“I didn’t know this channel was a dead end,” Rahma protested. “He must have followed me in here.”
As’ad eased farther away from the girl, trying to lure the miraj away. The creature was hesitant to turn his back on her to watch this new threat.
“Can you climb over the rim?”
“Can you keep him away from me while I do?” Her sassy answer reassured him. She wasn’t going to lose her head and do something silly.
Unfortunately, when she moved to scramble over the edge of the shallow ravine, the miraj took offense and leapt toward her in two aggressive hops, brandishing his sharp horn. She stopped and whirled to face him, causing him to hesitate.
As’ad scanned the area for a stout stick or anything useful. He spied a fist-sized rock and hurled it toward the creature. This had the unhappy effect of angering the miraj, who took a gigantic leap toward As’ad but still wouldn’t leave.
The con artist realized there was only one option left to him. He was reluctant to blow his cover so thoroughly, but he couldn’t leave Rahma there to be eaten by a bunny. Pulling out his pipe, he hastily threw together a melody that made a swarm of rats appear at her feet. At the final note, they rushed toward the miraj. Though considerably larger (and corporeal), the creature panicked at the sight. It tore through the ravine, kicking up sand and squealing in high-pitched terror.
As’ad walked toward Rahma. He carefully set his pipe on the ground, then reached in a hand to help her up.
“And you tried to convince me that you weren’t a con man,” she observed as he hauled her over the edge.
“Can you blame me?” He dropped her hand. “This is my livelihood and the only way I know how to keep food in my belly.”
She squinted at him. “You don’t like to lie, do you?”
“How’s that?” As’ad scratched the scruff on his chin, pretending he didn’t understand.
“Your deceptions are very careful. You tell the truth in a way that leads people to the wrong conclusion. I saw it in Nahr and with the Adils.” Her head tilted to one side. “Does that help with the guilt?”
“How guilty do you feel about ditching that nice family?” he asked. “I bet they’re worried sick.”
“I don’t feel any guilt.” Before he could wonder what sort of person that made her, she said, “I told them the truth.”
As’ad’s lungs pinched. “The truth?” he asked, aiming for indifference but probably landing closer to morbid curiosity.
“Mmhmm.” She flipped her braid over her shoulder. “I told them that I was heading for Jabal and I was following you because you knew how to get there.”
“And they were fine with that?”
Her nose wrinkled. “I wouldn’t sayfine, exactly. They definitely tried to talk me out of it. But since I am legally an adult, there’s not much they can do about it.”
He looked her over. “You’renineteen?”
“Only for another three months.” She put her hands on her hips and very obviously scanned him. “Oh, come on.” She crossed her arms. “You can’t be more than twenty yourself.”
As’ad pulled himself taller. “I am twenty-three years of age, thank you very much.”
“Huh.” She looked mildly surprised but not upset by his admission.
“Probably,” he added under his breath, ducking his head. As soon as the word left his lips, he knew it was a mistake. He turned to walk back to his handcart and pets.
Rahma jogged to keep up with his long, hurried strides. “What does that mean?”
“What does what mean?”
“Ha. You know what I mean.”
Since the girl was following him—and would be following him until Jabal, at this point—he knew there was no escaping the question. She would circle back to it later if he didn’t answer now. “Twenty-three is my best guess. I left the orphanage fifteen years ago. As far as the headmistress knew, I was about eight years old then.”
What he didn’t mention was that the headmistress had been overly fond of the paddle and every one of those eight years had been emblazoned on his backside. Leaving her “tender” care hadn’t been a difficult decision. Nor had he ever regretted it, regardless of what came later.
Rather than pressing, Rahma returned to an earlier comment as they reached the cart. “I’m looking forward to being twenty,” she said. “People seem to take you more seriously with a two in front of your age.”
