We travel by night. It is the way of the Sand Women.We must reach the center of the desert by the full Moon. I wonder that they invite me to the Ritual.Wizards are never invited. It is strange; the last time I walked beside a Sand Woman as a friend it was unknowingly as a child experiencing young love…

... He looked up from the cool, blue water to find himself staring into the face of a girl.She had beautiful long black hair that always seemed to ripple softly behind her, as though in a breeze. He smiled.The girl looked sad, or worried, apprehensive? ‘what is it?’ he asked.Her voice was soft and wispy like the wind through leaves.’I need you to know something.’ ‘what is it?’he said again.’ Please ‘she whispered.His eyes widened with shock as she melted before him into sand and then reformed. ‘No, no!’ he ran, and as he did he heard her call after him, ‘ Aeryn!’ ‘Stay away from me! Sand Woman,’ he hissed hatefully, his breath coming in ragged gasps…

“No…” Aeryn whispered quietly to himself.