The Return of Many Worlds,part,13

Three years had passed since Laleh's caravan vanished into the northeastern horizon when a familiar watchman climbed the eastern tower of Narala just before sunrise.His name was Yasin.He had been keeping watch over the oasis for almost twenty years, and every morning he followed the same routine.He first looked toward the eastern dunes, then the southern trade road, then the western ridge, and finally the northern passes.Most mornings showed nothing more than distant caravans heading along their usual paths.But this morning was different.Beyond the shimmering horizon where the desert met the pale sky, a faint cloud of dust slowly rose into the dawn.Yasin narrowed his eyes.The pattern was too large for a merchant caravan.Too organized for wandering tribes.Too peaceful for an army.He smiled before anyone else