I dont know, Nassef replied. Ive interviewed el Nadim and Hali repeatedly. Ive talked to most of the men. Ive lost a weeks sleep over it. And I cant tell you a thing. Aboud certainly didnt summon him. Nothing is happening at Al Rhemish. Nothing that transpired in the capital escaped Nassef. He had an agent in the Royal tent itself.

Then he knows only what we do, El Murid mused. What fact is he interpreting differently?

That foreign devil Radetic is behind it.

Perhaps. The outland idolaters must hate me. They must sense the hand of God upon me. They must feel, in His wrath, the knowledge that I shall be the instrument of their chastisement. They are the slaves of the Evil One, struggling to prolong his sway over their wicked kingdoms.

Was that a suppressed smirk on Nassefs lips?

Papa?

The girl was skipping. His first impulse was to swat her for insolemnity before the fanes. But it had been an age since he had given her any attention.

Nassef remarked, The child is a savage sometimes.

And when was laughter an abomination unto the Lord? Leave us. He let her slide into his lap. What is it, darling? She was nearly twelve now.

Had it been that long? Life was whistling by, and he seemed little nearer fulfilling his destiny. That unholy Yousif. Nassef had had so many successes, but they had meant nothing as long as the Wahlig had kept the Movement bottled up in Sebil el Selib.

Oh, nothing. I just wanted to see if you were done thinking yet. She snuggled, moving in his lap.

He was shamed by the impulse the Evil One sent fluttering across his mind. Dark-winged vampire. Not with his own daughter.

She was on the precipice: womanhood was but a moment away. Soon her breasts would begin to swell, her hips to broaden. She would be marriageable. Already his followers were scandalized because he allowed her the run of Sebil el Selib, unveiled, and often permitted her to accompany Nassef on his safer journies.

He suspected Nassef wanted her himself.

And still she had no name.

You know I dont believe that, sweetheart. Something besides your grouchy old papa brought you here. He was acutely aware of the disapproval of the priests tending the shrines.

Well...

I cant say yes or no till you tell me.

In a staccato burst, Fatima promised me shed teach me to dance if you said it was okay. Please? Oh, please, Papa, can I? Please?

Slow down. Slow down.

Fatima was Meryems body servant, and a successful piece of propaganda. A reformed prostitute, she was living proof that all who came seeking were found worthy in the eyes of El Murids Lord. Even women.

It was El Murids most radical departure from orthodox dogma, and he was having trouble selling it still.