The desert is a harsh, unforgiving place on many planets. The one on planet Terria is no different. The sun shone down brightly and sand particles rolled around almost every 2 minutes.
The lone soul trudged in the sand, her footprint not seen as they had been covered up. The only protection from the elements she had was a thin scarf wrapped around her face.
At this point, she was operating on pure instincts to survive. She was severely dehydrated, her pale lips full of blisters and her skin was burnt in several places. She walked like the undead, groaning and occasionally drooling.
Sandstorms were rarely seen in this desert but on this particular day, the wind picked up and she could hear it coming. She could only look back dumbly as the storm hit and toyed around with her. It buried her and she soon lost consciousness.
A few hours later, a caravan passed by. One of the camels hit something and it panicked. When the rider went to check, he saw a body. He leaned closer to see if the person was still alive. She was breathing but it was too light.
"Oi! I found me a lass. She might die soon"
"Bring her over" another member of the caravan called back.
The rider hoisted her over his shoulder and carries her to the mage. They resuscitate her and feed her. They also nurse her to sleep.
The caravan continues to the outskirts of a nearby town and set up camp there. She awakens right when they're having dinner.
"Hello little one" the mage says as soon as he spots her. She gives a tiny wave back. He pats the grass beside him and she goes to sit beside him.
"What's your name?"
"Alea"
"A lovely name for a lovely little girl. My name is Sol. I'm the caravan mage. The burly one over there is the one that saved you. He's Fyed and over there is Diqa"
"Nice to meet you all. Thank you for saving me" she says quietly.
"Aye, it's no problem lass" Fyed says with a loud burp. Diqa hits him over his head for his lack of manners.
"So Alea, what were you doing in the desert all by yourself?" Diqa asks, passing her a plate of food.
"I got lost"
"Where are your parents?"
"I don't know"
"Where are you from then?"
"Nrieth"
They all give her surprised looks. They had never heard of that place despite traveling all around the continent.
"Well Alea, do you want us to take you home?" Sol asks nicely.
"No" she replies quickly. She stares into the fire.
"Well, you'll stay with us then. You'll help with little chores and we'll teach you how to hunt. Sol can even teach you how to become a mage"
"Diqa!" Sol reprimands but she isn't listening to him anymore.
Alea looks at the three of them and nods.
"Great! You'll stay with me then" Diqa says excitedly. She grabbed Alea's hand and pulls her into her tent. Sol shook his head while Fyed guffawed. That was how little Alea became a part of the caravan.