Chapter 30: Ade

Even with a dusty wind obscuring features, it didn’t take long for Ade to recognize the solid frame of his grandfather leading the rest of the group. Knowing his grandfather was present helped Ade to pick out the two elders situated further back, riding camels and conversing with a stranger riding a horse. It was a rare breed of horse that could function in the desert heat and sandy terrain, and comfortably riding one was a sure sign of wealth. Further back were two more strangers leading a pack-camel along, but Ade didn’t focus on them for long. He had been thrust into a position of moderate importance with his grandfather’s leaving. While he had grown from the trials he had faced, he looked forward to sharing his stories with his grandfather, benefitting from his wisdom and receiving support from one of the few people who could judge his actions honestly.

The guards had spotted the group and were already raising the alarm, making sure everyone knew that someone was approaching. Ade considered passing along the message that the group was friendly but decided to leave it be. He wasn’t that much closer to the travelers than the guards were, they’d notice soon enough and spread the word before anyone got the wrong idea into their head. Instead, Ade began to jog towards the group, maintaining a brisk pace despite the sand eating away at his momentum with every step.

Ade spotted the moment his grandfather recognized him. Ahten’s shoulders lifted as a small burden was taken off of them. The senior pathfinder had practically raised Ade after the passing of his parents, and even though Ade was now a young man settling into his own place with the tribe his grandfather would never not worry about him. The month and half they had been apart had been the longest time they were separated, and the reunion brought a small smile to the old man’s face, but no more. Taking his social cues from his grandfather, Ade did not rush forwards with a hug like he was originally intending. Instead, he stopped once he was inside comfortable speaking distance and gave a respectful bow.

“Pathfinder Ahten, Elders Shan and Jero, Honored guests, welcome to our Oasis.”

“We’re not quite there yet, boy.” The stranger mounted on a horse chuckled deeply. “You’ve got keen eyes to spot us this far out, but greetings can wait until I have grass under my feet and a nice cool drink in my hand.” Putting action to words, he kicked his horse forwards, resuming his travel towards the now visible Oasis, no longer needing to rely on a Pathfinder to keep from getting lost. The elders followed on their camels, with the two ground bound strangers scrambling to keep up with the increased pace. The elders sent small glares towards Ade for ruining whatever introduction they had hoped for but focused most of their attention towards praising the many benefits the Oasis offered.

Ade took the time to study the strangers now that they were closer. The mounted man was clearly the leader, accustomed to giving orders and having them obeyed, given the way the others jumped whenever he addressed them. He was also a warrior of some skill, given his taut muscles and scarred skin put on display by his sleeveless tunic. He was also rich enough to treat wealth as an afterthought. Necklaces and rings of gold and other precious metal were present in large numbers but had been placed with little care for coordination or effect. It was a striking contrast to the wicked scimitar at his waist, which gleamed with fresh polish and which the man’s every movement compensated for.

If one stranger was a fighter, then the next was clearly a mage. The staff he carried wasn't an uncommon tool out in the desert, but it was no simple piece of wood to help one’s balance or serve as a simple weapon. Runes had been carved over the length of the surface and then filled in with a silvery metal that caught and reflected sunlight like it was liquid. Securely nestled in the top of the staff was a large tan gem, that had an otherworldly weight to it. Ade had little experience with magic, but the gem’s presence could only be called magical. The rest of the man’s attire seemed to support his position as a caster of some style or another. His skin was paler than it should be, with areas of red tinged sunburn visible even underneath the hooded robe used for protection. The man also kept shifting his weight gingerly from one foot to another, doing his best to avoid putting pressure on blisters. He was clearly not accustomed to heading out into the Sands, and Ade wondered as to why the fighter had brought him. The last stranger was the hardest to place. At first Ade had figured him as just the tender for the camels he led. His clothes were a cut below the others, and both the fighter and the mage seemed to treat him as their lesser. The reason for their disdain was obvious enough. One hand was missing completely, having been replaced with a simple metal hook. His other hand seemed functional enough beneath the layers of cloth that served as makeshift gloves, but he still fumbled or took longer to handle the camel’s leads than he should have. The only thing that kept Ade from writing him off as a simple helper was the bitter look that entered his eyes at odd moments when the others were distracted.

Ade shrugged, whatever mystery or history was present there wasn’t really his concern. The Elders obviously thought there was a good deal to be had here, and Ade hoped so as well. It was hard to imagine the kind of resources it would cost to buy an Oasis, but if all went well Ade wouldn’t have to imagine it.

The two pathfinders were silent as they were slowly left behind. Only once the others were out of earshot did Ahten drop his cool demeanor and embrace Ade in a giant hug.

“Grandson, it is good to be back. More than that, it is good to see you again.”

“It’s good to have you back Grandfather.” Ade gave his father-figure an honest smile, the edges twisted slightly downwards as memories went through his mind. “We’ve been busy while you were gone.”

“I could tell even before I got here. It took longer coming back than it did heading out. I see all sorts of buildings that weren’t here when I left. Those plants to the side there are new. And is it just me, or is the Oasis bigger than it was when I left?” Pathfinder Ahten gave the place a quick inspection, his experienced eye picking out the differences immediately.

