#archtober2025

The sun beat down on Klaw like he owed it money and its rent was due. ‘This was the better option,’ he reminded himself as he pawed at his waterskin. He had at least three mouthfuls left. Maybe that would be enough. ‘Going through the Phantom Lake is faster and safer than going around.’ This was true. The lush woods surrounding the 'banks' of the lake were filled with bandits and goblin raiders. None of whom were too keen on entering the lake itself. It wasn’t a proper lake, really. At least, not anymore. Supposedly it had once been home to a powerful god of water and healing, but when the gods all left Elithrea the lake had died up, leaving behind a parched basin.

Before the lake had been salty and fueled by hot springs but now the salt flats left behind ensured that nothing grew in the lakebed, meaning there was no shade from above. Lava still flowed close to the surface, making the entire area unnaturally hot. Heat from above, heat from below, no escape. It was unbearable. Intolerable. Maddening. So why, in the name of all the forgotten gods, was Elder Flinders whistling? The human Cleric in his black slacks, white shirt and tie, and black name badge, seemed to be almost enjoying this heat. Klaw knew that humans like Flinders did tend to do better with heat than beastmen like himself, but this was ridiculous. The Phantom Lake had been described by poets as hell on Elithrea and here was Flinders practically skipping across it. 

“What is wrong with you?” Klaw asked, his brain too heated and tired to stop himself.

“Hmm? What’s that bud?” Flinders snapped out of his song and focused on Klaw. “Aw jeez, you don’t look so hot, you need some water?” Flinders held up his own waterskin still heavy and a solid three quarters full. How?!

“Is your god protecting you from this heat or something?” Klaw brushed a layer of salt off a relatively cool boulder and sat down for a rest.

Flinders brushed back his hair and gave a lopsided grin, “Aw, this isn't so bad. It gets way hotter back in Saint George. You know, this desert actually reminds me of home. Except it's a lot hotter and the rocks are red.”

Klaw felt his eye twitch. “Hotter than this and stones the color of blood? DID YOU COME FROM THE UNDERWORLD?”

Flinders chuckled, as if remembering a joke, “Funny you should say that, J. Golden Kimball once said-”

Just then the rock Klaw was sitting on lurched. He leapt off and scrambled away as the ‘rock’ lifted itself out of the ground, attached to the arm and body of a monstrously giant scorpion. 

“Oh, hey!” Flinders said, pointing at the beast. “We have those back home, too! Not this size though.”