As Mairo and Rimi refreshed themselves at a small spring nearby, the sun began to dip below the horizon. Mairo sighed contentedly, running damp fingers through her tangled hair.

"I desperately need a proper bath," she said, her voice tinged with longing. "It's been almost two weeks since my last one."

Rimi giggled, but nodded in agreement. "Same here. I feel like I'm carrying half the desert on my skin."

The oasis, once empty save for their presence, slowly came to life as travelers trickled in for the night.

Among the new arrivals, a weathered man with sun-leathered skin caught their attention. He moved with the ease of someone accustomed to the harsh desert environment, his eyes constantly scanning his surroundings. A faded blue scarf was wrapped around his head, concealing most of his features.

Rimi nudged Mairo, whispering, "Could that be him?"

Mairo glanced the newcomer. As he approached the spring, he reached up to adjust his headwear, revealing a distinctive silver pin shaped like a crescent moon.

Heart racing, Mairo cleared her throat and spoke the coded phrase they had rehearsed: "The night sky is clearest after a sandstorm."

The man paused, his hand hovering over his waterskin. His eyes, sharp and discerning, flicked between Mairo and Rimi. After a moment that seemed to stretch for eternity, his weather-beaten face cracked into a knowing smile.

"And the oasis is sweetest when found by weary travelers," he replied, completing the code.

Relief washed over Mairo and Rimi. They had found their contact - Kabir, the smuggler who would guide them through the next leg of their journey.

Kabir squatted down beside them, his movements casual as if they were old friends reuniting. In a low voice, he murmured, "So, you're Amina's friends. Welcome to the edge of nowhere."

He glanced at their travel-worn appearance and added with a hint of amusement, "Looks like you two could use a good scrub. Just past those palms, there's a hidden pool. Take some time to wash away the desert. I'll get the camp ready... we'll talk once you've remembered what it feels like to be clean."

Mairo and Rimi exchanged grateful looks. As night fell over the oasis, they prepared for a much-needed bath, the stars above bearing witness to the beginning of their clandestine alliance with Kabir.

As Mairo and Rimi returned from their refreshing bath, the aroma of roasted meat filled the air. They found Kabir tending to a small fire, where he was cooking an animal he had caught earlier. The flickering flames cast dancing shadows across the oasis, creating an intimate atmosphere.

Kabir looked up as they approached, a welcoming smile on his weathered face. "Ah, you look much better now. Come, join me. There's plenty to share."

The young women settled down near the fire, gratefully accepting the tender meat Kabir offered. He also produced a skin of warm milk, passing it around.

"Thank you," Mairo said, savoring the simple but satisfying meal. "Your hospitality is most appreciated."

Kabir waved off her thanks. "It's the way of the desert. We look out for each other out here." He took a swig of milk before asking, "Now, what brings two young women like yourselves to seek out an old smuggler like me?"

Mairo exchanged a glance with Rimi, carefully considering her words. "We need passage past the Great River," she began, her voice measured. "But to get there, we'd normally have to pass through the city of Ttu."

Kabir's eyes narrowed slightly, sensing there was more to the story. "Normally?" he prompted.

Mairo nodded, deciding to reveal a bit more. "My sister and I... we're being tracked by bounty hunters from Ttu. Passing through the city would be impossible for us."

"Ah," Kabir said, stroking his chin thoughtfully. "That does complicate things." He was quiet for a moment, then said, "There is another way. A pass through the mountains."

Rimi leaned forward, hope glimmering in her eyes. "Really?"

Kabir nodded, but his expression was grave. "It's not an easy journey. The pathway through the mountains is treacherous, covered in ice powder." He used the local term for the white, cold substance that blanketed the high peaks. "It's bitterly cold up there, even for those accustomed to the desert heat."

Mairo squared her shoulders, determination evident in her posture. "We'll take it. Whatever hardships lie ahead, they're preferable to what awaits us if we're caught."

Kabir studied them for a long moment, then nodded. "Very well. I'll guide you through the pass."

"What do we owe you for this, Kabir?" Mairo asked, reaching for her bag.

