The desert stretched endlessly in every direction, dust from the sand rising in the air.The air shimmered under the weight of the sun, distorting the horizon like water that wasn't there.
Joya walked on, her bare feet sinking into sand so hot it felt like fire. She tried to keep her pace steady, but her legs trembled with each step, muscles screaming from hours of relentless marching.
Then suddenly she crouched down, landing on the sand with a thud, sweat glistening on her face. She tore a piece of material from her gown, then tied it on her feet.
She turned around and saw Merlin trudging behind her, like a walking corpse. The two women that had survived with them were far behind.
Her throat was parched beyond pain. Every breath dragged in air so dry it seemed to pull the moisture fro
