It had been several weeks since the young priest had traveled to Sunagakure to gather supplies for his tribe. A wandering group of nomads, they lived in the wasteland and relied on trade with the village for survival. Guiding a cammell, he cast a proud glance back at his companions and the animals they guided. Laden with many supplies, the pack animals would prove valuable additions to the tribe's herd. Still, something gave him cause to worry. The night before his team stepped off to return home, the young priest had destroyed the meeting place of a group of sandworm worshipers. While normally not a cause for concern, this particular group had thought it would be a good idea to try and revive the ancient worm Barynx. While their methods had been thwarted, they still posed a threat. What if their summons had disturbed the other worms? It had been several years since the Sandworms had been brought to a frenzy, yet such occurrences were always a real and present danger. The last Sandworm attack had nearly destroyed his tribe. In the coming weeks his tribe would begin migrating for the season, a dangerous journey a the best of times. If the sandworms were disturbed, it would be a disaster. For peace of mind he had better scout the area in advance, just to be certain.
Passing off the reigns of his camel, the young priest set off at a quick pace, heading out into the badlands towards the place his tribe would be moving too. During his run, the priest kept his eyes open for any signs of Sandworm activity, searching for any tracks, signs off attacks, or the Melange. Nearing the area, the priest was pleased to by what he saw, or more specifically, what he didn't see. No signs. Still, a lack of evidence is evidence of lack. No, he would have to scout the area more before definitively saying the sandworms remained dormant.
Moving slower, the priest patrolled the area. He found some evidence of young sandworms in the area, but no sign of the true threat he feared. No signs of fully grown sandworms. That is, until he mounted one of the highest dunes in the region. Only then did he see it. The Melange. A huge field of it. Stretching as far as the eye could see the red waste layered the ground. Indeed the sandworms had roused, for only a group of them could have created such a wasteland. He had to warn his people. They would have to find a new place to migrate their herds too, that much was certain. Yet where, a group this size would control a vast territory, maybe even as far reaching as the the village itself.
He was just preparing himself to return to the tribe when the dune began to vibrate. Scrambling to escape, the priest descended the mound at a rapid stumble, as the sand parted behind him. A Giant sandworm burst forth from the sand, diving dozens of meters into the sky before crashing back to the ground. The priest didn't hesitate, he did the only thing he knew to do when facing a sandworm. He ran. Ran for what seemed like kilometers, until he was forced to slow himself. Casting a glance back, he gave a sigh of relief, he wasn't being pursued. He had to warn his people, find them a new home for the season. He would need to talk with the Kage, hopefully Suna would take them in.
Passing off the reigns of his camel, the young priest set off at a quick pace, heading out into the badlands towards the place his tribe would be moving too. During his run, the priest kept his eyes open for any signs of Sandworm activity, searching for any tracks, signs off attacks, or the Melange. Nearing the area, the priest was pleased to by what he saw, or more specifically, what he didn't see. No signs. Still, a lack of evidence is evidence of lack. No, he would have to scout the area more before definitively saying the sandworms remained dormant.
Moving slower, the priest patrolled the area. He found some evidence of young sandworms in the area, but no sign of the true threat he feared. No signs of fully grown sandworms. That is, until he mounted one of the highest dunes in the region. Only then did he see it. The Melange. A huge field of it. Stretching as far as the eye could see the red waste layered the ground. Indeed the sandworms had roused, for only a group of them could have created such a wasteland. He had to warn his people. They would have to find a new place to migrate their herds too, that much was certain. Yet where, a group this size would control a vast territory, maybe even as far reaching as the the village itself.
He was just preparing himself to return to the tribe when the dune began to vibrate. Scrambling to escape, the priest descended the mound at a rapid stumble, as the sand parted behind him. A Giant sandworm burst forth from the sand, diving dozens of meters into the sky before crashing back to the ground. The priest didn't hesitate, he did the only thing he knew to do when facing a sandworm. He ran. Ran for what seemed like kilometers, until he was forced to slow himself. Casting a glance back, he gave a sigh of relief, he wasn't being pursued. He had to warn his people, find them a new home for the season. He would need to talk with the Kage, hopefully Suna would take them in.