Ade chuckled at the undertone of confusion present in the last question. “You’re not wrong or senile, old man. Part of the magic that makes an Oasis special, as far as we can tell. Helps keep the monsters away and everyone seems to have a bit more energy than they used to as well. It hasn’t grown in a few weeks though, so it’s probably something that slows down as Oases age. One more thing the elders can use to get a better deal, now that they’ve found a buyer.” The topic change wasn’t particularly subtle, but it didn’t need to be. The caring relationship the two had meant that they were both interested in what the other had been doing in their absence.

“It’s been a long time since I’ve only had to find a Path for four people: Myself, the two elders, and young Mel, our guard. With such a small group it was easy as breathing to find a safe path that was deep enough to have us in Luxor in two days. Sure beats a week of travel with the whole tribe.” Ahten chuckled. “Elder Shan knew someone there, some second cousin or other who had left the tribe a long time ago to become a blacksmith. He was successful enough to host us for a small fee, so we stayed there while the two elders went about their own business. Mel spent her time sparring and training, normally with the guards, but every now and then with and adventuring group when they were in town. She actually got an offer to join them instead of coming back with us.”

“And you?” Ade prompted. “How did you keep yourself busy during the trip?”

“Busy, ha!” Ahten laughed at the word and held up a hand to let Ade give him a chance to catch his breath. “I relaxed while I was gone. It was pleasant being able to simply sit in a chair and watch the bustle of the city around me, knowing that not a single one of them needed me for anything. I’ve been Tribe Pathfinder for decades now. A short time to not be one was just what I needed. Hey, none of that now.” Ade had shifted his gaze away while Ahten had been talking, the talk about not wanting to be Pathfinder hitting a little harder than he expected. As such he didn’t see it coming when his grandfather once again wrapped him up in a hug, this one longer and softer.

“You’ve been the perfect grandson. Always obedient, always diligent with your training, and always eager to please me. I am honored to call you family. You’ve never said anything to make your feelings on the matter obvious, I just know what’s running through your mind because of my own experience. It’s okay to want to follow your own path through life, and I won’t hear of anyone telling you otherwise."

“But the tribe…” Ade started, before choking up, as unacknowledged feelings pressed their way to the surface.

“Fuck the tribe.”

The unexpected curse from his normally calm grandfather temporarily broke Ade out of the well of emotions he found himself in. His grandfather sighed, before continuing with just as much energy. “Part of Nomad culture is the pursuit of strength. Without sufficient strength the dangers present in the Shifting Sands will kill or injure the unprepared. Strength is valued, and weakness is scorned. Most of us find the needed strength in a tribe. ‘Where one might fall, a dozen stand together’, as the saying goes. It isn’t necessarily a bad thing, but the danger is that a tribe’s strength can be taken away far more easily than the strength of an individual. You or me leaving the tribe to go our own way weakens the tribe, weakens others even though they should have no say in what we do.”

Seeing that Ade was listening intently Ahten took a moment to gather his thoughts and catch his breath, before continuing on more gently. “Their weakness is not your problem. If you left, they would still have me and the other three Pathfinders to rely on, and even then they could simply part ways and join a village or a city, or pool their resources to hire a pathfinder. Hell, they could certainly be doing more to keep us around! I’m too old to appreciate it, but I’m sure you wouldn’t mind a nice girl or three, eh?” Ade’s face flushed at the image that entered his mind, and slowly the guilt he was feeling eased.

“I do want to help the tribe. I just…” Ade floundered, lost for words to describe the warring emotions battling in his chest. A steady hand on his shoulder reassured him.

“I should have sat you down a couple years ago to have this talk, but I thought we had more time for you to figure out what you wanted without me interfering. You finding this Oasis was a blessing, but it also put a heavy burden of responsibility on your shoulders. I’m proud of you, and your parents would be proud too. You’re young yet, so don’t try and have this all figured out by tomorrow. As long as I’m around to have a say in the matter no one will stop you from following your own path. If that’s following in my footsteps, then I couldn’t be happier. If your dreams lead you elsewhere then I’ll content myself watching as you make the world tremble.

“Thank you.” The words came out in a whisper, but they carried with them a sense of peace that Ade had been missing for a while. “I don’t know what exactly I want to do, but I have some ideas. Have you ever heard of any tribes that focus on adventuring? Because I think that there are some real opportunities to help the tribe grow.”

“Not precisely, but there are a few tribes who send out their own adventuring parties. It sounds like that’s a discussion for later. We need to get back to camp before they start sending out search parties, and you need to tell me what you’ve been up to first.”

Side by side the two slowly made their way back towards the village, telling stories as they went.

“Elder Gomer put himself in charge after you left and asked me to help find some resources the tribe needed.”

“Elder Gomer, eh? I might need to have a few words with him once I find a quiet moment.”

“He fully explained what he wanted to do and what he needed from me, and I knew what I was getting myself into.”

“Did you really?”

“Well, not at first. How much do you know about sand wolves?”