Free Sands of Sorrow by Viola Grace Page A

next to her, supporting her when she swayed.
    She talked to him as long as she could. She was tired, hungry and desperately thirsty when she saw the gleaming silver in the moonlight. The ship.
    She was nearly crawling when she finally got to the vessel, but she made it. She collapsed in front of the steps and hoped that the recruiter returned before she expired.
     
    * * * *
     
    Demnan rubbed his face as he observed one sleight-of-hand trick after another. This nameless world was supposed to have a talent on it. His senses were shrieking that there was one in the vicinity, but he could not find it.
    The pilgrims that had colonized this world had clumped together into a single city. If there was a talent, it had to be here. There was simply nowhere else on the entire world that someone could survive.
    After the displays of piety and prayer, he thanked the organizers for their hospitality and took his leave. The moons were high, and if he left now, he could manage to get himself back to Citadel Balen in good time.
    Specialist Demnan walked back to his ship alone. There was no one out of the city at night, and Demnan didn’t fear any of the local beasts.
    “What is that?”
    There was a small bundle near the hatch of his ship. As he approached, a sand dog uncurled from the bundle, and it crept toward him, growling with its scales up.
    He sent it a calming wave and continued to walk toward his ship. To his shock, the sand dog continued to snarl.
    A soft voice, harsh with fatigue, came from the bundle on the ground. “Saluk, calm down. This is his ship.”
    The young woman on the floor slowly unravelled herself and weaved to her feet. “Sir, I have heard that you are looking for psychic talents.”
    “I am, but there are none here.”
    She smiled, her grubby face amused. “Well there weren’t any there, but there is one here.”
    Demnan watched the arm in the tattered sleeve extend, and he turned to watch what was happening behind him.
    At first, there was nothing, but then, a small tornado began to form, and after that, a wave of sand undulated and twisted up into a spire.
    “My name is Specialist Demnan. Would you come with me to Citadel Balen?”
    “Only if Saluk can come with as well.”
    Demnan looked at the animal who was now leaning against the young woman’s side, supporting her.
    “I see I have no choice. Come along. We will get you sorted out in no time. I think, first, some water.”
    When her face showed relief, he smiled. He had guessed correctly.
    “Do you have to get permission from a parent?”
    She laughed weakly. “I am an adult, just a small one. They have just consigned me to death, so the administration believes I have passed on to the sand field. Going now is an excellent idea.”
    Demnan thought about the folks that he had just left, and he nodded. “Stand aside so I can open the door.”
    He tapped the ship, and the stairs descended. The door slid aside, and he waved at her to precede him.
    She stepped up, and her beast walked with her.
    A thought suddenly occurred to him. “Wait. He can’t come with us.”
    “Why not?”
    “He is a protected species. He belongs here.” Demnan imagined the forms he would have to fill out for kidnapping a rare animal.
    “He belongs with me. Ask him.” The ragged woman stepped into the ship and disappeared around the corner.
    The sand dog followed his person into the ship.
    Demnan suggested that it might want to stay in its warm and sand-covered home. He had never felt contempt from an animal before, but he felt it then.
    Demnan followed his two guests and sealed the ship. With a little effort, he got them situated and took off. At least he wasn’t returning to the Citadel empty-handed. He had a genuine talent with him. That had to be worth a bonus, or at least a minimal lecture for taking a sand dog off its home world. He hoped it made him even.
     

Chapter Two
     
     
    Salika stood in the shower and carefully touched the controls. She heard the hum,