Free Forbidden by Kimberley Griffiths Little Page B

and shook my head again. “Your wound has gone to your head! You couldn’t begin to carry enough water with you, and on foot you would surely die before the end of the first day.”
    “To accompany your family takes me far out of my way. Multiply your journey many times over, and that is where my uncle awaits me. When I don’t arrive on time, he will be mad with worry.”
    “To attempt a desert crossing alone would be mad.”
    He gave a small shrug, looking up through his long hair as I handed him a small roll of bread from the previous evening’s meal. Even though it was nearly hard as a rock, he bit into it ravenously. “Perhaps, but I’m not completely crazy.”
    My face burned. “I didn’t mean to imply that you’re crazy.”
    “What did you mean to imply, then?”
    “Nothing,” I mumbled, heat creeping up my face. His nearness was making me flustered. I’d never felt like this with Horeb. “You have no choice but to come with us until you are healed and strong again. Otherwise, you will die. Would youruncle rather a dead nephew or a late one?”
    He stared at me thoughtfully.
    “Besides, you will need camels and a caravan for safety. Of which you presently have none.”
    He smiled faintly. “It seems you are right. I might be a little crazy. For I still insist to go.”
    I smiled back, raising an eyebrow. “I’m sorry, you can insist all you want, but my father won’t have it any other way.” I turned my back on him to tend to my chores. “You will go on with my family, until you are well. You’ve no other choice.”
    Holding a hand to his side, he tried to rise but only got as far as his knees. He sank back and sighed. “Fine. But as soon as your family is at the oasis, I’ll return to my uncle.”
    He tried again to rise, then took a deep breath as though contemplating how to get up without asking for help. “You and your father are very kind. Thank you for taking care of me.”
    I turned around and smiled to myself. Then stared back at him, curious. “Will you tell me who did this to you?” I asked, nodding to the bandage wrapped around his torso. It was not a question for me to ask, but I couldn’t help myself.
    “I don’t intend to keep my tale a secret, but it’s neither heroic nor courageous,” he replied cryptically.
    “Were they trying to kill you?”
    He didn’t answer at first, but finally he nodded. “When someone puts a knife near your heart, they intend for death to follow.”
    I hefted the waterskin, pressing my lips together andwondering who wanted him dead. Then I reached down to stroke Sahmril, who squirmed in her sleep in a small patch of shade. My curiosity kept rising, but I’d wait until my father asked the questions—and got the answers.
    The stranger glanced between me and Sahmril as he dribbled more water into his mouth. “The babe, is she yours?”
    “She’s my sister,” I answered, trying to keep my voice steady. “Born this morning to my mother, who is now dead.”
    Awareness flooded his face. “Ah, yes. The burial spot.”
    “The babe’s twin brother lies there as well.”
    He looked down. “I’m truly sorry,” he said quietly. “I owe you a debt for my life, and I’ve burdened you even further on such a day of sorrow. But I’m not sure how much longer I could have survived. I’ve been praying for three days that I’d find someone who would help me.”
    “Then it appears as though your prayers were answered,” I said. Why did he have to say such kind things when I wanted to curse him for delaying us and frightening me so badly? He had caused more anguish than he would ever understand, even though his manners were impeccable. Which just annoyed me even more.
    I strapped the last waterskin onto Shiz as the boy rose to his feet, keeping one hand on top of the well’s wooden cover for balance when my father appeared.
    “There’s no time to exchange talk and news,” my father said. “But if we’re to travel together, please tell me your