Part 28: The Desert's Curse
![](2-rempo.png)
I'm legitimately amazed she wasn't lying.
![](4-ur2.png)
Hello?
![](5-mieli.png)
Don't worry. It's just us.
![](4-ur2.png)
...
![](5-mieli.png)
What's the matter?
![](4-ur2.png)
Oh, nothing. I'm pleased to have you all again, but doesn't it seem-
![](5-mieli.png)
Too soon.
![](6-remposmile.png)
We know.
![](7-neaki2.png)
(Still waiting on that toast.)
![](4-ur2.png)
Fair enough. We'll discuss that later. Now, where's our chosen? You'll have to make some noise, I'm afraid.
![](8-yumil.png)
Um, here. My name's Yumil.
![](4-ur2.png)
Good to meet you. They've explained everything to your satisfaction, I hope? Ur, spirit of lightning. At your service.
![](9-neaki.png)
(Don't ask about his family.)
![](4-ur2.png)
Why not?
![](9-neaki.png)
(Because he is a snappy little turtle, chomp chomp.)
![](7-neaki2.png)
(Poor Neaki, she had such a pretty nose.)
![](4-ur2.png)
I should warn you, this place has its defences. You've likely triggered them by coming here.
![](8-yumil.png)
What sort of defences?
![](4-ur2.png)
...presumably whatever that noise was.
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Are we in trouble?
![](2-rempo.png)
Bigass stone golem thing.
![](4-ur2.png)
That doesn't quite answer the question.
![](2-rempo.png)
I'm letting you decide.
![](14-yumilangrydown.png)
Ow.
![](2-rempo.png)
You alright?
![](14-yumilangrydown.png)
I think I sprained something. Everything.
![](2-rempo.png)
No shit you sprained something, pushing that thing around.
![](14-yumilangrydown.png)
I suppose. Didn't hurt when I was doing it, though. I just feel...stiff, suddenly. And parched.
![](9-neaki.png)
(guys i just trekked across the desert without any water and i don't feel so good, what is this sorcery)
![](8-yumil.png)
What exactly is this thing?
![](4-ur2.png)
An inheritance from the old world.
![](4-ur2.png)
It's known as a Great Spear. Put simply, it's an ancient weapon of mass destruction.
![](8-yumil.png)
...seems a bit big. For a spear.
![](4-ur2.png)
To humans, yes. Less so to a giant.
![](8-yumil.png)
...
![](4-ur2.png)
Have you not told him of the past worlds?
![](5-mieli.png)
We haven't had much chance. It's been all go since they found me.
![](6-remposmile.png)
And before. Besides, that's your schtick. You're the know-it-all.
![](4-ur2.png)
Yes, well...
![](6-remposmile.png)
So much brain it leaks out your mouth. With your stories. And your history lessons.
![](4-ur2.png)
...
![](6-remposmile.png)
Mr. Wiseacre.
![](4-ur2.png)
I am choosing to interpret this as-
![](6-remposmile.png)
Jumped up
![](4-ur2.png)
As an unorthodox display of affection from-
![](6-remposmile.png)
Boned up
![](4-ur2.png)
From an endearingly-
![](6-remposmile.png)
Fucking
![](4-ur2.png)
-rough-edged-
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Nerd
![](4-ur2.png)
-scamp.
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NERD
![](17-rempohappy.png)
NEEEEEERD
![](17-rempohappy.png)
YOU ARE THE UR-NERD
![](4-ur2.png)
...
![](4-ur2.png)
Thank you.
![](6-remposmile.png)
Nice to have you back.
![](19-olly1.png)
Did you find what you were looking for, then?
![](21-yumilsurprise.png)
...
![](22-olly3.png)
No lip. That's as close to "Yes ma'am" as I'll get, I assume.
![](8-yumil.png)
Have you been following me?
![](19-olly1.png)
So what if we have? Saves you the trip back.
![](23-yumilangry2.png)
If he tries to hit me again, there will be bother.
![](19-olly1.png)
He won't. Not unless I say so. You're a good boy, aren't you?
