Of Flame, Sand, and Gold

e should have

, sweat, and old sorrow - watching the sky turn the color of bruised peaches. Sunset in Aru'Sh

flask of clean water, a blade hidden in cloth, and two things that weren't hers: a sealed lett

er meant. But they felt i

w identity was already in hiding. Soldiers were sniffing along the ed

n't moved

she was

o tell her that running again wouldn't

ndow, eyes looking

me? What if he was t

lightly over her belly. I'm not running for me anymore

oor - wasn't loud nor

Her hand went

oice: "I

armor partially unfastened, a tension i

o move now

ed. "What's

elligence circuit - efficient, brutal. He's paying people in food an

slowly. "How l

If that.

once and grab

ression unreadable. "Y

id. "But I don

mile, more like a shadow of one. "You

h a book for b

e th

h side paths and servant alleys. Zaria moved like someone who

re the escape route was supposed to start - a skif

he boat

eins from the pier, and footpr

art sank.

ngers brushing the dir

red behind the

ou take the tunnels.

t want to

ving. And you can't do th

- just for a m

n't loo

n the dark, and it would stay with

room with an aur

er wrists where they'd been bound. Her mouth was dry. Her back ached from being d

in the ci

. Just the slow drip of water and the low hu

y, wincing. Chai

from the shadows. Smoo

epped in

mmed collar. What he wore; black, soft leather and a dark scarf

red at hi

the dramatics," he said. "B

aid n

ms. "I need you to answer some questions. B

ched. "I won't t

d, almost lightly.

s it: an array of implements - some meant for science,

e thought fear would break h

silver tool. "Let's start with some

eart beginning to

s not do the dance, Zaria. You're too i

ze evenly. "Yo

, not aggressive - but deliberate. He crouched aga

r what you hide and carry?" he whispered.

said n

ed fingers, gently tucked a s

u w

the softe

oing to help you remember wh