Chapter 16 February – 3,390 BC Earth: Assur JAMIN The Ubaid called this mountain 'Hyena's Teeth' after the rugged ridge which rose up, like incisors, out of the desert floor. It wasn't nearly as impressive as the mountains to their north and east, but the desert-dwelling Halifian tribe believed it to be the abode of their god. Jamin tossed his cape over one shoulder and signaled the warriors to be quiet. The winged demon wasn't the only enemy they had to contend with. For longer than he'd been alive, the people of the river, and the people of the desert, had been at war. His men fanned out, their ranks now swollen to a dozen, to find another way down. "I never realized this mountain had an oasis," Jamin said. "We've chased them out here, many times, after a raid." "They've always re