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
Sabit walked the lands of the dead. * Alone. Sabit at a great height. An unsteady road beneath her feet. Not mud. Not sand. Not stones. Bones. A mountain of all slain by Sabit—every single man and woman. And child. Ishum, the dead prince of Ghabar, at Sabit’s side.* Ishum, barely the years to be … Read more
Before Kehnan could react, Sabit was climbing into the cart to better study the strange device and the bracelet perched atop of it. Several people had already crawled aboard the huckster’s cart, proffering coins in outstretched hands. The huckster gathered the money and handed out the tiny porcelain cups. A beefy woman with a desperate … Read more
Sabit seized the hand on her shoulder and yanked. Bracing her hip, she pulled the bigger man forward, tipping him off-balance. Controlling his fall by twisting the arm she held, Sabit put the man on his back in the dust of the bazaar. Putting her knee on his chest, Sabit looked down at Kehnan. “Don’t … Read more