The abbot refused to be impressed. His defiant stance proclaimed that no demonstration would reach him. He growled, Its mummery. The power of this Evil One you preach...youve done nothing no skilled sorcerer couldnt have done.

A forbidden word had been hurled into El Murids face like a gauntlet. A strong, irrational hatred of wizardry had underlain all the youths teachings so far. It was that part of his doctrine which most confused his audiences, because it seemed to bear little relationship to his other teachings.

El Murid shook with rage. How dare you?

Infidel! someone shrieked. Others took it up. Heretic!

El Murid whirled. Did they mock him?

His converts were shouting at the abbot.

One threw a stone. It opened the priests forehead, sending him to his knees. A barrage followed. Most of the villagers fled. The abbots personal attendants, a pair of retarded brothers younger than most of the priests, seized his arms and dragged him away. El Murids converts went after them, flinging stones.

Mustaf rallied a handful of men and intercepted them.

Angry words filled the air. Fists flew. Knives leapt into angry hands.

Stop it! El Murid shrieked.

It was the first of the riots which were to follow him like a disease throughout the years. Only his intercession kept lives from being lost.

Stop! he thundered, raising his right hand to the sky. His amulet flared, searing faces with its golden glow. Put up your blades and go home, he told his followers.

The power was still upon him. He was no child. The command in his voice could not be refused. His followers sheathed their blades and backed away. He considered them. They were all young. Some were younger than he. I did not come among you to have you spill one anothers blood. He turned to the chieftain of the el Habib. Mustaf, I offer my apologies. I did not intend this.

You preach war. Holy war.

Against the unbeliever. The heathen nations that rebelled against the Empire. Not brother against brother. Not Chosen against Chosen. He glanced at the young people. He was startled to see several girls among them. Nor sister against brother, nor son against father. I have come to reunite the Holy Empire in the strength of the Lord, that once again the Chosen might take their rightful place among the nations, secure in the love of the one true God, whom they shall worship as befits the Chosen.

Mustaf shook his head. I suspect you mean well. But riots and discord will follow wherever you go, Micah al Rhami.

El Murid. I am the Disciple.

Contention will be your traveling companion, Micah. And your travels have begun. I will not have this among the el Habib. I take no harsher action than banish you forever from el Habib lands because I consider your family, and your trials in the desert. And unspoken because he feared El Murids amulet.

I am El Murid!