The Balborite Curse (Book 4) by Kristian Alva

oasis. Tallin reached up, grabbing a ripe nut from a tree. The seedpod was enormous, and when he split the husk apart, the fruit inside was the largest that he’d ever seen. The magic of this place affected everything, even the size of the plants.
    “Rider-friend!” Sa’dun shouted, walking over to Tallin, both hands held up in greeting. He flashed a dazzling white smile, his dark cheeks plump and rosy. Sa’dun had never been thin, but Tallin noticed that his friend had gained weight and was now quite heavy.
    “Greetings, Sa’dun,” said Tallin. They clasped hands briefly. “You’ve been eating well, I see.”
    Sa’dun laughed, patting his round belly. “You are right! I am so joyful and fat. And my wives and children are all healthy, praise Golka!”
    Although it was not customary for ordinary tribesmen to introduce their wives, Sa’dun was now a tribal chief, so he gestured toward two women behind him. “These are my wives.”
    A male nomad was allowed up to three wives, as long as he could prove to the elders that he could support them. That number was increased to four if at least one of the women was a widow.
    “This is Mirram, my senior-wife. She is the mother of my five sons.” Mirram bowed slightly, standing behind Sa’dun with five young boys. She opened her arms proudly, touching each boy’s head. The children chattered with excitement, all trying to get a closer look at Duskeye. Mirram’s face was concealed by her carthin , a long outer garment, but Tallin could see creases around her eyes. She was smiling.
    Tallin smiled and crossed his hands in front of him in a gesture of greeting. He could tell this woman was Sa ’dun’s first wife by the number of rings on her fingers.
    The other woman, crouched behind Mirram, had a baby in her arms. She kept her eyes focused on the ground. Sa’dun took her arm gently and led her forward. “This is Amfila, my second wife. She is timid, but she is a fine helpmate and a good mother. Please forgive her nervousness; she has never seen a dragon rider before.” Sa’dun whispered something in her ear, and the woman looked up, meeting Tallin’s eyes for a few seconds before looking away.
    She stepped forward quietly and lifted a corner of the blanket, presenting her chubby infant for a blessing. Sa’dun’s eyes softened, as he looked at the child with pride. “This is Mem'engwa. She is my first daughter. I have five handsome sons, and for that, I am grateful. But I prayed to the gods for a daughter, and finally they have seen fit to grant me one. Look how beautiful and round she is! She is a treasure.” Sa’dun reached out and caressed the baby’s head with his callused hand. “To a father growing old, nothing is dearer than a daughter.”
    “You have been blessed with an abundance of sturdy children, my friend.” Tallin tickled the baby’s plump foot, and she giggled. He whispered a short protection prayer and covered the baby back up. The woman made a deep curtsy and stepped back behind Mirram.
    It was obvious that Sa’dun doted on his growing family. “Children are the anchors of a father’s life. Walk with me—I want to show you what we have created here.” He escorted Tallin around the oasis, pointing out different plants and fruits that grew in abundance.
    “Years ago, there was much famine, and many infants were lost. But after this oasis was created, everything changed! Magic lingers everywhere in this place, and the trees bear fruit year-round. The water from the spring is always cool and clean. Our children are healthy, and our camel herds have doubled in size. We have enough food to feed all our people and improve our herds.”
    “And the other tribes, do you have news of them?”
    Sa’dun went on, chattering excitedly. “The Tribe of Akhtar moved to the south last year, and we helped them with their relocation efforts. Akhtar is my kinsman; he is married to my half-sister, Imirra. The men of that tribe searched for a suitable