D & D - Red Sands by Paul B. Thompson, Tonya R. Carter

chortled. "Imagine hoodwinking that crafty old chieftain out of his victim, and converting the nomads to the worship of Agma as well! And the look on Nabul's face when he thought we had abandoned him . . ."
    "Most humorous! I'll bet you used to oil the tips of beggars' crutches," Nabul called from behind.
    "Are you complaining, thief?" said Jadira over her shoulder.
    "Me? Complain? What an idea!" Nabul's comrades laughed as one as they rode northwest from Julli toward the distant mountains.
    They had bought donkeys from a trader at the oasis with the coins Mit'ai had given them. They purchased five, though Uramettu said no beast of burden would tolerate her on its back. She continued to walk, and the fifth animal was loaded with their provisions.
    A day's journey north, the desert elevation rose. The wind picked up and blew steadily from the west. As Tamakh reckoned their location, they had only to travel due west to strike the southern range of the Shammat. Jadira estimated they had seventy leagues to go.
    Two clays out of Julli, the companions were resting in the lee of a dune when Uramettu rose from her usual crouch and began pacing the sand.
    "What is it?" said Marix.
    "I sense something. A presence—someone lurking nearby," she said.
    Nabul drew his dagger. "The Aqiri!" he said. "They found out you tricked them!"
    Uramettu adjusted the sash of her new burnoose. "I shall see just who it is," she said. Marix held out the spear to her. Uramettu shook her head.
    "I won't need that," she said, and she loped off around the base of the dune.
    "What do you suppose she meant?" asked Marix. His question was punctuated by the high, wavering wail of a prowling panther. The four exchanged worried looks and sat down in a close group, backs together.
    The day stood still. Blown sand drifted around Tamakh's motionless feet. He scratched at the short stubble beginning to poke through the soft skin of his face. Nabul rubbed the blade of his dagger absently against a sandal strap. Marix hummed a Dosen tune. Jadira felt his shoulder on hers.
    The donkeys brayed unhappily and churned around the stakes that held their reins to the ground. Then a dark form flowed over the ritn of the dune, and the companions stood up.
    The panther slunk toward them. She held something in her mouth, but Jadira was distracted by the smear of bright blood on Uramettu's flank. The stump of an arrow protruded from her leg.
    "Uramettu!" she said, starting forward. Tamakh hooked her arm.
    "Careful. Wounded, she may not react kindly to us,"
    he said. "Let me approach her."
    He pushed back the hood of his burnoose and walked slowly toward the injured animal. He spoke in low, soothing tones. Despite that, Uramettu bared fearsome fangs before Tamakh got within an arm's length of her.
    "Beware, Holy One!" Marix said.
    Tamakh knelt and put his face down to the sand. Uramettu's nose twitched. The priest inched forward, keeping his face averted. When the sunburned skin of his shaven head was just a finger's breadth away, Uramettu uttered a throaty rumble.
    "It's all right," said Tamakh soothingly.
    Tamakh gently removed the wad of cloth from Ura-mettu's mouth. It was a nomad's headdress, nut-colored with a black border. Spots of red flecked the underside.
    "What do you make of this?" said Tamakh, tossing the headdress back to Jadira.
    "Bershak," she said. "There were several at Julli."
    "I'm going to remove the arrow," said the priest.
    "She'll kill you if you hurt her!" Nabul exclaimed.
    Tamakh stroked the cat's dense black fur. "I think she trusts me," he said. "Bring me wine. I want it—"
    "This is no time for drinking," chided Marix.
    "—to dress her wound," Tamakh finished.
    "I don't think we have any wine," said Jadira.
    "Yes, we do. Ask Nabul."
    Nabul tried to look innocent but failed. He went to his donkey and came back with a bulging kidskin bag. "How did you know, holy man? More magic?"
    "I knew you wouldn't leave Julli without the comfort of spirits," Tamakh