yes, you are capable of doing bad things, you might even desire to do bad things, but the fact that you don’t, against those forces, proves you to be good. Certainly better than someone who isn’t a thief, but does wrong things. Besides...in my youth, I did my fair share of wrong.

As did I, Bayek added.

I still don’t understand, Necho, Athia said.

Well, let me ask you something, Necho said thoughtfully. Let’s say there is a pillar in front of you and Bayek. Atop the pillar is something you two are not allowed to take. You are too small to reach it, but Bayek is tall enough. You both desire the item, but you both decide not to take it. Are you both good?

It doesn’t matter, I wouldn’t be able to take it anyway.

You need to be capable of doing bad if you are to be capable of doing good, the voice in Necho’s head agreed.

Exactly! What bothers me though, Athia, is that you still call yourself a thief.

What would you call me?

An adventurer, what else? The same goes for Bayek, although he would rather be known as a warrior first.

It’s a far greater title, Bayek replied with a firm nod.

Such conversation kept them amused, although they still had a long way to go. Several days, maybe even weeks would pass before they reached their destination. Upon learning of their destination, Necho offered an alternative which they hesitated to consider.

A Tunnel of Tombs? Athia asked. It does not sound like the best place to go.

Think of it more as an underground road, one that is rarely traveled due to it being a...well, a bunch of tombs, Necho explained. The path dips down into the tunnel, which is relatively straight until it rises again days later. There won't be any sun cooking us while we travel either, it should make for a comfortable journey.

I take it you have been there yourself? Bayek asked.

Not at all, as I never had reason to go this way. My journeys took me all over, but never so far east of the Great Garden. Yet, I am told it is a sight to behold.

Let me guess; you are told by people who heard it from others?

Something like that, yes.

Do you know where it is? Athia asked.

We are heading in the right direction, I’m sure we will notice it. If not, we will reach our destination anyway.

Although Necho’s uncertainty didn’t appeal to Bayek, it awakened something in Athia and she very much considered herself an adventurer from then on. For the rest of their travels, the two energetic characters talked of exploration in the Everlasting Desert and beyond, thanks to the book that Athia received from Walter Cooke, the explorer from the Other Lands.

The days seemed to pass like a dream for the group, a surreal melody for the eyes, where all that they saw was sand and sky and nothing else. It was this vast openness that could terrify or enlighten many weary minds and these three found themselves hovering in a state of limbo between the two.

On what might have been the fifth or sixth day of their journey, they saw the horizon’s normal soft curves break into something more jagged, although these peaks were not like the mountain ranges they knew. These peaks were man-made. Athia felt more than excited upon seeing it, as she eagerly stood behind Bayek, placing one hand on his shoulder to keep her steady on the camel and the other holding the spyglass.

I don’t think it is an entrance to a tunnel, Athia said, disappointed. I only see ruins, really old ruins.

Don’t sound so sad, Bayek told her. Be grateful that we don’t have to endure another day of emptiness. As beautiful as it is, if you stare at anything long enough, you will come to despise it.

I think another story of Bayek’s time crossing the White Plains is marching in our direction, Athia, Necho said teasingly.

My stories regarding the White Plains alone outmatch any of your stories, old man, Bayek snapped, a corner of his lip curled up despite his best efforts. I will say this, the Everlasting Desert may be hotter-

-but the White Plains are dryer, Necho and Athia said together.

The giggling duo and the scowling warrior neared the ruins. Pillars of bleached stone, that once might have been a peachy orange color. Time and constant sand whipping at the stones had left them porous, and weathered by many storms. Yet, enough of the structure remained for the group to decipher what it once was.

A temple.

I wonder which god they worshiped here, Necho said. The central carving is too worn to know.

Were the gods known so long ago? Bayek asked.

Are you kidding? The gods practically lived among the mortals. Great palaces were built, towering structures, which have been lost beneath the sands of time or turned to dust themselves. It was said that no mortal dared to enter the massive structures, but they could see the god who lived there on occasion. A figure that stood high above them...a figure that would vanish, then return, but never descended to mingle amongst those so low.

Seems ungrateful.

Ah, but I believe it was not out of reverence to the gods that they created such temples, but merely a way to encourage more...benevolent miracles and less harsh miracles.

In that case, it sounds almost practical.

Necho agreed and the two discussed the dynamics between the ancient civilization and the gods. Athia studied what she saw around her, staring with curious wonder and silent pondering. She would have liked to enjoy these daydreams a little longer, but it had to be cut short by a sudden inhale from Necho.

