Devil's Throat
Returning to the Republic of South Africa after years of fighting in Zimbabwe, Sion learns that he is an extremely wealthy man, which gives him the means to follow his dream of owning Wit Water, the farm where he spent his childhood holidays.
He reunites with his girlfriend, Charlie Westray, a successful lawyer and heir to one of the most influential law firms in South Africa, with branches worldwide. But their time together is short-lived as Charlie is forced to travel to London when she gets the news that her mother is in a Paris hospital with serious injuries.
The time apart has her questioning whether she could ever join Sion on Wit Water. Leaving the lifestyle and profession she loves to become a farmer's wife is a bridge too far.
And while in London, Charlie becomes romantically involved with a suave Frenchman.
In her absence, Sion connects with his school friend, Rudi Lancaster, also a lawyer, who owns a successful thoroughbred breeding stud and sprawling vineyards in the Cape.
The friends decide to go on an extended fishing trip to Namibia. Rudi contacts an old client, Adam Beaufort, a ranger at the Namib-Naukluft Park, who arranges their trip.
One evening, Adam mentions a natural phenomenon deep within the Naukluft Mountains. This phenomenon has terrified the indigenous people of the desert for decades. Known as the Devil's Throat. He tells them the only way to get there is with Rudi's helicopter, but the way is fraught with danger. He also shows them an antique gold coin.
Sion is reluctant, but Rudi insists.
They fly out and, to their amazement, discover what the Devil's Throat is, but their time is cut short due to an impending sandstorm. Sion urges his friend to leave, but Rudi delays their departure, and they get caught up in a brutal sandstorm.
Blown hundreds of kilometers off course, they crash deep in the hostile environment of the Namib Desert. The two men struggle to get back to Adam's camp, but Rudi is incapable of walking. Knowing they are being stalked by a desert lion, and knowing he cannot carry his friend Sion, sets him up in a shallow cave with their only firearm, while he goes off to find help. Then he hears a distant gunshot. He knows he cannot return, so he pushes on.
For days, he struggles through heat and thirst until, finally, he realizes he is completely lost.
Close to death, he is discovered by a tribe of San, the nomadic desert people. He manages to convey the message about Rudi, and at last, he is rescued by a team of South African soldiers on patrol.
Both men are transported to a hospital in Cape Town. Rudi's condition is dire, and for days his life hangs in the balance.
In London, Charlie hears of their plight and immediately returns to the Republic.
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