Exhausted and diminished by their journey, the Caravansary returns to Nashaki, where they have to pay a tax to partake of the Oasis and refresh their animals and themselves. Demda and Dimza Nil discuss the concept of paying for water, when the lands north of Nashaki take such a resource for granted. She has second thoughts about staying in Nashaki, but he convinces her to keep on in the desert, by espousing the benefits to the soul or something philosophical like that. She ends up buying into his argument.

Demda has reclaimed her horse, but is still pursued by the wolves. There are less hungry canines following them now, but does the caravan have enough warm bodies to sacrifice to those remaining to the Mistress of the Hunt?

Mature/Violence: Entering through the mountain pass south of the Eternal Empire lands, the Caravansary emerges back into the sands of the Hotlands. They proceed along the normal route, skirting the mountainside for shelter and access to water sources, but are accosted by packs of wild desert wolves.

Demda receives lessons from one of the members of the Hotlands Caravansary to teach her to ride as they begin on their trade route.

Demda is introduced to Dimza Nil, the Caravansary Captain from the Hotlands. He exchanges her forward payment for the job as a scout for the caravan, and also giving her some extras that she'll be able to keep if they come back successfully from the job.