***
Selima spent that day in the women’s tent, for even though she was but a ghost it was not considered seemly for her to sleep in the company of men. She told her story to the women of the caravan who sat around her, fascinated. One black-haired, black-eyed beauty was particularly interested in the tale. This was Murrah, daughter of Nusair ibn Samman and only a couple of years younger than Selima herself. Murrah politely pestered Selima with questions until finally her mother told her to get some sleep during what little remained of the day. Selima slept with the women while the men stayed in the cool purple tent of Nusair ibn Samman, resting in the shade.
Cari the Jann remained invisible and awake, keeping watch near the sleeping form of Jafar al-Sharif in case of treachery. She watch
