Crowds of people gathered in the streets to watch it pass, all the way from the palace to the westernmost gate, the only one reasonably close to the structure. It was a journey that took an entire day to complete, all the while throngs of families, admirers, and paparazzi swarmed the group. It was the largest expedition of its kind ever, dozens of individuals setting out into the unknown, braving danger for the "Advancement of Mankind" as the Queen had declared earlier. The journey had attracted all types, from scientists in search of answers, to priests in search of divinity. From aristocrats and gentlemen to beggars and thieves. People running towards a goal, or away from their lives.
They were celebrated in equal measure by the populace. A spark of excitement in their otherwise boring existence, soon to be forgotten and burned out. Like a candle in an upturned glass. Still, it was the largest event since the Queen's own coronation. Musicians played on every street corner, priests threw out blessings from the rooftops, children ran up for autographs from every member, and songs broke out in the crowd like a plague. Many in the caravan joined in the merriment, not the least of all Hannibal himself surrounded by reporters on all sides. One could say it was an introvert's worst nightmare.
Upon finally reaching the western gate they stopped for the night, too tired and too drunk to continue any further. The caravan dispersed, it's supplies kept safe by the Royal Guard, and settled down for it's last night in Oasis. Some spent time with family, some tried to get as much rest as possible for the journey ahead, and others continued partying well into the morning, trying to forget what a death sentence this adventure ultimately meant. Whatever their motivations or origins, everyone now was an equal.
A mix of dread and excitement gripped the caravan as the gates opened the next morning, revealing the seemingly endless desert before them. Just how long would it take to cross? Was The Pack awaiting them just over the horizon, where sand turned to rock and the earth began to jut towards the sky? Were the tales about endless water pouring into an endless void true? The possibility stirred excitement and fear both in the caravan as they began to move forward, taking their first steps towards their destination. Excitement, fear, and...
It lingered, like a lifeline. If it was still in the distance, surely they could still turn around and reach it? Give up on this fool's errand before it was too late? Once it disappeared from their sights entirely, the group would truly be alone, cut off from their old lives. Or perhaps to others it was an imposing figure, the steady gaze of their jailer growing ever distant. Their freedom growing as the city shrank.
Whatever their feelings: One figure that was seemingly always going to be present was the sun, just now beginning to sink over the horizon after a long day of mercilessly watching them from above. Everyone in Oasis had grown up with the heat, however being used to it didn't exactly make it tolerable, and it's departure was a welcome sight for most, as a cool desert breeze began to pick up around them. The group would continue moving for awhile, but their pace had certainly slowed, their energy from the night before long ago lost as sweat, sinking into the sand below.
In front marched their leader, on foot, having spent most of the day sitting in his saddle, reading report after report on the state of their expedition. Reports on their water, their food, stores of ammunition for hunting, stores of thread to repair clothing, stores of supplies to start fires and keep shelters overnight. The one he spent the most time with, however, was the list of names of those taking part in this little journey. There were many he'd recognized, and several he'd personally met over the years. It was certainly going to be an interesting trip, even if they did all happen to die in the end.
Wiping the sweat from his brow, Hannibal drew his copper sword and gave a theatrical cut in the direction of the sun, letting out a loud bellow of a laugh as he did so, before turning around and facing the caravan.
"Hah! See that my fellow gents and gals? We've vanquished our foe for the day and live yet to see tomorrow! Truly there's no finer group to make this journey!"
The caravan stretched for quite a ways, and there was no way his words reached those in the very back, but still, this group in the front was all the audience he needed. Still holding his blade in hand, he made a motion to one of the supply wagons near the front.
"Come-come, bring some Vino! We'll march with wine in our bellies and end this day with spirits high! Ah, this reminds me of my daring trip around Oasis, running outside the city walls for four days! Vicious hounds snarling at my heels, with only my trusty bottle of Scipio's to ward them off as I headed for the northern gate! Mind you, this was in my younger years. I'm quite content not to have hounds at my heels every step of this journey."
The man grinned from ear to ear as he spoke, slashing with his sword at the mention of Scipio's as if to ward off a pack of dogs, before finally sheathing it. The trip had clearly done little to tire him, even after a long evening of wine, women, and song the day before. With gusto, he fell into step with the group, letting out a sigh of contentment.
"Ah, this is how history is made I tell you. Those walls are a prison, and Humanity is locked away inside them."
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