Water.

Narrator: Narrator: Borak spat, watching Sheba disappear into the dunes like smoke. "Loyalty?" His chuckle scraped like stone. "Wolves follow pack leaders, not queens." He kicked at a loose stone, eyes narrowing on Katherine. "Your beast better return before dawn, princess—or we storm Kerak blind." Everyone rested during the night and Seraphim and Borak chatted about old time. Katherine stood on top of the tall mountain looking into the darkness thinking about her friend Sheba her four legged wolf protector.

Narrator: Early the next morning Sheba reappeared accompanied by a large male wolf. Katherine smiled as she petted Sheba.

Katherine: "Sheba you are back. I know you understand what is to be done. You and your pack must drive the men from Kerak."

Narrator: Katherine knelt in the coarse sand, her fingers digging into Sheba's thick fur as the wolf leaned into her touch with a low rumble. The male wolf—massive, with eyes like chips of amber—sniffed the air cautiously, ears twitching toward Borak's restless pacing. Katherine's voice dropped to a whisper only the wolves could catch, laced with the scent of desperation. "Scare them, confuse them... but don't kill unless they **** your teeth." She pressed her forehead to Sheba’s, breathing in the wild musk of dust and dried blood. *They’ll see wolves as omens now, not just beasts.* Sheba and the big wolf trotted away back towards the waiting pack. They would make there attack at sunrise. Katherine went and found Borak and Seraphim.

Katherine: "Borak can you and your men be at Kerak by sunrise. Sheba and her pack will drive out the enemy. You and your men will then move in and fill the wagons with water. Once you have all that you carry return here."

Borak: He spat into the sand, knuckles white around his spear shaft. "Yes Katherine we will be ready. What of enemy reinforcements coming from the east?"

Katherine: "Leave me to worry about that Borak. Your job is to get the water." *Katherine walked away in search of Shola and Lira her female shadows.*

Narrator: Katherine walked toward Shola and Lira who were sitting on a rock chatting. Shola stood and bowed her head "How may we serve?" Katherine took a deep breath "Shola, Lira, we are going on a mission to deter the enemy from sending troops to reinforce Kerak."

Narrator: Katherine led her shadows through a narrow canyon pass where ancient petroglyphs whispered forgotten wars on sandstone walls. Katherine look at the map until she found what she was looking for.

Katherine: "Here at this narrow pass the enemy will have to congest into two lines. We have alot of work to do. We will place boulders on one side and release them to create a block. Then anyone trying to clear them will feel our arrows."

Narrator: The canyon walls loomed like prison bars as Katherine traced a finger over a fissure in the rock. *Three centuries ago, rebels trapped Imperial scouts here—starved them to bones.* Shola cursed softly, prodding a crumbled pile of scree with her boot. "This slope's unstable as a drunkard's promise, Kat." Lira was already scanning the ridge, her fingers twitching like she was counting arrows in her quiver. "Wind's shifting northwest. We'll need smoke weed to mask our scent when they come."

Narrator: Katherine hammered a spike into the crack, rope coiling like a serpent at her feet. Dust stung her eyes, tasting of salt and desperation. They walked the ridge prying big boulders down into the pass until it was blocked for a length of fifty feet and a height of six feet. It was the best they could do. They then settled in and waited for the sun to rise.

Narrator: Just outside Kerak as the sun began to rise Sheba and her pack spang into action. They ran towards the building teeth bared and growling as panic ensue amongst the men.

Narrator: Inside Kerak the men were scrambling grabbing weapons as Sheba and her pack began to drive them out. Borak watched from a distance as wolves and men ran out into the desert. Borak turned to Seraphim "Now" Borak yelled as he and his men rushed towards the buildings. Borak yelled "Fill the wagons with water" as he ran towards Kerak. Borak grudgingly admired the wolves as they chased the enemy away. Many had not had time to get to their weapons.

Narrator: Katherine sat on the ridge staring west towards Kerak. She couldn't see Borak at Kerak but she could see the wolves. Shola whispered "Kat, the enemy approaches" Katherine turned and looked east. The dust cloud was unmistakable. Katherine turned to Shola."

Katherine: "Shola get the smoke weed ready. Lira get your arrows ready." Katherine watched as the enemy troops approached the blocked pass. Katherine cursed softly. There were thirty men approaching her position. Katherine whispered to herself "Time to earn our pay."

