Conjunction by Guy Snek

Author:Guy, Snek
Language: eng
Format: epub
Published: 2023-03-13T00:00:00+00:00

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The winding cave system eventually led them into another chamber, this one sporting a pool of water in its center, so crystal clear that Caden could easily see the rocky bottom.

“This seems as good a place to stop as any,” he said, shrugging off his pack. “We should take some time to eat and sleep.”

Kadal was still shivering. Even the abundance of walking seemed to do little to warm her up. She was clinging to his cape like a shipwrecked mariner to a piece of floating debris, her sharp teeth chattering as she exhaled clouds of condensation.

“I’ll start a fire,” he said, pulling his bedroll from his pack. He set it on the ground, then gestured for Kadal to sit on it, hoping that it would provide a buffer between her and the cold floor. As she slowly lowered herself to the straw-filled bed, he began to recite an incantation, soon summoning a ball of roaring flames. It didn’t need any kindling or fuel, and he set it on the naked rock nearby, the magical campfire spitting embers as it flared.

Its intense heat seemed to soothe Kadal, and she exhaled a sigh of relief as its flickering glow reflected off her scales.

“Don’t worry,” he said, passing her his waterskin. “I’m sure we’ll be out of here soon. It’s practically impossible for us to lose our way.”

“I think my people made the right decision when they decided never to enter these caves,” she chuckled wearily.

“What can I do for you?” he asked. “Will food help?”

“Maybe,” she replied, Caden leaning over to fish inside his pack for more paper parcels. He handed her some salted pork, and she began to chew on it. She even ate sluggishly, as though her entire body was slowly turning to ice. Caden raised his hands and warmed them before the fire, staring into the crackling flames.

“Does it get this cold where you come from?” Kadal asked, making conversation.

“It used to,” he replied. “Before the endless summer, we would have snow every winter. It would coat the fields in a fine, white powder, like the frosting on a cake.” He quickly realized that she likely had no idea what cake or frosting was, but he continued anyway, wanting to keep her talking. “Have you ever seen snow, living in the desert?”

“Only once or twice when I was a hatchling,” she replied. “I remember it well. I awoke one morning intending to chase mice in the dunes, only to find that they were covered in a fine, white dust.” She paused a moment, shuffling closer to the fire, pulling the bedroll along with her. “It frightened me, so I ran to the Shaman, and she explained that it was frost. When cold winds blow from the West during the rainy season, the water can freeze and fall to earth as snow. I remember thinking that it was beautiful once I understood what it was, but I never saw it as an adult. It almost feels like a dream when I remember it now.

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