Chapter 13
The white stone arches on the outskirts of the Hadem village came into view, and Isika breathed a sigh. The intricate carvings in the village's white stone glowed with the crimson, saffron, and mauve of the sunset, and as soon as she was under the first carved arches, Isika stopped walking and leaned on her staff to soak it in. Her heart felt bruised by the ugliness that had happened back in the Worker village, and the beauty was balm to her spirit.
She touched one section of the stone, tracing the dancing carvings that looped and spiraled into waves, trees, and stars.
Jabari came to her, and Isika leaned her head on his shoulder.
"I feel too old and dusty to be here," she said. "It's so beautiful."
"We can remedy that," Jabari said. "The sea is right over there."
"I think
