Chapter 50 The Council

She stared at him uncertainly for a moment and he imagined how hard it must have been for her, all of nineteen years old, devastated by grief and so utterly alone, trying to assert herself against the sanctimonious prigs of her Council. The fact that she was still here, still strong, both amazed and humbled him.

‘You can do it,’ he said softly. ‘You can do anything you set your mind to, Amira. I know that. I’ve seen it.’

She gave him a small, tremulous smile. ‘Except maybe make a fire in the middle of the desert.’

He felt himself grin back at her. ‘There were a few flames going there. If that snake hadn’t come along...’

‘If you hadn’t come along,’ she shot back, her smile widening, and then she drew her up and turned towards the double gold-paneled doors.

He watched as she threw open the doors, grinned at the sight of twelve slack-jawed, middle-aged men rising hastily to their feet as Amira walked into the room.

‘Good afternoon, gentlemen,’ she greeted them regally, and Abdullah had t