from Worse back to Better

Fred moved to aid Astra as she punched and slapped, kicked and kneed, but the other desertmen pulled out their knives. They made no move to help their comrade, but neither did they allow Fred to help his. After quite some time both Astra and the desertman sat on the sand huffing and puffing. Sheer exhaustion had brought an end to the fight.

"Well done," said the desertman. "You are as strong as my third wife, as persevering as my first, and as excitable as my fourth!"

"What about your second wife?" asked Astra.

"I don't talk about her since the accident..."

Shortly thereafter Fred and Astra were properly introduced to Mahal Hobed Ib san Du Mahareb, personal bodyguard to the leader of the caravan, one Grahn Raleb sin Haberab Id, as well as the many drivers of the grand caravan. Fred and Astra learned quickly of the desertmen's thirst for tales and found themselves exchanging theirs for supplies, including the strange desert animal which they called a camel. The desertmen seemed very generous after initial hostilities. Within hours, though, they had to resume their travels. They parted ways and Fred and Astra, on camelback, continued following Dr. Priceless' map away from this corner of the great desert.

1. Fred and Astra finally reach the end of the desert...
2. Fred and Astra see a lush oasis to the left of their mapped trail...
3. Fred and Astra hear a faint cry for 'help' drifting upon the breezes of the desert...

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