Dry - Book Excerpt - Syshir Siblings #8

Stepping up to her side, Inem caught her elbow in his grip and brought her closer to him, Unara had the instant temptation of wanting to bite the old Shiften's hand off, but he merely leered at her with that crooked, toothless smile, and released his hold.
"We'll be entering the Storm soon. You'll need to stick close, milady. Wouldn't want you getting lost."
Scowling, Unara took a step away from him, keeping a respectful distance. "The Storm?"
Inem nodded, already not paying her much attention, as he unhooked his belt of supplies that hung off his pack, and slung it around his hips. His waterskin was there, now in easy reach. Should she do the same? Hers had been crammed inside her pack, and it had gotten so annoying having to constantly remove it that she'd just been carrying it in her hand for the last few hours.
Not wanting to ask, Unara yanked her spare tie from around her wrist and used it to secure her waterskin to her belt. Immediately, she was comforted by having her hands free. They would be far easier to shift to claws now.
Inem nodded at the blurred horizon ahead. "The Storm is the last barrier to the City." They were going to have to walk through a sandstorm to get to the Library
Helpful, very helpful. He had absolutely refused to explain anything about how they were traveling. When she asked him to explain what path they were following, help her to remember for next time, he had steadfastly refused. Only Guides were allowed to travel Sandstep and bring foreigners to the City. Apparently, despite her Shiften blood, she was definitely a foreigner to Tinobi.
Well, fine, she had an invitation from the Prishiften, she would just have to get another one.
Inem pulled his bandana up from his neck, adjusting the wrap on his head, so that his entire face was covered by the time he was done. Could he even see? Unara couldn't tell if the fabric over his eyes was sheer enough to allow light to pass through.
He walked off, and Unara hurried to try and mimic something similar, although she left her eyes exposed to be able to follow him.
The sand looked as if it formed a perfect, solid wall ahead of them. Inem only paused long enough to shackle her wrist in his grip, before dragging her ahead into the dry, stinging storm of sand.

Character/s: Unara (the sixth Syshir sibling)

Related articles/s: The City