A man stepped forward from the smoke. As large as Sin-Naharosh was, this man was thin; he was almost skeletal, his skin stretched over his bones. Like most Gosharians, he wore a white tunic that left half his chest bare, and Issari could see his ribs. A thin white beard dangled from his gaunt face, and a crown of gilded bones—they looked like human finger bones—nested upon his head. The amulet of the goddess Mahazar hung from his neck. The talisman was so large and heavy, the man walked with a stoop. In his gaunt hands, Tir-Kahan held a clay tablet engraved with cuneiform writing.

Armor clanked behind her, and Tanin approached. He leaned close and whispered to Issari, voice urgent. "Issari, don't do this. There are others ways. The women here . . . look at them." He held her arm. "Let us return to the desert if we must."

The skeletal priest stepped forth, reached into a pouch, and pulled out a writhing snake. The animal hissed, tongue darting, and Tir-Kahan held it forth. Before Issari would react, the snake struck, biting her neck. She let out a cry and reached to the wound; her fingers came away bloody.

"The great goddess Mahazar has tasted the blood of Issari Seran!" the old priest announced. He turned back toward his abina, the lounging Sin-Naharosh, and brought the snake close to the man's sweaty chest. The serpent struck again, biting into the flesh. The old priest spoke louder. "Blood is mixed with blood, blessed with the bite of the serpent. Mahazar, Queen of Snakes, Goddess of Goshar, blesses this union. Blessed be Issari, wife of Sin-Naharosh!"

Tanin stepped closer to the king, and his hand strayed toward his sword. His face reddened. "Wait a moment! You mean they're married already? That's not a marriage ceremony. I refuse to—"

The king sighed and waved his hand dismissively. "Guards, drag this man away." He puffed on his hookah. "Keep him alive for now, but keep him out of my sight."

Soldiers stepped forth, drew their swords, and approached Tanin. The young Vir Requis drew his own blade and snarled. "Stand back! Stand back or I'll burn you all. I do not accept this marriage." He sliced the air with his blade. "I warn you, stand back!"

Across the hall, the nude women gasped and chattered. Soldiers shouted at Tanin, the priest sang prayers, and Sin-Naharosh laughed and tossed sweets into his mouth.

Issari shouted over the din. "Do not harm my half-brother! Sin-Naharosh, I will honor our marriage, but do not harm him! I—" She gasped as soldiers stepped forth and grabbed her arms. "Release me! Sin-Naharosh, what is the meaning of this?"