| Fred looked out at the passing banks of the river they were traveling
on. The land had changed from sandy desert to muddy flats and green reeds.
The air was cooler as they headed north toward the Sueze Channel. He was
glad they had left Quaz'hawad. Friend or no, he did not like the idea of
a city of Men ruled by a Dragon.
Turning to his wife, he said, "I knew that Ethiopia lay in the Arabi Desert, but I had always thought that the people of Prestor John had been destroyed." "A lie of the Great Sultan," Alicia replied. "For almost five hundred years we have survived in the land of our enemies. If it wasn't for the death and destruction that has befallen our world, we would still be striving against the Mohammedans. But I assure you, they could never destroy us." "So how long until we reach the Arden Sea?" he asked her as he scanned the horizon before him. "Another three days," she answered. "And a week after that we will reach the Sueze which joins the Arden with the Aryn Ocean. Taking the sea route to reach the Great Kingdom will save us months off our journey. But it will still take us some time." "What is the hurry?" he said with a touch of sadness. "Almost everyone we know is dead. Getting home faster won't change that. And I doubt that it can get any worse." Suddenly a cry rang out from the mast. The lookout was pointing ahead.
Fred raised his hand to shield his eyes from the sun and that's when he
saw them. Up ahead, in front of the boat.
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