At last! He would not complain about the efforts to secure the ba— Imenet thus far. It had been a worthy trial and he was proud of the accomplishment. But nonetheless it was better for her health and far more expeditious to have her astride him. He knelt to ease her passage.

Once she had seated, he stood in a great lurch, stamping a hind foot and swishing his tail. I will run quickly, now, so be sure of your grasp!

To the oasis upon the edge of the sands, then, in the shadow of great trees and greater mountains. He knew the way, and there could be no surprises on dune or scrub or sandstone waste to him — such was his domain. He needed no wings to fly across it.

Nakhtmin was a bull of his word, and set off at full gallop within precious few strides. She weighed little atop him, less than nothing! And he could run for many miles without tiring. If her grip was half as sure of itself as her tongue, she would not fall, and he would not have to slow.

If less so, and she fell into the sand again, he would laugh.

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