![](24-anwar1.png)
...
![](19-olly1.png)
See? Good boys are quiet. Not like you.
![](19-olly1.png)
You may go now.
![](8-yumil.png)
...
![](26-yumil2.png)
I'm curious. Why exactly did you want to get inside?
You may go now.
![](26-yumil2.png)
Because a little birdie told me that there's a weapon here. The Great Spear. Does that sound familiar?
![](19-olly1.png)
...
![](8-yumil.png)
And I'm thinking about you. I'm thinking, you're the sort of person who kidnaps people for no good reason. I'm thinking I don't want you to have an ancient weapon of mass destruction. Which is what this is. Right?
![](19-olly1.png)
Aren't you a clever little bear.
![](22-olly3.png)
Before you die, and it will be some time before you do, I'm going to eat that tongue of yours. Something to look forward to while you waste away.
![](22-olly3.png)
If you behave, I promise to cut it out first.
![](28-yumilangry.png)
I beat you once. What makes you think I can't do it twice?
![](19-olly1.png)
Perhaps I've gone senile.
![](19-olly1.png)
Or perhaps I've placed a curse on you that is slowly and agonizingly turning your body to sand.
![](19-olly1.png)
Perhaps both.
![](9-neaki.png)
(Huh. It really was sorcery. Who knew.)
![](2-rempo.png)
You know what? I'm sick of people trying to screw this kid over.
![](2-rempo.png)
One step, you putrid hag. One more fucking step.
![](19-olly1.png)
Anwar! The water!
![](31-avalonL036.png)
A splash. Rempo's volcanic eruption of curses. The keening in my skull consumed them both, and stayed long after consciousness took its leave.
---
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It didn't hurt.
My throat had been lined with blotting paper, my tongue dry-cured. Eyes so arid I could barely open them, barely see when I did. But it didn't hurt. Not until I tried to stand.
Then the grinding came. Bones eroding with every movement. The sharp, ugly crunch of a sand grain caught in the teeth, repeating a million times over in my joints. A scream rose from my lungs, died of thirst and became a hiss.
Twice.
![](34-ellie1.png)
It's alright. I'm not who you think I am. Olly brought you here, yes? I'm Ellie. Her sister. I'm not like her.
![](35-ellie2.png)
She cursed you, didn't she?
I nodded, then wished I hadn't.
![](34-ellie1.png)
Listen to me, then. You haven't got long.
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I have a medicine bottle here. If I told you what to do, could you use the book to make a potion?
A...ah...
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Don't speak. Just lie still for yes.
![](8-yumil.png)
...
![](34-ellie1.png)
Good.
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A simple recipe, quick, but any time spent moving was too long. Even stretching a finger conjured pumice stones under my skin.
![](38-avalonR044.png)
I drank, and a bitter wave laid waste to my taste buds, but flavour didn't matter. I'd have swallowed liniment if it moistened my throat.
My eyes gushed. I spluttered, choking on my own saliva. It must have looked like a hysterical crying fit. The wave roared through me, washing away the sand, the pain, the horrible grind of bone, and I stood like a flower unwilting.
![](34-ellie1.png)
Better?
![](40-yumilwhew.png)
Yes. Thank you.
![](8-yumil.png)
You're Olly's sister?
![](34-ellie1.png)
I am. Can't you see the resemblance?
![](8-yumil.png)
...I don't want to answer that.
![](8-yumil.png)
How did you know about the book? In fact, how did she know?
![](34-ellie1.png)
My sister and I are both shamans. Or...she is. I was. Bit of a story there.
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"Fortune tellers," you'd call us. We both foresaw the book's coming, but to actually see it in person...
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You know what's going to happen.
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Yes.
![](8-yumil.png)
...
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You don't need to say anything. I made my peace long ago. I just wish I could say the same for everyone.
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You're from Rhoan, aren't you? I don't suppose you've met my granddaughter? Beautiful girl. Loveliest green eyes you've ever seen.
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If her name is Nanai, yes. I did meet her. And then she dropped me in a pit.
![](34-ellie1.png)
That sounds about right.
