Into the deepest deserts of Surrenderland the party of three made their hastened way. The brothers constantly looked behind them expecting one tribe of Trogs or another to suddenly appear and recapture them.
At first the journey was an easy one. Crossing the plains with their low green grasses and very low hills it was almost a pleasure to make this journey ever closer to the new North Star. But slowly the moisture and the greedy greenery disappeared and was replaced by a more hearty form of vegetation.
After their first day’s journey they saw their first cactus, by their second day the ground was littered with them. Unerringly north the party hastened their journey in good spirits. When they were hungry Lucas would open the clay jar and the three would feast. If you could have seen the look of wonder in Hermelgora’s eyes the first time she tasted the sweet decadent mana. It was a look of the purest bliss; like showing the sunlight to a creature born of the night.
The brothers loved Hermelgora and she would often cradle them twain in her massive arms during their journey. At first the brothers thought this journey would be a very easy one but it was the dryness in the air that clued Michael into the fact they were facing a dire challenge. At first the moist earth almost nourished their thirst but now the rich earth had become dry sand and dunes were beginning to appear sporadically. The water supply that had seemed so ample for just the two brothers was not adequate for Hermelgora’s needs.
By the third day they were down to a few precious mouthfuls of water. The first water skin had been discarded two days previous. Even with conservation Michael had no idea how they were going to make it past the impassable desert of Surrenderland. Hermelgora had not drank any water for the entire day and Michael was growing worried for her well being. The heat of the day quickly drained the brothers robbing all of their strength. Their little faces were becoming sunburned and were in severe danger of blistering.
Before Lucas and Michael passed out from heat exhaustion Hermelgora lifted them into her bosom and covered them with her huge rag of a tunic. Ever forward Hermelgora pressed on a personal mission to protect these children she claimed as her own wards. Lips dry and parched Lucas would occasionally cry out “water pleeeeese … so thurstee”. But there was no water and no relief in sight.
It was the middle of the fourth day in the deep heart of the desert that Hermelgora fell down and never got up again. The brothers shot forward and tumbled down a dune. Both quickly scrambled to her aid but it was far too late. Hermelgora lay still and silent having given her all. She had brought the brothers much further than they could have traveled on their own. Lucas tried to weep over her but his eyes were dry incapable of forming tears. Instead he hugged and rained kisses upon her almost peaceful visage. Michael tore his vice grip loose and the two stumbled sobbing into their fates.
The last few miles Michael had practically carried Lucas himself. When he lost the strength to carry his brother he dragged him. In the heat of the day his vision began to blur then double and then Michael passed out.
A shadow fell across the boys. Several hours later as night descended Michael awoke and stared at the rock in front of him. Why was there an obsidian rock in the middle of the desert?
In anger and frustration Michael took his staff and struck the rock that was at least ten feet tall. A hole burst open where he had struck and blessed sweet water flowed like a fountain filling the greedy sand. Grass sprang up around the boys and as coolness greeted the desert and the desert understood it not.
The lads drank themselves near to bursting and when they were saturated they wept bitter tears for their beloved guardian’s passing and then blessed sleep overtook them.
