The selquk, riders of the red sand part 2

The group quickly rose to their feet, their hearts racing with fear and uncertainty. They had no idea what these Sassans wanted or what they were capable of. The Sassans were tall and muscular, their feathers a deep bronze color. Their clothing was made of rough, woven fabrics, and they carried weapons made of sharpened bronze.

The beasts they rode were like nothing Rufus had ever seen before. They were enormous, with partially scaly bodies and small, fluffy feathers covering their heads and backs. They had large, powerful jaws and sharp claws that dug into the sand.

"Who are you and what are you doing in our land?" the lead Sassan demanded, his voice cold and menacing.

Rufus stepped forward, his heart pounding in his chest. "We are travelers," he said. "We are on a pilgrimage to find a lost city of secrets."

The sassan rode with his mount through the group, inspecting each one.

"There is only one djinn among you?" the sassan warrior said angrily.

"Is that a problem?" Joan said preparing to fight.

The other sassan riders lowered their spears and some aimed their composite bows at them.

"This is the lands of the djinns. No outsider is allowed in here except djinns. We will determine will you be allowed to continue or not," the Sassanid said.

"But you are a sassan yourself. Not a djinn," Doreen asked.

"Yes, but we are original of the Scethian culture and people, known as the Selquk sassans. And we have been permitted by the djinns to settle here, thanks to our mighty god. Alp Arslan of the yellow sky," the sassan explained and got down from his mount to talk to Zara.

He whispered into her ear.

"Oh no. I am here willingly," Zara quickly spouted her reply.

The Sassan looked at her skeptically, studying her closely. "You are not from here. I can tell by your accent. Why are you here?"

"We were heading to the city of secrets, for my pilgrimage," Zara said.

"It is unusual for djinn across the sea to come here. Many of them rather would live with the sassans that follow the god Xerxes or Lak Ahm. In their big cities, instead of their homeland. Has something gone wrong in the other continent," the sassan said and pressed for an answer like he knew what was going on?

Zara hesitated for a moment, unsure of how much to reveal. "The fanatics of Cyrus. They uhmm, kinda made it hard to live there."

"Oh is that so? Wouldn't have guessed that the weak descendants of the Essyrians and worshippers of Xerxes would be unable to quell a few fanatics," the Selquk sassan said smiling and the others laughing.

"But they are not just a few fanatics. They have grown in power and influence and have begun to persecute those who do not share their beliefs," Zara said, her voice filled with anger and frustration.

"That is why they are weak. Unable to do the hard thing and quash them before it becomes a problem of this proportion. We had the same problem with our own people, worshippers of Cyrus. But we squashed them right then and there when it first came to light," the selquk sassan explained, calling the Qajar people cowards and weak-willed.

The group listened to the Selquk sassan's words with a mix of fear and curiosity. They were relieved that the Sassans were not going to harm them, but they were also wary of the harsh stance the Selquk Sassans had and how easily they would condemn others of their kind.

But as humans fight against each other, so do the sassans.

"We are here to search for any possible fanatics that are trying to find the city of secrets as well. We got reports that some have sailed across the sea, in a stupid gamble of trying to reach the city and killing Al-Ahmar the red. The god of the djinns. Foolish, but we are loyal to the deal we have with the djinns and Al-Ahmar," the selquk sassan explained the reason they themselves were traveling.

"What happens now? Will you let us continue on our journey?" Rufus asked, trying to steer the conversation back to their purpose for being there.

The Selquk Sassan thought for a moment, then nodded. "Yes, you may continue on your journey. But be warned, it is not safe for outsiders in these lands. The djinns are not welcoming outsiders to their lands and this desert is meant to keep all unwanted guests away, but worry not. None of you will starve in this desert if the djinn's resolve is strong enough. The city of secrets is a tricky one, but not unkind. It just wants to make sure only those who really need to find it, find it."

"How do you know that," Suomi said who was tired and thirsty.

"We just do. We could give you some water and supplies, but I guarantee you. It would slow down only your progress to getting to the city of secrets," the selquk sassan explained, "Just watch out for the night screamers. One has been seen somewhere around here during the night. Rather run, as neither us would like to face one "

The Selquk sassans left, not explaining much. He had warned about the night screamers, but none of them had no idea what it was.

"What the hell did they mean by all of that," Suomi said frustratingly, "He could have just given us food."

"No, I think this way is better," Rufus explained, believing he had just figured out how to get to the city of secrets.