She let out a grating noise of frustration at the moment a noise sounded from the flap of her tent.
“Excuse me?” The voice came to her in Abu Fayan, but the accent was thick.
She stood up, moving towards the flap of the tent, fanning her face as she walked.
“Hello?”
The woman on the other side was around her age, with dark hair, dark eyes, and a kind smile. “Hi.”
She bowed low, then straightened. “Am I intruding?”
“Not at all. Would you like to come in?”
“I cannot.” Her expression was wry. “This is only for you and your husband.” She took a step backwards. “I wondered if you might like to come and see the ruins of Persimina. They are only an hour or so from here, and I have provisions.”
Sophia was intrigued. “I’ve never heard of them. I’m sorry, who are you?”
The other woman laughed. “Forgive me, I presumed my reputation had preceded me. I am Saliyah. Also known as the reason you’re here.”
“His highness hasn’t really told me why we’re here,” she said apologetically, patching together what she did know of these people, and their desperate bid to stop their young from fleeing the settlement and moving to the cities. She could only presume this woman wished to do likewise.
“Then I can tell you on the way.” She pulled the flap wider. “As for the ruins, they are a thousand years old – one of the earliest buildings, and quite dramatic. You will enjoy seeing them.”
“What on earth was built all the way out here?”
“The beginnings of a castle, at one time,” Saliyah murmured, stepping back to allow Sophia to follow her. She whistled and a camel sauntered over. “Have you ever been on a camel?”
A memory came flashing back to her and she laughed, spontaneously. Addan had given her one for her nineteenth birthday, as a joke. She’d fallen right off it. “Yes, and not very successfully.”
“We have horses if you’d prefer? Only there is a small watering hole near the ruins and the camels are thirsty…”
“It’s fine. I’ll be fine.” She eyed the beast thoughtfully. “Only… how do I…?”
“Grab here,” Saliyah nodded towards a braided cord that was dangling around the camel’s neck. “And swing up.”
It took Sophia two attempts but then she was sat between the humps, feeling apprehensive, but proud. Belatedly, she thought of Malik. “Will we be long? If later than dusk I should inform my husband…”
“We will be back before the yashal.”
Sophia nodded. “Which way?”
Saliyah’s smile was enigmatic. “He knows.”
The camel began to step forward and Sophia gripped the braided chord that ran around his head a little tighter, fear lurching through her.
This was different to the camel Addan had surprised her with. Calmer. Perhaps more used to conveying passengers, or maybe worn down by the heat of the desert. He took a sedate path, walking easily, and Saliyah’s camel kept pace beside.
“You are younger than I expected,” Saliyah observed, as some distance emerged between them and the settlement.
“Am I? What did you expect?”
The sun beat down; Sophia resisted the temptation to wipe sweat from her brow.
“I don’t know.” Saliyah laughed. “I should say, you are young to have a position of such responsibility.”
Sophia didn’t point out that at the moment her role was largely ceremonial – and one of breeding. Her smile was tight.
“How old are you, Saliyah?”