The attack came swift as a hawk. Tuareg spears pierced the rising sun, arrows blackened the sky. Screams rose among the slavers as Anna rode forward, her veil whipping in the wind, the freed captives watching her with stunned awe.
> She thought: The chains they placed on me forged my sword.
The sun rose crimson above the dunes as Anna adjusted the veil across her brow. She sat astride a white camel, Amastan at her side upon his tall grey mare. Before them stretched a caravan of chained men and women, guarded by Arab slavers with curved swords flashing in dawn light.