Chapter 88
Summer Solstice - June - 3,390 BC
Earth: Village of Assur
Colonel Mikhail Mannuki’ili
MIKHAIL
He guided Zhila towards the front of the crowd, crouching to remain inconspicuous. Pareesa shook Jamin's bloody hand.
"Thank you," she said. "But I'm not Namhu. I'm his sister, Pareesa."
Mikhail crouched, ready to fly at the stage if the Chief's volatile son attempted to abuse his young protégé.
"No matter what happens," Zhila whispered, "don't let him provoke you into anger."
The crowd fell silent as Jamin held Pareesa's bloody hand.
"You're not Namhu?" he looked perplexed.
Pareesa glanced over the crowd at him, her expression terrified, and yet so painfully brave.
"No," her voice warbled. "Mikhail felt I had the better arm, so Namhu agreed to let me compete yesterday in h
