“Umph, goddess that hurts. What is that?“
The stranger cracked his eyes open.
“Am I being carried? I am. Wait, but a… Dragonborn with blue scales!”
Panic flared up, and adrenalin poured into his veins. Struggling, scratching, attacking with his bare hands, and then air. Nothing but air. Oh the stranger knew what that meant. His body hit the sand hard.
“I am sorry Sachem. I could not hold him anymore, he made it… difficult.”
“That is ok Nesyassa, you brought him here to us. Thank you.”
“Paulu bring this stranger some water please.”
“We don’t have enough water for us let alone strays!” Oni voiced forcefully. His hands closed into fists and the released, in a repetitive action, as if he thought they could be used as weapons.
“Oni, help your mother, we always help those in need.”
“Even if it kills us?!”
“Even if it kills us.” Agis answered with dismay. Then he turned and looks directly at Rain, and said to the tribe in a loud and certain voice, “But it won’t kill us, we WILL find water!”. Then the tribe of Yavapai erupted in cheer.
“Now, stranger… who are you?
The stranger drank the offered water greedily, cracked lips mixing life-blood in it, but with skill and years of practice, not one drop escaped his lips.
“I… I don’t know.”
If it wasn’t for our most talented tracker here, (pointing at Average Joe) we would have never have found you. We have been traveling through the sands for 2 days, when he pointed out your tracks. You tell the strange story Joe.”
Solemnly and not smiling for once Joe does what was asked, “Your tracks, they started from nowhere, as if you fell from the sky’s, or placed there by Tiamat’s jaw herself. Then I followed them to find you, half dead. No water, no food, nothing. Maybe one more day in ya before given to the sands and the pure water of your soul wasted.”
“I don’t remember any of it”
Agis started again, “Your name? Let’s start with your name”
One wasted tear left a dirty streak on the stranger’s cheek, “I don’t remember.”
“Then explain your clothes, fine silks, nothing we would ever dream of having let alone see in our life time?!”
“I DON’T REMEMBER!”
“Then travel with us brother, or not. That is your choice, but the invitation has been given. Your memory will come, I am… almost sure of it. We will be leaving in the morning, rest here in my tent tonight.”
After hearing all of that, Selise quietly went to the corner of the tent and pulled out what she ‘borrowed’ from the stranger. It must be metal, so hard and cool. The colors are so vibrant, they almost look to be moving. And the symbol on it, unrecognizable.