this desert rose has thorns

The cool water touched her tongue and she felt the relief of the life giving water. This resource was the most valuable here in the desert, and had she not memorized the dottings of springs throughout the land she would have long perished. Obviously she was losing her touch though. After the encounter with the man making camp near the redwater rocks she had been blessedly alone. She should have had her guard up and should have been paying more attention. By the time she heard his voice he could have overwhelmed and subdued her.

She still visibly startled as he shifted to peek from behind the grasses. Rava backstepped, her eyes flashing in fright as her body assumed a stance to flee. Silver eyes glued to his features as she assessed her situation. He hadn’t stood up and as Rava looked at him she couldn’t ignore the age of him. Nor his familiarity. He reminded her very much of the man who’d managed to capture her for a night. That massive gathering of wolves on the beach before she’d escaped to the desert…

Rava’s heart beat erratically in her chest as she stood frozen for a long moment, debating about fleeing now. She ‘d barely had a sip of water and wouldn’t likely make it to the next oasis without fully replenishing herself. She was stuck. ”Water is life.” She whispered, her fight lingering in her voice as she hesitated in stepping forward to finish her drink.