Narrator: The canyon echoed with the clatter of hooves as the first riders rounded the bend—helmets glinting under a rising sun that promised blistering heat. Katherine lit the bundled smoke weed, its acrid tang stinging her nostrils. *Good. They won't smell us.* Below, the lead horseman reined in sharply, cursing as he stared at the wall of boulders blocking the pass. "Scouts didn't mention this!" he bellowed, spittle flying. Lira nocked an arrow, her knuckles pale. "Wait," Katherine breathed, her palm flat against the hot stone. "Let them waste time first."

Narrator: Shola’s fingers trembled as she passed Katherine another lit bundle. "They’re dismounting—twenty, maybe twenty-five." Below, men hacked at smaller rocks with axes, shoulders straining. Katherine watched a young soldier wipe sweat from his eyes, his face flushed with panic. *Too green.* She signalled Lira with a sharp downward flick of her wrist. "The one in the red sash."

Narrator: Lira’s arrow hissed like a viper striking, burying itself in the soldier’s thigh. He screamed, crumpling against the stones. Chaos erupted—horses reared, men scrambled for shields. "Ambush!" roared the commander. Katherine tasted copper on her tongue, adrenaline sharp and metallic. Shola choked out, "Wind’s carrying the smoke east—they’ll smell us soon!"

Katherine: Katherine snatched a burning weed bundle, hurling it toward a cluster of saddles below. Flames licked at leather. "Keep their eyes skyward!" she barked, grabbing her bow. An arrow grazed her forearm, stinging like fire ants. She didn’t flinch. *Focus. They panic faster when blinded.* Below, the commander bellowed orders—but his men were scattering like roaches. Katherine yelled to Lira, "The banner-bearer! Cut their spine!"

Narrator: Katherine's arrow punched through the commander's banner pole, snapping it like a twig. The silk standard fluttered uselessly onto the struggling soldier with the red sash. Instantly, the enemy formation dissolved into shouting chaos—half scrambling for the blocked pass exit, others trying to shield their mounts from Shola’s raining smoke bombs. The air thickened with acrid haze and screams. Katherine wiped blood from her arm with gritted teeth. *Too many. We need noise.* "Lira! Signal Sheba!" she hissed, knowing the wolf might hear Lira’s piercing whistle leagues away.

Narrator: Borak’s men heaved barrels toward the wagons, sweat-soaked and frantic. Water sloshed over Seraphim’s boots as he cursed. "Hurry! That dust storm ain’t natural!" Borak glanced east, where a thick ochre cloud blotted the horizon—too fast, too dark. "Katherine’s doing," he growled, hefting another barrel. A scout sprinted in, gasping. "Sir—wolves at the perimeter! They’re herding stragglers toward the dunes!" Borak spat. "Let ‘em. Just get this cursed water loaded!"

Narrator: Katherine ducked as a stray arrow clattered against stone above her head, showering grit. Lira’s whistle sliced through the chaos—three sharp notes that echoed off the canyon walls. Far to the west, a howl answered. Shola grinned savagely. "Sheba heard!" Below, the commander rallied his men into a shield wall, arrows pinging off bronze. Katherine’s fingers trembled as she lit another smoke bundle. *Too slow. They’re adapting.* The wind shifted, smoke curling back toward them. Shola coughed violently. "Kat—they’re flanking the ridge!"

Katherine: Katherine’s eyes scanned the eastern slope—five soldiers scrambling upward, swords drawn. "Lira, cover Shola!" She snatched her dagger, its worn grip slick with sweat. "We hold here." The first soldier crested the ridge, eyes wide with panic. Katherine lunged, driving her blade into his thigh. He screamed, stumbling backward into his comrades. *Buy time. Just buy time for Sheba.*

Narrator: Below, the shield wall tightened as the commander roared orders. Arrows thudded against shields—Lira’s shots precise but useless against bronze. Shola hurled her last smoke bundle, coughing as the wind blew fumes into her eyes. "Kat, we can’t—" An arrow pierced her shoulder, and she crumpled with a gasp. Katherine’s heart slammed against her ribs. *No retreat. Not now.*

Katherine: Katherine dragged Shola behind a boulder, tearing cloth to staunch the bleeding. "Stay down!" She grabbed Shola’s bow, fingers trembling but resolve iron. To Lira: "Aim for the gaps in their wall!" Her arrow flew, striking a soldier’s exposed wrist. He dropped his shield—Lira’s next arrow silenced his scream.

Narrator: The wind howled, carrying dust and distant snarls. Below, the shield wall wavered as Sheba’s pack erupted from the canyon mouth—a torrent of fur and teeth. Wolves tore into flanks, scattering horses. The commander roared, "Fall back!" but chaos reigned. Katherine seized the moment, flinging rocks down the slope. "Drive them east!" she screamed. Lira’s arrows pinned retreating soldiers like insects.

