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“So who thought up a pair of towers to create a big barrier, anyway?” I wondered as Ben helped me over a large stone.
“Three sages from the three great houses,” Ben told me as we continued on our way. “They gave up all their magic, and their lives, to create the columns.”
I winced. “That sounds desperate.”
Ben pursed his lips. “Legends say that half the population of the island was wiped out in the terrible storm that struck, sinking all of the capital city and many of the surrounding villages. The population still hasn’t quite recovered.”
I lifted an eyebrow. “Even after a thousand years?”
“Yes.”
“Do those kinds of storms happen often?”
“Not at all. That’s the only one on record with such strength.”
I turned my head to and fro. “You don’t think one of those storms is waiting for the Thaqiba to collapse, do you?”
Ben sighed as he stared ahead. “I hope not.”
CHAPTERELEVEN
We returnedto the house of Sharif and found the parents seated at the dining table. Salah stood at our coming while Fadila had reluctant hope in her face.
Ben offered the pair a smile and the three jars of herbs. “Sprinkle these spices in your food each at different meals and in great quantities, and see if there isn’t an improvement.”
Salah took the jars and read the labels. He lifted his questioning face to us. “But these are normal spices, are they not?”
“They may still be your best hope for returning Lila to her ordinary strength,” Ben insisted as he studied his cousin. “And you should take it, as well. Both of you.”
Salah nodded. “I will have it done immediately. If you will excuse me.” He hardly waited for Ben to nod before he rushed out of the room.
Fadila smiled up at us as she gestured to the empty cushions. “Please, have a seat.”
“Gladly,” Qita spoke up as he marched over to one of the pillows and plopped himself down. He began to groom one of his paws. “Those horrible alleyways were full of the driest sand I have ever had the displeasure of knowing.”
Ben and I took up two other spots and Fadila pushed the platters of sliced meat and salads toward us. “I am guessing you found someone who may know how to lift the curse?”
“He has an idea,” Ben told her as he plucked some meat from the platter. “But the first step is identifying the curse. That’s what the spices will help us do.”
She pursed her lips and shook her head. “I cannot see how they will discover such evil.”
Ben set his empty hand atop one of hers and lightly squeezed her fingers. “As he told us, the best remedies are the simplest. Have faith, Fadila.”
She closed her eyes and nodded. We dug into the grub and were deep into eating when Salah returned. He carried a bowl of rice in his hands which he set down on the table before taking his seat. “This is the meal with the Coerulus. I hope the quantity of the seasoning will suffice.”
Ben used a piece of unleavened bread and dipped it into the rice. He came up with a small scoop which he bit into. His eyes widened and he choked hard enough to set down his bread and take up a glass of water.
I watched in a mixture of concern and amusement as he washed the food down. “Is it good?”
Ben swallowed and nodded. “Quite good, but I have to admit I’ve never had that much salt in one bite.”
Curiosity overcame me, and I had to take a scoop of the rice for myself. My first bite into the soft fluff made me choke as Ben had done as all the moisture was sucked out of my mouth.
I raced for the water even as Fadila looked doubtfully at the bowl before she turned her attention to her husband. “Is this safe for Lila?”
Salah sighed. “I gave her some myself and she had the same reaction as our guests, but she did manage to eat quite a bit before she asked for sleep.”
Ben eyed our host with a teasingly accusing look. “You knew the dryness of the rice?”
