Durkhanai stood at the head of the tent, watching and hoping her presence would remind her people that she cared.

“Here, a gift from the palace,” she said, as the first examination was done. She handed a package of dried apricots, nuts, and beef jerky to the villager. She hoped the small package of food would appease the people.

This entire affair had been costly to the palace, and she knew the Badshah would give her a harsh glance for it when he found out, but Durkhanai would meet his glare with one of her own.

After ensuring things were running smoothly at the clinic, Durkhanai visited the stream where women went to do their washing. Sure enough, there were bassinets of sleeping babies on the side, while women were crouched by the water, cleaning their clothes. Their toddlers chased one another around the trees, tumbling and falling.

“Salam,” Durkhanai said, smiling. She pinched a toddler’s cheek.

The women touched their fingers to their foreheads in respect, setting their washing aside to hear what she had to say.

While many women worked in the fields, those with infants and toddlers stayed home, caring for their children. It was here that Durkhanai called for volunteers: for mothers to perhaps watch their neighbors’ children, allowing more women to work. Durkhanai spent an entire day negotiating between families, trying to set up a network for better distribution of human resources.

She worked directly with tribe leaders, her nobles, on other bartering of resources and skills. Some tribes had superb craftsmen, others had efficient farmers.

However, the more powerful clans like Naeem-sahib’s had everything.

“Again with this idea—we have no need for more farmers,” Naeem-sahib said when she approached him to negotiate. “Nor do we need more women. While overall efficiency has decreased due to the illness, our men are quickly recovering. I am perfectly capable of ensuring my tribe’s success, Shehzadi.” He paused. “Perhaps you should focus your attentions to more pertinent matters.”

He gave her a pointed glance. Rashid had told him, then. She would not be derailed by proposals.

“There is nothing more pertinent than this,” she replied, meeting his fierce gaze with her own.

But he was right in regards to the other matter. If he had wanted for nothing, what incentive could she give him to help the others, who could use the spare hands? And he was right again, that this idea had been suggested before but to no avail. He had said that the people were unwilling to accommodate other clans unless it was of direct advantage to their families.

Durkhanai knew she had to appease him. And she could do so with something no one else could offer.

“I can reduce the quota of men from your clan going to war,” Durkhanai said.