“Why do you care what happens in Alu?” Nasu looked at her pointedly. “It is our city, not yours.”

“Is it because you owe me the favor?” Otherwise, it didn’t make sense. “The queen granted me the scorpion necklace, but I know you are required to fulfill it.”

Ummi shook her head. “The favor was granted by Linaza herself. The queen only acted as the medium to guide it to you. Our goddess has granted you her power, and I can only fulfill that favor when you ask me to, A-zu.”

“What if my request goes against the wishes of the sarratum?”

“Linaza would not give you a desire that defies the sarratum.”

Really.

“Well, then why do you care?”

“Two reasons.” She shifted her stick to the other side of her mouth. “Strength is not always loud. Sometimes we are strongest when we are quiet. We’d show ourselves to be a better army if we could remove him from power without harming the citizens of your city. Sarratum Tabni believes otherwise, but”—she cocked her head—“she has not been in a war.”

Higal spoke. “The second reason is Assata.”

“The tavern keeper?” I asked.

Higal grunted. “You know her?”

“We all do. She’s a friend of ours,” Dagan said, and we all murmured our agreement. “She sent us with provisions when we first left the city. Provided Kammani’s abum with food when he couldn’t pay. She’s a good person.”

Ummi nodded. “She is. I remember her from when I was a child. When she first left her birth city of Kemet as a young woman, she traveled to Manzazu and trained as a warrior.”

“Yes! Many of us in Alu knew she trained with you. She used to give sicklesword lessons to girls behind her tavern while their parents were inside,” I said.

Higal nodded. “Sounds right. She trained me as a girl.”

Ummi continued. “But once she fell in love with the merchant, Irra, she left Manzazu to follow him to Alu. I know the destruction we can bring,” Ummi said. “We do not wish to bring harm to her, or to anyone else. Besides, I think she would help you if she knew of your plans. You must go to her. Tell her what you want to do.”

“Why can’t you just kill him yourself?” Dagan asked. “If you believe in this cause? You’re more skilled than we are.”

Ummi glanced between Higal and Humusi, who stood, arms loose at their sides. “We cannot defy Sarratum Tabni outright. She wants him brought back to our city alive. Linaza has told me to offer you our guidance on this night. To give you some tools to protect yourself in Alu. And then we will go back to our sarratum to bring war if you do not succeed. But I hope this gives you some time.”

My heart fluttered. It was gracious. And completely dangerous for them to be here if Sarratum Tabni knew their intent.

“Thank you, Ummi.” I nodded to the others. “Thank you for this. But how did we not see you on the road?”