Even by night the view reflected the studious planning characteristic of these peculiar people. The lights of the planned villages where the farm laborers lived made points on the interstices of a grid. The grid was more clearly discernible by day, in the form of carefully maintained roads and irrigation canals. The city itself was a galaxy in the background.

A whippoorwill struck up its repetitive commentary somewhere downslope. Another vocalized agreement from a distance. A gentle breeze climbed the slope, bringing with it scents of crops still a few weeks short of being stealably ripe.

The lights died away till Bragi was alone with the darkness and stars. They formed an immense silver girdle overhead. He stared at them till one broke free and streaked down the sky. It raced toward Hellin Daimiel.

He shrugged. An omen was an omen. He went and sat across the coals from his brother, who seemed to be asleep sitting up. Softly, he said, I wonder where mother is now.

Haaken shook all over, and for a moment Bragi was scared something had happened. Haaken was the sort who could become deathly ill without saying a word.

His concern was short-lived. There was enough light in the fire to betray the tears on Haakens cheeks.

Bragi said nothing. He was homesick too.

After a time, he remarked, She gave me this locket. He waited till he had Haakens attention. She told me we should take it to some people in Hellin Daimiel. To the House of Bastanos.

Thats not people. Thats what they call a bank. Where rich men go to borrow money.

Oh? He had to think about that. After a few seconds, People run it, dont they? Maybe thats what she meant. Anyway, we could find out about it before we tried the Guild.

No. Its too hot down there. Theyll hang us. Besides, I dont think Mother wanted us to go there. Not really. Not unless there was nowhere else we could go.

The excitement should have died down.

Youre fooling yourself, Bragi. I say try the Guild.

You scared of Hellin Daimiel? Bragi was. The city was too huge, too foreign, too dangerous.

Yes. I dont mind admitting it. Its too different to just jump into. Too easy for us to get into something we cant handle because we dont know better. Thats why I say go with the Guild.

Bragi saw Haakens reasoning. The Guild would provide a base of safety while they learned southern ways.

He fingered his mothers gift, battled homesickness and temporized. In the morning. Well decide after weve slept on it.

He did not sleep well.

Chapter Seven

Chapter Seven

Wadi el Kuf

El Murid stalked around Sebil el Selib like a tiger caged. Would this imprisonment never end? Would that villain Yousif never crack? The desert was on his side, if his advisers were to be believed. Nassef claimed he could stamp his foot and twenty thousand warriors would respond.