Garnet woke up with absolutely no idea where she was. There was a cool cloth on her forehead, and the sand was cold beneath her scales. When Garnet managed to open her eyes, she found that she was in a cave, it seemed. But the only exit, from what she could see, slanted upwards, like some kind of underground burrow, but large enough for a few dragons.

Eventually, a copper-colored dragon walked through the door. "Hey, you're awake!" he smiled. "I'm Sobek, what's your name?"

"B-Beryl," she stammered. "I really need to get going," she tried to stand up, but ended up falling back onto the floor.

Sobek stifled a laugh, "What were you doing out in the desert without supplies anyways? I get you've probably never visited, but don't SkyWings have any common sense?" he berated.

Garnet frowned. "I did have supplies! But on my way out, I was stolen from! They almost killed me!" she gestured to her bandaged leg. "And then, they just… disappeared. I don't even know how!"

Sobek's eyes widened. "Were his scales slightly lighter than sand? Green eyes? Weird bronze amulet?"

Garnet nodded.

"His name is Dusty," Sobek stared at the wall.

Garnet gave him a severe look. "How do you know him?"

Sobek rubbed his leg. "He's… my brother."

Garnet leaped to her feet, despite the world spinning, and ran for the door. Sobek didn't even have a chance to try and stop her.

The full sunlight was blinding, and her legs were sore, and her head hurt. Garnet pulled her cloak tighter around her, and continued running, not checking to see if Sobek was chasing her. She was aware that he had not been at all hostile, but she wasn't going to give him the chance to start.

Garnet tried to spread her wings, but they stung pretty badly, with the sand between the chinks of her scales. "Ouch," she muttered, as she folded her wings and continued running. Eventually, she paused to take a rest. Everything hurt.

Garnet wheezed with each breath, her stomach seemed to be eating itself. Her three working legs were in lots of pain, but it was nothing compared to her injured leg. The bandages Sobek applied to her leg while she was unconscious were coming off. The wound was purple, black around the edges. Probably still healing, and not ready for running.

The SkyWing winced as she took off the bandages around her chest. The wound was only slightly purple, it was healing much nicer.

Garnet took off the hood, looked up at the sky, and smiled. She would probably die by tomorrow, of hunger, or dehydration, or getting into another fight, or any number of things. But this was the best adventure she'd had in her life, the most freedom she'd ever experienced, and the dangerous battle she'd ever been in. It made her standoff against Peak seem like a flight through the clouds.

If I survive this, and if I get home, I will be understanding of the commoners. Of the other tribes. Of dragons everywhere. This won't be a nightmare. This will be my eye-opener. the princess vowed.

"Beryl?" Sobek called out. He sounded like he was just over the next sand dune.

It wasn't like Garnethad time to hide, or run. She just put her hood back on, and glared over the dune.

"There you are," Sobek nodded. "You are in no condition to be running off like that. I understand that my brother is the one who just tried to kill you, but I'm different. I promise," he held our a talon to her. "I'm going over to the kingdom of Rain and Night to see a friend of mine. I want you to come with me. For one thing, I found you passed out in the desert with nothing but a cloak, and an expensive-looking armband. Beryl, you're my responsibility now, wether you like it or not.

"Besides, I think that you're pretty good a negotiating, if needed, and fighting, too. Not many can survive a battle with dusty, let alone, come off as easy as you did," Sobek asked. "So, please?"

Garnet looked him straight in the eye. She tried to replicate that steely tone Queen Olympus would use when she denying a request. "I'm honored, but I don't think that will be necessary. If you must, just escort me to the nearest village that will accept a SkyWing commoner, and that would do."

The look Sobek gave her, made it clear he doubted she was a commoner. But he did not question it, much to Garnet's appreciation."The nearest village is a few days walk, in your condition. It's back the way we came. I'll take you there, and if there is a doctor, and I am comfortable with your health and supplies, and you still feel like staying, then It's a deal," Sobek matched her tone perfectly.

"It's a deal," Garnet nodded. She tried to walk, but she was still tired from her run, and weak from her battle, so her pace was incredibly slow, and she was limping, too. Her leg throbbed.

"Here," Sobek pressed himself against her side, supporting her weight. And together, they marched off to the Southeast.