Desert Siren

Five

"Very clever." Jayza was currently watching several of the Raptors unearth large jars filled with fresh water, her face showing her approval. "I never would have thought of doing this."

"We buried them on the way to Kif Aljar," General Enyo explained. "We took a longer route, filling jars at the springs and oasis found further afield. But their locations are the reason why we have to cover a certain distance each day. There's nothing in between them and if we don't reach the next one before we stop, we have to do without."

"So, we have to make a certain distance this afternoon? Then again tomorrow?" She turned to him, a slight frown knitting her brows.

"Yes. Besides the fact the Emperor expects me back within two weeks of the raid, we have to make sure we make it to each cache within a reasonable amount of time. If we don't, it could cause some serious problems."

"And the jars?" She passed her hand in front of her, curious if they were taking them along.

"They stay. Should we ever come back this way, we bring a supply of water with us and replace those jugs with the ones we have. Then we refill the empty ones and repeat the process. This way, we only carry enough jugs to replace the empty ones at each stop."

"I'm impressed," she said, turning away while storing the information in her head. She watched as the rest of the men erected canopies using the pikes from the wall they had built the previous night. They then fastened several of their tents together and lashed them over the top, creating an open, airy space that was shielded from the sun. Bedrolls and blankets were spread on the hard ground under half the canopies, the other half used to shelter the horses. The wagons were lined up behind the tents, providing a barrier against the constant wind. No fires were lit and each man was rationed an amount of water, but they didn't complain, eating the small wraps that had been supplied after First Meal and then dozing off. The General led her to a smaller canopy set a short distance away, motioning for her to sit. Producing the manacles, he looked at her apologetically as he fastened them around her wrists. Jayza felt her anger rise but more than that, she felt a slight wave of despair. She had assumed his more gentle treatment of her earlier meant she would be free of the irons, at least during the day.

"I'm sorry, little one." His voice was soft and full of sympathy and when he tried to touch her face, she flinched, sending a brief look of pain across his own. "But I can't take a chance on you running. Since we usually sleep for a few hours during the day while traveling through the desert, I need to make sure you don't try and escape."

"Then why not put me back in the wagon?" Her temper flared and her eyes shone with unshed tears. The irons bought her situation crashing down, bringing her back to reality with a jolt. No matter how much she might try to ignore it, she was a prisoner. And the General, despite his earlier treatment, was still her jailer. "Instead of staking me to the ground like an animal?"

"Because the interior of the wagon will become unbearable very quickly. I don't need you dying of heatstroke. Now finish your wrap and get some sleep. We'll be riding late into the night."

Jayza consumed the wrap even though it tasted like ashes. Drinking her ration of water, she curled on her side, turning her back on the General. A tear slid down her cheek and she vowed to fight the disappointment that stole over her. Anger was much safer, and she was determined to remain that way, even if it killed her.

"If you behave, I'll let you ride with me again this evening. The desert is beautiful at night." The General had leaned over, whispering in her ear. Jayza squeezed her eyes shut, curling herself tighter. The General chuckled softy, moving an errant hair away from her jaw before kissing it tenderly. "Sleep well, Jayza. I'll be right here if you need me."