A wasted journey

After crossing the swamp, they entered the lake part. It was a unique body of water, half of it was a swamp and the other half a lake, separated by a thin line of soil. The lake part was towards the Cloud tribe and a source of their water needs.

Edward told everyone to fill their water skins in case they had consumed any water. They took a short break to eat a bit. Once everyone was well fed, the six brawny men were full of energy and strength, ready to venture into the unknown.

"Light bro not far in this direction is the Cloud tribe. Do you want us to go through them?" Roc asked.

"Roc as far as I know, you didn't have much contact with the Cloud tribe. Of course, except for your sister's affairs, I think if we don't need anything its best we avoid them?"

It was said that the saltwater lake was probably in the same direction as the Cloud tribe. Usually, they could have gone through the Cloud tribe towards the salt water lake but as they didn't have many relations with them, Edward felt safer to avoid them.

Under the leadership of Roc, everyone worked through the jungle trying to go around the Cloud tribe.

After three days of marching, everyone was exhausted. The way was getting more and more desolate. A typical desert like landscape was slowly been painted the further they progressed.

Watching the sunset, Edward wondered:

'It's been nearly 4 days and our fast march should have covered the 100 km distance by now and yet there are no signs of the saltwater.'

"Roc are you sure we're in the right direction?" Looking at the blurred sunset, Edward seriously doubted the location of the water.

"Light bro..... I also came here for the first time. The old patriarch said it was this direction...."

Roc was also anxious and full of doubt. Roc was the one carrying food and water and every day it was decreasing. He knew that the time was limited and they couldn't afford to waste a single day lest they didn't want to return back.

Edward shook his head, licking his dry peeling lips, looking into the distance with a blank face.

In the distance towards the south of their direction, about two or three kilometers, there was a small sand dune, Edward decided to work hard again and climb the little hill for a better view.

The last distance was really hard; everyone's physical strength had reached their limits.

"The real thing is that we can't stay here for an extra day. Our supplies are limited." Edward bit his lips and muttered to himself.

Before exhausting their last effort, Edward dragged his legs to climb the hill. Everyone else also followed behind him. Talking about physical strength, Edward was obviously nothing compared to these primitive people and so he was already about to drop dead from exhaustion.

As soon Edward reached the top of the hill, strength drained from him and he laid down on the ground. His chest rising and falling rapidly as he took large gulps of air, trying to calm his fast beating heart.

"Quickly look around and find any signs of water. The sky is going to be dark soon so hurry up!" he shouted weakly from the ground.

Roc and the six other people looked around the area from the top in hopes of not disappointing Edward their leader.

Edward laid down on the ground with his eyes closed and his mind blank. He was so tired, he could barely think about anything.

At this moment, Roc suddenly shouted loudly:

"Light brother - I see water! Just under that mountain! There is water!"

Edward leaped up in excitement and looked at the direction Roc was pointing at.

Excited, everyone got down from the hill and rushed towards the mountain with renewed strength. It felt as if the exhaustion from before was nothing but an illusion.

When they reached the place, what greeted them was clear blue water beneath a mountain. He found Roc and everyone else looking at each other with a jubilant look on their face. Even Edward had a wide smile on his face as if all his efforts were finally rewarded.

As he panted, he walked ran towards the lake. The clear blue water next to the mountain was a contrasting image. However, soon everyone had a look of worry as they turned towards Edward.

"Light brother, you had said to us that saltwater is something we can't drink right? But we can drink this water. Look it's all clear. There is nothing white in it too."

Edward knelt down and washed his hands and his face. Roc stood next to him and muttered:

"But light brother this makes it fresh water according to the things you told us on the way. You said it yourself that this 'saltwater' is something not clear and cannot be drunken."

Soon realization struck everyone and their confused expressions turned to one of distraught.

'How can be the special water the old patriarch talked about be this fresh water or was he mistaken?'