Respite

Great Desert of Skulls - Tarafit Sept

Alexis watched as Tarmen excused himself and went on to expire the oasis. She knew he was a restless soul, solitary by nature and probably upbringing. For all intents and purposes like in Kru'll was hard and brutal among its jungles and lawless settlements.

Her mind drifted back to the task at hand. Her notes and drawings, and of course the cursed map that should lead her to the Hammer's shaft.

'Ichor of Solitude'.

She had not had much time to ponder the name and the pull the object seems to have towards its other half. She had gazed upon it when she was alone, usually at night during solitary watches. A blacksmith's tool. Heavy and unyielding, to pound red hot metal into shape and submission.

She looked at thr map and what Tar thought where constellations but maybe they were oasis. A safe way to travel across the desert, or even some other type of landmarks.

Absent minded and distracted by her thoughts, Alexis reached out to the metal cup where she was making some tea. She brought her to her lips, gazing at her leather bound book, sipping the hot liquid, before he eyes widened in shock...

She dropped the cup on the sand and moved back as the liquid spilled near the fire looking at her hand.

She had picked the cup directly from the flames...