Thekla got back on the seat, more determined than ever to get Xantha to the temple for help, but the desert stretched out for miles in front of her and the sun was sinking lower into the sky. It was clear to her now that they would not make it to the temple that night. As the sun finally slipped down and the soft gray light of evening filled the sky, Thekla stopped the cart and crawled in beside her friend. Pulling back the bandage to change it for the last one that she had, she was terrified to see a dark brown fluid oozing from the wound. Xantha's fever was much higher; her skin felt like hot paper under Thekla's hands. After changing the bandage, Thekla used the last of the water supply on her friend's face, trying to cool her off, but even it the cold night of the desert Xantha felt hot. Thekla lay down next to her friend, trying to give her friend some of her warmth and strength. Thekla listened through the night as each breath became harder for Xantha and more time past in between them. Xantha was struggling to hang on to the last gossamer thread of life, but that thread was quickly slipping out of her grasp.
