My Lord Disciple? Hali asked as he approached. You wanted me?

I have news for you, Mowaffak. And a task.

At your command, Lord.

I know. Thank you. Especially for your patience while it was necessary that the Scourge of God direct the blades of the Invincibles.

We tried to understand the need, Lord.

You saw the light on the mountain?

I did, Lord. You spoke with the angel?

Yes. He told me its time the Invincibles liberated the Most Holy Mrazkim Shrines.

Ah. Then the Kingdom of Peace is at hand.

Almost. Mowaffak, it seems to me that worldly elements crept into the Invincibles during my brothers tenure. Perhaps this is our opportunity to expunge those. The fighting at Al Rhemish will be bitter. Many Invincibles will perish. If those who are the most trustworthy are elsewhere, on a secret mission...

He said no more. Mowaffak understood. He wore one of the cruelest smiles the Disciple had ever seen.

I see. What would that mission be, Lord?

Use your imagination. Choose your men and inform me of the nature of the task Ive assigned you. And well celebrate Disharhun in Al Rhemish.

Hali kept smiling. It shall be as you command, Lord.

Peace be with you, Mowaffak.

And with you, Lord. Hali departed. He walked taller than El Murid had seen in some time.

After a time, the Disciple called softly, Hadj.

Lord?

Find the physician. I need him.

Lord?

The mountain was too much for me. The pain...I need him.

The physician appeared almost immediately. He had been sleeping, and had clothed himself hastily and sloppily. My Lord? He did not look happy.

Esmat, Im in pain. Terrible pain. My ankle. My arm. My joints. Give me something.

My Lord, its that curse. You need to have the curse removed. A philter wouldnt be wise. Ive given you too many opiates lately. Youre running a risk of addiction.

Dont argue with me, Esmat. I cant cope with my responsibilities if Im continuously preoccupied with pain.

Esmat relented. He was not a strong man.

El Murid leaned back and let himself drift in the warm, womblike security of the narcotic.

Someday he would have to find a physician who could outwit his injuries and the curse of the Wahligs brat. The pain bouts came every day now, and Esmats dosages had more and more difficulty banishing them.

The desert was vast and lonely, just as it had been during the advance on Sebil el Selib so long ago, and as it had been during the desperate flight from Wadi el Kuf. It seemed to have lost its usual natural indifference, to have become actively hostile. But El Murid refused to be daunted. He enjoyed the passage, seeing whole new vistas, wild new beauties.