of Nued, chieftain. I will serve under you."

"Do you know the way across the desert, to Haroon?"

The woman nodded. "We know you came from place of unmoving tents. I think it is strange that a living god chose such a foolish route. Where were you trying to go?"

"To the Red Mountains," Claudio said, "to the Asa... to win your respect."

"We are many leagues from mountains. They are still out of sight." Her eyes grew thoughtful. "The men that were with you are dead. Tell me, living god, why do you want us Asa?"

"A mortal has slighted me," Claudio said, deciding to use the supposed godhood to his advantage. "The city of Seshán... it must be destroyed."

"That city is many miles away," she said. "I only know it becausehonest, Astarthe. I would threaten you with death, but that hasn't worked. I have made you swear fealty to me, to the god Imperium."

"To the god Claudio," Astarthe corrected him.

"Shut your mouth, lupa. I am not a god." Claudio glared at the blindfolded queen. "Killing a woman is something I hoped I would never have to do. It is the lowest of all lows. It is against what my father taught me. But I've realized, now, that it is necessary. You, Astarthe, I cannot leave alive."

"So ends the thousand-year reign of holy Anakh and Astarthe; brother and sister, man and wife, purebloods to the last generation. Alas for me!"

Claudio pitched back his sword. "Alas for you, indeed!"

Astarthe turned and ripped off her blindfold. She looked up at him;