Two: The Approach

"Should we find a place to make camp?

‘A yup.’ Rook answers.

"Someone can stay in the blind. I prefer to sleep under the stars." Fenhari looks over the terrain for a desert berm or rock formation to use as shelter.

'Out of doors suits me fine.' He'll help set up camp once a suitable location is found.

The blind is just big enough for Sophia, to lay down inside, but would be pretty uncomfortable for anyone else. Fenhari follows the horizon with his eyes and finds a promising spot not too far ahead. It's a short trip East, just off the road and just out of the rain ducking under a small rock outcropping. It's a tight fit but everyone can squeeze in if they choose. The rain is persistent but never quite develops into a satisfying storm. It's just enough to keep one damp and makes finding a dry spot on the ground difficult to manage.

"I'll go ahead and take first watch." Xur'Tual offers as he lays out his now torn bedroll in a relatively dry space.

Wake me when it's my turn.' Rook says, putting his hat over his face and settling in for some shut eye.

During Xur'Tual's watch the rain falls into a steady rhythm before passing across the sky and fading just as slowly as it had begun. The sounds of the rain are crossfaded into the sounds of crickets and other nighttime insects. With the clouds gone, and no moon out, the sky becomes lit up with stars. Some clustered so closely that it almost looks like a thick brushstroke of light crossing the sky. Just around the time that Xur'Tual decides that his watch is over and it's time to get some rest, he hears the yip yip yipping call of a coyote off in the distance followed a moment later by the responding whines and yelps of others.

Xur'Tual nudges Rook. "You're up. There's some coyote about." Once Rook seems sufficiently alert, he settles in for his own rest.

Remembering the legend about the shape shifting coyote tribe Rook is on HIGH alert. He feeds the fire and keeps his glaive close at hand.

As the cries of coyotes congregate together and grow louder, Rook thinks back on Maya's story. He notices a constellation of stars that appear to make the shape of a coyote with his head pointed up toward the heavens.
After some time the coyotes grow silent and for a long while the only sound is the blowing of the wind. Eventually the stars begin to burn out as the light of reds and violets emerge from the ground. The first notes of the morning chorus are the doves cooing their songs near the places where the water has collected.

Fenhari had taken over the third watch, so he makes a quick breakfast for his companions. "It's just some heated biscuits, but it'll keep us going for a while."

"Something is better than nothing." Xur'Tual stretches and preps his armor and horse.

The Mourning doves are soon joined by the meadowlarks, finches and robins. A couple of brave sparrows are attracted to the aroma of Fenhari's bread and hop around on some rocks near the camp.

The horses are eager for breakfast. Xur'Tual's is well-trained and has the most professional demeanor of the three. The other two call out at him and begin pulling at their ties when they see him feeding.

Rook follows Xur’s lead and helps feed the horses.

"Let's get a move on! We're already burning daylight." Xur'Tual yells as he finishes brushing his horse and sets to saddling.

‘Let’s do that.’

Surly is anxious to eat and gives Rook a few nudges of encouragement to move him along.

As they begin riding Eastward the sun rises directly into their line of sight. It doesn't take long for the remaining puddles to evaporate and for the heat to begin. At this hour, the desert is active with life. Rabbits and sage rats dart into hiding spots or freeze in their tracks as the horses approach. Migratory waterfowl make a V in the sky. It is still morning when the group arrives at the first turn from the main road.

Old Frederick Road heads south towards the Rat Shit Hut. The main road continues to the East. On the otherside of the road, to the Northeast, the group notices an elk that has already spotted them. It stands frozen. A small herd stands behind it. Some of them still grazing, others beginning to notice the group.

Xur'Tual turns his horse to the south. "We decided on the short route, yeah?"

’South it is.’ Rook says patting Surly.