Chapters 'A sextant, ' he thought. 'All that's left to get is a sextant .'
Meridian looked all across the bustling markets in Dodge Junction for one, and had yet to find it. Some say that this town was once just like any other, but now it has become a sort of caravansary. This is as far as any railroads go, and the closest to the South Frontier. If any aspired to become adventurers or pioneers of the desert, Dodge Junction was the place to begin.
After some time and nearly tripping (something no one wants to do with a heavy load on their back) he found a mapmaker's store. The clerk was fixing an astrolabe when his customer arrived.
"Do you have any sextants?" he asked.
"Came just in time, yeh did. Just one left. A minute late an' someone else woulda' had it."
Meridian had no doubt that this pony had seen some time on the sea, judging by several tattoos covering the length of his body and a missing eye. The mariner set his last available sextant on the table and was ready to haggle.
"Fifteen Bits, boy. This is an antique."
Surely this trader knew what he was talking about. It seemed old in particular, but nothing to brag about.
"Thirteen."
"Fourteen or I'm puttin' it back on the shelf, lad."
They shook on that, and fourteen Bits were left on the table. Meridian found an alley away from all the commotion of town to relax. Once he did, he put the sextant away and produced a light snack from his pocket. As he ate, he looked through a pocketbook titled 'An Explorer's Guide to the Palomine Desert.
"Scavenging birds of considerable size hang overhead, awaiting the fall of unprepared travellers..."
'Perhaps another page, then. ' he thought.
"...These sands are accursed, and bear omens of certain death."
Meridian decided that he's had enough doubtful information for now. No matter how perilous his journey may be, it will all be worth it when a fortune awaits those like himself. After one last check of his supplies, he headed down the dusty road to the desert, saying his last goodbye to Equestria.
The Sun once again set on the wide expanse of the desert. The mountain ranges to the north and west dominated the landscape, and cast massive shadows across the dunes below. Soon, instead of searing heat, all would be freezing cold.
It had been several days since Meridian left the Junction. He lost count, and it didn't matter how long he has been here. All that mattered was that he had enough supplies for a few weeks more, and that he could tell which way was south, as south was the only good direction to go. Rumors circulated through Dodge Junction that there was a great river to the south, and any traveler who made it that far would be rewarded with clean water and safety.
Unfortunately, now was not a time for safety. Wind speed was picking up, and disaster would be spelled for any who weren't prepared. Meridian recalled a line from his guidebook:
"There is little wind in this clime, and when there is, it only appears in massive sandstorms. If even the slightest gust of air occurs, prepare yourself for the worst."
His heart began to race, and he looked for cover immediately. An old brick ruin (perhaps an attempt at settlement) would be his only shelter. He ran to the shelter and ducked behind an eroded wall. Shortly after he did, the storm mustered all of its strength and blew away anything that wasn't securely grounded.
As the wind blew on, he looked to his side and noticed a shape next to him covered in burlap clothing. He couldn't make out any details, but he did recognize the figure of another pony. He would love to introduce himself to the stranger, but nature would not allow it at this time, it was too loud. With no other options, he waited for the storm to pass, protecting his gear. Before eventually falling asleep he noticed something interesting about his neighbor: he (she?) was almost too relaxed for this situation.
'You're an odd fellow, ' he thought, 'to be so tolerant of a sandstorm. No pony I know would be this comfortable here... '
It was nearly midnight when the sandstorm settled down. Everything was blanketed in a thin layer of sand by the time it was over. Meridian felt a light prodding on his shoulder. He opened an eye and saw the stranger poking him with a walking stick. He got up and wiped sand off his face. Suddenly, the unknown pony said something odd to him.
"Kamet?" This pony was female, and had an inquisitive tone in her voice.
"Come again?" Meridian must have misheard something.
"Dilos? Arraka?"
He eventually figured out that this pony is trying different greetings in unfamiliar languages.
"Hello?" he replied.
"Oh." She was probably trying the wrong dialects or speech. "The sandstorm has gone away, stranger."
"I noticed that," he observed, "Isn't it a bit late, though? We should probably be asleep."
"Yes. We should try to leave by morning."
"Leave for where?" he worried, "Should we travel together?"
"You can follow me," she requested, " I know the closest town from here."
"Sounds like a good idea to me. Good night, stranger."
Meridian went back to his corner of the wrecked building and tried to go back to sleep.
The sun returned to the desert sky and brought with it once again scorching heat, the calamity of any who resided there.
Meridian and his new friend (who he still didn't know the name of) had a light breakfast and began to travel towards the town that she had alluded to last night. He thought it necessary to learn about this town.
"So what is the name of the place we're going to?"
"It's called Heiracon, and it lies just west of here. It should only take a few hours to get there unless something happens on the way."
He found this news very interesting. He had never heard of nor seen any place called Heiracon, and was eager to arrive. Perhaps some ponies successfully settled in an oasis! Equestria and her people would be proud.
He then had another compelling thought, this time of his unknown guide:
'I have no idea who my guide is...maybe she's not as honest as she seems, like a criminal or something. If she were a bandit, she could be leading me into a camp of theirs to loot me! '
"Wait a second!" he yelled.
"What's the matter, stranger?"
"You've just said it, I'm afraid. Neither of us have introduced ourselves."
Meridian walked up to her and removed his hat, as a formality from home.
"I'm Meridian. Pleased to meet you."
"And I am Latet, greetings."
She then removed the hood of her wrappings to show herself. She had a light blue coat and unruly black hair.
"Heiracon is not much further. Let's keep moving." "Yes, let's."
With that introduction in mind they neared the end of their travelling.The sun was ready to rest as well, and kissed the horizon. On the earth stood a lone mesa attempting to contest the mountains nearby. At the top of this mesa were small shapes that couldn't be made out from this distance.
"Is that the city?" Meridian inquired.
Latet turned around to reply. "What else would that be? A ghost?"
"Good point."
They approached much nearer to it, he could see the buildings that lined the mesa's roof in much more detail. A massive bridge connected the mesa to the ground below with an ornate gate at the end. It completely baffled Meridian that something so decorated could exist in the desert south of home.
'This is absolutely incredible! How did any pony create anything this marvelous?'
