---
"Water," Mardek said. "Not a trick. I drink first."
He took a sip and then set the cup by the gap. Miryam looked at it. She was not thirsty. The tunnel had been cool. The air here was dry. The smell of reed and men and old leather made her nose twitch. She did not drink.
The Friend sniffed the cup and sneezed. It turned its head away and pressed closer.
Mardek did not frown. He took the cup back and set it aside. "Will you do something for me," he asked.
She did not answer.
"Open your hand," he said. "If your palm is clean I will loosen two more knots."
She lifted her hand. It was dusty. Her small palm had a scratch where the mesh had bit. He did not flinch. He nodded as if to say that is the right answer too.
He pinched another knot. The gap grew a little. Sun reached her face. She blinked.
