Dune's eyes swept over the group of younguns that had gathered before him. Giggling and shuffling could be heard for miles as they all found suitable perches.
Are you sure you wish to know of the desert? It's pretty scary!
There was a wave of noise from the foals, an indignant tide of complaints and reassurances.
All right.. if you say so..
Dune began the story in the most terrifying voice he could conjure, and all around him leaned in to better hear...
Long ago, we were not the only intelligent creatures in the swamp. The Kimeti had not yet became the proud and clever race that we are now. We were content to graze on the grasses and sleep in the moss. We did not adventure, and most of all, we knew fear.
Another creature, more powerful and terrifying then we were, stalked the forests. Gorgons. Or specifically one Gorgon, Medusa. Her beauty was the most terrifying one would ever see, and the last thing they would see. Medusa had the power to turn any who looked upon her to stone. She walked on two legs, that fact was curious by itself. Her hair was a tangled nest of snakes, she was slim and tanned golden by the sun. Her tyranny paralyzed the swamp for years, until...
Another two-legged had showed up. This one was large and fierce and immediately leaped into battle with Medusa. Their battle lasted for hours, with the newcomer the winner and Medusa slain. The victor severed Medusa's head and placed it in a burlap sack before riding out of the swamp for good.
All the creatures rejoiced, for they were free of the horrors of the Gorgon, little did they know of the actions taking place in the desert surrounding their home.
Out among the shifting sands the victor was riding swiftly away, paying no mind to the souvenir of his nemesis. The blood of Medusa wormed it's way through the bag, and three perfect drops fell to the sand. As the blood disappeared three perfect nymphs took their place. The nymphs were in the form of female Kimeti, and all were unbelievably gorgeous. The first to materialize was called Sun, she was a perfect creature seemingly formed of liquid gold. She shone as brilliantly as her name-sake. Next was Wind, the most pure and luminous of silvers coated her. Last was Sand, a plain tan base, scattered with what seemed to be crystals and diamonds, she sparkled the most radiantly.
While the nymphs were beautiful they were creatures of magic, malicious magic at that. They wander the Flatlands, calling sweetly to their prey, and each had their preferences. Sun delighted in drawing in and slaughtering handsome bucks, Wind's specialty was the innocence of children and Sand drew in pretty does with her sparkling radiance.
The slaughtered in the name of their dead masters, as gleeful as shrieking harpies. They subsisted on the flesh of their victims, drank from their blood, and stayed eternally young and beautiful with their souls. They reveled in violence and worshiped the mindless slaughter that they lived in. They were, and are still are, creatures of evil.
It is rumored these creatures still exist to this day. They prowl our deserts, as beautiful as the day they were created, stalking through the night and slinking through the days. They keep themselves fed on the flesh, blood and souls of those foolish enough to listen to their siren songs. It is said they can whisper straight into your mind, calling and teasing, drawing you to the shifting sands and away from the safety of Mother Swamp.
I know this is true, for I hear their voices in my mind. They are almost irresistible, and can drive a Kimeti mad. It is also said, that they bide their time, that soon they will gather enough power to create another. They would sire another like them, and send it into the swamp, their infiltrator. But these are all just stories...Dune finished by abruptly standing and leaving the clearing.
