“Who’s caring for them? Are there children out there?”
“They care for themselves. The people of Jawhara have provided them with some assistance, however, we did not ask for them to come here.”
“But, they are in need?” Erin asked, the humanitarian in her pushing to the front.
“I do not believe so.”
“But you don’t know?” Erin pushed.
Talib sighed, “I have not been out there. So, no, I do not have firsthand knowledge of the living conditions.”
Erin looked at the refugee camp one more time, “I wish to go there tomorrow. I will be ready to go by 9 o’clock.”
Talib shook his head, “Absolutely not. No way. The Sheik would have my head.”
“You said yourself that I am not a prisoner of the palace. That is where I wish to go and I want you to take me there tomorrow so that I can see for myself the living conditions.”
“It is impossible. His Majesty would never allow it.”
“Ask him.”
“No. I already know the answer.”
Erin stared him down, sure that he was correct in his estimation that Kamal would not give his blessing to such an adventure. “Fine. I will wait until Kamal returns and ask him to take me.”
Talib was relieved and nodded his head in agreement.
Chapter 16
Erin had no intention of waiting for Kamal to return and take her to see the refugee camp. Early the next morning, she left the palace and located the driver lounging nearby with a cup of coffee.
“I need you to drive me to the refugee camp.”
When the driver looked skeptical, she continued, “I wish to see for myself that the people are being cared for.”
“Where is Talib?”
“He is occupied elsewhere. You will accompany me instead.”
The driver still looked skeptical, but when Erin approached the back door and waited for him to open it, he did so. After seating himself in the driver’s seat, he asked her one more time, “Are you sure this is okay?”
“Absolutely. Hurry up, I want to be back in the palace before the heat becomes unbearable. I find that the heat makes my morning sickness much worse.” Erin hated playing that card, but she was determined to see the refugee camp for herself and needed the driver to head that direction before Talib became aware of her actions. He would surely come after her and tell Kamal.
The driver left the palace and headed towards the camp. Parking a discreet distance away, he opened her door and helped her from the vehicle. Erin looked around the camp, noticing that there was an abundance of children at each tent. Instead of playing and being rambunctious however, they were silent and watched her warily.
Erin slowly walked through the tents, the driver staying close beside her and muttering to himself the entire time. She smiled at the few people who actually met her gaze, but it was one sided. No one returned her smile, nor did they appear to be interested in her presence.
After several minutes, she stopped and questioned the driver, “What is wrong with these people?”
“They have been displaced from their homes. The Jawharan Minstry of Defense has declared that they are not welcome in the city so they must remain in the refugee camp. Their supplies are beginning to run low and the only water they have is what is trucked in on a daily basis.”
Erin was horrified. “Why would Kamal allow this?”
The driver narrowed his gaze at her, “Who?”
“His Majesty,” Erin replied, waving her hand as if his title meant nothing. “Why would he allow these people to be treated this way?”
The driver paused before answering, “I do not believe His Majesty had visited the camp.”