Claire could barely keep her eyes open. After another sleepless night she had been forced back onto the saddle with Leishmann for the remaining trek to his castle. She could almost picture the bruise that was likely forming on the backs of her legs with each jarring step of the horse. When they broke through the trees and emerged onto the desert flats earlier that day she had been grateful the torture would soon end, but to her despair the journey continued through the blistering heat until finally the cooling air of sunset brought with it another sleepless night. The next morning, to her relief, they reached their destination. Claire felt exhausted beyond belief and the large pillars and grand walls of the white castle failed to impress her. Even the stark contrast the castle made

