+ beside him, who came from the sands to play hero. “Be the smart one and get them to listen to reason. For their sakes.” With that, he would turn and make his leave with a confidence that was either misguided or well-earned.

There it was again—that tightness in her throat, the way her chest felt hollow right when the anxiety before a potential fight reached its breaking point, and then… …And then nothing. The raider raised his hands and backed away. Joanna could see the skin of his neck stretch with the width of his —