Karim nodded but said nothing. They continued in silence.
Sita snuck a glance at him.Is it really possible that he cannot die?She wondered what he was thinking and how he must feel, and she desperately wanted to ask him—except this wasn’t the time. The experience was still too fresh, too raw. Besides, she feared his answer. She bore the responsibility for his newfound immortality. The sight of him that morning at their campsite in the valley, his body soaked in blood, his eyes glinting strangely in the dawn’s light, was seared into her memory.
Sitamun, what have you done?
She shivered and asked a different question instead.
“Do you think it’s wise? Bringing the Hudjefa across the desert in the hope that the Anen will take them in?”
“Do you have a better idea?” Karim asked.
“No, I just thought you weren’t on good terms with your tribe. What makes you think they’ll agree?”
“The Anen’s numbers have been dwindling ever since theShass began besieging us every chance they got. There are good fighting men among the Hudjefa, and their women are skilled too. Dumiya’s abilities alone make her more valuable than ten common fighters. An alliance between the tribes would be fruitful for both, especially as Setnakht’s army rides on Khetara. The Red Lands must be protected.”
Sita frowned. “I wish you luck. In my experience, simply because a plan makes perfect sense, doesn’t mean people will agree to it. But I’m certain you will find a way to convince them.”
Karim regarded her warily. “Why do I get the feeling you aren’t coming with me?”
Sita tried to meet his gaze but found that she couldn’t. “Because I’m not,” she said evenly. “I must return to Thonis.”
“What?” Karim said, suddenly furious. “You can’t! We barely made it out of there alive! And now you’re going to march right back into your brother’s house? He’ll kill you! Or worse—marry you!”
Sita glanced at the twin serpents that wound around her staff and held it a little tighter. “Things have changed. I’m no longer afraid of Mery. And I’m one of the only people in the kingdom who knows what’s coming. It’s my duty as a princess and a Khetaran to warn the palace of the oncoming horde. My brother will have no choice but to put aside our differences until Setnakht is no longer a threat.”
Karim raised an eyebrow. “In my experience, simply because a plan makes perfect sense, doesn’t mean people will agree to it.”
Sita scoffed.
After a long moment, Karim said quietly, “I thought we were supposed to do this together, sena. Until the end.”
“I’m sorry,” Sita replied. “You have a duty to your people, and I have a duty to mine.”
Another silence washed over them, this one heavier than the first.
Sita turned northwest, toward the river, toward home, a mixture of excitement and dread churning in her veins.
She squinted.
A black animal galloped toward them.
Sita grabbed the thief’s shoulder and pointed. “Look!”
Karim laughed. It was the first truly joyous sound Sita had heard that day. “I can’t believe it,” he said.
Behkai did not stop running until he’d reached them, and then he leaped straight onto Karim, knocking him flat on his back.
“Get off me you great oaf!” Karim complained as the dog stood atop his master, his long, thin tail wagging furiously. “What is that? What’s in your mouth?”
“I think it’s a rabbit,” Sita observed with amusement.
As if on command, Behkai dropped the dead hare onto Karim’s chest.
While Karim struggled to extricate himself from both dog and rabbit, Sita chuckled. “You should be grateful! He’s brought you dinner. Look at him. He’s so proud of himself.”
Behkai sat on his haunches and looked between them, panting gloriously, tongue lolling.
A grin crept into the corner of Karim’s mouth. He reached out and gave the dog a hearty pat. “It’s good to have you back, boy.”
