Chapter 109: Rodent City

The desert heat bore down on them as Alex, Thrain, and Tommy finally approached the city. It rose from the shimmering sands like a mirage—a sprawling oasis in the heart of the desert. Rodent City was a beacon of life in this otherwise desolate land, a place where traders, travelers, and mercenaries alike came together to seek fortune, knowledge, and, in some cases, redemption.

The city was protected by high, sandstone walls that seemed to stretch endlessly into the distance. Turrets and towers dotted the perimeter, each manned by guards in armor emblazoned with the symbol of the city—a stylized sunburst with a rat's tail curling beneath it. The streets within the walls were bustling, crowded with people of all shapes, sizes, and races. The scent of spices, sweat, and hot sand filled the air as the trio walked through the massive gates, grateful for the slight shade the walls provided.