Chapter 2: Compass
I found myself flat on the sands under the sun. It was then that I regained consciousness. It took me a few moments to recall the specific tragedy that occurred. My horse's carcass and our carriage were beside me. I went inside, perplexed, to look for my family, but they weren't there. I scratched my head, looking for hints but finding none. I had no idea where I was because the desert, despite being between my hometown and the neighboring town, is extremely vast.
I needed to act quickly and move on. I ignored where they went and concentrated on preparing for my own solo journey. I still had my rifle and my trusty revolver. I ripped my sleeves and wrapped them around the bullet wound from the night before. My stomach grumbled, indicating that I am hungry. We didn't bring any food because we were confident, we'd arrive safely. I was tempted to cut Lenard's carcass and eat the meat, but I knew better. I overcame my hunger and gathered the necessities that I would require on the way.
I stepped out of the carriage and kissed my dead pal goodbye. When I looked up at the sky, I noticed a raven circling above me. I observed it from below, but I couldn't see its features clearly because of the sun. I returned to the carriage for protection and looked at the raven. It wasn't your average raven scavenging for food. It's a raven, and it's white. It's not a common bird seen where I live.
My forefathers, who were once great merchants, came across white ravens on their journey and concluded that these birds aren't ordinary ravens and are known to be mystical. They were dubbed "The Compass." These birds were said to guide lost travelers to a safer location, such as a small village. All you had to do was make an offering to them, such as a meal, before you ask for their guidance.
I was so convinced of that knowledge that I tore the poor horse's stomach open and scraped fresh meat from it. I whistled at it while holding the meat on my left hand.
It flew down and landed on my left arm, devouring the flesh. I muttered a few words to the bird: town, safe, and neighbor. It hopped onto my shoulders and looked around, as if observing the path I had taken.
After a while, it took a slow flight forward. So, I gathered my belongings and followed the raven. I gradually realized that I had been mistaken in not believing what my ancestors had written in their journal. Although I was still trying to figure out how it appeared. Is it just a coincidence?
I became thirsty while traveling through the desert. I haven't had anything to eat or drink since the last sip of coffee. I sucked my own saliva and kept walking. To avoid heatstroke, I unbuttoned my clothes.
I finally saw a town from a distance not too far away after a long walk. I felt relieved. The raven was still with me and had not yet vanished or flown away.
We reached the plains and it wasn't as hot as it was in the desert. There were trees and berry bushes around me. I wanted to pick some berries but they could be poisonous, which I don't have knowledge in classifying which.
We arrived at the town's walls, where my family and I were supposed to arrive. The raven landed on my shoulders, flapping its wings. I petted it as a thank you, and the raven flew away after a while.
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