I lay back, trying to sleep. Instead, disillusionment plagued me. My misgiving regarding Obi could not be forestalled. It overshadowed my guilt and edged out my fear. By morning, a relentless suspicion lodged in my gut, slithering around like a serpent.

The Armistice

THE ARMISTICE

William returned that night, surprising me as we broke camp. He didn’t explain his absence, but, it seemed, he had come to stay. He took the lead, singing a short tune as we started out into the wood. I recognized the song as the one we sang together in Cobane. Annoyingly, it reminded me of his gentleness that night in the sick room. Ignoring the sound, I strode behind him. Hosea kept up the rear.

In my hobbled skirt and bambi blouse, I was uncomfortable—except for my feet. Along with Mary, William brought a perfectly fitting pair of thick-soled shoes from Cobane. He’d presented them while we ate breakfast. My instinct had been to reject the gift. Before I could, however, Hosea accepted on my behalf.

“We’ll be hiking for miles, Cobane,” he explained. “You’ll need shoes.”

I frowned, but said nothing as I finished my meal, reminding myself that I wouldn’t be in their company long. Hosea had prepared more leaves that morning. He’d added oil to make the paste then spread it on crackers he’d brought with him from Cobane. I’d watched like a hawk and made mental notes. More importantly, I’d heard him discuss our water supply with William.

“We’ll need to track down water before the end of the day,” he’d said.

In response, William had nodded toward his horse. “He find water.”

Hosea had glanced at William’s mount with surprise. “So, your horse has been trained to seek out water in the desert. I’ve heard of such training. Will Arika’s Mary find water too?”

As if he sensed my bated breath, William had looked directly at me as he answered. “Yes, Mary find water for Arika.”

I digested the information. Before long, I would have all the knowledge I needed to escape.

Late that afternoon, Hosea called for a halt. Exhausted, I collapsed onto a patch of dirt. Instead of resting, Hosea catered to the horses. Mary moved to nuzzle a bush, Cumin joined her, and William scouted the path ahead.

After sitting a while, I went farther into the densely packed trees to relieve myself. The moist ground gave beneath me as I walked, creating an unfamiliar sucking sensation along my soles. This oasis was more vast and lush than anything described in books. Even in rumor, the oasis islands, surrounded by dry desert, were only a few miles wide—one or two at most. However, the forest around me was thirty times that. When I’d asked Hosea about the discrepancy, he’d laughed and told me not to believe everything I read.