I bit his hand and scrambled a few yards. He caught my foot. “What’s got into you?!” He wrestled me to the ground. I wormed and scratched. He wrapped his arms around my trunk, trapping my arms at my sides.

“Where is he?” I cried. I strained to look around.

“Who? You look as if you’ve seen a ghost!”

Seeing that William was nowhere in sight, I collapsed.

Hosea landed on top of me.

Not a ghost, I thought—an enemy from my past. My chest heaved as I struggled to inhale beneath Hosea’s weight. His silver necklace dangled above me, slapping my face. “Hosea, I can’t breathe!” I shouted.

He rolled off me but fixed a hand around my wrist. We both gasped for air. No wonder William was kind to me in the village. He recognized me. I’d seen his guilt then, but had not understood its origin. Well, William, I remember you now, I thought bitterly, remembering all the secret smiles we’d shared. Hosea shifted and I glanced over at him. He held me with one hand and, with his other, he removed a length of rope and a gag from his bag.

Suddenly, I recalled my plan to escape. Thanks to William, I had squandered a prime opportunity. I’d been unbound and on horseback. But, instead of biding my time, I’d exposed my intention to run away. I snarled as my anger toward William increased. He was just one more reason I had to get away.

I cleared my throat. “Please, Hosea, leave the ties off. I’m sorry I ran.” I had to placate him, get him to let his guard down.

“No way. I told my father I’d deliver you, and I will,” he said. “Besides, it’s dangerous to run off by yourself.”

“That’s just it,” I insisted. “I’m telling you, I won’t run away anymore.”

He snorted.

I shifted my angle. “What good will I be to the Director if I’m sick?” I reasoned. “I’ll eat and drink if you leave off the binds. And I won’t run away,” I said again.

“Good. Taking off in the wadi would be suicide.”

I nodded agreeably. “I don’t want to die,” I said, honestly. “I won’t run into the desert.” But I will, I thought, glancing around, take my chances in this oasis. “Besides, the ties hurt.” I cradled my bandaged hand against my stomach.

He studied me a long time. When he sighed, I knew I’d won. “Stay close to me, unless I tell you to go with William.”

“I’ll stay close.”

He put the ropes back in his bag and helped me to my feet. “If you run again, I’ll tie you to your horse.”

* * *