On the Outskirts

Joint post with Bandorchu, Winteroak, and LucianNepreen

It wasn’t too long before the village that was supposedly Desdem came into view.

Alexis wondered how they should proceed now. There was no telling how the people here felt about foreigners.

Well, given it was them, they should probably be prepared for trouble. Trouble seemed the only constant on their path.

As they passed fields of wheat and barley, she noticed that something must have gone down here not too long ago. The fields looked torn up, and sand was everywhere. A storm, maybe?

Coming closer to the buildings, they were clearly damaged, too. There seemed to be a caravan camping nearby, just as roughed up. And sand. Sand everywhere.

Alexis got off of her horse and looked at Tarmen, nodding at the signs of destruction.

“Chances are they are not going to be in a good mood.“

Seeing the damage around them, Tarmen had to agree. A recent storm would have the town looking to repair and, like Alexis said, most likely not in the mood for entertaining.
“Don’t think it matters. If this is the place, then they are stuck with us.”
He remained on his horse, already regretting not having trimmed his hair through beads of sweat.
“Would like a chance to remove this mane before the heat claims me anyway.”

Ah yes. Alexis could do with some self maintenance herself.

She petted her faithful mare’s neck looking towards the village.

“Fair point. Wanna chance doing some grooming first or get meeting the locals over with before that?”

Not far from where you rode into Desdem you saw a group of men and women dressed slightly differently from what you had seen so far. They had a little camp set around three or four wagons and horses. Some of the men looked at you curiously and one even waved.

“Groomin’ first. I’ll be in a better mood myself with less sweat in my eyes.”
He dismounted, looking for a pool or even some shade when he saw the waving.
“Hoi’s tits, so much for that. Guess the locals aren’t in that bad a mood after all.”
He gave Alexis a look of light annoyance, though he was grateful she was even talking. While she hadn’t been outright broken by Tar’s death, he had noticed a tangle around her. She had definitely been out of sorts.

Alexis cocked her head looking at the waving man.

“Don’t think they are locals. Grateful for a wave rather than some kind of projectile being send our way, though. Well then, shall we?”

She took her mare’s reigns and began to make her way towards the curious group alongside her friend.