Eli sharpened his sword, over and over on both sides, double-checking to make sure the edge looked sharp. Sparks flew from the whetting stone as the bronze returned over and over. Perspiration gathered at the corner of his eye, which he wiped with his hand. Between the desert heat and the flames even Eli had to take steps to keep cool by removing his tunic and placing it to the side. He glanced over to the wall, where his shadows appeared. Darkness had surrounded the city. He spent an hour, toiling away to perfect this sword and an axe, all weapons he learned to use to protect himself. He had dusted off the two-wheeled spoke chariot parked on the side for their journey into the desert. He wished he didn’t have to carry any weapons but experience taught him that he had to always be prepared
