Ahmed waited among the dead, holding a limp, frightened Lalla. His personal guards surrounded him, duty-bound despite loathing him for his patricide and treason. A dozen Invincibles watched them, indifferent to the carnage.

The girl did not respond.

The Invincibles snapped to attention. A darkly clad, hard-eyed man strode in. The hem of his djaballah dragged through a pool of blood. He grunted disgustedly.

There was blood everywhere, on the walls, the floors, the furnishings, the bodies. The bodies were piled deep. More wore white than the bright colors favored by Royalists. Aboud would explode when he saw...Ahmed giggled. For a moment he had forgotten who had died first.

The newcomer asked a question Ahmed didnt catch. He had no attention to spare. Lalla was crying.

A hand closed on his shoulder. Pain lanced through his body. Stop! he whined.

Get up. The newcomer squeezed harder. Ahmeds guards watched, indecisive.

You cant do this. Its death to lay hands on the King. He reached for Lalla.

Dont be a damned fool. You arent King of anything. And youll never be.

Who are you? Though frightened, Ahmed retained the Quesani arrogance.

The Scourge of God. The man with whom youve been corresponding.

Then you know Im King. You agreed to help me take the throne.

Nassef smiled thinly. So I did. But I didnt say Id let you keep it. To the Invincibles he said, Lock this fool up till we can deal with him.

Ahmed was stunned. You promised...Lalla... He had betrayed his family and murdered his father so he could become King and possess Lalla. It had been her idea initially...

I did promise you the woman, didnt I? Lock her in with him.

My Lord! Lalla protested. No! I did everything you told me.

Take them, Nassef said. He turned to a man who had followed him inside. Get this cleaned up before the Disciple gets here.

No! Ahmed shrieked. He stabbed the nearest Invincible, whirled, slashed at another. His bodyguards jumped in enthusiastically.

Ahmed faked a rush at Nassef. The Scourge of God stumbled, avoiding the expected blow. Ahmed swerved toward the exit. His guards followed. After them! Nassef bellowed. Kill them. Kill them all. He faced Lalla. Get her zils. Cant have her playing tricks on us too. He smiled cruelly. Save her for me.

Haroun paused halfway up the eastern slope of the bowl, looked back. A third of Al Rhemish was aflame. Fighting persisted, but would not last long. On the far slope the mercenary camp was ablaze. Hawkwind had abandoned it to the Invincibles. Im sorry, he told Bragi. You can catch up with them later, I guess.

Yeah. I just wish my brother knew Im all right.

Radetic said, Lets dont waste time, Haroun. Theyll be after us soon.

Listen! Bragi said. Somebodys coming.

Hooves pounded toward them. Swords leapt out of scabbards.

Hold it! Haroun ordered. Theyre not Invincibles.