TWENTY-FOUR
Anahita watched in stunned horror as Philemon's robe fluttered to the sand, seemingly empty but for a tiny bulge she knew had to be his frog body, especially when it moved. She rushed forward and scooped him up, robe and all, then dropped him back on her bedroll. She wasn't sure what magic let him become a man there, but she intended to find out. She might not be an enchantress, but she still was a witch, even if all she could do was understand animals.
Though understanding Philemon was proving quite a challenge. She'd never met a frog like him – or a man like him, either.
The robe ballooned out as the magic in him turned him into a man again, or at least she hoped so. Philemon groaned.
"I'm going to check on the camels," Haidar said pointedly. "Like Asad, I will be a wh
