Something invisible, but rather strong, nudged Hadjar’s shoulder. He mistakenly turned toward the jungle. The answer to his unspoken question was the silence and the rustling of the wind that greeted him.
“Don’t forget that.” Einen nodded toward the wallet lying on the ground. It had fallen from Hadjar’s belt. One of the bracelets had almost fallen out of it, too.
“Thank you,” Hadjar mouthed and, after bending down painfully to pick it up, tied the wallet back onto his belt.
“Come, my friend,” Einen dragged him back to his camel, “Because of you, we now have a long way to go.”
The islander helped Hadjar climb onto the animal’s back. He clutched the camel’s hump and tried to stay conscious.
“By the gods, Einen,” Hadjar muttered, “you’ll regret staying by my side.”
“We all end up