Athia looked at him, wondering if he had hurt himself, although his wounds had healed nicely. Yet, following his eyes, she found herself gasping in awe as well.

It was the entrance to the Tunnel of Tombs.

Having crested a low dune, they could see that the opening was massive, so large that one could drag the palace of the Great Garden through it and it would not touch the sides. Years of sand had covered the incline, but it would be millennia before it covered the entrance completely. Bayek could not stop himself from feeling the same awe, it was such a simple, but grand sight that he could only think of it as the greatest marvel he had seen in the Everlasting Desert.

Surely this can only be another miracle created by the gods, Bayek said.

I don’t think so, Athia said. The walls lack that perfection, there are faults and collapsed sections. It was created by hand...by many, many people.

Truly, it is as they say who others say, Necho said, his wrinkled eyes practically closing because of the wide smile he wore to Bayek’s annoyance.

There was no discussion on whether to enter the tunnel or not, as they led their camels onwards. All were grateful that the inside was fresh and not humid. Perhaps due to its size, the air was more free to travel. Whatever the reason, they welcomed its cool embrace and proceeded in silence, their hearts pounding with excitement.

Even Bomani would be struck dumb by this incredible tunnel, able to walk his full height and still be so far from the ceiling, Bayek thought. Oh, how far we are from our homeland!

The stone alone could have made the largest and mightiest kingdom, Necho thought. A sprawling palace, thousands of large homes, and giant walls to surround it all!

A place such as this must have been of incredible importance, Athia thought. A tunnel of tombs...who did they bury here? And why?

It took them fifteen minutes alone to reach the bottom of the incline and enter the tunnel. Only darkness awaited them inside. What light entered the tunnel was not enough, but the entrance had all manner of abandoned objects scattered around them. Carts, giant leftover blocks, rope so old that it was either as stiff and dry as old wood or it had turned into thin hairs that flew in the slightest breeze.

Yet, there remained enough wood to make torches, which could then be wrapped in cloth from the saddles, oiled and lit. The adventurers also took time to gather extra wood, as they felt they would be making camp several times and they were not sure if such stray planks and logs could be found further on.

As ready as they would ever be, they proceeded into the darkness.

~*~

I don’t how you two are feeling about this place, but I am a little...anxious, Athia said.

The tunnel dipped a little lower, but it was still more than enough space for an army to march throughout. The light at the entrance was far behind them now, out of sight. If the torches did not give them a good idea of their direction, they would easily lose their bearings in the darkness.

You’re not the only one, Necho said, whose eyes were on the smaller archways that started to line the walls to their left and right. Do you suppose those small tunnels lead towards the tombs?

That is my guess, Bayek said. Still, I would watch them closely if I was you. I don’t know how many people pass through here, but I can imagine no better spot for bandits to hide.

The trio kept silent for a few hours more. The only sounds they heard were the sounds of the camels’ steps, the low roar of the torch flames, and the occasional breeze that drifted past. To their dismay, the coolness they felt at the entrance had passed and now their air was warm and old. It would be like this throughout, but they could accept his much of the offputting path.

As they didn’t know whether it was night or not, they decided to continue traveling until they felt tired. The monotony of the journey made it seem like they were traveling longer than they were, which further affected their mood. Soon, their tension was overwhelmed by their sheer boredom and they were yawning loudly as they went.

The yawns echoed around them and in silent agreement, they decided to see who yawned the loudest. Athia didn’t have the lungs to add to the sound and she thought it would be Bayek who roared the loudest, but it was Necho, whose yawns started high-pitched but quickly turned into raspy yells when he put effort into it.

Show off, Athia said.

Deciding they traveled long enough, they began to set up camp. A fire was lit, but more for its light and not for its warmth. The three took care to learn the arrangement of the debris around them so they would know which direction to travel when they woke up.

The next day, or night, passed the same way. It was Bayek’s curiosity that had him walk closer to the right, so they could see better into the smaller tunnels.

If each tunnel is a tomb, then countless people must have died, more than a large oasis’s worth, Bayek noted.

Perhaps these were the lives lost in the making of this tunnel, Necho suggested. Although, upon further thought, these tombs are too magnificent.

How would they bury them normally? Athia asked.

They would bind the bodies, place them in stone boxes, and bury them deep, Necho listed off. Although, some were...well, look what we have here.

Necho pointed at something on the wall, but it was too small for Athia to make out from where she was. Bayek turned the camel towards it. They were carvings, a language not too dissimilar from their own.

Can you understand it? Bayek asked Necho.

Reviews for Dust

[Philip Carter · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

A strong ending to the trilogy, but a little fast.