Chapter 74

The first bit of the sun started to flare over the sea. Charavan emerged from a bush nearby with a cluster of coconuts in his mouth. He crawled over the sand to us with his enormous body.

"Your mount had been weeping his crocodile tears since you were gone," Sovannmacha told me. "I asked him to fetch a drink for you. Steady now, you must be thirsty."

I realized the thirst was burning through my body as she helped me to sit up again. My muscle grew wobbly and weak. I probably had been unconscious for hours.

Charavan dropped the coconuts by my feet. He opened his powerful jaw and split the juice-filled fruit in half. Sovannmacha retrieved the coconut shell and held it to my dry lips.

I drank the sweetness of the juice as the merqueen took pity to nurse me with it. It was cool like spring water from a mountain cave. Some spilled down my chin and chest. I felt the fever subside and soon I was able to support myself with some strength.