15/02/2026 04:25

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Just before daybreak, when all were reaching theirown limits of exhaustion, Amber's limbs gradually straightened and theknots softened and relaxed. Nazeera pursed her lips as she considered how much she should say. This had happened more oftenrecently, ever since she had known that the Egyptian army was movingirresistibly southwards down the river towards them. He pounded her between the shoulder-blades.

Drums crescendoed and hoofs thundered. From then on Nazeera was accepted asthe servant to al-Jamal and al-Zahra, the concubines of the Mahdi. Everybody has to sing or do something. He knew that if hehad taken that course the Mahdi would certainly have sent an army afterhim, but in his own territory he would prevail against even the largestand most skilfully led host.