The scrubland stretched on from horizon to horizon, unbroken in all directions except for one thing: a small town of white stone buildings constructed near the edge of a lake that Desa could swim across in about ten minutes.
The instant they got within shouting distance, a man who waited on the roof of one of the outer buildings turned and vanished from sight. Moments later, doors opened and men came spilling out into the main street with rifles.
They formed a line at the edge of town, lifted their guns and pointed them directly at Desa"s group. “That"s far enough!” one shouted. “We want no strangers here! Ye"ll be turnin" back if ye know what"s good for ye!”
Sitting atop Midnight with her hands raised defensively, Desa felt her jaw drop. She shook her head in confusion. “We mean no har
