Time passed and he still hadn't caught even a glimpse of her. His shoulder ached and he grew weary, old clothes and dark cloak being a bit too much. He regretted not getting some looser clothes to wear under the cloak at the marketplace. But it was a worthy note for next time he would travel across dimensions... Because after Sophie was caught, he was probably going to further test this bracelet-thing. Unless they figured he was unworthy - if it didn't kill, then they could it give it to some boasting rank 2.

After few hours, he snuck in some yard. It must have belonged to a rich person since it had a small fountain, always such a rare thing in desert sceneries. And it was what had attracted him. Ryan took quick drink from it and then washed his face, not really caring if anyone saw him. But, of course, they cared and he was chased out, although not very violently. He just laughed at that and finally settled down to draw a breath in one of the small, seemingly abandoned alley ways just right beside city outer wall. He decided to take his shirt and hoodie off, stuff in backpack. It felt so much better and he decided to just close his eyes for a moment and...

He woke up feeling hot and slightly dizzy. No wonder, since he had slept an hour or two in the hot sun and only thing that saved him from severe heatstroke was that it was already evening in this strange world, now getting near sunset. Ryan rubbed his aching forehead and then stream of curse words followed. He didn't have to see his reflection to know his whole face was pink. Only downside he really felt of being albino was that he got sunburned awfully easily.

On this cheery note, the man got up and got on his way, still occasionally swearing under his breath. At least the cloak fabric remained cool and pleasant on his skin. As he went back further into city, a high building attracted his attention, was it a... palace? Hm. If it caught his interest, it could as well catch hers'. His bracelet said she was still around. It soothed his angry mood slightly and Ryan calmed down even more when he found a well and could take a long, refreshing drink. He filled up his plastic bottle (had emptied it back on Earth, but not thrown out yet, luckily) and continued his journey towards the castle-thing.

It didn't take him much longer to get there and by then he felt mostly calm and confident. It didn't matter that he looked ridiculous, he could continue the search whole night long, if needed. But she would probably need some sleep and that is when he would catch her. But first, he found a way up on one of the flat building roofs from which he could observe the palace gates and most of the wall. Putting a light invisibility shield on him, the man settled down there to observe.