Ghobi under a fiery sky

Like a horse about to be put down, the winter’s last moments are always its fiercest.

On the desert of Ghobi, separating the highlands next to the shore and the lands of the dragon folk, and as all of God’s creatures took to hide from the cold, a man was dragging a carriage. Next to him walked a camel, solemnly and reverently, its eyes beaming like a lighthouse.

The sun has been down for a couple of hours, and the icy winds were as playful and unpredictable as young pups. The moon and stars lit ablaze, as if aware of their importance to precarious adventurers in these settings.

The man was bigger and bulkier than average, clean shaved and wearing a delightful smile. He had a white robe, furry shoes, and he tied a turban around his head. He seemed to be enjoying the situation, as if on a Sunday afternoon stroll.

On the carriage was a big pile of wool covers, under which a young face gazed upon the night sky with empty eyes. It was Nile. Neither asleep nor fully awake, stuck in a state of trance.

“It does not seem like we are heading for the port” a sound came from the carriage

“A change of plans!” answered the bulky man.

“You don’t seem to mind”

“I don’t”

“One could almost say you’re happy about it”

“One could say that, but one would be wrong”

“Then why are you so giddy?”

“why wouldn’t I be? It’s a beautiful night! Just look at that moon, showing off like a bride on her wedding day! The stars are its bridesmaids”

Nile sensed Manong’s good humor and decided not to indulge it. He shifted the line of questionning

“Where are we going?”

“We’re heading to the land of the dragon folk”

“You mean the Ghentii district?”

“Yes”

Nile held his breath waiting for more information. Manong did not seem to notice.

“Do I really have to ask? Why are we going there?”

“Yes, you do” Manong answered with a smile “I can’t read you mind”

“We are going there for the same reason anybody goes anywhere. Destiny has a way of calling”

Nile reflected how over the past few weeks he became accustomed to Manong’s way of speaking without actually saying much. To his astonishment, he has made his peace with it.

“My legs and feet are taking forever to heal” He said as he touched below the covers, in another abrupt change of topic

“All things considered, I’d say they’re healing nicely” Manong did not seem to mind Nile’s shifting “I was expecting something permanent”

“Why did you insist on taking me with you? On this side trip?”

“This is not a side trip” “And I insisted because I appreciate your company”

“You know I’d be useless in a fight”

“I don’t expect you to fight” “I expect neither of us to fight, for that matter”

“But we’re bounty hunters. If we can’t fight we can’t hunt”

“Then we will have to be a little innovative if it comes to that!” said Manong with a wry smile “Not all fights are won by the sword”.

Nile was about to say something but Manong quickly interrupted

“If you don’t mind, go back to your prayer and let me get back to mine. We’ll talk again at dawn”

Nile maintained his gaze on the stars scattered on the night sky like dust and felt his trance surging again. He had a spiritual soul, and prayer seemed to sharpen his perception.

“What will you tell me at dawn?” he asked blandly, without expecting an answer. 

“This is your best question yet!” Manong answered with a stinge of approval on his voice. “If you don’t speak from now till dawn, I will tell you the story of the dragon king”.