The fact that Ross was exposed as a European did not automatically mean trouble. He and Alexander Burnes had not had any serious problems on their earlier journey through Turkestan.
But that had been years ago and Central Asia had been quieter and less dangerous. It might take only one malicious ferengi-hating man to cause trouble.
Habib spat on the ground. "Not just a ferengi, but an infidel and a spy."
Confused voices rose around the camel driver, then cut off abruptly when Abdul Wahab pushed his way through the crowd. "The wind is cold," he said, handing Ross a length of coarse toweling. "Dry yourself before you take a chill." Then he turned and called out, "Since there is water, we shall camp here tonight."
The caravan leader's acceptance of the ferengi quelled any potential hostility. Onlookers turned away and started looking for suitable sites to build fires and tether their animals.
Ross was mopping water from his hair when Murad arrived, having stopped to collect his master's discarded garments. Gratefully Ross pulled the warm quilted coat over his soaking tunic and trousers. He was pulling on his boots when Muhammad Kasem approached, supported by his son.
"I am an old man and my life is worth very little, but still I am grateful to you for preserving it." The merchant's steps were a little unsteady, but his voice had a note of wry humor. "You demonstrated the courage and strength of a lion. In return, I almost drowned you."
His son, a handsome, authoritative man of about thirty, added, "Truly it was God's mercy that you were here, Khilburn." He bowed deeply. "For saving the life of my father, I, Hussayn, and all my kin are forever in your debt."
"There is no debt, for I did only what any man will do for another if it is within his power." Ross slid the sheathed knife into his sash. "By God's grace, I was raised by the sea and learned to swim as a child. To have that skill and not use it in your father's service would have been a sin."
"Your modesty becomes you, Khilburn," Hussayn said. "Nonetheless, you risked your life for my father, and I shall not forget." He turned and helped the older man away.
Ross glanced at Abdul Wahab. "I'm sorry. I did not wish to draw attention to myself, but I felt there was no choice. Do you think there will be trouble?"
The kafila-bashi shook his head. "Not when you risked your life to save one of the faithful. I will let it be known why you are traveling to Bokhara, which will gain you even more respect."
He gazed thoughtfully after the departing merchant. "Besides performing a selfless act of courage, you have made a powerful friend. Though they dress humbly when traveling, the Kasems are one of the wealthiest families in Bokhara. Perhaps their influence will be useful to your quest." With an inclination of his head, Abdul Wahab took his leave and returned to his duties.
Saleh now joined the rest of the party, leading all five of their camels, which he had tethered in a line. Four of the beasts were straining toward the water, but Julietta, who was in the lead, was more interested in her master. On seeing Ross, she quickened her step until she reached him. Then she lowered her head and butted his chest, more like a horse than a camel.
An affectionate gesture from a beast the size of a camel is not easily ignored, and Ross was almost knocked from his feet. "Easy, there." He laughed as she began mouthing his wet tunic. Stroking her nose, he said, "I suspect that you just like the fact that I'm soaked."
From behind him came the muttered comment, "It's your own fault. Brainless females love a hero."
Ross grinned. When they had lived together, his wife had occasionally accused him of being overprotective, but she was a worse nag than he ever had been. It appeared that concern for the other's welfare was another one of the indissoluble threads of their marriage.
Saleh said, "Khilburn, you and Jalal are both wet and need food and warmth. If you two will take care of watering the camels and filling our waterskins, Murad and I will gather fuel and build a fire."
Agreeing to the suggestion, Ross and Juliet led the camels along the bank of the wadi until they found a shallow side pool where the beasts could drink safely without risking a fall into the still-dangerous torrent. Fortunately the camels were not extremely thirsty or they would have been uncontrollable. Even so, they crowded each other like rowdy schoolboys as they waded into the water.
While Ross managed the camels, Juliet unloaded the nearly empty waterskins and began refilling them. The water was silty, but most of the grit would settle out. In the desert, thirst rendered such shortcomings unimportant.
There was no one near enough to overhear if they kept their voices low, and Juliet took advantage of that fact to say, "That was an appalling risk you took, Ross. I'm a good swimmer, but I would never have dared such a flood."