Uncharted

[Caira Ayryn]

Her mouth was dry, and full of gravel. She had no idea how the sand managed to stay stuck on her tongue, when all of her saliva had evaporated with the unearthly heat of lightning that had struck her. She flexed a finger, then a toe. Caira finally found it within her to lift her eyelids open.

"Ughh." She expressed, with the weakness of a defeated warrior.

"Come on kid, you had me scared for a minute there! Now, stand up, and let's high-tail it outta here." Karn prompted

Enthusiasm lined her voice, and Caira immediately found the strength to recoil at surrender, and raise to the challenge. "What? You think I'll leave after that? This place obviously doesn't want people to trespass. That means... We're here."

Karn only smiled.

...

The pair wandered through the fog, ignited by new energy. Her eyes flicked to his as they caught the shadowy silhouette of a tower and drew closer to its stairs.

"Wait, girl, this is..." Karn's features trembled in trepidation, "This is the temple of the God of the Desert."

"God of the desert?" Caira echoed.

"What awaits in there is sure to mean certain death to me in my weakest form." the lizard continued.

Caira was aghast, "You're going to chicken out now? NOW? We're right here, don't you want to meet Omni, I bet you he could free you from the curse-"

"Or I could die." Karn's tone was absolute, "And while you could surely resummon me, you would, no doubt, somehow find a way to make my curse final."

"Can't I fix it with Omnillium?" Caira asked, even if it was her enemy, leaving him here if she never returned, would mean certain death.

"No."

Caira felt a wave of compassion overwhelm her. Why couldn't she? Was it Karn's stubbornness? Or was he thoroughly convinced this was the way it had to be. In the lizard's eyes, there was a look that touched the gentle lines of shame. She could tell anything that made him lose his honor, meant more to him than dying. As a knight, Caira had to respect his choice, because every avenue they had determined, only ensured his death, his spell to be permanent, or an inaccurately summoned being who was not him. Her hands were tied.

"Alright," she began reluctantly, "But I won't leave you here without resource."

Caira gave the creature a cell phone, and then took the time to summon some food for him. There was gratitude in his eyes, but none expressed verbally. "Here you go," she spoke finalizing their deal.

The lizard spoke to her as she neared the first stair, "I wish you luck, Ayryn."

"And I, you, Karn."