Of Flame, Sand, and Gold

d them, until the stars swallowed the sky and

mp in the path wrung a moan from her lips, but she didn't complain. She just clung to K

uins of a collapsed watchtower. A half-forgotte

dismounting. "He

ht Saltana gently in his arms. She g

his with water. Apply it to her s

sleeping chamber. He worked silently, trying not to show

seen the trap

ld man's been bought by three different fac

me. Now. Who am I, Amara? What

She leaned against t

ood heir of Aru'Shenu's exiled chief - the one wh

"That's... that

, voice tight. "

Saltana. They flickered blue, just barely - a

whispered. "The one

igil that responds

eeply, hand curle

Zar

ara said. "She carries the Flame

oked at t

d to fi

wi

time," she rasped, "you're doing t

a weak smi

en a coronation in

ners and oil-lit terraces as Sahen stepped onto the obsidian

uncil

owd ch

miled harder

f Security of Aru'Shenu - like

no longer bow to fading le

rtyard like thunder. Polished. C

a small figure in grey rob

idn't

sappeared into the flow of s

ast trumpet fell silent, Sahen des

alace foundations. Older than the curre

sweated. The air

tar - was the hooded figure who had tortured

eside him. His hands res

" he said, wi

ahen replied, smirking.

emained still. "T

." Sahen replied with a c

fore she breaks." The ho

g something. Something that belongs t

the C

im. For now. His usefu

for a moment, the flame-brand on his l

int your fat

didn't

ointed him

loser, voice low, sh

o anyone again - even dreams of betray

d man nod

we con

half-carved in stone showed a sealed box ringed by fl

orgets his name can op

the city and the broken towers -

are. Her blade

ed her hair ac

two riders

something,

he always does. She's th

d woman l

," she said. "Kaelen

the o

r face half-li

leeping. Or b

chment - a list of names

ght be out