The sun struggled to shine through the dense brown sky this season. I left sleep minutes ago laying in the cluster of camels that retired as I did - curled up in their plenty.

Maybe a few more minutes would be enough \\\ww2to muster the strength to rise, it passed, still, nothing.

Ruvandi hid beneath the shadows of the desert's towering dunes, it used to have a handful of camel herders, the desert took its fair share of our numbers but the camels and their welfare came first, the poorest of us understood that twisted fact.

This town was ruled by figures who operate behind closed doors, a place where the law is whatever they decide it to be.

The camels belonged to Sayyid Bilzar.
The past eight seasons were the worst part of my doom business. We'd agreed a deal before I started seeing his camels, yet, he never sent for me once.

I'd carry a long wooden rod, put a fierce face and payed him a visit if i had the courage to or rather abandon the camels out in the scorching desert since he faltered our deal.

A deal with a man who happened to run heavy
operations in Ruvandi, A deal i couldn't afford to say no to and wouldn't live to walk away from.

Slowly opening my eyes, i let the cold desert air fill my lungs as I stretched, weary from a night on the hard, sandy ground. The massive herd of camels that surrounded me stirred, rising one by one at the sound of my call. As they ambled to their feet, I could see that their numbers had swollen beyond anything I had managed before.

A fire burned in my gut, a combination of hunger and anger.

Their numbers increased over the seasons making single watching much more difficult.

There and then, i decided to stop vain suffering and see the Sayyid.

The herd lumbered beside me, their guttural grunts and groans filling the still desert air. I trudged on in silence, feeling the heat of the desert sun beat down on me as the endless sea of golden dunes shifted beneath our feet. Every time a shimmering oasis appeared on the horizon, it disappeared as we drew closer, taunting us with the promise of relief.

My parched throat burned, and my stomach growled, but I knew better than to hope for water or food here.
The distant cave sat afar answering the question
of where we'd shade so I made course for it. The herd moved creating clouds of dust that swirled in the hot desert air. I watched it dance, half-dreaming of the cool, dark refuge that awaited us.

The unanswered question was how to get them to stay. It happened every time i took care of people's camels. The animals offer you their trust and suffer dependence. Now, leaving without follow was achieved by the most expert herders.

As the sun's punishing rays slowly faded, I could
tell the afternoon had crept up on us. After gathering the camels inside you'd wait patiently with them until they grew calm.

Father always used the method and it worked like
a charm, always.

I lost sense of what his voice sounded like. He
raised me alone, it had always been the two of us, skirting the topic of mother like a dangerous chasm and avoiding issues where something about her would come up - he told me little of her, not even her name or her likeness.
Thoughts of him were hazy, much wasn't to remember, the old times were when he fed the both of us, our memories painted a dusky hardened man and lethargic son.

When the time felt right I stood cautiously not to draw the herd's attention and slipped out the corner of the cave opening.

Taking repeated peeks to see if they'd follow, anticipating their next move I relaxed when they didn't, staring down at the hot sand I reviewed my intentions; evaluating the risks with it - I'd be quick enough to return.

They probably noticed my absence but remained calm, whenever father left his herd for hours to wherever he went I watched him return to see them scattered across the overwhelming landscape as punishment for leaving too long.

Through the hot rugged terrain as the horizon grew hazy, it took a while before I felt cooler than usual, the universe finally worked in my favor this time.

Ruvandi sat afar as i rushed into the street and markets.
Out of the wilderness and into the crowded street's maze of narrow winding alleys and decaying adobe buildings. Every step taken began to sync with my heartbeat whilst I continued to ponder whether or not turning back was a bad Idea.

A part of me wanted to walk away - "the coward
inside", i thought. The enormous palace sat in front of me with its gates left unlocked. One step at a time into the compound covered in small, smooth colored stones, each reflecting the light in a myriad of glints. Every second that slipped meant the difference between life and death.