Bragi hitched his pants and walked away, his pace brisk. He was out of camp in minutes, passing among the tents of pilgrims here for Disharhun. By the time he reached the permanent part of town his nervousness had dwindled. He became preoccupied with the problem of locating Haroun among people whose language he did not speak. He had no idea where the Wahlig had pitched camp.

His wanderings took him to the wall enclosing the Most Holy Mrazkim Shrines. He forgot his quest and became a simple sightseer. He hadnt been into town before. Even by night the alien architecture was bemusing.

Haroun could not sleep. Nor was he alone. All Al Rhemish was restless. Fuad had been sharpening his sword since sundown. Megelin paced constantly. Haroun was tired of the old mans nattering. Radetics customary verbal precision was absent. He rambled through vast, unrelated territories. Nervous energy was building up, and could not discharge itself in any special direction.

The first startled cries gave purpose, provided relief at last. They burst from their tents into the moonlight. The compound was a-crawl with white-robed Invincibles.

Where the hell did they come from? Fuad demanded. Altaf! Beloul! To me!

Megelin, whats happening?

El Murid is here, Haroun. Back for Disharhun, it would seem.

In minutes the fighting was general, and chaotic. Royalists and Invincibles fought where they found one another, the majority on both sides acting with no goal greater than surviving the attack of the foe. The King is dead!

Ten thousand throats took up that demoralizing cry. Some Royalist partisans shed their arms and fled. The rot Yousif had sensed now betrayed how deeply it had gnawed the fiber of Royalist courage.

Ahmed betrayed his father!

That declaration of filial treachery was more demoralizing than news of the Kings demise. How could a man fight when the heir of his sovereign was one of the enemy?

Father is it, then, Haroun told Radetic.

Absolutely. Megelin seemed bemused. But hes...

Ill find him, Fuad growled. Hell need me. Hes got nobody but Ali to guard his back. He hit the nearest Invincibles like a windmill of razor steel.

Fuad! Radetic shouted. Come back here! You cant do anything.

Fuad could hear nothing.

Haroun started after him. Radetic seized his arm. Dont you be a fool too.

Megelin

No. Thats stupid. Think. Youre just heartbeats from the throne. After your father and Ali, who else? Nobody. Not Ahmed. Never Ahmed. Ahmed is a dead man no matter who wins. Nassef will want him living less than we do.

Haroun tried to break away. Radetics grip held. Guards, he called. Stay with us. Several of the Wahligs men obeyed. They had overheard Radetic. There has to be a pretender, Haroun. Otherwise the Royalist cause is dead. After you, Nassef has next claim.

White robes kept pouring into Al Rhemish. Confusion and panic ran before them. Twice Megelin and the guards beat off attacks. Radetic kept gathering Royalists.