Here's a bit of part four of Book Two...
Part Four – Freedom calls its Heroes
Anauroch:
Disan and the Imperial ground-pounders spent the first half the night fighting off monster attacks, and the second half evading large bands of desert nomads. Normally, they wouldn’t be concerned about primitive, medieval humanoids, but these desert dwellers traveled in large groups and the Imperials had used up most of their energy resources fighting back the constant desert monster attacks.
It was like the entire world of Toril was against them.
“This place is full of things I would expect only in nightmares,” Sergeant Fielder was trying not to throw up, as Corporal Brett Thunder dragged away the flying creature that had eaten Private Shanks. “How can anyone survive here?”
His question was directed at no one, and Disan decided it best not to speak a sarcastic answer. He was finding that these soldiers were not the Empire’s best. They were bloodthirsty and inexperienced. They were perfect fodder for the wild things and magical monsters of this Anauroch, as the bedine girl had called it.
Disan had learned the desert’s name and the name of the girl’s people from her, but little else. They only spoke when the others were out of earshot, and even then Disan found her to be insular and unwilling to trust him. When he had asked her why the world has risen up against the Dragon Empire she only looked at him quizzically.
Disan wasn’t sure whether or not she was some sort of freedom fighter or environmental activist. Her behavior defied logic. It was almost like she’d never heard of the Dragon Empire before. If he’d been marooned on an Outlands world without ties to the Empire then her anger and distrust would be reasonable. But this was a new Imperial colony, not a free world.
Disan had seen the documentation himself. The world of Toril was affiliated with the Domain of Golion, and had been so for nearly a century.
Disan looked at the bedine girl with curiosity, while Sergeant Fielder helped Corporeal Thunder retrieve Shanks body. There wasn’t much left, as the creature’s digestive juices had already done its work. His armor and weapons were still intact, but they were covered in slimy acid.
“We should bury him. He was a jerk, but he deserves at least a burial.” Fielder sighed.
“Even if you bury him, he won’t stay that way. The desert’s winds will just unbury and rebury him, flailing off his flesh in the process.” Disan had grown up on a desert world and was finding Anauroch to be a lot like home, except for the bitter cold.
The bedine girl seemed to sense his innate knowledge of the desert, and it was likely the only reason she had talked to him at all. Disan found that he was becoming completely captivated by her exotic beauty, and she seemed drawn to him as well. Especially his perfect green eyes, at least, that what an elven exotic dancer told him once. However, it was more likely that she was baiting him, waiting for the right time to escape or slit his throat.
“You need to gather as many large stones as you can. We will bury him under a rock cairn somewhere where the ground is less windswept. Wrap his body in this,” Disan handed the soldiers a magical tarp that he always carried. The tarp was roughly the size and weight of a small piece of cloth when folded, but unfolded into a tough, leather tarp roughly large enough to cover yourself in. “We’ll carry him up to that ridge.”
“Hmm, can’t we just bury him here, Sarge? He was a real pain in the ass, not worth the effort.” Brett groaned.
“Do what the Lieutenant says, Corporeal. He’s in charge.” Fielder snapped. Besides, he’s gotten us this far.”
“Yeah, tell that to Shanks.” Brett would never have admitted that he’d liked the man.
“No back talk, solider! Wrap the body, that’s an order. And if you don’t feel like carrying Shanks then I’ll do it and you can take point.”
“Sir yes, I’ll do it sir.”
“Good. We'll gather some rocks along the way. Follow me.”
Disan wondered how long he would be able to control these men. They were ready to start shooting at anything.
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