“Higher, Adem,” Cion called to one boy who had his sword so low I wasn’t sure how he was managing to block anything.

Maybe that explained why when he called out his thanks to Cion, both his front teeth were missing.

“Do you teach all of them?” I asked.

“I train a few. They in turn train a few, who then teach others. Anyone who knows even one skill well can teach someone else. We use every resource we have.”

A cry went up, and Cion ran toward where a boy had collapsed.

“Bring water,” Cion called.

Dimic ran to fetch a bucket. Cion gently cradled the boy, and when Dimic returned he ladled water down his throat, careful not to spill a drop. The boy’s eyes slowly fluttered open.

“Rest today,” Cion said. “Take an extra water ration tonight.”

The boy shook his head. “No, Cion. I’m stronger than that.”

“No one is strong enough to go without water, and the people are counting on us to bring water to them. We can’t do that if we’re not strong enough.”

The boy lowered his gaze and nodded.

“Everyone, take a break,” Cion called as he rose to his feet.

Hardesh was sitting against the wall not far from the boy who’d passed out. A visibly pregnant woman I recalled was named Tania sat next to him, trying to coax him to eat some bread.

His eyes, which didn’t seem to focus on anything, went wide when he saw me. His arm rose and shook, pointing at me as though I were a phantom that the others might not see. Several of the veins in his arm still carried the yellow coloring typical of yellow-spotted sand snake bites.

“Calm down,” Tania soothed, sending me a scolding look. She wasn’t much older than I was, but she was beautiful, with large, dark eyes that went along with her shining hair. She took Hardesh’s hand and made soothing noises.

“She’s come for me,” he said. He tried to scramble to his feet. Tania easily held him down.

“It’s okay.” I held up my hands in what I hoped was a nonthreatening gesture. “I’m not going to hurt you.” When he didn’t go into hysterics again, I went on. “I’m sorry about what happened in the arena.”

He trembled and tucked himself against Tania.

“He hasn’t been right since the snake bit him,” she said. She stroked Hardesh’s hair. “He’s lucky he survived at all. Most don’t. It’s a testament to his strength.” She actually smiled at me, and I wondered if she had any idea who I was. “Soon he’ll start having more good days than bad. And right now, that’s all we can ask for.” She had one hand around Hardesh and one around her stomach.

I couldn’t stand to look at Hardesh, to see how quickly the desert had knocked him down. How quickly I’d written him off.

Cion picked up a practice sword and tossed it to me, shaking me from my thoughts.