Dimension Travelers

Chapter 47

We stare in awe at the oasis. There are all kinds of animals everywhere. We slide off the horse. Has it gotten cooler here? We come into a clearing with a waterfall and a pond beneath it. We don't know what to do. Should we drink the water? Should we leave? All we can do is stand there and watch; watch the animals play and eat fruit. Either we are in heaven, or this is a very realistic mirage that we're having at the same time.

"Wow." I say at last.

"This is freaking amazing." Jared says. "How could this possibly thrive in the desert?"

"Not a clue."

Then, a white tiger with wings shows up. It walks right towards us. We don't move. (I mean, we can't exactly out run a tiger due to our fatigue.) Its eyes are a deep green.

It speaks, "Welcome to my garden, young ones." The voice sounds female. "Don't be shy. I don't bite."

What do we say to that?

"Aren't you thirsty?" The tiger asks.

"Y-yes." I answer.

"Very." Jared says.

"Please, drink. You are welcome here." The tiger says.

Jared and I slowly walk over to the pond. We stoop down to drink. The water is cool and sweet. We drink to our hearts content. Our horse joins us a few minutes later.

Once we're done, the tiger says, "My name is Janhara. I'm the goddess of this desert."

"So, you're the one who wrote us that note?" I ask her.

"Yes, Chloe."

"How do you--?"

"I know many things. You must be very tired, no?"

The fatigue sets in. My legs feel weak. I use Jared as support.

He speaks for me, "Um, yes. We're both tired. Is there a place to--?"

"Relax? Yes. My servant will guide you." Janhara says and walks off. She doesn't bother to wait for us. Strange...

"Are you ok?" Jared asks me.

"I'll be better when we sit down." I say.

A person suddenly lands in front of us, but they are covered in gray fur. It's about four feet tall. But he--it--has wings. Its eyes are a deep green, like Janhara's. It walks up to us.

"My name is Jay. I'll be escorting you to my lady Janhara," says the bat-like thing.

"What are you?" I ask.

Jay chuckles. "I'm merely a servant of Janhara." He pauses. "I'm a Nebat. You humans are quite funny."

"Is that a good thing?" Jared asks.

"Well, it does provide entertainment for me. So I guess you could say that." Jay says. "You might want to ride on your horse, young lady. You look tired."

I blink. "Um, ok."

I sit on the horse while Jared and Jay talk. (Honestly, I'm glad I didn't walk.) After half an hour's ride/walk, we see a large tent. It's blue, green, purple, and gold.

I slide off the horse. Jay opens the tent flap and we walk in. Janhara is already there, sitting and waiting. Jay sees to our horse and disappears. We sit in chairs across from Janhara.

"Thank you for coming." Janhara says. "I know the journey must have been excruciating for you. But I'll make it worth your while."

"How's that?" Jared asks.