The wooden crates used to confine prisoners were made from thick logs, bound tightly with sturdy jute ropes. The crates were too cramped to stand in, too narrow to turn around. Ophir’s warriors dragged Emalath and Bithya by the ropes tied around their waists and kicked them into the crates. Emalath shouted, demanding to know what crime she had committed.

“Shut your mouth!” one of the soldiers snapped.

If she had not immediately lain down on the floor, a lance thrust through the bars would have pierced her neck. Two soldiers of Ophir – half-man, half-demon – entered the crate. They kicked Bithya, who lay clutching her child, and forced her to stand. After binding her and Emalath’s legs with a metal ring, they tossed the keys to the sentry and left. They took the light with them, plunging

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