Tales of the Wasteland prologue
But there's a lot more to the world than Tyr big man. Let's go see it.
Grudvik was beginning to seriously wonder why he hadn't left Aki in that Dragon forsaken tomb. It had been bad enough listening to him the first time around.
They were three days out of Tyr. Having avoided the Militia, they had made their way west toward the Ringing Mountains at first, hoping anyone who was following them would think that was their destination. But they had doubled back the day before, and were now near the entrance of the Tyr Valley.
Aki knew his way around that was apparent. But Grudvik had begun to wonder if he even had a destination in mind at all. He knew enough about the lands outside the city states that they would not last long if they didn't have a place in mind at the end of the journey.
If they could find a Merchant House caravan, they might be able to hire on as caravan guards. Or if not that, hope that a Silt Skimmer came along, and was willing to take them on as passengers.
It had forked once. Right up until a Silt Horror had destroyed their ride.
"Do we know where we are going?" Grudvik asked as the two of them took shade underneath a rock overhang.
Aki smiled that smile he had grown to parts enjoy, and parts not so much. "Of course, big man. We're near the entrance of the valley. We're bound to come up on something."
"Another of your bright ideas?" Grudvik asked.
"Of course. When have my bright ideas ever lead us wrong?"
Grudvik smirked. "I can think of a few. That shortcut that had us fight a flight of Aarakockra's, that oasis with Zombie Cactus, that stash of yours where I was almost sucked dry by a Thrax. And, oh yes, making a deal with the Toothcutters."
Aki had the decency at least to look ashamed at the mention of the last one. "Okay, so not all of them have turned out great. But that means we're due for one."
"Still think I should have killed you way back."
Aki just rolled his eyes. "You're still going on about that? After all we've been through? We're rich."
"A lot of good that'll do us out here." Grudvik answered his smirk dropping. "But that still dosen't answer the question."
Aki sighed. "When we get to the head of the valley the trade road splits. North to Silver Springs and south to Altaruk. Take your pick."
"Is it any better either way?" Grudvik asked.
Aki smiled ruefully. "Not really. We go south; we stand a better chance of reaching the only city state in that region Balic. We go north; we take our chance of getting lost in the Great Alluvial Sand Wastes."
Now Aki looked troubled. "And even if we didn't, there's no oasis between Silver Springs if we continue north to Urik or Raam if we go northeast. And it's even further to Draj."
"Isn't Raam falling apart at the seams?" Grudvik asked.
"From what I hear." Aki replied.
Grudvik nodded. 'And I'd rather avoid Urik if it's all the same to you."
Aki nodded, his smile returning. "South it is then."
