Another day has begun. Another sad, exhausting day of life in the desert. Though it was early in the day, the sun was already high in the sky, a side effect of living in the desert. I haven't always lived in the desert. Once, I was fortunate to be homeless in a town. Much before that, I was even more fortunate, having two loving parents and a home to live in. But that time is done, no more. My parents died by the hands of an unknown marauder, leaving me orphaned. I was almost alone, but not totally alone. I had my older brother, Regyurābōi, Regyu for short. We lived on the streets after that, as our home was taken by our town's king to be demolished. We managed to live by stealing and begging for about eleven years. Yet our village succumbed to invaders, so we were forced to flee in order