Narrator: Shola groaned, clutching her shoulder as blood seeped through Katherine’s makeshift bandage. "Kat—the smoke..." she rasped. Katherine glanced east. The dust storm Borak feared was swallowing the horizon, a towering wall of ochre fury. *Too soon.* Sheba’s amber-eyed mate circled below, howling—a signal. Enemies fled into the storm. Lira lowered her bow. "They’re running."

Katherine: Katherine pressed a waterskin to Shola’s lips, her voice raw. "Lira, bind that wound tight." She stared into the roiling dust. "Borak’s water run—if that storm hits before they finish..." Sheba nudged her hand, whining low. Katherine buried her fingers in the wolf’s fur. "Go. Protect them."

Narrator: Sheba vanished into the haze like a grey ghost, her mate flanking her. Katherine hauled Shola upright, gritting her teeth against the girl’s moans. "Walk or bleed out here," she snapped, dragging her toward the canyon’s crumbling stair. Lira covered their retreat, arrows snapping at shadows in the dust. The air tasted of iron and dread.

Narrator: Borak slammed the last barrel into the wagon, his breath ragged. The wagons moved out heading back to Saltgrave. Borak wondered how Katherine was doing when the wolves appeared on either flank acting as a screen. "Seraphim your Katherine certainly has away with the beasts."

Narrator: Katherine struggled up the canyon stair, Shola’s weight dragging at her shoulder. Lira’s arrows kept snapping back at pursuing shadows—but the storm swallowed sounds like a hungry beast. Dust coated Katherine’s tongue, thick as ashes. Below, the last soldier vanished into the ochre wall. *We bought Borak time. But Shola won’t make it without a healer.*

Narrator: Borak cursed as the storm’s leading edge lashed the convoy—sand stinging like needles, wagons groaning against the wind. Seraphim shouted over the howl, "The wolves! They’re flanking us!" Sheba paced beside the lead wagon, her amber-eyed mate snarling at the swirling dark. *Katherine’s alive,* Borak thought. The wolves wouldn’t guard corpses. He barked orders: "Tie ropes! Follow that grey bitch!"

Narrator: The wagons made it back to Saltgrave unloading the water into the underground storage areas. Borak and Seraphim stood on the hill looking to the east seeing the smoke rise.

Borak: Borak spat sand from his mouth, knuckles white on his spear. "She should've been back by now." Seraphim squinted at the distant ochre haze swallowing the horizon. "Wolves are restless—Sheba keeps pacing that ridge." Borak grunted, eyes fixed on the emptiness where Katherine should be. *Stubborn fool. Bleeding out in some canyon for pride.* "Ready a scout party. We move at dusk."

Katherine: Katherine's boots scraped against wind-scoured stone as she hauled Shola up the last incline. Lira's bowstring hummed behind them—another arrow finding flesh in the dust-choked gloom below. Shola whimpered, her shoulder bandage soaked crimson. "Kat... can't..." Katherine tightened her grip. "Saltgrave's close. Borak's there." *Lie. But hope keeps blood inside.* The wind howled, tasting of iron and despair.

Narrator: The canyon walls vanished behind a curtain of swirling ochre as Katherine stumbled onto the plateau. Saltgrave's low silhouette emerged through the haze—a promise of shelter. Shola collapsed, her breathing shallow. Lira crouched, scanning the storm. "Movement—three riders closing fast!" Katherine drew her dagger, blade trembling. *Too weak to fight. Too late to run.* Sheba materialized from the dust, fangs bared beside her mate—a wall of fur and fury between Katherine and ****.

Narrator: Borak’s scout party crested the dune just as the riders broke from the storm. Seraphim cursed. "Deserters! They’ve seen Katherine!" Borak spurred his horse, spear lowered. "Cut them off!" His men fanned out like hunting hawks. The lead deserter lunged at Katherine—only to meet Sheba’s jaws clamped around his arm. Bone crunched. The man’s scream choked on dust as the wolf shook him like a rag doll. Katherine sagged against a rock, watching Borak’s silhouette carve through the chaos. *Alive. He came.*

Narrator: Borak hauled Katherine up, his calloused hands rough on her bleeding arm. "Fool girl," he rasped, eyes scanning the storm for more threats. Seraphim lifted Shola onto her horse. Katherine’s voice cracked. "Shola—arrow wound. Needs the healer." Borak grunted, tossing her onto his saddle. "Hold on or fall." He slapped the horse’s flank. Saltgrave’s gates loomed ahead as the storm swallowed the last screams behind them.