I was lucky to survive the crash with as little damage as I did. The sands here offer an incredible cushioning effect. I could hardly feel the impact as I skated on the top of the dunes, stopping just short of a small mountain range..
I sat up, and rested against a large rock. With the rate the crimson eye was tugging from around my neck, I assumed we were close to the legendary ruins of Pazmoltae. The jaqqi I wrangled still laid next to me trying to catch its breath. I poured some water into the cap of the cantina, and maneuvered it into the panting beast's mouth. I offered the jaqqi half my supply of preserved meats, and scratched it once again. Its health was improving quickly.
I cracked my back in a few places, and stood up to leave. The jaqqi licked my hand as I went in for one last pet. I hope its time with me wasn't too awful. I watched it burrow into the sands while I began ascending one of the nearby rocks. I assume Pazmoltae is just on the other side of these mountains..
My dragon eye pendant began to growl quietly, I couldn’t tell if this was a good, or bad sign. I hope I am going the right way. I feel my destination is close by.
The heat continued to drop, I could see my breath in the moonlight. The rocks eagerly offered their intense heat, and I found myself in a strange balance, as long as I was quick with my movements. I kept a good pace, until a lizard snuck out from a crack, and collided with my face.
I was blinded for a moment, and stunned from the surprise. I was able to keep my grip, although it was quickly fading from the scalding heat building up. I thrusted my other hand to cover my damaged eye, and I was left rather prone. I could feel the lizard squirming on my open side. All my might was put towards not swatting it with my burning hand, but in an instant that didn’t matter.
A sharp stinging pain slashed across my side. I yelped, and recoiled my limbs into the fetal position. I began to tumble, and skip down the boulder I had worked so hard to climb. The entrance to the Temple of Pazmoltae could be just over the ridge! As I tucked my head in for the impacts, I could make out a silhouette of an owl in the moonlight. Very strange, as I don’t know of any indiginous to this area. I certainly have only seen pictures in books, and heard stories from my dad.
I continued to ponder the creature's existence until I struck the sands. It was a strange feeling. I could feel an impact, and I began to crumple against the sludge like sands, but then it gave in to my weight. A strong low humming echoed through my core.
Sand was my entire existence for a few moments, until I broke through to a hollow layer underneath.
My velocity was slowed enough from the sand that when I impacted the lower layer I only heard a few cracks. I'm going through these healing potions a little too quickly if my adventure continues to escalate like this… so I decided to continue on with the sprains.
Maybe this was the true bottom of the desert I now sat on. The sands weren’t as consuming, but they were still not the steady sands I know from home. I caught only a glimpse of my surroundings before the hole I made was filled Total darkness, until I struck a flare from my adventures pack.
The red glow filled the chamber, and I could see for only a short distance. The dragon guide around my neck seems to be rather pleased I have found my way down here. It was now sort of purring with an occasional growl when I passed by the large sand pillars. They seemed to be supporting the upper layer, and they all looked meticulously crafted from top to bottom.
This chamber seemed endless.
I wandered for an hour, cracking a few more flares, before I decided to sit for a rest. The columns were spaced fairly evenly, and each had the same care taken with it. What could have made such a structure? I thought as I plopped down in the sand. My body sank slightly, which sparked an encouraging growl from my dragon eye. Perhaps I needed to go farther down?
I searched through my adventures pack for something to aid me. Brilliant! A collapsible shovel, perfect tool for the job, Or so I thought… Even as I struggled with all my might, I could not overcome the sands falling back into the hole. If only I had an agility potion, so I could outpace it.
Finally, out of desperation, I cursed the dunes and thrust the shovel harshly downward. As it struck, the loud humming returned, and I could feel it somewhere on my person. I withdrew my amulet I had retrieved from the jaqqi's throat. It shook my core as it hummed loudly again.
The vibrations began to occur at regular intervals. I attempted to hone in on the pattern in an attempt to communicate with the piece.
I could feel a presence pulling me deeper downward. The rate of the humming continued to increase. Soon the sands began to tremble beneath the stone’s roar. All I could do was hold it… the small warn frame offered little to grip onto for such a magnifying force.
The sands danced, and swirled. I watched as a small hole developed and widened out into a massive pit. The darkness too consuming to yield to my flare. Even as I tossed it in the light quickly faded. The flare might also have just gone out. I didnt want to light another one just to throw it, and I didnt have any other plan.
I built up my courage, and stood at the edge of the pit. The humming was still increase its rate. The pace going faster, and faster, rushing me to what I know needs to be done.
I took the plunge.
The gods must be watching, because I fell on the highest sand dune in the desert below. My flare was gone, but my eyes were somewhat adapting to the darkness, I could make out blurry images of decrepit stone structures. It wasn’t until I tried rising to my feet, and walking, that I realized how far I had fallen.
It felt like a minute, but I assumed the darkness was playing tricks on me. When my body finally made it to the bottom of the dune on the desert floor I could barely move. I guess there goes another health potion… I was up and moving within a few moments, and all my cuts and bruises were gone as well.
I couldn’t help, but sprint towards the structure in the distance. I could feel the excitement radiating off of my dragon friend as well. It took only a couple of minutes, and my breath, to make it to the first barrier of stone. The broken walls offered no resistance, but a sign of something worth protecting.
As I crossed through the first stone arch way, my heart raced with my thoughts. Could this be it, could this be Pazmoltae. I stumbled my way through a few smaller rooms before coming out into a big circular chamber. I had my answer when I observed an ornate statue of a beautiful woman. “Warrior queen Hala Hasan, First female ruler of Tresoro." My heart sank, when I found this was not the city I sought.
Tresoro was a sister city, and had many stories about its people as well. Striving for physical perfection, and combat skills. Myths tell of their people being rather brutish. Looked at as hired thugs for the influential priests of Pazmoltae. However, as I gaze upon this statue, it proves their people held more talents then fighting.
The statue’s craftsmanship was stunning, and I would question if it was made here if not for the surrounding chamber being equally as beautiful. I stayed in this chamber for several minuets. Trying to calm my nerves from the adrenaline settled in me.
I gazed up at Hala’s face again, and was enthralled with her beauty. Several moments past, when the torch light shifted. A sparkle appeared just under the statue's eyes. I got closer, and climbed up, the near 15 foot tall, statue, and plucked these beauties from her cheeks. I know the red to be garnet, and the yellow must be this citrine I have been told about. A droplet of sun indeed!
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