Chapter 83
June - 3,390 BC
Earth: Village of Assur
Colonel Mikhail Mannuki’ili
MIKHAIL
Assur rose out of the desert like a fairytale city; her lumpy, mud-brick walls more welcoming than a modern skyscraper. Just beyond, the Hiddekel River beckoned with its blue-green water, an endless supply which could outlast any siege.
"Home," Sagal-zimu murmured feverishly, supported between himself and the old trader, Gimal.
"Home," Mikhail hollowly echoed. He didn't want it to be home. But Assur's walls were defensible and, right now, Sagal-zimu needed a place to heal.
All four of them glanced over their shoulders like a herd of nervous antelope. The Halifians had dogged their steps for the last three days.
"Let's move," Mikhail said. "I'm not certain the fact we've crossed the border will
