Reality Of This Journey

Islana was feeling the pull and she continued on its path. Her body was weak and the young woman didn't want to think about the dangers associated with the raw meat she had been consuming. It had given a little bit of energy to move forward and not die in the moment but it was perhaps only a matter of time before it caught up with her.

The redhead continued for several hours just when it seemed like weariness would overtake her, the sight and sound of vultures circling something caught Islana's attention.

It wouldn't hurt any to see what the large birds were going on about. As the peak of a dune was reached, the sight of a body came into view. It's what the vultures were circling, but was whoever it was actually dead?

The young witch made her way closer and the sight which awaited her made her heart sink.

The body was one of a young girl, younger than Islana herself by a few years. If there had to be a guess - somewhere in early adolescence lay the young girls' age.

On the body was an almost full waterskin and some dates. Islana knew she needed to take those things for her own survival but didn't relish the idea. Still, that's what the redhead did. Drinking some of the water and eating a few of the dates before turning her attention back to the young girl.

It wasn't clear what had killed the girl. Perhaps a scorpion bite. Islana hoped the water wasn't tainted but it also wasn't something she could worry too much about.

Had this girl also been on the Pilgrimage? Someone so young out here alone, it was about the only thing that made sense. Islana knew the same fate could possibly be awaiting her.

The young witch felt bad for the girl. To die out here, alone. What made it worse was that Islana could not do anything for the body. With no way to make fire or bury the body, it would just have to be left to the will of the desert.

Feeling a tear roll down her cheek, Islana realized it was the first tears her body had been able to shed in days though she wasn't sure, at this point, why they chose this moment to reappear. Did she feel that bad about some young girl who was unknown to her, or was it tears of what might await herself on this path? Maybe, there were some of both in them.

"I'm sorry I can't do more for you." Islana spoke to the young girl. "May Viher take you peacefully to what comes next."

That might have been the first prayer for the dead Islana had ever said that wasn't directed at Zin. It felt very right though especially in this place and on this journey.

That was all the redhead woman could do for the brown haired girl. All she could offer. Islana stood up, wiped her eyes and moved on.