Empire of Sand

The stranger’s name was William. He didn’t give a last name, and I didn’t ask. His first name seemed so very predictable that I suspected it was a forgery. Of course, on my second day of travel, some strange man named William on a lovely horse would ride to my rescue. How terribly ironic. Birdie and I rode a few feet apart from him and his horse, and a heavy silence settled between us. Neither of us seemed to know what to say to the other, and yet the idea of going our separate ways seemed foolish now that we had enemies.

I sighed, having had enough of the awkward encounter.

“So, William, where are you coming from? Where are you going?”

William considered my question, obviously planning a plausible story. Sand splitting aside, I considered my second ability to be detecting a lie. My father said I could smell lies as well as pies.

“I’m from a horse ranch in Amber Valley,” he answered.

I waited for him to elaborate. He didn’t. Exasperated, I pressed on.

“Fascinating. That explains your lovely horse. I presume since you’re not carrying anything to trade in the markets, you are heading to Tristan to compete in the Trials?”

William shot me a suspicious glance, which I pretended not to notice.

“I presume you are?” he asked in return. I smiled.

“Surely it hasn’t escaped your notice that I’m a sand splitter,” I teased.

He chuckled.

“No, unfortunately not. In fact, I believe I’ve still got evidence of it in my trousers.”

He shifted uncomfortably on his saddle, and I laughed, recalling the way my older brother complained about the sand granules in his pants after a day of practice.

“I’m sorry for your discomfort, sir. I was trying to keep us both from being killed.”

He arched an eyebrow, turning to face me.

“As I recall it, madam, I rescued you.”

I scoffed.

“As I recall it, you turned your back on Marcus and he nearly cut you down where you stood, valiance and all.”

“Marcus? I wasn’t aware you were on a first- name basis with your attackers. Speaking of which, I’m afraid I haven’t even earned the pleasure of your name.”

I smirked and scanned the horizon, acutely aware of my growling stomach. Our hasty departure had left no room for hygiene duties or a meal, even a small one.

“It’s Ash.”

“Ash-…is that short for anything?”

“No. It’s just Ash, like the remnants of a fire.”

“Hmm. That’s- an interesting name for a lady.”

Birdie and I snorted.

“I’m no lady,” I mumbled, earning my companion’s shocked regard.

“No? Then what are you?”

“I’ll tell you when I’ve decided,” I teased.

Birdie picked through a dried-out creek bed, her hooves sinking into the moist soil and leaving imprints as we walked. The morning was warm, and the sun was bright. Without a breeze, it felt like the glow of a fire, concentrated and relentless against my skin. Along the tree line, small animals scurried and hopped, searching for their morning meals. My muscles ached from the excitement of the morning and a full day of riding. Interestingly, William shifted uncomfortably in his own saddle, suffering from the same discomfort. My body was accustomed to manual labor on the ranch, but William, if indeed he was a horse rancher, should be used to the feel of a saddle. Shouldn’t he?

“By the way, how long have you been on the road?”

I knew Amber was only a two-day ride from Pharaoh’s Peak, and that was with poor weather and a slow horse.

“Nearly five days,” he replied. My fingers gripped the reins on Birdie’s bridle as I considered what to do next. I suspected the stranger to my right was misleading me, though he’d rescued me from the bandits behind us. What purpose would he have to lie about his origins or his name? Could he be a wanted man? If so, it seemed foolish to ride into the Emperor’s city and present himself to begin with. Unless he wasn’t competing? That had been my assumption, after all.

“So, William, why would a horse rancher living three days away from here be traveling for five, and with nothing to trade? You are an accomplished swordsman; you have had expert instruction. Your horse is of high caliber. Your hands lack the callouses of a rancher, and you seem uncomfortable for a man accustomed to riding for extended periods of time.” I kept my gaze carefully trained ahead, but as we rode, I could feel his gaping stare. The stranger said nothing, and I let the heavy silence hang between us while I considered riding off.

“I can’t tell you,” he admitted.

I pulled Birdie to a halt, and William did the same, turning his horse at an angle to mine.

