They rode through the desert night while all about them was in stillness. Some of the massive sand dunes towered many stories above their heads, but they saw no living creatures save a few insects and some hardy bushes that poked their way out of the sand. They knew there was more life than this on the desert floor, but it kept itself well hidden from them and they passed without incident.
Just as the sky was reddening in front of them with the dawn of a new day, Cari swooped down from one of her vigil flights to inform her master of some disturbing news. “There are riders headed this way from the north, about a dozen of them. They know you’re here, they’re coming straight for you.”
Jafar al-Sharif looked quickly to Umar. The priest said, “They must be either Badawi or brigands.” Upon fu
