CHAPTER NINETY-SIX
Davud huddled on the ledge in the underground cistern, hugging his knees, pulling them in tight to his chest. His heart beat in time with the drip, drip, drip that echoed amongst the shadows of the thousand and one columns. The Medusa head frowned at him, without any answers to his questions—putrid water lapping chiseled lips, her snakes writhing and hissing in his darkest thoughts. A rat screeched, and darted across a plank, to scramble up the column that soared above the carved base. Davud’s thoughts followed its flight. It scratched and scurried along an unseen ledge above the cornice. Davud ran his fingers through his hair, now lengthened to below his shoulders, then stroked the woven gold thread of his vest and breeches. His hand fell to rest on the bulge of his g
