Ella tilted her water flask, surprised when she tipped it all the way and only a tiny trickle of water came out. She couldn't even remember drinking it. She felt Jehral's eyes on her and looked over at him.

"The water that is left in the bags is for the horses," he said. "We do not drink again until we reach the Oasis of Lyra." He moved his saddle behind him and sank down, using it as a pillow. "Get some rest, Ella. I will wake you in four hours."

~

"WE WILL reach the Oasis of Lyra sometime today," Jehral said.

The plodding horses sweated under the morning sun. Ella's mouth was parched, her tongue dried and devoid of moisture. She was having trouble speaking, so she just nodded.

Shani seemed to be in an even worse state. Ella nudged Afiri closer to the elementalist's horse and soundlessly handed Shani her water flask. There was little more than a few drops in there, but the Petryan seemed to instantly revive. Shani smiled her thanks.

"Jehral," Ella whispered. She tried again. "Jehral, do you have a spare sword?"

The desert warrior started, evidently lost in thought. Perhaps even he was succumbing. He took some time to process Ella's words, before reaching into a saddlebag. "Here," he said.

Ella reached out as Jehral handed her a large dagger, heavy and curved. "Thank you," she said hoarsely.

Ella placed the dagger in her saddlebag, leaving the strap unfastened so she could grab the dagger at a moment's notice. With no essence the only power she possessed was in her dress. She had a couple of flashbombs in an inner pocket, but that was all; any weapon helped.

Jehral held up his hand, and the three riders pulled on their reins, halting their horses. "Ahead," Jehral said, his voice betraying the dryness of his throat. "The Oasis of Lyra. Do you see it?"

Ella squinted against the bright sunlight. At first she couldn't see anything, but she held her hand over her eyes and ran her gaze slowly across the horizon. Then she saw it, a tiny speck that could have been the spikes of desert palms jutting out from the sand. "I think so," Ella said.

"It is closer than it looks." He looked from Ella to Shani. "Are you ready?"

Shani nodded.

"Yes," Ella said. Even in her weakened state, she could feel her heart rate increase.

"The plan is to ride in fast. I do not know if the sound will attract the creature more readily but speed is our only ally. I will stand guard while the two of you fill the water bags. Throw mine to me, and then we leave. Understood?"

"It's a good plan." Shani grinned, but her voice was weak. "Simple."

"Ready?" Jehral asked one last time. "Ride!"