Drought and Famine stalk the ancient and now long vanished kingdom of Gyptia. A band of slaves led by Rom Inna Callin, cast out by their Master, are forced out onto the deadly desert of Celestia's Anvil.
Lost, dying of thirst and starvation, they are found by the old donkey trader Marchhare. Even his wagon of food and water cannot get them back to Gyptia. It MIGHT get them to Equestria.