Chapter 108 : Southern Jungle (3)
The desert fruit dessert from Sandspur was affordable.
Moreover, it tasted good.
The sweet and sour flavor spread across her mouth.
Ariel had unknowingly bought a huge amount of the desert fruit dessert and placed it all in her inventory.
She wanted to eat it all right away, but she knew that if she did, she would get a food coma.
And if that happened, it would be difficult to go buy a camel.
Lu bought a dish with meat and spices piled on top of bread.
It was a unique dish only found in Sandspur, and according to Lu, she wasn’t sure about the taste.
Ariel took a bite as well. It wasn’t bad, but it wasn’t quite to her liking.
Anyway, after a quick snack, Ariel and Lu decided to go buy a camel.
“Big sis, the camel market is to the east of the village,” Lu said while reading an adventure magazine.
Ariel headed straight to the east of the village and soon arrived at the camel market.
The camel market had several tents set up, and camels inside the tents stretched out their long necks and watched the passersby with curious eyes.
Outside the tents, camel traders loudly advertised their camels.
“Little lady, how about this fine camel? It’s the best camel for crossing the Kaldora Desert in one go!”
“Our camels are obedient and healthy! They’re perfect for crossing the desert!”
Ariel’s eyes sparkled as she looked at the camels.
Each one had a different appearance, size, and color.
“Big sis, which one will you choose?” Lu asked.
At that moment, Ariel’s gaze stopped on one camel.
It was an elegant brown camel, tall with a well-balanced body and intelligent eyes.
“I like that camel,” Ariel said, walking over to it.
The camel owner greeted her warmly.
“Welcome. This camel is the best at navigating the desert. It’s gentle and intelligent, so even beginners can handle it easily.”
“I’ll take this camel,” Ariel said.
“Oh, good choice!” the camel owner exclaimed.
After making the purchase, Ariel reached out and gently stroked the camel’s neck.
The camel accepted her touch with a calm expression.
“Take care, Sahara.”
Ariel had already decided on a name for the camel.
After buying the camel, they headed west to hire a guide.
According to the adventure magazine in Lu’s hand, guides could be hired at the “Guide Association” located in the west of the village.
But as they headed west, Ariel suddenly stopped walking.
She had stopped in front of a store selling desert clothing.
Now that she thought about it, she needed to buy more than just a camel.
To cross the desert, it was essential to have clothing to protect from the scorching sun and sandstorms.
… Actually, it didn’t matter much to Ariel, but for the sake of her emotions, she felt compelled to buy it.
It would be unthinkable to cross the desert without a turban or scarf.
Ariel entered the shop energetically and began looking at the various desert clothing.
She ended up buying a long beige robe, a turban, and a scarf.
After a while, Ariel was fully dressed like a desert traveler.
The clothes were a little too big for her, but she liked them.
Ariel then continued her way to the Guide Association.
The Guide Association was a sturdy, neat-looking building.
A large sign reading “Kaldora Desert Guide Association” hung above the entrance.
When she opened the door and stepped inside, she saw a spacious and comfortable interior.
A large map of the desert was hanging on the wall, and there was a bulletin board with information and safety tips for crossing the desert.
Several guides were sitting in chairs waiting, and on one side, an association employee was consulting with a traveler.
Ariel approached the counter.
The employee greeted her with a welcoming smile.
“Welcome. Are you planning to cross the Kaldora Desert?”
“Yes.”
“If you don’t have a specific guide in mind, would you like me to recommend an experienced guide?”
“Yes.”
The employee pointed to someone.
“That person would be a good fit.”
A middle-aged man was sitting where the employee pointed. He looked large and strong, with sun-tanned skin and sharp eyes that seemed weathered by the harsh desert winds.
“That man is Kasim, a guide who’s been crossing the Kaldora Desert for over 20 years. With him, you’ll be able to cross the desert safely.”
After hearing the employee’s introduction, Ariel and Lu approached Kasim.
Kasim stood up when he saw Ariel.
“Hello, little one. I’m Kasim. Are you planning to cross the Kaldora Desert?”
Ariel nodded.
“How many people are in your group?” Kasim asked again.
“Two,” Ariel said, pointing to Lu, who was perched on her shoulder. Then, she quickly added, “No, three. Including the camel.”
“The camel doesn’t matter. But are you sure it’s really just the two of you?”
“Yes.”
Kasim briefly scanned Ariel from head to toe.
Although she was dressed like a perfect desert traveler, her clothes were much too big, making her look a little awkward.
And her only companion was the fairy sitting on her shoulder.
He had no idea what she was thinking, trying to cross the desert like this.
“Hmm….” Kasim hesitated. Could he really take this little one across the desert?
It seemed like he’d have to look after her every step of the way.
Kasim scratched his head and glanced at the employee. The employee smiled knowingly, as if to say, “If you don’t take the job, you’re done.”
Kasim was a well-known guide in Sandspur, familiar with all the desert’s main routes and capable of dealing with its many dangers.
He had helped countless travelers safely cross the Kaldora Desert, gaining a solid reputation.
But things had started getting difficult for Kasim when he began having issues with his legs.
At times, his legs suddenly stopped working, almost like they were paralyzed.
Whenever that happened, Kasim would rely on his camel to move, carefully hiding the fact that he had a problem with his legs.
He had no choice.
If word got out that a guide had leg problems, he would need to find another job.
No one would want to rely on a guide with a disability to cross the desert.
And Kasim didn’t know how to do anything else. If he quit being a guide, he wouldn’t be able to support his wife and two daughters.
So, Kasim kept coming to the Guide Association, but he only accepted jobs where there were many other guides with him.
That way, if his legs suddenly failed him, the other guides could step in and handle the situation.
But large caravans rarely crossed the Kaldora Desert.
Most travelers only needed one guide.
Because of this, Kasim had turned down many jobs, which led to a lot of complaints at the association.
They said Kasim only took profitable jobs.
Some even wondered if something was wrong with his health.
It wasn’t uncommon for guides to have health problems, after all.
‘If I don’t take this job, I might really have to quit….’
Kasim sighed quietly and looked at Ariel.
There was no turning back now.
Somehow, he had to get this little one across the desert.
“Alright, little one. I’ll be your guide. But there are a few things you need to promise me.”
Kasim spoke to Ariel.
“First, don’t disobey my instructions in the desert. Second, always stay together. Third, if there’s danger, tell me right away. If you follow these three rules, we’ll cross the desert safely.”
Ariel nodded.
Wrapped up in her turban, with only her eyes visible, Ariel’s gaze sparkled with excitement about crossing the desert.
That look made Kasim feel uneasy, but he pushed the feeling aside and smiled.
After all, he was a veteran guide.
A veteran guide never shows uncertainty in front of a traveler.
If he did, the traveler would become anxious too.
“Good. Now, rest well tonight, and we’ll meet early tomorrow morning at the village entrance to start our journey.”
Crossing the desert was best done early in the morning. The heat in the daytime was extreme, and visibility at night was poor.
“Make sure to bring enough water and some light food. As for your clothing… it looks perfect.”
Kasim’s words made Ariel straighten her shoulders proudly.
She was glad she had bought the clothing after all.
“See you tomorrow.”
Kasim gave Ariel a friendly pat on the shoulder and left the Guide Association.
He, too, had to prepare for the desert crossing.
After all, crossing the desert was a dangerous endeavor where anything could happen.
It was best to spend as much time with family as possible the night before the journey.
After all, they might never see each other again.