At Marcus' request Amira gave a more in-depth rundown of the Muharib Festival.
Unlike Borealia's kingdom tournament there was no age limit on participates and there were many more vents that went on at the same time other than just the multiple fighting tournaments.
There were other events such as blade dancing, weapon technique demonstrations, tests of agility with one's weapon, tests of pure strength, and all manner of other weapon and fighting related events. This is why it was called a festival instead of just a tournament. Though the various tournaments were considered the most prestigious parts of the festival.
"We are not really in a rush, so it sounds like a fun time. I imagine that there is no problem with foreign guest participating, otherwise the Sulb Clan would not be asking to see us demonstrate our skills during the festival?" Marcus said.
"Yes, that is correct. While not many from abroad participate in our festival, there are at least a few each year. With the Eazim Clan endorsing you there will be no problem with entering any of the competitions." Amira said, assuring them of their ability to enter the various events of the festival.
"I suppose all we need to know now is when this festival is poised to begin?" Marcus asked.
"The Muharib Festival is scheduled to start in around six weeks in the capital city Anrabula. And I know this is not a great deal of time, especially since the journey from here will take nearly a month by boat along the Lafa River." Amira said apologetically.
While her clan had a close relationship with the Chelmer Resort that Daniel and his companions had created, the Sulb Clan could care less since they did not have any trade relationship with the resort.
'I really do not want to travel on water anymore.' Marcus thought with a grimace.
He could imagine that the boat ride along the Lafa River to Anrabula would be another long and uninteresting journey.
Certainly, they would have more stops along the way since the river would be dotted with towns and other cities, but for the most part he just imagined that none of them would be nearly as interesting as the capital.
'Looks like Mrazivy feels the same way.'
When he looked up at his wife's face to see her expression, Marcus found that she was likewise not looking forward to another long journey over water.
Of course, Amira seeing how they were reacting thought that forcing them into such a rush had displeased them.
"Please forgive us of the Eazim clan for being unable to fulfill your request. We simply could not get the Sulb Clan to budge. Unfortunately, they are obsessed with strength and fighting, and have no problems dragging outsiders along into their selfish desire for new opponents to test themselves against. If this is all truly an inconvenience for you both, my father is willing to bring this to our grand elder and have the council of elders rule on the situation rather than going along with Sulb Clan. I cannot tell you how things would go in that scenario, but it is possible you could receive permission to enter the Desolate Desert." Amira said, bowing her head to both of them.
'Seriously Daniel, how much pressure did you put on these guys to have them acting this way?' Marcus thought while watching Amira's frantic reaction.
And while this alternative method of entering the Desolate Desert had some appeal to it, neither Marcus nor Mrazivy wanted to bring their case to the highest authority in the nation.
It would certainly be less of a hassle for them to simply impressive the Sulb Clan rather than go above their head.
They wanted as much assistance and information as they could get before entering such a dangerous place and souring relations with the clan that oversaw the area would not be in their best interest.
If they were going to do that, they might as well simply fly over to the Desolate Desert and sneak in.
"Please raise your head. We are not displeased about having to hurry to the capital, but the means of transportation. We both just finished a long boat ride and would rather not go through another one so soon. Is there perhaps a land or air route we could take that would be faster?" Mrazivy asked.
Raising her head, Amira looked at Mrazivy with a confused expression for a moment.
Though Aezam was a desert country, the majority of its transport was actually done by using the numerous large rivers and canals that snaked through the nation.
Almost eighty percent of Aezam's population lived along the waterways throughout the country that connected to the capital city were a great artificial lake had been made.
There were very few settlements that were established within the barren deserts where water was scarce.
Naturally there were some small towns and villages that had popped up around the few oases in the vast deserts and places rich in valuable minerals, but not much in the way of large settlements.
"Yes there is technically a faster route directly to the capital across the desert, but it is far more dangerous than taking a ferry up the Lafa River. As for an air route, I am afraid that the Eazim Clan would not be able to send anyone with you that could possibly fly over the entire desert to reach the capital. There are many different types of beasts and monsters that patrol eh skies over the desert with probably the worst being the winged basilisks. Flying over the desert is simply not something that can be done by just anyone." Amira explained.
Marcus and Mrazivy tried to assure her that they would be fine by themselves, but she insisted that they not go off on their own. If they were going to travel outside of Tijara where they currently were, they would need a guide from the Eazim clan in order to avoid any trouble.
In fact, Amira explained that it was her job to accompany them to the capital if they accepted the Sulb Clan's terms.
'If I just transformed into a caladrius I could carry Amira and her entourage over the desert on my back, but I doubt turning into a beast is going to go over well. At this point I do not think it is in our best interest to skip over proper negotiations and to go on our own. Plus, this is an extension of our honeymoon. It would certainly be boring not to see the sights of Aezam while we are here. I just do not want to be stuck traveling for a long period of time.' Marcus thought, trying to come up with some way to avoid going on another long boat ride.
"I understand that flying is not an option, but you said that there is a faster land route that is a straight shot to the capital rather than going by the Lafa River. How much quicker is it to go by land?" Mrazivy asked.
"It would only take perhaps a week and a half. But as I said, it is dangerous. There are powerful creatures that inhabit the desert, as well as a number of roaming rogues that rob and kidnap those that travel out into, the desert. Aezam is mostly a safe place but out on the open desert it is a lawless place where you can only rely on yourself. I strongly recommend against taking the shorter route and going by ferry. I have traveled across the desert before to visit one of the towns under our clan's protection and it was nerve racking."
Amira then told them about the other difficulties of traveling over land, such as needing to prepare a large amount of water, and the unbearable heat and sunlight.
Frankly it was clear that she really did not want to go over the land route despite it being more than twice as fast.
However, Marcus and Mrazivy did not find any of the negatives of traveling over land to be any problem. To them it actually sounded like it might be a bit exciting.
'I know it will be inconvenient for Amira and might bring her a bit of distress, but I think it would be best if we go by land. Not only does it sound like more fun, but we can arrive in the capital much earlier and have more time to explore it.' Marcus thought.
Marcus then glanced over at Mrazivy, and she nodded her head. Clearly, they were thinking exactly the same thing.
"We thank you for the warning, but we would rather reach the capital sooner rather than later. The land route should be fine. We are planning to head into the Desolate Desert which is full of even greater dangers. If we cannot make it across the desert in between here and the capital from, then we would never be able to make it in the Desolate Desert."
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