Sustain - Tokas/Rugan/Nyra

The horizon warped and wiggled in Tokas’ eyes, as he lugged along his companions through warm sand. A lizard slithered by, whisking sand with its tail and leaving squiggly lines in the sand. Taking another swig of water from his waterskin, Tokas groaned over the inescapable heat. If he was this warm, he could only imagine Rugan’s misery.
The four of them had stopped under a few lone trees, soaking in the shade. With the dryness, the bit of respite from the sun felt glorious, especially if a breeze came through with your fur all sweaty. Tokas could reminisce the fleeting moments all he wanted, but they were soon halfway to their destination and the sun was still some ways from setting. Nighttime couldn’t come soon enough. 

“There’s a spring ahead,” Varrick cleared his throat as he spoke up. “Just behind those dunes. With some shelter from the sun and a place to recuperate.” 

Rugan and Nyra looked back at him, then the dunes he gestured to. It was a bit off to the side visually, but a detour their legs would feel. Nyra tightened her lip at the idea of making the detour, but cocked her head at the idea of a spring. The look read clear to Rugan, and he gave a tilted nod.
“You’re sure you know it’s there? No maybes or once upon a times?” He squinted through the sunlight as he looked back at the Haedian. “I don’t wanna make that detour and be disappointed. You don’t want me to make that detour to be disappointed.” 

Varrick had to tighten his throat to suppress his amusement at the light threat, and mustered one of his friendly smiles. “I was there on my way here. Unless the gods trick me each time I visit the springs, it’ll be there.” He reassured as he walked past Tokas, tired with wilted ears. “A blue spring with refreshing water to soothe the throat and cool your paws.” Then past Nyra who eyed him in passing, suspicious of his genuinity. “Trees with leaves as big as canopies to shield you from the sun.” And finally, walking past Rugan, meeting his squinting gaze with a smile. “And an old ruin to take shelter from the winds and cold of the night.” 

“How story-like,” Rugan drawled, sweaty snout wrinkling. But he’d be lying if the vivid description didn’t give him phantom chills. 

Varrick left the three to think as he changed his direction towards the fabled spring. Tokas trotted past his companions to follow along with newfound vigor. Nyra passed Rugan, with a nod to follow along. The red pulled shook her mane and huffed as she declined along the dune after Tokas and Varrick. Switching leadership to the sleazy stranger felt bitter, but he had no better idea other than wait for nighttime and make camp in the sand. Maybe huddle up if he must with the runner getting inevitably chilly, and having to stand some more stories from the Tyrian. Surrendering, he picked up one paw after another, and followed after his group. 

The climb over the couple dunes were miserable, and the distance twisted knots in Rugan’s stomach. Looking back at the intended patch, his ears pinned. 

“Rugan! The springs!” 

Spinning his head back, Rugan watched Tokas and Nyra disappear behind the dune peak with sand shifting in streaks past his legs. Varrick was standing at the top, smiling at the two, before turning his head to Rugan. The gold on his face glimmered with his pupils. Rugan wasn’t sure what the Tyrian was thinking, but he seemed pleased. Maybe by showing the springs, maybe something else, Rugan didn’t trust it.
Climbing up the rune, Rugan’s legs wobbled from exhaustion. Stumbling once, he felt the scrutiny of a gaze watching him struggle the climb. He was thankful the guy didn’t offer to help to salt the wound of humiliation. 

Finally at the top, Rugan pushed past the anticlimactic climb and looked out. Eyes growing wide with both disbelief and relief, he mustered an audible sigh. Deep in the center of tall dunes, was a pond shaped like a paint splotch, reaching out to some smaller tear-shaped puddles. Nyra and Tokas were already reaching the water. Broken columns stuck out of the sand, palm trees reached high in the sky with bushy green leaves, and lush bushes spotted the area around the water. At the other side of the water, half buried in the sand, was the entrance to an old temple. How old the place was, Rugan couldn’t say, but clearly decently undiscovered given the untouched state. Were it well known, some realtor would turn it into a tourist oasis, with a hotel and a bar or something. 

Enough aweing at the sight, Rugan kicked into a run down the dune, rushing towards the visage of cold clear water. Cloth falling off his head, he charged down with subtle stumbles and his tongue lolling out of his open mouth. Nyra and Tokas laid down their bags and sunk in the water with relieved sighs. Rapid thudding of sand alerted them in time of the splashes that rained with Rugan trampling into the water and sinking his weight into the water like a fallen log. For once, all three looked relatively pleased at once. 

Varrick chuckled to himself as he walked down, his jewelry jingling. “I’m glad to see you’re enjoying yourselves.” He stepped up to one of the small ponds and leaned down to get a drink. The water’s surface was warmed by the sun, but the soothing drink worked wonders regardless.

