If she could thank her revival for one thing, it would be for the fact that she could no longer thirst or hunger. In a land of hellish days and freezing nights, one does not find much consolation in the meager meals and drinks available in this time of crisis. And that was why they were here, awaiting the next expedition out of the city.

Trista stood by the back of the open caravan, one hand rested against the wagon’s side and the other wrapped loosely around the hilt of her sheathed sword. When all had finally been called to attention by the enforcers that were present around them, she carefully unpinned a metallic badge from her clothes, holding it up between her thumb and forefinger for the others to see.
“You’ve all got one of these,” she said aloud, surveying the weary faces of the Deadmen. “Do not lose them.” Turning the badge around to its backside, she continued: “There are runic markings on the backs of these clasps, and they are what help us stay in one piece. Remember that, and remember it well.” She withdrew her hand and neatly placed it back onto her armor.
"Some of you may have already realized this, but something's blocked the water flow into this town not too long ago, so we will be traveling along the aqueduct to inspect the problem ourselves." Trista gestured for the first Deadman to climb into the wagon. “One at a time,” she ushered. “We’re in no hurry here. If you’d like to introduce yourself before you climb in, that’s fine by me.”

"Hold on!" A deadman stepped forward in protest. "Why are we needed at the aqueduct? The masons can go alone, there's no point in us going! It was probably clogged up with sand or something of the like."

"The wind has been calm for weeks," Trista said, waving for him to stand back with the others. "Something is blocking the bridge, and there aren't very many things out there that can do that."

"It's gotta be the legionnaires again," one whispered. "They're prolly just lookin' ta mess with us."
"That doesn't seem like something they'd do," another said. "What if all of the water dried up? Imagine that!"
Trista folded her arms over her chest and leaned with her back against the wagon, waiting for them to settle down.