Rosewater Oasis Almagest

Nikolaos was a man accustomed to chaos. When he rose wordlessly with the sun each day, he never knew where he would sleep next, or when, or with whom. He didn't know when he would take his first meal, or where duty would call him. He kept to this orderless routine as if commanded by the Gods.

And he did not let himself fall to feelings like despair.

Yet that was what tugged at him now as he slowed to a stop, glancing at @Euryalos. They'd gone ahead to find a safe path, as they often did, but Nikolaos was beginning to doubt that any such path existed. It was not safe here. It was hot and unforgiving. And soon he would become another burden to the group. He began to peel away the wrapping at his shoulder applied by the princess two days ago; it was poorly done and fell away easily. He exchanged a look with Euryalos, mouth twitching.

The sour smell of infection burst into the hot air. Nikolaos let his gaze linger over his ruined flesh, expressionless. Then he looked away. Ahead. Up there, He said, squinting at the ground beneath a cluster of tall trees. Water. He shot another glance at his pale companion and pushed ahead. Water meant they could camp for a time.