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There are as many stories as there are diamonds in Stella's dark gown or grains in the desert. Legends tell of a woman dressed in crimson, with hair of living flame and cool, mellow, smooth-jade eyes. Travelers, and many others of my peoples dubbed her "Desert Rose." Tales vary, but it is generally believed that sandstorms are her fits of anger (others say they are caused by her frenzied dances) and red hail is her tears...

~Night~

Jahanara had been riding for five days when she first encountered the red-clad stranger. He/she was walking, apparently alone. Jahanara strained her eyes. 'What are they thinking, walking barefoot in this place at this hour? Don't they know about scorpions?' Curiosity piqued, the young girl dug her heels on Tamurlane's sides until they reached the wanderer.

"Excuse me; it is unwise to travel alone and barefoot--" Upon closer inspection, she realized it was a woman. "At night." Jahanara finished lamely. The veiled woman looked up with interest. "Really? Why is that?" "All the animals come out at this time; same with desert thieves and highwaymen. Everyone knows that." "Is that so? What about you? Save your horse for company, you are very much alone." Pause. "My caravan is camped somewhere in this area." Silence.

They walked on. Jahanara spoke. "There's also the Desert Rose." Once again, there was a spark of interest in the woman's shrouded eyes. "Desert Rose?" "A Desert Goddess--the most supreme and mysterious out of all the Gods in this desert. When she dances or when she is angry, she creates sandstorms at subsconscious whim, and red hail is her tears." For several minutes, the woman did not respond, taking it in. After roughly eleven minutes of silence, she spoke.

"That is interesting..."