Once again, Merin appeared to be losing what was left of her senses. Red watched the woman throw her arms up in the air, make weird noises with her mouth, and jump.

The more time they spent together, the more Red felt like she was like that poor dog he once loved. That dog had lost its mind after a fall as well. The only thing Merin was missing to truly make the connection was a limp. With the amount of danger she attracted, it was highly probable that that would happen sooner rather than later, he thought as he observed her.

Her source of woes was more warranted this time. They faced a part of the land that even he knew nothing about.

Merin had complained in her cryptic language about everything. It wasn't hard to surmise what the woman was doing. She'd wrinkle her forehead and turn up her nose when the sun's heat hit its peak. That sneer of hers was shown every time he handed her the dried meat or bean rice patties. He knew it wasn't the tastiest food, but it fueled the body. The exact words spilling out of her lips in those situations were flowing out now.

She was now casting that sneer towards the suspiciously cool-looking oasis that appeared.

Red knew that it was a trap. Even Merin seemed to realize it was one. She seemed enraged at the taunt of the babbling brooks, swaying trees that offered shade, and the tantalizing scent of fresh fruit.

Without prompting, Red grabbed her elbow and guided her away from temptation.

There was no sense in getting too close to something designed to lure them in. Ela was built to curse, and damn, nothing it gave was free.

Merin made grumbling noises in the back of her throat as he pulled her away from the oasis.

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He might have patted her head if he wasn't sure of her temperament.

According to the daily map Aram drew to show their progress through the desert, they were about halfway through it. For the life of her, Merin had no idea how the man knew that. He just did. He was an enigma.

Merin also had yet to learn how he always seemed to produce the same tasteless jerky or stiff patties. Not for the first time in her prolonged life, she pondered how starving to death might feel.

Aram seemed to sense these things whenever Merin wondered these things as she stared at the food. Because he once shoved the rations into her mouth. She'd glared at him stubbornly back then as he forced her to chew and swallow. She knew it was essential to keep her strength up, but there had to be a tastier way to do it!

The more time they spent in this dusty intense desert, the more she wondered about him.

She spotted a brand on his arm at least once a day when they changed their clothing. It was prudent to share warmth or wear layers depending on the time of day. It was only natural to see things.

The brand seemed to grow redder with each day that passed. A few days ago, black and brown scabs grew along the edges of the inscription. Now, there was white and green pus coming off it.

Whatever that thing was on him, it needed to come off.

Merin decided to take a page from his book and grab his arm the next time he exposed it to her. Under his blank placid gaze, she squeezed the worsening wound.

Aram breathed not a word of complaint as she inspected the ooze.

Merin rubbed her right index finger and thumb together. From the friction, a silver string of light grew. It resembled a needle, and under the continued friction, a wispy string grew.

Merin efficiently stuck her needle in his flesh. The man didn't so much as flinch. She could feel his steady gaze on her as she threaded his flesh with silver threads. She didn't stop until every inch of the infected wound had a string sown through.

Merin muttered a few words as she rubbed her palms and steadied her breath. After a few calm inhalations, she spread her palms out like wings and blew a cool breath through them and unto Aram's wound.

The man did stiffen at this point. But Merin was too focused to notice it as she guided her breath to soothe and heal the broken skin.

Merin wouldn't know if it worked for a long time. Because after her next breath in, the lights went out for her.