Crucible

Pilgrimage of Bones

Islana walked towards the horizon, she often had to slow herself down so that Madaya could catch up. Her long strides could easily leave the young child in her wake especially if her mind was distracted.

Her wounds would heal on time, she knew and again the Ozainae child had shown her many small tricks of the desert, making small remedies and poultices for her aching body from the hardy local flora. Her mind and her powers were another matter. Every so often she had to stop herself from reaching inside and calling animals to her. She could not be sure that the Skara's mind-hive would not find her again. And that was an experience that Islana was sure her sanity would not survive.

She cast her mind at the year since arriving in Arcadia. The strange drug Felfar and the Cult of Slivikhi. Her fateful role as a would be sacrifice to the ancient blood god, her betrayal at the hands of not one but two men, Alcuin and Stran, being sold as a slave, twice. All that paled in comparison to what she had endured since leaving Shalia's side. The Desert of Skulls was her crucible.

She kept walking, one step in front of the other. So focused on the horizon was she, that the loud voice of Madaya didn't register immediately.

Shaking her head Islana, turned to see the girl almost hundred metres behind her pointing to the east.

An oasis beckoned.