The carriage rolled through the dark of night. Even though they had the small magic stone that could make the air cooler, they saved it for the daytime when they needed to shelter from the sun. The first two evenings passed without issue. Talsma was full of facts as they passed locations in the desert. Though neither Lucline nor Rasina had her ability to see in the dark, a very useful feature for a carriage driver in the desert. The carriage was not pulled by a horse, but instead by a large Sence-rant, named Vasfer.
On their first day making camp, Vasfer looked over and spoke to them.
"Greetings, jewels of the desert. This one is Vasfer, brother to Talsma. It is this one's pleasure to escort you through the desert."
"Thank you, Vasfer." Lucline gave him a smile. "Have you two been transporting people for long?"
Talsma answered for them both. "We just started recently. We were part of the Bandari until recently. The Thalmar raided our caravan though and took away our parents. We two walked all the way from Elsweyr to Hammerfell, dodging patrols. Azurah lit the paths to follow to get to safety."
Lucline knew what it was like, having to leave your homeland behind. She felt her girlfriend reach over and touch her shoulder, sensing her distress.
"Did you ever learn what happened to your parents?" Rasina asked the siblings.
"No, this one cries under Jone and Jode that they do not walk free in the warm sands. The Thalmar are cruel."
The girls both nodded. They had heard the stories. It was well known the Empire was secretly preparing for a second war with the Dominion, even though Hammerfall was not a part of either faction.
"This one," Vasfer spoke now, "Fears that this land that sides with neither will be a battleground for both sides before long. When that day comes, we shall leave like thieves in the night. If that unhappy day comes, you two are welcome to join us."
Rasina wrapped an arm around her and held her close.
"Thank you for the offer. If that day comes, perhaps we will take you up on that offer."
The siblings smiled, or at least Lucline thought they did. It was had to tell with Khajiit. They took turns swapping folk stories from their native lands throughout the long days when they did not sleep. It was a time that Lucline would come to treasure.
Elder-Scrolls*
The third night, a bunch of giant snakes slithered from the darkness and approached the carriage.
Lucline cast a ring of frost magic on the sand around them, helping keep them back. Talsma drew out a cross bow and shot one of the serpents in the eye. Lucline was impressed as she renewed the ring.
Rasina jumped over the spell and split a snake in half with her She-hai, the sword glowing slightly in the dark. Lucline got lost in the hypnotic weave of her partner's spirit sword as she fought off more snakes. Vasfer however, was much simpler. He jumped and landed on a serpent, crushing it with his sheer weight. The last couple snakes gave up and slithered away into the night.
"Well, that will make the road safer for some time." Rasina remarked, allowing her sword to vanish. "Lucky it wasn't bandits."
Vasfer snorted. "Please, bandits are easier to deal with. They don't have venom that can drop a horse. Come on, we need to continue to Bergama."
The Carriage continued through the night and soon, they could see the city in the distance. Lucline lay her head on Rasina's shoulder.
"How far are we now?"
Rasina looked up at the city. "A few more hours. We will be there soon. Then we can go to the inn and sleep in a real bed."
Lucline smiled. "Yes, that would be perfect. After several days sleeping on the ground in caves, a bed would be paradise."
Talsma laughed from the box of the carriage. "This one too, looks forward to it."
Vasfer grunted. "This one is too heavy for beds made for two legs. Sleeping on hay is this one's fate until we return to Sentinel."
Lucline felt bad for the Sence-rant. She wondered if there was something she could do with her magic. That would have to wait though. Casting spells without looking into it was dangerous.
"Alright, let's go." Lucline smiled and the carriage continued towards Bergama.
A/N: Another chapter down. A little excitement on the way to Bergama and we get to know Talsma and Vasfer, whom I hope to see more of in this story myself. See you next chapter.