Sabit’s arm would not move. Her head would not turn. Her eyes would not blink. The sorcerer’s gaze bored into her skull like a dagger. Sabit’s muscles were locked as tight and unflinching as if she had been bound in steel chains. The mass of enthralled villagers turned and charged toward the spear woman. Sabit’s … Read more
Days later, Sabit crouched behind the curving stone wall of a village hut, her trusty iron-tipped spear in her hand. Dessine and the other members of the Pride crouched close behind her. The group of warriors took care to silence their movements through the unseasonably cool mud of the village roads. They need not have … Read more
The next morning, Sabit was roused from her slumber while the sun still hung low in the sky. The warriors of the Pride gathered their newest members in front of their stronghold. The head of the entire Sisterhood, Meriama, had arrived. Walking quickly through the gate from the outer courtyard, the head of the Sisterhood … Read more
That night, Sabit danced with her fellow initiates into the small hours. Still weary from the hunt, her steps were clumsy. Always stubborn, Sabit made up for her lack of skill with a bottomless energy that outstripped the stamina of even the fully-established Sisters who had not hunted. By the time the bonfires burned low, … Read more
Chief huntress was her title, but Dassine bore the cold, reserved gaze of one who had slain more than beasts and fowl in her day. Her right cheek showed the roaring lioness, the tattoo ink dark against her tan skin. A torc of gleaming copper cradled her throat, the only adornment of her garb—yellow tunic … Read more
The Sisterhood of the Lioness allowed only the strongest initiates to join the ranks of their most honored warriors: The Pride. The hunt was the final task of five days of trials the initiates faces. Walking the gauntlet of the established warriors was the last part of the hunt. Sabit took a slow, deliberate step … Read more
Sabit struggled under the weight of the ibex carcass draped across her shoulders. She had walked half the day up and down steep ridges and rocky slopes bearing the prize of her hunt. With only a stone knife and her innate stealth, Sabit had tracked the ibex herd through the night. Careful to keep herself … Read more
Several days later, Sabit stood on the eastern wall of Bahteel. The morning sun bathed the fields of ripening grain in a crimson light. The packed earth line of the great eastern road cut through the blood-red fields like an open wound. Where the dark brown expanse of road met the wall—gleaming a white-gold light … Read more
“You heard Sabit, little man,” Kehnan’s voice thundered over the rising hubbub of the bazaar. “Leave her alone.” The big man laid a hand on Allamu’s shoulder—Kehnan’s scarred knuckles contrasted the crisp crimson and white lines of Allamu’s tunic. The man from Urom lowered his voice, “Do not touch me. Do not touch her.” The … Read more
Sabit felt Allamu’s warm hand on her face. The scar at her wrist felt so cold, it burned. Bright sunshine glowed red through her eyelids. The babble of the bazaar seemed far away. Forcing her eyes open, Sabit saw Allamu kneeling over her, a look of concern on his noble features. She smiled to see … Read more