The blinding light faded slowly. And when El Murid could see once more, no sign of the angel could be found. He returned to his fire and sat muttering to himself, staring at the teakwood box.

After debating several seconds, he opened it. Finger cymbals? he asked the night.

The box contained an exquisite set of zils, worthy of a woman who danced before kings.

Zils? he muttered. What on earth? But a messenger of the Lord could not be wrong. Could he?

He searched the sky again, but the angel was gone.

Decades would pass before he encountered the emissary again.

Zils, he muttered, and stared down the mountain at the campfires where Nassef and the Invincibles waited. His brother-in-laws face filled his mind. Something would have to be done. After Al Rhemish had been taken?

Nassef, attend me, he called weakly when he finally stumbled into camp. It was late, but Nassef was awake, studying crude maps by fire and moonlight.

El Murids brother-in-law joined him. With the exception of the Disciples chief bodyguard, everyone else withdrew. You look terrible, Nassef said.

Its the curse. I hurt all over. The ankle. The arm. Every joint.

Better get something to eat. Nassef glanced up the mountain, frowned. And some sleep probably wouldnt hurt.

Not now. I have things to tell you. I spoke with the angel.

And? Nassef s eyes were narrow.

He told me what I wanted to hear. That the Al Rhemish apricot is ripe for the plucking.

Lord

More listening and less interrupting, please, Nassef. Therell be no Wadi el Kuf this tune. I dont mean to try sweeping them away with sheer numbers. Well use the tactics you developed. Well move by night, along the trails Karim followed when you sent him to slay Farid.

If he expected a reaction from Nassef he was disappointed. Nassef merely nodded thoughtfully.

He still wondered about that incident. Abouds hysteria had been predictable, though his turning to mercenaries had come as a surprise. Hali had provided a detailed report on the attack. Karims force had sustained startlingly heavy casualties. The man should have brought more of his soldiers home. But, then, Karim was Nassefs creature, and the Invincibles who had accompanied him were not.

But first, these have to be delivered to your agent in the Royal Tent.

Nassef opened the box, then peered up at the horned mountain. Just three people knew who that agent was. He and the agent were two of those. The third was not El Murid. The Disciple, he was sure, had been unaware that such an agent existed. Zils? he asked.

The angel gave them to me. They must be special. Carry out his instructions. Nassef?

Uhm?

Whats the situation on the coast?

Under control.

Do we really dare try Al Rhemish with just the Invincibles?