The two dragons, white and red, flew over the work site as masters wailed and slaves chanted. The head of Shahazar stared from the mountain, carved of granite, larger than a dragon—the head of a great cobra, the eyes fitted with copper plates that caught the sun. Issari landed upon the head with a clatter of claws, and her tail whipped, sending scaffolds crashing down the mountainside. An instant later, Tanin landed at her side. The red dragon sneered, raised his tail like a scorpion, and blasted out smoke.

Upon the great stone head, the Gosharian overseer took several steps backward until his back slammed against the mountainside. He was a portly man, clad in bronze ring mail. His beard was black and long, his eyebrows thick, his head bald. He drew a curved blade and held it before him.

"Stand back, reptiles!" Spittle flew from his mouth. "I am but a mortal, but the goddess Shahazar protects me. Leave this place, foul creatures. Leave or the goddess's curse will wilt your wings."

Issari sneered and raised her paw. The light of Taal burst out from the amulet in a beam. The Gosharian wailed and covered his eyes.

Issari released her magic. A human again, she stood upon the statue's head, facing the overseer. Without her magic, she was only a slim young woman, still clad in the silks of the harem. But she spoke with the gravity of a queen.

"You will order your men to lower their whips and blades." She took a step closer to the man. "You will secure Eteer's passage through the city of Goshar and into the fertile lands of the south. But before the children of Eteer depart, you will pay every man, woman, and child a coin of gold." She clenched her fists. "And you will beg each one for forgiveness, and all shall know that Shahazar is powerless to resist the might of Queen Issari."

The overseer howled, cheeks red, and swung his blade toward her.

Tanin sucked in his breath.

Issari ducked and the blade whistled over her head. She opened her palm and slammed her amulet into the overseer's chest.

Light blazed out and the overseer screamed. His sword clattered to the ground. He fell back against the mountainside.

"I forgot to add one thing," Issari whispered, her amulet blazing. "If you disobey me, I will show you no mercy."

The overseer roared, drew a dagger, and raced back toward her. Issari sidestepped, dodging the blade, and let the man keep running. He tried to halt upon the edge of the statue. A shove from Issari kept him on his way. The overseer teetered for a moment on the ledge, then tumbled. He fell, screaming, hundreds of feet down the mountainside. Slaves below scattered as their master slammed into the earth.

"You were right," Tanin said. The red dragon whistled appreciatively. "Didn't need to burn anyone."