Evening was drawing near when Tarik returned to the chamber.
"He still lives?" He came over to the bed and examined the wound. "No fester. It may be starting to heal."
"He won't wake up. I need more medicine to give him."
Tarik shook his head. "It's too strong. A deep sleep is not uncommon in these instances. He will wake when he's ready."
"But he will live?"
Tarik nodded. "Without question."
Joy and relief surged through her with dizzying force. "Thank God."
"Perhaps." He turned to leave. "I'll send Haroun to help you. You'll need his assistance when Kadar wakes. I'll return tomorrow to check his wound." He glanced at her over his shoulder. "And get some sleep. You look worse than he does."
"I'll sleep when he wakes."
"That could be days." When she didn't reply, he shrugged and smiled faintly. "Do what you will. I suppose a few days without sleep won't harm you."
She forced a smile. "If it does, you can give me some of your fine medicine."
His smile disappeared. "No, I won't interfere again. Harm yourself and you'll have to do your own healing."
She looked at the empty vial on the table. "Was it a sorcerer's brew?"
"I thought you didn't care, if it saved Kadar."
"I don't. I just wanted to know."
"It's no sorcerer's brew. I have no magic powers. As a young man, I worked in a house where such medicines were used on occasion."
"But you said Nasim sent you Kadar as a test. He clearly believes you have magical powers."
"Does he?"
"You know he does."
"I know he questions everything and everyone. Do you believe in magic, Selene?"
"I don't know. I've seen strange things." She straightened her shoulders. "It doesn't matter. If magic will cure Kadar, it can't be bad."
He chuckled. "Always practical and clear-seeing. You'd use the devil himself if it suited you."
"Why not?" She turned back to Kadar. "I'll need a strengthening broth to feed him. Will you see to it?"
"I'm dismissed?" She could hear the amusement in his tone. "Yes, I'll see to it, Selene."
______
Kadar woke near dawn of the next day. One moment he was sleeping deeply and the next he was staring up at her, wide-awake.
"What's wrong? You look terrible. Are you ill?" he whispered.
"No, you are." She tried to subdue the joy soaring through her. He was alive. He was with her again. "Don't you remember?"
He thought for a moment. "Balkir."
She nodded.
