“I always worried about losing Atlasi, that he would never return from battle and our children would grow up without a father. His promise to return comforted me, but it was Mirza’s promise to look after him that helped me sleep at night.” - Shadya, Sultanah of the Everlasting Desert


    “We all have our ways of mourning,” Shadya thought. “Atlasi...how often I wondered how you would mourn me when I was sick.”


    “Respect should feel warmer coming from you, Mirza,” Shadya thought.


    “No matter what I have to become,” Mirza added silently.


    “Or perhaps she fears Bayek now that he has a weapon to kill gods,” Athia thought. “Even now, I wonder who to truly fear. Death or the goddess who created her?”


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    “Is that…” Athia began to think, but then the falcon gliding above them confirmed her suspicion. “It is!”


    “These two might bring more attention to us if they act like they did in Red Rock,” Athia thought. “Still, mischief makers and criminals work well together.”


    “This is a side of youth I do not miss or admire,” Bayek grimaced.


    “Such arrogance,” Bayek thought. “The quiet one at least has some sense to be quiet about such things.”


    “Our arrival is being recorded, of course,” Athia thought fearfully. “We’re leaving a track in the sand that can’t be swept away.”


    “No, no, no!” Athia thought, avoiding his eyes.