Amidst the desert sand (end)

[Gabrielle]

Across the threshold of frozen ice was miles and miles of hot desert. Gabrielle has not encountered anything remotely like this before and it made her all the more curious what else this world had in stored for her. She looked to the kids then back to her supplies, there wasn't a whole lot left so they would have to use it sparingly. Eventually they would have to make camp before they could even think about going any further. Hopefully Gabrielle would be able to stock up on supplies in the nearest town.
"Do either of you have food or water?"
Gabrielle asked to determine just how much food they had to ration while keeping an eye out for any less than friendly visitors that may also arrive in the desert.

[Ayen]

This place was starting to look like Egypt. That's right, Zora and her family's been to Egypt. What's it to you? If the Weasleys could manage it then of course so could they. What took them years, if not centuries, to save up their money was common place for them. Only difference being Egypt was far more colorful. This place looked like one big sand pile of death. Not exactly somewhere you'd go on vacation.

“Uhh...”

At the question Gabrielle posed about food Zora remembered that she had two chocolate frogs and a bag of Bertie Bott's Every Flavour Beans but she remembered that Daniel still thought Hogwarts as nothing more than a work of fiction and didn't want to disprove that fact any time soon.

“I'm afraid I don't have any food on me.”

[Aminee Starlight]

"Halt! Who goes there!?" Up ahead along the desert sand was the leader of the Kari's camp of survivors Kain. There were four men behind him, two to his left and two to his right, armed with hand made spears crafted out of the crystal ice from the Crystal Expanse itself. Once upon a time they rivaled even Isafaro in weapons and equipment but after the "Great Freeze" most of their supplies had been lost and they were forced to use whatever they could get their hands on. "This is Kari's territory. Leave this place at once!"

[Gabrielle]

That was unfortunate but food wouldn't be their only problem as a group of five blocked their path demanding they leave. Some things never changed no matter what world you traveled in.
"My name is Gabrielle. We're not a threat to you we only want to find a way back home. Do any one of you know the quickest path to Jherrazad?"
Hopefully this could end without a conflict but if this was anything like previous encounters when she traveled with Xena that was unlikely.

[Aminee Starlight]

Kain closely examined Gabrielle and the children from where he stood. Neither of the three looked to be of any threat but looks can be deceiving, especially out in the desert. "Just keep going straight and you'll find it but I wouldn't recommend going there." The people in Jherrazad were savages as far as Kain was concerned. Even though they held no claim to the desert they would slaughter anyone who settled here in the name of their empire and Kain knew it wouldn't be long until they would have to defend their home from them. "It's no place for children."

[Ayen]

Zora stopped next to Gabrielle and eyed these muggles up and down. These five certainly weren't helping the already prejudiced view the child had of non-magical folk. Were they actually supposed to feel threatened by those ice picks they called weapons? Inching closer to Gabrielle the child whispered,

“Want me to hex him?”

Zora kept the five men, mainly their scarred face leader who reminded her of Harry Potter, in the corner of her eye as she spoke solely to Gabrielle.

“I could put a nice big wart on his nose.”

[Gabrielle]

Gabrielle placed a hand on Zora's shoulder and gently pushed her behind while keeping her eyes focused on the men in front of them.
"That won't be necessary."
So far this has been the first actual native to these lands she's encountered so Gabrielle wasn't in such a hurry to make an enemy out of him just yet.
"And why would you say that, Sir...."

[Aminee Starlight]

Kain watched the small exchange between Zora and Gabrielle before diverting his attention back on the blond warrior who so far looked to be the only capable fighter among them should things go south. Kari would only act in matters of self defense so as long as they made no threatening moves Kain and the others would not make any advance towards them. "My name is Kain, leader of the Free Republic of Kari. As you can clearly see we are but a shadow of our former glory. Jherrazad is home to many demons, demons unlike anything you've ever seen. And now their leader is a creature of the night who preys on human blood. They would wish to take this land from us believing the desert to be their birth right." But it wasn't. Nobody owned the desert. It was like claiming to own the ocean, no matter how hard you try you cannot stop free exploration of the sea. If that is where you wish to go then we will not stop you."

[Ayen]

Zora moved from Gabrielle's right to her left, still remaining behind the woman as she eyed the muggles and listened to their story.

"My name is Kain, leader of the Free Republic of Kari. As you can clearly see we are but a shadow of our former glory."

“Clearly.”

That response prompted some glances from the soldiers by Kain's side and Zora quickly stood behind Gabrielle as if ready to use her as a meatshield before listening to the rest of what Kain had to say.

“Vampires? There are vampires in Jherrazad?”

Zora's eyes lit up in excitement.

“Oh, Gabrielle, can we go and see the vampire? Please! Please! Pretty please!”

Vampires were rare where she came from and as such many have gone their entire lives without ever seeing one. If she got to see at least one she could hold it over the head of students at Hogtwarts, mainly Gryffindors like Harry Potter, for a long, long time to come.

"Please!"

[Gabrielle]

Boy did Zora have a mouth on her. Gabrielle had to keep her held back in case she did or said anything stupid. They've left the frozen wasteland that was the expanse into a desert only to find out that there are demons, vampires and a wounded country on the other side. It was starting to feel like old times where just a couple of minutes can feel like hours.
"Is there anything I can do to help?"
Gabrielle didn't feel right just walking along while she knew there were people who needed assistance. Whether it was just to help with food and supplies or deal with Jherrazad directly Gabrielle was ready and willing like she always was.

Zora on the other hand was more concerned about meeting a vampire. She could still remember her own previous experiences with that, it wasn't something she liked to think about.
"We'll talk about that later."
For now her primary concern was Kari, assuming they even wanted her help. Gabrielle wouldn't impose her services on people who didn't want it.

[Aminee Starlight]

Kain paid no heed to the foolish child or her foolish demands to see a vampire as his primary focused remained on the only adult opposite of him. The other soldiers around him soon followed his example and dismissed the child who they spared a glance towards not two seconds ago. "There's not much you can do to help," replied Kain. They couldn't go to Hallowton. They didn't trust the outsiders or the religious. Especially the religious. Kain and his men saw what became of Crystal City when an unknown entity attacked them. Hallowton wouldn't be far behind if they kept Miracle and her people there for long. And Moon Valley was just a slave to Isafaro now. Not only that but they didn't want to leave their land to Jherrazad, their home. "Go on your way. There's nothing more to discuss."

[Gabrielle]

It didn't look like the group wanted her help. Be it from a lack of trust, a sense of pride or a mixture of the two. Words weren't going to get them anywhere so perhaps a show of kindness would. Once in Jherrazad Gabrielle would look around the shops for food, water and supplies she could spare for them. Though there was still the case of money to see to once in town.
"Come on, guys. We have to go. It was nice meeting you, Kain."
Gabrielle bid her farewell and then continued the journey to Jherrazad with Zora and Daniel by her side.