"Well, I can't let you wander around this desert any longer. It's too dangerous. Tell you what, why don't I help you get to the Great Desert Kingdom?"
Barrie and Oliver exchanged a surprised look. A glimmer of hope flickered in their eyes. Was this mysterious stranger truly offering to help them?
"That would be absolutely wonderful, Acomalaka," Barrie said, a hint of relief lacing her voice. Despite the strangeness of the situation, the offer of safe passage was a lifeline in the harsh desert.
Alex chuckled, a genuine laugh that seemed to lighten the mood a bit. "Just call me Alex, Acomalaka was, uh, a bit of a... disguise, you could say. Yeah, a fake name."
Barrie and Oliver blinked, processing this new information. A fake name? The mystery surrounding Alex deepened, but there was a sincerity in his smile that eased some of their apprehension.
"Well, okay then, Alex," Oliver finally replied, a hesitant smile forming on his lips.
