The Crystal Wielder

In The Crystal Wielder, the second volume of The Annals of Amarna, Astrid Berensen learns that the enemy of her enemy is not a friend, but, rather, another formidable enemy. Her friend, Raymond, learns that power is intoxicating. Each teen is put in the position of having to decide if either the civilization of Amarna, which they have escaped, or its enemy, Bukhara, is worth saving.

Back on Earth after having escaped the Tjati guards, Astrid and the centuries' old camel rider, Bes, are chased by Bukharians, who have been sent to Earth to steal her crystals. Even as they evade danger, Astrid acts as a docent to Bes explaining Earth’s marvels--cars, electricity, televisions, and cheeseburgers. In their efforts to escape their enemies, Bes and Astrid become separated. Bes is left stranded on Earth and Astrid finds herself back on Kemet, the last place she wants to be, wandering alone through the Dustlands.

Impressed by his chess-playing skills, the vizier of Bukhara chooses Raymond to lead an army of Bukharians to invade Amarna.

After recovering the Mother Lapis, the crystal used to colonize Kemet before being lost on Earth for two thousand years, Bes returns to Amarna.

Whether by fate or the power of the crystals, Astrid, Raymond, and Bes are brought together moments before Amarna's fate and their own will be decided.