narant

'Pfft! Bleh! Ugh!'

'Who dug this hole in the road? I almost broke my back, and my mouth's full of sand!'

The red-headed Kuranta climbs out of the sand hole, looking quite the worse for wear. She is wearing a burdenbeast skull on her foot, having stepped right through the top of it.

She turns around to yell at the empty desert, hardly bothering to even pat the dust and sand off herself.

She does not even know whom she is yelling at, but the more she thinks about it, the angrier she gets. She pulls the skull off her foot and throws it far away.

Which caravan didn't even bother to look for a burdenbeast that fell into a hole? Those bones almost went through my thigh!

And why were they carrying a whole bunch of linen instead of something worth money? *Sargon expletive* All that trouble, and I come back nearly empty-handed!

Narantuya lifts the object she has been holding. It was the only thing that shined gold in the hole, so she took it with her on her way out.

She peruses her lone souvenir in the bright sunlight.

The elaborate patterns on the golden lamp glow brightly.

It's made of gold? Should be worth a pretty good sum! Guess it was a blessing in disguise!

Narantuya wipes the lamp on her clothes, and it casts its golden reflection upon her face.

Wait, are those words engraved on it?

'To Asaf of Fountain Town. Happy eighth birthday. Love, Mother.'

'Treasure it, for it will illuminate all the treasures I left for you.'

...Damned rich people. They give their kids presents made of solid gold?

Well, I guess it'll be justice for all the poor folks they've been stepping on when I turn this golden lamp into meat and wine for my stomach at the bazaar!

Narantuya takes a few steps, then stops. She looks down again at the engraved words.

'Treasures'. I read that right, didn't I? It says 'treasures'?

Treasures left behind by such wealthy people...

They must be worth even more than this golden lamp!

Hey, old man! Show your face! I've got questions for you!

What's the rush? Have a couple of drinks to cool down.

You've been to more places in this desert than I have. Have you heard of a 'Fountain Town'?

Of course! Fountain Town is... hehe.

Spit it out!

What is this? Vengeance, or robbery?

...It's a wealthy place, isn't it? Tell me where it is.

No rush, no rush, have a couple of drinks with me and I'll tell you.

...Fine, I was thirsty anyway.

Why are you only pouring one? Aren't you drinking?

Sure am. This one's mine.

What about mine?

Gotta pay up first.

Like I ever owed you booze money. How much?

One hundred... no, two hundred dinars.

Narantuya's hand, which was reaching for the coin bag on her belt, freezes in mid-air. With clenched teeth, she asks—

You think your diluted arak is worth two hundred dinars a cup?

Of course not.

But the information you're looking for is.

It's none of my business what business you have at Fountain Town, whether you were hired to bump somebody off, or found a treasure map for a pot of gold...

Two hundred dinars, then? Fine, I'll pay. Bring the booze!

Guessed right, didn't I? Hey, no need to glare. You think this bundle of old bones is gonna steal your treasure?

Bah, paying two hundred dinars doesn't make your swill taste any better!

One cup's not enough to loosen your lips? Fine, I'll have another!

Narantuya throws her whole coin bag at the man. It is unclear whether she is grimacing because the alcohol is burning her throat, or the frustration is burning her heart.

What are you sitting there for? Pour! There's gotta be at least two hundred dinars in the bag!

Two hundred was for the first cup. The second's gonna cost you four hundred.

Now, now, don't get violent with me, Narantuya. I know you're good, but every bazaar has its rules, and my rule is...

No refunds.

If one cup's enough for you, that's fine too. So many sand bandits are looking to make their fortune in this desert, someone's gotta be willing to buy a couple of cups.

I'll be back in half an hour with the money... And you better not tell anyone.

Narantuya touches the scimitar on her belt and puts on her fiercest expression.

Sure, sure...

Thump.

The sound of the heavy coin bag hitting the counter wakes the fake liquor seller with such a fright that he falls to the ground.

Narantuya grabs the bottle from behind the counter and takes a swig from it.

What are you doing? Count them.

Y-You've gotta have at least a thousand dinars in this bag! Don't tell me...

No need to get excited. I just sold a burdenbeast to a caravan.

Since when did you have a burdenbeast?

Since just now. Stole it from a passing caravan.

Don't tell me it was the same caravan.

It was the same caravan.

Did those idiots not realize?

Nope. Wanna know how it went down?

Then tell me where this *Sargon expletive* Fountain Town is!

Alright, alright, no rush, lemme pour you a cup—from my special collection. Not diluted at all.

Narantuya downs the spirit and looks at the 'map' the fake liquor seller gave her.

Little more than a napkin with a few lines drawn on it, representing hills and roads.

It's at least a three or four day journey... are you sure?

When have I ever scammed anyone... I mean, when have I ever scammed <i>you</i>?

But you're right, it's a long way. Way too long to walk.

Are you trying to sell me your old and deaf burdenbeast? The one you have tied up behind the tent?

You catch on quick! I'll give you a good price, eight hundred dinars!

It's hauled goods for you your entire life without getting a single decent meal, and now you want to sell it to me?

Well, if you won't buy it, I guess I'm having meat for dinner.

Narantuya shakes her head.

...What I mean is, you're selling it short. I think it's worth a thousand dinars, at least.

Narantuya takes the 'map', downs the rest of the cup's contents, and turns around to leave.

Hey, Narantuya! You didn't tell me how the caravan didn't notice that you stole their burdenbeast!

...I just dangled some wheat in front of its face, and it came with me quietly.

That's all? How boring.

Serves them right for all the dirty business they do, though!

Serves 'em right... Yeah. Absolutely.

The moment Narantuya leaves, the fake liquor seller starts quickly packing up his tent.

Closing shop so early?

Yeah, come back tomorrow... No, I won't be here tomorrow. Hope we meet again!

What, you owe someone money?

Just scammed a madwoman. Gotta get out of town before she comes back... Now stop asking questions and scram!

The fake liquor seller runs out the tent with his luggage on his back, only to realize that there is only a rope tied to the stake where he leashed his burdenbeast.

*Sargon expletive*! Narantuya! So it was MY burdenbeast that you stole!

Damn, spent all my money before I even caught a glimpse of the treasure.

Don't disappoint me, sweet treasure... *hic*... it better be all gold coins inside a chest made of solid gold!

Narantuya climbs to the top of the hill and compares the map with the view in front of her.

Shouldn't there be a hill here?

Was I holding it upside down?

Oh! Now I see a village. That's more like it.

Narantuya rubs her eyes and casts her gaze forward, but her vision remains blurred.

That drink made me even more thirsty. Gotta find a place with a well to spend the night. Hopefully a burdenbeast to carry me too...