The smuggler held up a hand. "Any friends of Amina can give what they can afford. I trust her judgment."

Mairo hesitated, then pulled out a delicate bracelet - her last piece of jewelry. She held it out to Kabir, the gold glinting in the firelight. "Will this suffice? It's all we have left of value."

Kabir took the bracelet, examining it briefly before tucking it away. "It's more than enough. We'll leave at first light. The mountains await us, and we've a long journey ahead."

As the fire crackled and the stars wheeled overhead, Mairo and Rimi settled in for the night, their minds filled with thoughts of the challenging path that lay before them.

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As the first rays of dawn painted the sky, Kabir, Mairo, and Rimi set out on their journey. They found a narrow, winding path that veered away from the main road leading to Ttu's city gates. Keeping their heads low and faces obscured by their headscarves, they moved swiftly and silently, always alert for any sign of pursuit.

The terrain gradually became steeper as they approached the fabled mountains said to kiss the sky. Mairo gazed up in awe at the towering peaks, their snow-capped summits disappearing into the clouds. She had heard tales of these mountains but never imagined she'd see them with her own eyes, let alone pass them.

As they climbed higher, the air grew thin and bitingly cold. Kabir instructed them to change into the thicker clothes he had provided - rough-spun wool garments that felt alien against their skin, accustomed as they were to light desert attire. Rimi's teeth chattered as she pulled on the unfamiliar layers, her fingers clumsy in the cold.

The path narrowed further, becoming treacherous with loose scree and patches of ice powder. Kabir took the lead, his weathered hands gripping a gnarled walking stick. He used it to probe the path ahead, clearing away loose stones and testing for hidden ice patches. Every so often, he would pause to wait for the young women, his keen eyes scanning the mountainside for dangers.

"Watch your step," he'd call back. "The mountain is unforgiving to the careless."

Mairo and Rimi struggled with the unfamiliar terrain. The ice powder crunched beneath their boots, a sound so foreign it seemed almost otherworldly. Rimi slipped once, crying out in alarm, but Mairo caught her arm just in time. They clung to each other after that, drawing strength from their sisterly bond.

As they climbed higher, the air thinned further, making each breath a labor. Mairo's lungs burned with the effort, and she noticed Rimi's face had grown pale. Kabir, noticing their struggle, began to drop back more frequently, sometimes taking up the rear to ensure neither girl lagged too far behind or strayed from the path.

"Breathe deeply but slowly," he advised. "Your bodies will adjust, given time."

Halfway up the mountain, the weather turned. Thick clouds rolled in, bringing with them a flurry of ice powder carried on howling winds. The white particles stung their exposed skin and reduced visibility to mere arm's length. Kabir tied a rope between them, a lifeline in the blinding whiteness.

"Keep moving!" he shouted over the wind's roar. "To stop is to invite death!"

They pressed on, one agonizing step after another. Mairo lost all sense of time, her world narrowing to the rhythm of her labored breathing and the constant battle against the biting cold. She could barely feel Rimi's hand in hers, both of them numb despite their thick gloves.

Just when Mairo thought she couldn't take another step, the path began to level out. They had reached the mountain pass. But their relief was short-lived - the descent proved almost as challenging as the climb, with the added danger of losing their footing on the steep, slippery slope.

Kabir's experience proved invaluable as he guided them down, showing them how to dig their heels in and use their walking sticks for balance. Slowly, painstakingly, they made their way down the mountain's far side.

As they descended, the air grew warmer, the wind less biting. The ice powder gave way to rocky terrain, then scrubland. Finally, as the sun began to set, they caught sight of Dawuda in the distance - a collection of twinkling lights along the Great River's bank.

Exhausted but triumphant, the trio paused to take in the view. The little port market town, with its promise of relative safety and the next leg of their journey, was a welcome sight after the grueling mountain crossing.

"We've made it," Kabir said, a note of pride in his voice. "Dawuda lies ahead, and so does your passage... if everything goes as planned."

Mairo and Rimi embraced, tears of relief and exhaustion mingling on their cheeks. They had survived the mountains that kissed the sky, but both knew that more challenges lay ahead on their journey to freedom.

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