TWENTY
We cleared the last stretch of sand slowly, ensuring the Faustian scouts would see us and giving them ample time to prepare for our arrival. About a hundred yards from the camp, two armed men blocked our way, demanding our names and reason for approaching the camp. I explained I was looking for my sister, and when I offered her name, the men exchanged impish grins that did nothing to set me at ease. They motioned for us to follow, and I let Tyrus take the lead while Luca fell in at our rear.
My attempts to eavesdrop on the conversation the guards carried on while they led us through were mostly unsuccessful, but I didn't need the exact words to understand the elder of the pair was not pleased. The pair bickered, with the younger man teasing the older, who repeatedly spat on the gr
