"Mostly guessing."
Kai blinked.
"...That's terrifying."
"It is."
---
Near sunset—
The convoy stopped beside a cluster of enormous stone pillars.
Natural formations.
Tall enough to block the worst of the wind.
Camp was established surprisingly quickly.
Small tents.
Cooking fires.
Water containers.
Everything had its place.
Nobody needed instructions.
Everyone simply...
Knew what to do.
Kai noticed something.
Despite calling themselves outlaws—
The camp was remarkably organized.
More organized than some military camps he'd seen in Asphyxia.
Munnu noticed him looking.
"We'd be dead otherwise."
Kai nodded.
"...Makes sense."
---
Dinner consisted of dried meat.
Flatbread.
Something resembling cactus soup.
Kai hesitated.
"...Is this edible?"
One outlaw looked offended.
"It won second place."
Kai blinked.
"...Second place in what?"
The outlaw proudly smiled.
"Best soup this week."
"...How many entries?"
"...Two."
Kai quietly accepted the bowl.
It actually wasn't bad.
---
Night settled over the desert.
Without clouds—
The stars became overwhelming.
Thousands.
Maybe millions.
Kai had never seen so many.
"..."
"...Beautiful."