She shook her head slowly, "My, you are a shy one. I could help you with that. My tent is right over there." She pointed to the largest tent that lay beneath the tree fronds of the oasis.

"If you should choose to drop by, perhaps you can tell me how you came about those scars," she said and then turned away and moved off toward her tent.

I swallowed with the relief of not having her green eyes on me. It was hard to look away from her retreating form, but I made myself do it. She was older, but still extremely desirable.

Desirable or not, I felt nothing but distrust for her. She struck me as the type that used others for her own purposes and desires, in order to fulfill her need for control.

I knew all that and more about this strange woman and yet some part of me ached to even now be lifting the flap of her tent and joining her inside. It made no sense!

She was nothing but a path to destruction. What was wrong with me; that any part of me still longed for what she offered?

I had to be better than my weakest parts though and looking upward I said, "El Elyon, I'm sorry. I know better and yet you know how close I am to going over there. Please help me."

I put my shirt on before I weakened any further and then I hurried out of the trees and into the surrounding desert, upon which the shadows of night had already begun to fall.

*****

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Jarken looked over to Thanuel, who was lying back against a boulder. They had been silent witnesses to the whole scene.

Thanuel looked thoughtful as he watched Benaiah disappear into the dunes, "Rare man."

Jarken nodded sharply and then asked, "You think he's the one?"

Thanuel shook his head looking undecided, "Perhaps. Time will tell. Not such a boring trip after all, hey?"

Jarken looked thoughtfully out at the surrounding desert scape, upon which night was fast approaching and asked, "Do you think we should alert the caravan to the presence of bandits out there?"

Thanuel shook his head, "No, let Benaiah do it. We've had our glory in the sun. Time to help a rising star reach the zenith of his potential."

Jarken nodded resolutely and said pragmatically, "He's the one. I feel it."

"I hope you're right my friend. El Elyon knows we're not getting any younger," Thanuel said, still thoughtfully gazing after Benaiah.

*****

I stared out across the scene of sand and moonlight. Here in the borderlands of the Kingdomer Nation of Lancandia it was sand and sun. There was beauty to be found, but I preferred the sight of green grass and cool breezes. The nights were at least cool here. The cold air was a relief on my impassioned senses.




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