A sandstorm had been brewing for two days—low, ominous clouds of dust rolling in from the west, turning the sky the color of old brass. By the third afternoon, the wind howled like a thousand wounded animals, whipping sand against the fortress walls in stinging sheets. Visibility dropped to nothing. The outer gates were barred. Sentries pulled back inside. The entire compound sealed itself against the fury.

Arjun chose that night to break every remaining boundary.