Over Assata’s shoulder, Dagan raised his eyebrows in disbelief.

“Just a few seconds ago, she told me to go rescue my friend Iltani so she isn’t given in marriage by Uruku. And she also said to give Uruku a poison made by my own hands.”

Hadn’t the Boatman shown me a bottle? There was bound to be some monkshood or belladonna growing along the riverbanks, and I could just start over. I didn’t need the merchant’s tables. I could find something myself!

“And I can do that. I swear it.” That wasn’t entirely the truth, but…close enough.

Assata frowned in disbelief. “Linaza, the goddess of love and war in Manzazu—spoke to you?”

Breathless, Nanaea walked up to us, holding my gold scorpion amulet. It glinted in the sun as I took it from her.

“Yes. She did.” I wrapped the amulet around Ummi’s throat. “She granted me a favor from these Koru warriors. And now”—I clasped the necklace and stood back—“I’m calling it in.”

Ummi assessed me coolly. “I cannot stop the attack, and I will not defy the sarratum, Kammani. Linaza would never give you a desire or a message that goes against Sarratum Tabni’s desires.” She trailed her fingers over the slick gold of the scorpion. “So what would you have me do?”

“I’m not asking you to defy her. I know Linaza guides the sarratum’s voice. I’m simply asking you to wait to bring war so I have enough time to save my friend and get Uruku out. That’s it! Couldn’t you halt the army’s battle preparations a little bit? Some last-minute things that need tidying up? That will not change anything too much from where you stand, but it could mean everything to me. To Iltani. To everyone in Alu. Could you not speak to the army leaders to delay? As the commander of the Koru, you outrank them, don’t you?”

“Each Koru outranks the regular Manzazu army.” She frowned and shifted her stance. Reached up and felt the scorpion necklace while she studied me, apparently searching my soul for signs of sincerity. “How long of a delay to poison him and rescue your friend?”

“A few days. That’s it. Enough time for us to try once more.”

Higal spoke. “Commander? A word?”

Ummi and Higal stepped away from us and talked to one another heatedly, much too low to be heard. While they discussed, Assata alternated between rolling her eyes and glaring at me. Eventually, Ummi held up one hand to Higal, and walked away from her toward us.

Ummi opened her arms in Linaza’s salute to me. “I will give you this favor, but”—she reached behind her, and unclasped the necklace, and handed it back to me—“keep this as a reminder of what I have done. When you look at it, remember the sacrifice I am making for you, for going against the sarratum is not an easy thing, even if Linaza commands it. Sarratum Tabni will not be pleased to wait.”

“This is not of the gods,” Assata spat, livid. “A delay means more torment for my son!”