Chapter Five
Overlooking the seemingly empty desert plains, Faerl stood with Adham and Ja’ali as Wahid’s two guides waited for the sun to rise. Their passage toward the Pillars of Hirat had barely taken two weeks, for Faerl had created chasms under the sand and between towers of rock, manipulating both stone and hard sand to forge a path for the entire Uradji army to cross. They had avoided detection during the day, with Faerl sealing the great tunnels once the last men had come through, but by night they preferred to breath fresh air by traveling under the stars. Their avoidance of the sun had not only quickened their pace, but also preserved water, creating less of a drain on the few wells along the way. Faerl knew this point was acknowledged by Wahid’s men and went a long way in forging a connection between the two.
“What are we waiting for?” Ljótur said as all men stood patiently facing east. “We know where we’re going. Just burrow your way through. No sense hanging around.”
“We’re in their hands now, Ljótur,” Faerl said. “From what Ja’ali said, Hirat is a labyrinth of tunnels. I’m more likely to destroy it trying to break through.”
Faerl could feel the tunnels ahead, the space between stone buried under the sand. Ljótur was right. He could forge the way through, but he was exhausted from the effort and was glad when, each night, he was offered respite by walking under the stars. That he could move an entire army undetected through the desert had impressed and alarmed both the Uradji and Wahid’s men, but Faerl knew it was only a fraction of what was possible should all three parts of Husam’s mind be retained. As the sun lipped over the horizon and the Red Dawn spread like blood across the dunes, Faerl saw the Pillars of Hirat cast their shadows within the haze. He took note of their specific harmonics, knowing that if need came, he would always be able to find his way back.
One of Wahid’s men remained behind to guide the way, making sure the leading group reached Hirat before all sign of the Pillars disappeared. It would take a full day for the Uradji to cross, yet with only one guide, there was fear that some Uradji would become lost in the maze of tunnels if they took rest. It was agreed, they would not stop until all gathered on the other side, yet it wasn’t until late the next morning when all passed through and the second guide exited the Pass.
“Our army awaits. Your men will be taken safely to the encampment,” one of the guides said to Adham. “Wahid wished for you to ride ahead, with whomever you desire.”
Adham acknowledged the request with a simple bow, then turned to Ja’ali. For a moment they conferred, then Ja’ali came to speak to Faerl.
“You and your men will come, along with an honour guard from each of the Uradji tribes.”
Faerl touched his hand to his heart and bowed low, grateful that Wahid had included the others. Though Essam had recovered from the ordeal of traveling from the Meil’vohllen, he knew the old man would be relieved to take rest as their journey’s end. Adham sent word throughout his camp of their march east, then gestured to the guide that they were ready to depart. The guide wasted no time, kicking the rump of his horse and surging down the hard stone path onto the desert sand. Adham eagerly followed. Faerl remained with Jaasko and Sakkari, who were less able on horseback despite the weeks long journey from Na’zhbuhir. He wasn’t sure how long it would take to reach Wahid’s camp at pace, but he knew it would take some convincing for Wahid to agree to turn his army west.