This book is a work of fiction, and while it is set in real places—the United Arab Emirates and my hometown of Melbourne, Australia—places and institutions described in this book are fictionalized. Tell Abrar, where the archaeological excavation at the heart of this book takes place, and Silver Crescent, where the book’s latter parts unfold, are imaginary places partially inspired by real locations. As an author I have to alter reality a bit to put it in harmony with the events of this book. For similar reasons, I have created two Melbourne-based universities—Dunston and the University of Southern Melbourne.