The Ivory Road: A Walk in the Sand by Siobhan Muir Read Free Book Online Page B

made for boring travel partners.
    She suspected Ahmad didn’t trust her much, but the feeling remained mutual. Brandon hadn’t said anything more than a grunted greeting when they got moving. She’d been grateful no one came upon them while they rested, but she wished they could get out from under the threat of pursuit.
    The city of Sandur radiated in a wagon wheel pattern. Large sandstone buildings stood in the center surrounded by smaller, meaner structures. A wall encircled the city and guards, more for crowd control than defense, manned the outer gates. Iliana’s costume mirrored the uniform on the guards, who appeared more bored than vigilant. Ahmad and Brandon rode on without acknowledgement of any familiarity, and she followed, her nervousness subsiding.
    “We will resupply for the push to Ros Torach.” Ahmad directed them toward the marketplace. “We’ll rest here a night and set off early tomorrow morning. Do not dally. We’re not out of Knalland yet.” He shot Iliana a suspicious look. “Will you be continuing on with us to Ros Torach, desert crawler?”
    She didn’t think he could add more venom in his voice if he tried.
    “Yes, I have business in Ros Torach.” She met his gaze without flinching. She had no idea what she’d do in the coastal city of Torhaine, but better to figure it out there than be left here in a hostile country she knew nothing about. Torhaine at least sounds friendlier, and their army isn’t after us. Yet.
    Ahmad grunted, but said nothing else. Her gut told her to watch her back around him, but for now she had to follow along until she could decide what to do. I’ve already missed my filming start date. I don’t think I’ll be getting home any time soon.
    They wound their way around the circumference of the city, encountering the market stalls half-way. The scents of livestock and cooked meat mixed with the overwhelming clamor of animals bellowing and vendors hocking their wares. Despite the cacophony, the business conducted seemed to be controlled chaos and she marveled at the ebb and flow of the populace through everything.
    The scents flooded her nose and she reattached the silk scarf over her face just as they stopped to walk the horses through the stalls. Iliana had seen markets like this in photographs from National Geographic magazine, but the experience left her gawking. Good thing I’m wearing the veil or I’d look like a country bumpkin in the big city.
    She had no idea how she’d pay for her supplies, but she hoped some sort of opportunity would present itself. She followed docilely along after Brandon and Ahmad, watching them work the vendors to their advantage. Ahmad bought grain for the horses, dried meat and fruit for their meals, and some sweet date bars for energy along the way. Brandon secured some breads and salted butter kept at room temperature. It smelled somewhat rancid, but he explained it came from camel and lasted much longer than cow butter.
    She wanted to replace the essential oils she’d used in Kyram’s kit, and sniffed at the salves in apothecaries’ booths. Some smelled familiar, but she couldn’t read their labels and chose not to take a chance on them. Maybe the next place will have writing I can read. I hope.
    Despite the multitude of people in the market, she saw very few women, and of those she saw, none negotiated with the vendors. They just pointed to items and let their male companions do all the work. Several of the vendors had called out to her to come see their wares. I must look like a man to them. She found that rather gratifying, but left the business dealings to the others who knew the rules better.
    Brandon arranged for them to stay at a clean hostelry with whitewashed walls and an asymmetric roof. She thought it oddly shaped until she realized the roof faced north, leaving most of the building in the shade during the hot part of the day. The stables for the horses boasted clean straw and well-nourished stable hands.