18
Jakira rode atop a straggly camel through the dark desert. Halak, on his camel, was in front. His head was no longer covered by cloth and his grey hair was cropped short. He was older than she had guessed, but he was still strong and elicited an unyielding deference from the Khumarahs.
The glimmer from the crater city grew fainter and fainter behind them. They were heading for Jhabia Ridge, a great ridge of rock that rose out of the desert like a huge worm.
Big Bulai had reluctantly allowed her out a second night, as Jakira had returned promptly to the Rasheed villa and in good health, but Jakira knew she would only be able to convince the overseer a few more times. Ibin had collected her and they had jogged through the city and over the wall into the slums. There she had been hois
