Sands of Life

Sands of Life

                "So ... 'Pur'fett' means life sands, sands of life?"

                "Yes."

                "So the north-west region's capital is-"

                "Sand Sand. Yes. The ancestors of my people were not particularly inventive when naming the land."

                Mitchell of Undershire, second son of the Baron of Undershire, stroked his scraggly beard thoughtfully. "How does one have 'sands of life', anyway? I've always wondered. The stories back home are a bit fantastical at times. I mean, one wouldn't expect so, we're only a voyage of a month apart and there are plenty of traders but the rumours!" he exclaimed.

                "As your guide, I will be happy to explain," said Heremefett. She had - through several traders who acted as intermediaries - agreed to guide the 'tourist' through her land. It was a strange thing, but apparently 'tourism' was taking off in the Duchies, and a few enterprising individuals were travelling far from home. Heremefett was mostly interested in Mitchell's money - and also in the money of those who might come after him.

                "Oh, that'd be ace," replied Mitchell. He was a lithe young man, and looked as if he was still growing into his frame. His skin was quite dark - a deeper brown than usual for the Duchies (or, at least compared to their traders). Even with her tan, Heremefett's skin was almost glowing in comparison.

                With a brief nod, Hermefett began her explanation. "Although it looks like a desert - almost identical to the Fearful Dunes beyond our northern borders - the Desert of Life is full of living things. The sands of life that make up the desert are crawling with insects, lizards, and many other animals adapted to the hot desert life. Some of these we farm, and others we hunt.

                "But what truly sets the Pur'fett apart is the plant life that lives below and above the sands. To us, it is not unusual. But I have travelled west to the banished enclave and seen 'trees'; I understand how unusual these plants are. They consist of two parts. The first part is a massive root system that grows deep within the sands, usually five or more metres deep. They are often too deeply buried for them to be unearthed without great difficulty.

                "The second part is likely much more fantastic for you. The root systems reach upwards every three months and grow 'pods' just below the surface. These large-" Heremefett indicated a sixty metre diameter "-orbs are filled with a strange liquid that is lighter than air. When fully grown, they are released and float high into the sky above."

                "What?" asked Mitchell incredulously, "Really?"

                "Yes," answered Hermefett. "While in the sky they gather energy from sunlight much as an ordinary plant would; the pods usually have several leafy branches dangling from them and are green themselves. When they have filled themselves enough they fall to the ground, and land near where they were released. Upon landing, they bust open and trickle their contents into the ground for the roots to absorb.

                "The leftover pod is eaten by many creatures, and can be eaten by humans too. But the real source of life for the towns in the sands is the liquid within the orbs. Farmers grow root systems that have been selected to produce many pods; then catch the pods once they return. The liquid contains much of what someone needs to survive; a few captured or farmed desert animals and you have all you will ever need.

                "That is why these are the sands of life; although some say that it is also the large number of animals that survive due to the pods that gave the sands their name." Heremefett finished with what she hoped was a charming smile.

                "That's amazing! But, wait. Why did I not see any on my trip here? I travelled quite aways along the coast! And why are there none above this city?" quizzed Mitchell.

                "Salt kills the root systems, and there is much in the sea and the shores. We'll see many as we travel in land, though," said Heremefett. "Actually, there is a museum here in Peria that should have several; and plenty of places that serve varieties of the liquid or food made with it. It's a staple here."

                "Oh ho! That sounds mighty tempting. Yes. Let's visit this museum; you can surely tell me more of your land and people while we tour it. And then we can lunch upon some nice exotic foods, yes yes yes," Mitchel said, grinning at the thought of delicious food.

                "Very well. Mount up and follow me," said Heremefett, hopping on her mount. Like Mitchell's (which he had just acquired) it was a camel-like creature, set apart by its strange jaw. It was also a bit smaller than a camel and thus easier to mount.

                As they began making their way through the neatly laid out streets of Peria, the capital of the Sand-Given Empire, Heremefett wondered whether her scheme would pan out. Making money off 'tourists' would be great, but would travelling so far (and spending a fortune - the amount Mitchell was spending shocked Heremefett, even though it was less than many nobles in the Empire had) really catch on? Would it catch on amongst the Empire's own nobility?

                The amount Mitchell was paying her assuaged her worries. It was more than enough - even if she never gave another tour again the coming days would be worthwhile. Heremefett smiled. Compared to her other plans, other jobs, guiding a genial fool around was blissfully simple. Why she'd ever thought advanced mathematical analysis of farm production would work she didn't know. Sure, she got the numbers, but what the heck would she ever have done with them?

                It wasn't long before she realised she should be telling Mitchell about anything interesting they passed, instead of ruminating on old times. "So, just up ahead," she called back to him, "There's a fountain built to commemorate the death of the previous Emperor."

                "Awesome!" replied Mitchell with a grin.

                Heremefett barely managed to avoid a glare. If there are more, I hope they're not all this annoying, she thought. Or else I might just kill one of them.