Ive learned some bitter lessons out here. And I fear theyll apply equally to the so-called civilized people back home.

Whats going on over there? There was a stir around his fathers tent. He spied men bearing the shields of the Royal household.

Lets find out.

They encountered Fuad near the tent. He looked puzzled.

What is it? Haroun asked.

Ahmed. Hes asked your father and Ali to be his guests tonight. With the King.

Radetic chuckled. Surprised?

After the way theyve ignored us since the first few nights, yes.

A chill trickled down Harouns spine. His gaze swept the surrounding hills. Nightfall was not far off. Shadows were gathering. He had a sense of foreboding.

Tell Yousif to keep his views to himself, Radetic suggested. Theyre not socially acceptable right now. Aboud is old and slow and needs time to adjust to the loss of the southern desert.

Hed get used to it faster if that idiot Ahmed would get out of the way.

Maybe. Haroun, whats the matter?

I dont know. Something strange. Like this isnt any ordinary night coming on.

Allegorical thought, no doubt. Beware your dreams tonight. Fuad, do tell the Wahlig not to get exercised. If he wants to make headway with Aboud he has to become acceptable company first.

Ill tell him. Fuad departed wearing one of his most fearsome scowls.

Come, Haroun. You can help with the papers.

Harouns shoulders tightened. Radetic had no end of papers and notes, all totally disorganized. He could spend years getting them sorted by which time another mountain would have collected.

He glanced at the hills again. They seemed unfriendly, almost cold.

Lalla was the pearl of Abouds harem. Though she was a scant eighteen, and without benefit of marriage, she was the most powerful woman in Al Rhemish. The capital was drenched in a flood of songs praising her grace and beauty. Aboud was mad for her, a slave to her whim. There were rumors that he would make her a wife.

She had been a gift, years ago, from a minor Wahlig on the lost coast of the Sea of Kotsum. She had not caught Abouds attention till recently.

Aboud was an infatuated, silly and proud child. He wasted few opportunities to flaunt delights only he should have known in their entirety, taunting his court with his favorite toy. Night after night he summoned her from his seraglio and had her dance before the assembled nobles.

Yousif gazed on her lithe form. He appreciated Lalla as much as did any man, but at that moment his thoughts were far away and fraught with guilt. His heart would not accept the conclusion of his reason. He could not shake despair over having abandoned his trust and ancestral home.

He and his son Ali were guests of Crown Prince Ahmed. Ahmed was the only member of the court not yet disgusted with his attempts to initiate a major campaign against the Disciple.