“Why not? Whatever secrets you own, I assure you, I’ve got no designs to do you a bad turn. I would like to know that my company won’t do me in while I sleep, though.”

“I would never!” he said, dismounting his horse. He made his way over to where I sat on Birdie’s back, allowing me the advantage of higher ground.

“Ash, I am no fugitive or bandit, if that’s what you’ve decided. You’re right, I have had private instruction with the sword. And while I am experienced with horses, I am not a rancher myself. I don’t mean you any harm.”

He stared up at me, those impossible dark pools beneath his lashes captivating me for a moment.

“Thank you for your help, but I think it best if we go our own ways,” I advised him. My stomach sank as I considered riding the rest of the way to Tristan alone. The idea of a riding companion- especially one as good with a sword as he was- had been an attractive one. Nevertheless, I couldn’t trust the man beside me anymore than I could trust those I would compete against in Tristan. If he was on his way to the Trials, what would stop him from killing me on the road there?

I moved to direct Birdie away from William, but she was obstinate and refused to move. After another few failed attempts, I heaved a sigh of frustration and looked down at him. He watched me carefully, his lips pursed as though there was something he wanted to say and couldn’t.

“Just answer me this: Are you going to battle at the Trials?”

“I am going to Tristan, but I don’t intend to compete in the Trials. I abhor them.”

This startled me enough that I was dismounting my horse before I’d made any conscious decision to do so. I stood inches away from where he stood, our horses chewing at the grass that lined the dirt road. Most of the caravans had already passed through here, and most of the traders preferred to travel by caravan. We were unlikely to find anyone along these roads, at least not this far outside of town.

“I believe you’re the only person I’ve ever heard say that.”

William shrugged and looked off in the distance. His shoulders were tense, and his jaw worked as he thought. Why would a man of wealth detest a sport that the wealthy viewed as entertainment? The poor were too desperate to hate the Trials. The competition only happened once in a decade, and it offered a chance at a better life. Most of us considered ourselves fortunate for the opportunity to fight- and die- for a way out.

“Is that so?”

I nodded. “Yes. Most people consider it a privilege to compete. It’s a chance for something better.”

His eyes assessed me, raking up and down my disheveled body. His gaze wasn’t a leering one, but a sympathetic, considerate appraisal.

“Is that why you’re traveling all by yourself to fight to the death?” he asked quietly. “To amuse some emperor that no one outside of the palace has met?”

I could feel my pride threatening to boil over. Was this stranger- this liar- passing judgment on me?

“Listen to me,” I barked, jabbing my finger into his chest. “I am not competing to amuse some dictator who doesn’t even have the fortitude to show his face! I am competing to save my older brother from injury or death! Not all of us have sword masters and pedigree horses.”

I spun on my heel and trotted off, though admittedly, I wasn’t ready to end the conversation there. Something about this man both infuriated and captivated me. I craved the argument because it afforded me the chance to watch his lips quirk into a smile, to listen to the eloquent words rolling off his tongue. I shook my head.

“You think the Emperor’s is a coward?” he asked. His lips quirked into an amused but reluctant smile, and before I knew it, so had mine.

“Yes. He’s only bothered to address his people a handful of times since he ascended the throne, and he always wears a mask, from what I’ve heard of it. He never travels to the outlying cities. I suppose we are too common for him.”

William stared at his boots, digging his toe into the dirt. I knew we were wasting valuable time. I’d nearly forgotten my brother was likely tracking me, and the longer I dallied, the higher the chances of being caught.

“Perhaps he is not safe to do so?”

I raised my eyebrows and cocked my head.

“Not safe? The man with an entire army at his disposal isn’t safe to show his face to the masses? Isn’t secure enough to take his entourage to the farming cities that supply his crops?-“

“-Do you enjoy playing devil’s advocate?” I asked, earning another grin from William.

“It can be very rewarding,” he replied.

“How so?”

“Beautiful women are a dime a dozen. The best way to discover whether she has grit or not is to argue with her.”

He winked and mounted his horse, riding up ahead. Smothering my own foolish smile, I mounted Birdie and urged her after him, basking in the compliment.