Faster Progress

The spirits of the party of four were now higher than they had been for some days, for now that they were on horseback they could make far quicker progress. Though they did not realise it, an added bonus of their increased speed was that they were now starting to leave the Stick Man well behind.

In a few more days they would reach the Calamari. The horses would not be suitable for the desert, but at least when they reached one of the villages at the Calamari's southern edge they should be able to trade them for mules, desert clothing, winter clothing (thinking ahead) and supplies. None of them was able to ride a camel - something that required long practice to learn, for which they could not spare the time. Mules might not be nearly as fast as camels, but they were hardy, riding them would be far preferable to walking, and they would enable them to bring plenty of supplies.

Earlier in their journey they had considered bypassing the desert, and making their way up the coast to one side or the other, but that would have greatly increased the distance they would have to travel. Also it would have taken them through the heart of the territory controlled by the Court of Fools had they headed for the coast to the west, whilst the terrain to the east and northeast was difficult. So they had continued almost due north, in the direction that the tug from the incomplete amulet indicated.

After crossing the Calamari they would face another obstacle in the form of the great channel (or canal, some claimed) of the Chul Suz. However, if they kept to their current course they should reach it near to its eastern end, where it met the Sea of Storms. That would mean they would not be too far from Smuggler's Cove, where it should be possible to beg, borrow or steal a boat. (They were unaware of recent events there, of course.)

1. They continued riding northwards.
2. Meanwhile Rowena and her small retinue were riding southeast, towards Allaria's only major seaport.
3. Meanwhile...

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