He smiled. "You will consider helping us?"
What else was I supposed to do? I had no cell phone, no clue why I was there or what I was supposed to do. Not only that, but someone left just-add-water instructions on my body. What was Carter … or whomever … thinking?
I didn't think refusing this man's request was going to win me any favors, either.
What would The Doctor do? He'd help, of course, and hope for the best.
"If I can. What do you need me to do?"
He twisted in his seat and motioned to someone in the shadows. "It is simple. When they come to destroy us, convince them to spare you and her."
The girl in the corner emerged somewhat shyly, dark eyes on me. She wasn't more than seven with long, dark hair braided down her back. She wore a long robe that reached the top of her slippered feet.
Startled by the request, it took me a moment to process it. "They're coming to destroy you?"
"It is what they do. We defied them years ago, and they have not forgotten. They rule the lands as far as you can see," he said softly. "She is the heiress to the royal bloodline. Her father died in a skirmish with the Mongols and her mother at birth. There is no one else."
I gazed at the girl. No consideration in a million years would keep me from doing as he asked. I didn't understand anything about their bloodline, but I did know I wasn't going to let a child get hurt. "Why do you not ask me to help all of your people?" I asked, puzzled. "If they will spare her, why not all of you?"
"It is not their way. We must submit and pay them tribute or die. We did worse. Fifty years ago, her forefather ruled Baghdad and killed their emissary. They destroyed the city. Burnt it to the ground and slaughtered all who dwelt within. They will not rest until his seed is wiped from this earth."
The amount of damage he was discussing was beyond me to imagine. "You think they'll listen to me."
"We know they will."
I swallowed hard. I didn't exactly look forward to trying to reason with a Mongol army.
"We did find this with you," he added with some hesitation. "My master did not think it wise to return it, but … you are willing to help. It is not right for me to keep it from you." He handed me a pouch.
Opening it, I dumped the cell phone onto my palm. Oh, thank god! Except …