Nyra stretched out in the water, her warm paw pads enjoying the cold bottom of the pond, the soft mud sifting between her toes. Her shawl was nice and cool now, but she’ll want it dry for the night lest the cold turn against her with a wet garb. Getting up, water cascaded off her short coat, dribbling into the water in rapid droplets. Sand stuck to her paws as soon as she was out of the water, warming the cold right out again. Grabbing her shawl the fabric stuck to her body, refusing to unravel easily. With some struggle, she got the fabric off and laid it out on the sand to dry up. 

The sun was setting quickly now that evening rolled around, and what warmth the sands held would quickly dissipate. Rugan and Tokas were out of the water and preparing for nightfall same as Nyra. The duve eyed the ruins with a furrowed brow. 

“Anyone live in there?” He looked for Varrick briefly, till he spotted their Tyrian companion lounging by the pond. “Anything we should worry about in there?” 

The Haedian took his time opening his eyes and turning his head to the trio. His idle smile was subtle but constant. “Some treasure hunters have surely gone digging around, but I doubt anyone would make the place a home.” Getting up off the sand, he dusted his shawl and chest, lowering his shawl off his head. The gold in his jewelry glittered all along his head and neck, with even whole nuggets threaded in between smithed gold. “Come then, let’s set up camp and get some proper rest, hm? Tokas, Miss Nyra, mind helping with some fire starters? Rugan here can help with setting some blankets.” 

Tokas put his satchels back on and trotted off to rip sprigs and leaves off shrubs. Nyra followed with less spring in her step, heading for the nearest tall grass. With no familiar firewood directly to gather, they’ll make do with greens and bush twigs. Maybe some old coconuts they could break up. Tokas gave a quiet “uh”, looking to his companions walking away, then to Nyra minding her own gathering, before deciding to make do with what he came up with.

Rugan followed Varrick, who entered the tall ruins with relaxed familiarity. The vayron watched the aged columns and worn ceiling as it slowly covered over them. Sand drizzled from the top, hissing as it echoed inside. The temple yawned around them, dark and cold from the lack of sun. Most of the open way has collapsed, with some holes dug out by adventurers seeking for secrets. Hope none are in there now, to surprise them in the night.

Varrick unraveled a wrapped bundle off his back and spread out some colorful blankets. “I’m afraid I don’t have many with me, but if you’d like to share one with your companions, you’re free to.” He gestured to one of the bunched blankets, before spreading out one for himself. 

“I’ll manage,” Rugan shook his head, taking the blanket and spreading it out opposite to Varrick. “The fur and all, softens the ground for me. Nyra and Tokas will make the most of it, I’m sure.” After the exhausting day, there was a tired rasp in his voice. After all the suspicion and begrudging socializing, Varrick’s company didn't have him on high alert. The Tyrian’s lax demeanor and friendly tone at every turn made it all the more exhausting to mentally debate the negativities. 

“How chivalrous,” Varrick hummed. “I’m sure they appreciate the gesture after such a trek.” 

“Mm,” Rugan sighed as he brushed a space for the fire to be made. Some sand on a spot, a wall for the fire with some small rubble to keep it contained. “More to go tomorrow.” 

Tokas came trotting in with a mouthful of leaves and twigs, with some poking from his satchel strap. Nyra came in after, walking with her share of kindling. The runner dropped them aside and looked at the open blankets, one of which was unoccupied. Varrick got up from his blanket and began building the twigs and sprigs into a small pyre to light. Nyra separates aside some more, before bunching up leaves. Varrick held the bunch in his fingers, and snapped his thumb and middle finger to spark the kindling. Stuffing it under the twigs, he blew on it gently to nurse it bigger. 

“You’re not using a blanket?” Tokas looked at Rugan, who was already laying down between the two blankets, tired eyes looking at the small fire. The puller half-looked at the runner, shaking his head. 

“It’s for you two.” He muttered. 

Tokas didn’t argue with the tired puller, and stepped onto the blanket. It wasn’t extremely thick, but felt warm under the paws. Glancing at Nyra, he took his small spot of the blanket, leaving the puller a sizable place to sleep. She glanced at him and the blanket, then watched Varrick as she laid down. 

“I can keep watch-” Varrick started as he adjusted on his blanket. 

“I’ll watch.” Nyra spoke up, looking at him from across the fire. 

Tokas looked between her and the Tyrian, even glancing at Rugan, but the puller was already fast asleep. Tucking his paws in, the runner laid his head down, deciding against rebutting into the conversation.

“How kind of you,” Varrick gave a light smile and nodded. Adjusting his position, he laid his head down and closed his eyes. 

Nyra lowered her eyes to the fire, listening to the sounds of crackling bounce of the walls. The fire was quickly eating at the starter, twigs twisting in and the leaves crumbling away. Picking up some more kindling, she stoked the fire pit, feeding it some more before settling down. The night was a brilliant blue outside, with dunes looking purple under the moonlight. A serene night, devoid of the hustle and bustle of cities, and the sounds of wildlife. It was perfectly quiet out here, and half the night was ahead of her and her thoughts.