stomach growled. It’d been a while since she had regular meals.
She got a small bundle of food from the saddlebag, things she had collected from the bandits’ belongings, and the remaining bags of chips and dried fruit from the vending machine. She unwrapped a package of dried figs and some white mess that smelled like it could have been goat cheese, or something else entirely, and was possibly spoiled.
“You have to wake up if you want to eat.” She waved the cheese in front of Tariq’s nose, using it like smelling salts in Victorian times.
He didn’t react, and she didn’t dare force solid food down his throat for fear that he would choke. She gave him water, and then she ate, not nearly enough, leaving more than half of the loot for when he came to.
Hopefully, that would be soon. If he didn’t take nourishment, how was he to regain his strength and fight the infection?
The camel brayed, drawing her attention.
She’d assumed it was a male, based on its size. What if it wasn’t? If she could force some camel milk down Tariq’s throat … She was on her feet before she finished the thought, kneeling by the animal and peering underneath its body.
Definitely male.
She blinked her eyes for a second in dismay, then shook off the unproductive emotion. She wasn’t going to give up now. They were at an oasis. Somebody was going to come.
Tariq gave a low moan.
“Wake up. Come on.” She hurried back to him and drew his head onto her lap, leaning against a palm tree, wiping his face with the damp headdress. Their clothes were nearly dry already. She touched her palm against his forehead. It seemed the cold bath had lowered his fever a bit.
She would rest for a few moments, then repeat the procedure. There was little else she could do.
She must have dozed, because she woke to the sound of bells. And when she opened her eyes, confused and disoriented, she found herself surrounded by a gaggle of girls, who seemed to range in age from six to sixteen. They were staring at her with wide-eyed curiosity.
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