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Please don't be too hard on her. I'd bet my left ear that Olly's been threatening to kill me. God knows what she's had her do.
![](28-yumilangry.png)
She made a lot of trouble for me.
![](34-ellie1.png)
Because she had to. For my sake. Is there no-one in your life you'd do the same for?
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...
![](8-yumil.png)
What do you expect me to do, though? I can't just let her walk all over me.
![](34-ellie1.png)
You won't have to. Bring this to her.
![](34-ellie1.png)
Tell her I've escaped. Then she'll be out of your hair.
![](8-yumil.png)
I take it you know how we're getting out of here, then.
![](34-ellie1.png)
Oh yes. Dear Olly was kind enough to give me this.
![](8-yumil.png)
...why would she give you the key to your own cell?
![](34-ellie1.png)
Because she has a terrible sense of humour.
![](45-ellie4.png)
You see the markings on the door? Magical seals. The key won't work unless it's been properly enchanted.
![](34-ellie1.png)
When I was still a shaman, I could have done just that. That's why she gave it to me. To remind me what I'd lost.
![](8-yumil.png)
But I have the book. So...
![](35-ellie2.png)
Exactly. Now do hurry up. I've seen enough of this place to last all my years.
![](8-yumil.png)
Right.
![](26-yumil2.png)
How many years is that? About thirty?
![](35-ellie2.png)
Ah, bless you. Thirty-two, actually.
![](8-yumil.png)
That's that. We'd better go before-
![](35-ellie2.png)
Wait. Tell me something first. Did Nanai still have the tablet?
![](21-yumilsurprise.png)
...depends which tablet you mean.
![](35-ellie2.png)
"The end of the world as we know it is here." That tablet.
![](8-yumil.png)
...
![](34-ellie1.png)
So you could read it. I thought as much.
![](35-ellie2.png)
Does the name Werman mean anything to you?
![](8-yumil.png)
From Waisen. Prime minister or something, right?
![](34-ellie1.png)
Yes. That tablet was his.
![](35-ellie2.png)
Be wary of him. He knows about the book as well, and he's just as dangerous as my sister is. If not more.
![](28-yumilangry.png)
Oh, your sister won't be dangerous. Not when I'm finished.
![](34-ellie1.png)
Oh. Yes. I thought we might come to this.
![](34-ellie1.png)
Let me be brief. Olly is the chief of Samiad. If you go back there and pick a fight, she'll bring the whole village down on your head, and they
will make you kill them to get to her.
![](34-ellie1.png)
Go home. Leave Olly to me.
![](8-yumil.png)
What can
you do about her?
![](34-ellie1.png)
Little. But considering the circumstances, what difference does it make?
![](14-yumilangrydown.png)
...
![](34-ellie1.png)
You have more important things to worry about. Let it go.
![](35-ellie2.png)
Ah. Anwar.
![](28-yumilangry.png)
Stand back. I'll-
![](35-ellie2.png)
Perfect. Yumil will be needing a guide home.
![](21-yumilsurprise.png)
What?
![](24-anwar1.png)
Olly has ordered me to keep him.
![](34-ellie1.png)
Olly isn't here. I am. And you're still not too old for a smack, young man.
![](24-anwar1.png)
...
![](8-yumil.png)
He's the one who brought me here. You do realise that.
![](34-ellie1.png)
Yes. Because he's a good boy and he does what he's told.
![](35-ellie2.png)
Anwar.
Take him home.
![](23-yumilangry2.png)
Look, don't bother. I'll find my own way back.
![](34-ellie1.png)
Sultana.
![](8-yumil.png)
...pardon?
![](34-ellie1.png)
A foreigner who thinks they can cross the desert by themselves. That's the word we use. Sultana.
![](34-ellie1.png)
Did you know that vultures love sultanas? No? Spend two days out there. You'll see.
![](24-anwar1.png)
You need only keep me in sight. I will stay ahead of you.
![](35-ellie2.png)
So you'll do it?
![](24-anwar1.png)
I owe you my life.
![](35-ellie2.png)
...just say yes, dear.