Seed Of Speed

Diego tightened the strap on Smoke's saddle while the overgrown lizard repeated butted his head against his back. Over the past few days, Smoke had learned that his new rider always carried treats and was a complete push-over. He gave a strange rumble sound, something between a bird chirp and a growl, as he pleaded for the jerky he could smell in his rider's pouch.

"You're such a glutton," Diego chuckled as he tucked away the strap then fed the treat.

The campsite had already been reduced to a small field of pole which were quickly being gathered by three men. There was a stunning efficiency in the way they worked as a campsite for sixty people could be set up or packed away in less than ten minutes. Diego barely had time to finish saddling Smoke before the others would be mounting up. He pulled himself up into the saddle and was about to turn towards the wagons when he heard a voice call out to him.

"Young lord, Ishu," a familiar voice called.

Diego turned his head and saw Rainshower rushing up with a ki'ta in her hands. He instantly guessed what she had done as the one in her hands was not the unadorned and worn one Juni carried. The one in her hands had a honey stain on the body of the ki'ta and the neck had a deep red color. Fine silver had been used to make the frets, nut, and the turning pegs.

"Senior-apprentice sister," Diego replied with a chuckle.

She smiled and raised up the ki'ta as she said, "You really should practice. The more you solidify your foundation as a Soul Singer, the more valuable you will be to the sect."

"Oh? This is just to help me become more valuable to the sect, huh?" he teased without reaching for the ki'ta.

She blushed and turned her head. "It's a 'thank you' for helping advance. If not for you, that bottleneck would have strengthened my next which is a major one."

Diego grinned and took the ki'ta from her hands as he said, "Thank you, Rainshower, it is a thoughtful gift."

A red leather strap hung loosely from the body of the instrument as he brought it into his l.a.p. She peeked back up at him and revealed her face when she saw he was staring down at the ki'ta. He plucked each of the strings and listened before smiling down at her.

"It's already been tuned as well!" he said, happily. "Thank you."

"You're welcome, junior-apprentice brother. I should find Dew… It looks like everyone is almost ready," Rainshower replied hurriedly as another flash of crimson appeared then she rushed off to the herd of dracolisks.

Diego chuckled as her watched her leave, amused with her bashful behavior. He looked back down at the ki'ta and smiled before he turned around to tie it to his saddle. He clicked his tongue and Smoke started trotting off to the head of the caravan where Toba, his brothers, and a hunter of the Quko Clan had gathered.

The hunter led them across the dunes, and before the sun set, a series of tents could be seen on the horizon. Toba ordered the caravan to start the setup of camp then he followed Diego and the Quko hunter into the Quko campgrounds.

The Quko campgrounds were easily three times the size of the Telryn, but that was to be expected in their own territory. It seemed to be made up half and half of miners to warrior, judging by those who carried weapons and those who did not. People shuffled in between the tents, carrying water or equipment, as the whole place felt alive with activity.

The Quko hunter took them to a brutal-looking, red-skinned warrior with a set of scars that ran from his eyebrow across his head to run back down towards his neck. He wore a metal b.r.e.a.s.tplate over a set of hide armor and carried a pair of hammers from his belt. He was counting a crate of crystals and comparing the number to a scroll when they walked up.

"I recognize Toba Telryn, but who's the pup?" Iduko asked in a rough voice.

"This is the young lord of our clan, and I ask that you refer to him as such," Toba said with a cold tone.

"Yeah, yeah, forgive my ignorance, Young Lord Telryn," Iduko said with no sincerity in his voice, but Diego did not care.

"Our people are setting up on the west side of your camp. I want to send in a scouting party tonight before we send in our miners tomorrow," Diego said.

"Mmhmm…" Idoku nodded as he tied the scroll closed and set it in the crate. "This way," he said, motioning to follow with his hand.

Idoku led Diego and Toba out of the other side of the tent. They made their way towards the heart of the campground where a few people were standing guarding, including a middle-aged woman in fiery red robes. It was only when Diego was nearby that he saw a ring of blue stones that glowed with a faint magical light. The woman's head turned the moment he approached the ring, her eyes trained on him.

"The ring marks the edge of the Void Passage. Shaman Fanflame has been watching over the passage since we discovered," Idoku said as the woman made her way over to the trio.

"Greetings, Shaman Fanflame," Toba said with a respectful bow.

"Greetings, Sect-Elder Fanflame," Diego said with a similar bow.

"Sect-Elder?" Idoku said shocked.

"So, Firesand is still doing his job? Why haven't you reported to the sect, boy?" she barked.

Diego had already been warned that he was a little old to still be out of the sect, but Firesand assured him that his identity as the heir could explain away some of the problem.

"I am the son of Barru Telryn, and now, heir to the Telryn Clan. Shaman Firesand allowed me to wait until the Days of Ascension had concluded. I'll be leading our clan's tribute to the Anzoli Empire in the next few months and afterwards, I'll be presenting myself to the sect," Diego replied calmly.

"Hmm… You position does complicate things. Fine, I won't press the issue. Be sure not to lose your life within," Shaman Fanflame said with a nod.

"I intend not to," Diego said with a bow. "I'll return shortly with our scouting party if there is nothing else."

"That'll be fine," Idoku said, giving Diego an unusual look.

Diego nodded then turned and left with Toba in tow. They made their way back to their campsite which was nearly constructed by now. While Diego went to find Rainshower, Toba began collecting the men who he trusted enough to send with him. In the end, he gathered six of his best marksmen and four veteran warriors, so together with Tovao, Peyni, and Shaman Rainshower, there were going to be thirteen people following Diego.

Rainshower's tent was small than the surrounding ones just like Diego's own, so it made it easier to find hers, off in the corner.

"Senior-apprentice sister," Diego called.

"Young lord Ishu, how can I be of help?" Rainshower asked when she appeared a few moments later from inside her tent with a light blush on her face.

"I'm about to lead a scouting party into the Void Passage and was wondering if you would like to accompany us," Diego replied with a smile.

Her bashfulness was momentarily forgotten as she exclaimed, "Yes! Let me get one thing!"

She ducked back inside her tent while Diego was left behind, chuckling and shaking his head at the excitable girl. She returned with a small sack hanging around her shoulder, but when he asked, she only replied that he'll understand when they enter the pocket world. Letting her have her secrets, he just shrugged and took the lead as they went in search of Toba and the scouting party.