Their journey over the last two days had been filled with hardship and exhaustion. They couldn't avoid the scorching heat of the day, and the chill of the desert nights drained what little strength remained. Their bodies were worn out, and their water supplies were nearly depleted. Every step through the burning sand was painful—but still, they kept moving, knowing they couldn't afford to stop.
Despite her fatigue, Lyra remained alert. In one of the ruins they passed along the way, she noticed signs of life—small burrows dug between cracked stones. She watched them for a while, and finally spotted tiny silhouettes moving in the shadows.
Mice.
They were fast, but she was smarter. With patience and hunting experience, she managed to catch a few. It wasn't much, but it was better than starving.
When she returned to Alex, he raised an eyebrow at her.
— Mice? he asked, seeing what she held in her hands.
— Yes, mice, she replied, stuffing them into her pack.
— I've never eaten mice before.
— Time for new experiences, she said with a slight smile.
They moved on.
Despite his exhaustion, Alex could feel his strength gradually returning. His back still hurt, and the scabs cracked from time to time, leaving fresh red stains on his shirt. Still, he knew he was healing. He wasn't as weak as before, and every new kilometer proved that his body could still endure.
Twice during this trek, they encountered unpleasant surprises.
The first time, they spotted several silhouettes moving across the dunes in the distance. They had no idea who these people were or what their intentions might be. Alex and Lyra weren't about to find out.
Without a word, they dove behind the nearest dune, pressing themselves into the sand and watching the strangers from hiding. They were too far away to see any details, but close enough to stir unease.
— Who are they? Lyra whispered, watching them slowly disappear to the east.
— No idea, and I don't plan on finding out, Alex replied.
They waited until the figures vanished behind the sand hills before cautiously continuing their journey.
A similar situation occurred the next day. This time, there were more of them. Alex first noticed the dust rising over a dune, then saw a group of people in long cloaks moving in the same direction—but farther off.
— Someone again, he muttered.
Lyra didn't hesitate. She grabbed him by the sleeve and pulled him behind a dune.
— If there are that many, it's probably a caravan, she whispered.
— Or a band of scavengers, Alex muttered.
They watched from hiding until the strangers disappeared from view.
— Just because someone's surviving in this desert doesn't mean we should be glad to see them, Lyra said, staring at where the travelers had vanished.
— Agreed, Alex replied, carefully rising to check if the path ahead was clear. — Better to avoid trouble.
Once they were sure no one was following them, they moved on.
The sun began to set, painting the horizon in golden and purple hues, when Alex broke the silence.
— Do you have any siblings?
Lyra looked at him in surprise.
— Why do you ask?
— I don't know... we've been walking through the desert—it'd be nice to talk about something.
Lyra sighed quietly, looking ahead.
— I have a sister. Two years younger.
— Where is she now?
— In our city. My master is looking after her.
— Is she like you?
— No. She smiled softly. — She's very different. More spirited, full of energy. Maybe it's her age.
— So... Alex glanced at her sideways. — How old are you, anyway?
— You first.
— Twenty-two.
— Twenty-one.
Lyra raised an eyebrow.
— You sound like you're much older.
Alex chuckled quietly.
— Sometimes it feels that way.
After a moment, Lyra looked at him from the corner of her eye.
— And you?
— Only child. Grew up alone.
— I take it you don't want to talk about it?
— Not... really, he said with a faint smile. — But I'm glad I learned something about you.
— Where are you from?
— A very distant land. I was brought here against my will.
Lyra bit her lip.
— I figured that much... Okay, I won't press. But someday will you tell me?
— I will, he replied softly.
That afternoon, as they approached their destination, a familiar scent reached their noses—smoke.
They immediately looked at each other, their bodies tensing.
— Shit, Alex muttered, clenching his fists. — There always has to be something.
Ahead stood a massive rock pillar, beneath which a campfire burned. From a distance, they could also see three camels tied to stakes driven into the ground.
— Those aren't ordinary travelers, Lyra whispered.
— Could be a merchant, maybe slavers, Alex said quietly, analyzing the scene. — Either way, we'll have to sneak in.
— We're not staying outside the barrier tonight, Lyra confirmed, tightening her grip on her dagger.
Their only option was to approach unnoticed.