speckled with glittering sequins, clung tightly to his trunk. A broad leather
belt encircled his paunch, and attached to it were two scabbards containing
knives, a third from which poked the end of a bamboo pipe, and a leather bag
about the size of Masha’s head. Over one shoulder and the side of his neck was
coiled a thin rope.
‘Tools of the trade,’ he said in answer to Masha’s look.
Masha wondered what the trade was, but she didn’t have time for him. She felt
Kheem’s forehead and pulse,’then went to the water pitcher on the ledge in the
corner.
After mixing the powder with the water as Nadeesh had instructed and pouring out
some into a large spoon, she turned. Smhee was on his knees by the child and
reaching into the bag on his belt.
‘I have some talent for doctoring,’ he said as she came to his side. ‘Here. Put
that quack’s medicine away and use this.’
He stood up and held out a small leather envelope. She just looked at him.
‘Yes, I know you don’t want to take a chance with a stranger. But please believe
me. This green powder is a thousand times better than that placebo Nadeesh gave
you. If it doesn’t cure the child, I’ll cut my throat. I promise you.’
‘Much good that’d do the baby,’ Wallu said.
‘Is it a magical potion?’ Masha said.
‘No. Magic might relieve the symptoms, but the disease would still be there, and
when the magic wore off, the sickness would return. Here. Take it! I don’t want
you two to say a word about it, ever, but I was once trained in the art of
medicine. And where I come from, a doctor is twenty times superior to any you’ll