Part 2: Leaving the Watchtower and the hour is getting late

[Dracos]

They set off...four of them, walking since there were neither horses nor cars to carry them.

They headed north by east, away from the city of New Brunswick.  The sun was slowly setting behind them as they made off, the twilight hour cooling the harsh desert heat.  The winds were cool on their back, making the otherwise troublesome journey not as bad as it might have been.

After a while, the sun set, the moon, slowly, beginning to rise...

Dracos

[Shukuen]

"Funny how we haven't seen giant scorpions yet," Leets muttered to himself, sand spilling past his steps as he hiked along with the group. He pulled his goggles above his eyes to see better in the fading light. Thankfully, the desert air was cooling quickly with the sun no longer glaring down at their party.

[Halbarad]

"I can definitely pass on the giant scorpions," Clyde commented, removing his hat to wipe the sweat from his brow. "The heat is quite enough for me."

[Dracos]

The stars slowly started to rise as they kept walking.

Dracos

[Shukuen]

"How much farther is New Reno?" Leets asked casually, looking in the distance for signs of the town. "You didn't really specify, Mister Smith."

[Dracos]

"It's about three days travel." Jan responded.  "But it usually isn't that bad."

Dracos

[Olvelsper]

"Best if we hike all night, that way we don't stick around for any nasties that might be creeping about. We'll sleep during the day, when we can make sure the area's clear, and can see if anything pops up." So saying, Jan kept marching.

[Dracos]

The best thing that could be said about the night was that it was pretty peaceful.  It was a good time of year for travel.  The stars rose above, scattered and disorganized, but pretty in their own way as they marched quietly.

Eventually, the moon started dipping beneath the horizon...

Dracos

[Halbarad]

"What are we looking for to set up camp? I'm no trail expert, but I'd imagine that we'd want at least some sort of shelter out here."

[Dracos]

Other than sand dunes, there wasn't much in terms of cover out here.

Heck, it was so clear they could see the top of the tower to the north west, many many many miles away.

Dracos

[Shukuen]

"Well, there's not much choice out here for shelter," Leets pointed out, gazing at the tower in the distance. "And I don't think we'll make it there even if we did walk nonstop."

"Besides, this place is as good as any to set up camp, don't you think?" he asked, glancing at their position behind the dune. "Might give us some protection from the wind, and maybe a bit of shade for half the day."

[Olvelsper]

Jan nodded and began setting up camp. "Yeah, the wastelands are just an over glorified deathtrap in the end, but the dunes do provide some measure of protection. Just don't set up too close to them."

[Shukuen]

Leets dropped his own satchel down, watching it depress into the sands slightly from its weight before digging for his compact tent out and joining Jan in the building of their camp.

[Dracos]

In a short while their tents were set, and none too soon as they could already see the starting light coming over the edge of the horizon.

Dracos

[Shukuen]

"Anyone here know how to cook?" Leets asked jokingly as he finished straigtening the last pole of his tent.

"Or better yet, did anyone bring some kindling so we can actually cook?" He glanced around at the empty desert meaningfully.