Bundled

Islana saw Kaithak take.to the skies once again spreading his wings along the hot currents of the desert winds in widening loops always keeping in pace it seemed with his mistress's progression.

The water and the food had been a blessing and despite all the aches and pains. Large patches of skin were peeling off and the young woman could tell her fair skin resembled more a strawberry or a tomato than any time before in her life. Bruised and battered but still standing.

Islana followed the trail as fast as she could. The tracks went along the desert in a zigzag, either to throw off any pursuers or as if the person was stumbling. The huntress knew time was of the essence. The ever shifting sands could easily erase the passage of man or beast with the slights shift of the dunes or even the wind.

The footprints took her around an extremely large dune, which she skirted in a wide arc to avoid being buried of it collapse. She had seen large swathes of sand drop down in seconds in her journey.

Bend a corner Islana stopped in her tracks. Ten metres away from her was what looked like a bundle of clothes pressed against the sand. As if discarded. Approaching slowly she saw it move and turn to her.

A girl. A little one. No more than ten. Her large brown eyes looked at the approaching woman with trepidation. She gave a shy smile. She looked frightened.

As Islana got closer the girl said one word. "Skara..." She said pointing at the dune above and placing her finger against her nose indicating silence...