Rame's breathing was getting shallower. Ji Tao dared not touch him. Where was Cheng? Surely Yi Min had not forgotten to tell him?

“Mama,” Rame croaked, opening his eyes.

The blood had stopped flowing at least. Perhaps the wound was not as bad as it looked. Ji Tao heard the familiar sound of someone coming up the jungle path behind her. It was Cheng and Liang.

They surveyed the boy's condition. “It's not so bad,” Liang surmised. “Let's carry him back.”

Back at the camp, Ji Tao faced the accusing eyes of her family. Clearly they blamed Ji Tao for what had happened. It turned out that the wound was not serious, but Rame was feverish. He wouldn't drink any water unless they forced him to. He still called for his Mama.

“What were you thinking?” Rong Li hissed. “Letting them run off like that!”

“No,” Kalliyan intervened. “They should have known better than to run away. It will be a lesson to them.”

“And a lesson for her too,” Rong Li warned. “Niece Ji Tao, what are you good for?”

“I'm sorry, aunt Rong Li,” Ji Tao said. “I will take more care in future.”