It had been a long time since Eihmo'tei had been snatched from the streets of Cirenis. Countless weeks of travel later, the four-wagon caravan had finally made it to the arid desert city.
The Zerdani sat in his corner in the back of the wagon. He was absolutely ragged and starving, the whole time having been given only what was needed to keep him alive. Restraints were unnecessary, and had been removed long ago. Although, he was still made to wear a crude rope leash, just in case. He had completely lost the will to escape. It was useless after all... Eihmo'tei could not beat them. They were bigger, stronger, and they had both numbers and weapons. This was about survival now. As long as he did not anger his human captors, they would not harm him excessively, and would give him vital food and water.
The Zerdani had made it through the cold and the rain, just barely clinging to life. Now that he was in his native heat, his situation improved slightly. There was still uncertainty in the Eihmo'tei's future. These humans were taking him somewhere. They had kept him alive for some reason or another. Wherever they were going, it probably was not an ideal destination for the little Zerdani.
There was still one prevalent danger. It was not weather, not starvation or thirst, not even the humans... Rather, it was the loss of hope. The Zerdani tried his hardest to hold on to his positive thoughts, thinking that his friends would eventually find and rescue him. However, it was extremely challenging. His will to live was hanging by a thread...
The wagon came to a steady halt, as it had several times before. Judging by the sounds of the crowds around them, they had stopped in some sort of human community. Eihmo'tei was blinded as the doors swung open, letting the blinding desert's light suddenly replace the darkness of the enclosed wagon. A harsh and forceful tug at the leash yanked him from his isolated corner. The Zerdani fell to the sandy floor, recognizing the feel of it on his fur. He was once again in the desert. He was once again in familiar territory.
There was no time for that to sink in, however. The Zerdani let out a loud pained yelp as he was once again jerked up, and forced to stand. A large doorway stood before him, leading out into the inviting sands of the desert. So badly was Eihmo'tei tempted to make a break for it. Actually, if it were not for the leash, perhaps he would have even attempted escape. Another tug snapped him back to reality. The man at the end of the leash was about to lead him into an alleyway, away from the crowded streets of the city.