"I...Hate...Cactus...Ow...." I murmured darkly as stickers embedded themselves in my fingers. Scarlet drops of blood scattered as I flicked my wrist irritably.
"Okay...careful now, Caelia," Bringing the fruit to my mouth, I threw my head back and drank deeply. The sweet juice trickled around my lips. All too soon, the beautiful liquid was gone, leaving me to stand there panting under the sun. If anything, the sweet taste made me even thirstier....
I tossed the dry cactus into the sand with a dull thud. Running a hand through my sweaty, spiky hair, I gazed at the cloudless sky around me. Meanwhile, my skin felt like it was sizzling and beads of sweat rolled off my cheeks like tears.
Just then, a beautiful lynx trotted past me with an air of, "I'm not paying any attention to you." With nothing else to do, I followed after with a grin on my face. It threw me a look of disdain before flicking its tail like he didn't care.
As I ambled after the creature for at least an hour (at least it felt like that with the merciless sun beating down my neck). The Devaneir Mountains in the distance were my only clue to where I was. I considered turning back before the lynx suddenly broke into a run.
"Wha-? Wait!" I nearly tripped as I sprinted after him. Why I was chasing this cat, I have no idea, but nonetheless my feet pounded after one another as they sank into the sand.
Even though I was dangerously close to the Devaneir border, I ran after him without thinking. "Wait! Where are you going?" I panted, more to myself than him.
His dark eyes glinted in the sunlight before he disappeared over a mountain of sand. Clambering clumsily after him, I peaked over the hill. "Where are you- Whoa...."
I gawked at the oasis before me. Silent waters glittered with thousands of shining stars. Towering trees cast very tempting shadows over the scattered tufts of living grass. Coming to a stop at the edge, the lynx bent down and lapped at the sanctuary spring.
"No way," I breathed in the lush air. This was no mirage. Grinning, I skidded down the bank and fell to my knees next to my leader. I bowed playfully and cried dramatically, "Thank you, oh wise cat!! I am forever in your debt!" He replied with a threatening hiss.
Cupping the cool water in my hands, I brought it thirstily to my lips-
"NOOO!!"
I started so violently that the water almost trickled through the cracks in my fingers. Then I screamed as something tackled me, hard, into the sand. "What are you-?!" I snatched my dagger. But as quickly as it happened, the weight was lifted and a boy smiled warily down at me.
I flushed with anger. "Do you think this is funny-?!" was all I managed before a bloodcurdling screech rose above mine. Horror flowed through my veins like ice as I turned, to see the lynx writhe in pain. Terrible, guttural screams tore out from his throat.
"Uh! What-?! It's dying!!" I panicked, my voice barely loud enough to hear over its yowls. Then, with a disturbing twitch, the cat's cries died away and he lay still.
Realization hit me like a smack to the face. He must've read my mind, because he shrugged a little and laughed, "Anyone would...."
"Well, uh...thanks," I said lamely, still staring at the cat's body. It took me a second to see the hand just inches from my face.
"My name is Ryle," he smiled warmly.
I couldn't help smiling back. "Caelia." And I shook his reaching hand.
