In the desert, Mirama stood up. With half of her face rotten and all her hair lost she looked more like an alien. She staggered and made her way out of the desert, back to Tan.
**********
Queen Chinecherem had received the news of the defeat of Tan by her husband and the army she sent to support him. She had also received the news of the fatal blow on Achala by the swordsmen from The Place Of Men.
"And my husband?" She asked impatiently.
"He was fatally wounded. Adaeze wasn't found but the king knows who took her from Tan. Reni is bringing him back as we speak" said the messenger.
"Who?" The Queen was shocked.
"Reni, the one who served you; the one who abducted Adaeze from here" said the messenger.
"And why on earth is she the one my husband allowed to aid him?" She sounded angry.
