The scent of sea water filled my nostrils as I wiped the sweat from my brow. It had only been a week but already the surrounding area was beginning to look like home. You could see a barracks at the top of the hill and you could hear the whines and shouts of pain from the new recruits that had come in that day as the drillmaster hurled camel feet at them. The blacksmiths beat a steady rhythm in the distance as they slowly began to master their craft. Every day it seemed the blacksmiths produced better and better weapons. The wind stiffened and you could hear the slapping of camel hides against their tanning racks. The armorers had already outdone themselves with the armor they produced. True it was not the most appealing apparel but getting those hard camel hides shaped into anything was a feat unto itself. Though to make something that any fighter would gladly wear into a fight, truly priceless.
The wind shifted and the sweet smell of camel dung filled the area. Ahhh yes, the most impressive part of the village so far, the flocks of camels dancing over the fields. It was amazing how many people answered the call when a messenger went out to gather families skilled in the craft of camel ranching. Ranchers had answered the call in droves and it was all they could do to build homes for them to live in. Already, these ranchers were producing more camel meat and hides then could have ever been dreamed of. The 5 warehouses they had somehow managed to put together were filled with drying meat and currently another 2 were being built. “GArhhg!! *SMACK*” the scream of a recruit tore through the village. Ah yes couldn’t forget the plethora of camel feet that were the pride and joy of the drillmaster. The drillmaster seemed to revel in finding new ways to torment the recruits with the feet. I remembered my days of old when my drillmaster sharpened the feet he threw at us. These new recruits didn’t realize how good they had it.
*BRUUUUUUUUUEEEEEEE*. A dust cloud could be seen in the distance led by a banner. It was too far to make out but I smiled to myself. Already news of the trading post was beginning to spread. It had begun.