His sole regret was that he might leave this pale without seeing Meryem and his daughter again. They were trapped in the fortress with Nassef...

But Nassef was trapped no longer. Yousifs assault on the shrine had given him time to organize. He went over to the attack. His sally scattered Yousifs forces on the meadow.

He, Karim and a score of their best burst into the shrine. The tide of fighting shifted.

God is merciful! El Murid thundered, daring to cross blades with a warrior. The man struck the weapon from his hand.

Nassef was there in an instant, turning the warriors attack.

Fuad hurled that warrior aside and faced Nassef. Lets see the color of your guts, bandit.

Nassef attacked. He wore a thin, cruel, confident smile.

Their blades danced a deadly morisco. Neither could penetrate the others guard. Each seemed astonished by the others skill.

Fuad. Fuad, Yousif gasped from between supporting warriors. Break off.

Fuad stepped back, wiped sweat from his face. Let me finish him.

We have to go. While we still have the strength to rescue our wounded.

Yousif

Now, Fuad. Theyve beaten us. All we can do here is die. And thered be no point to that. Come on.

Next time, bandit, Fuad growled. Ive seen the weakness in your style. He spit in Nassef s face.

The desert people could be demonstrative. Especially in matters of hatred and war.

You wont live long enough to take advantage, son of a jackal. When Nassef reached a certain level of anger he achieved an icy self-control. He had done so now. Clearly, for the benefit of everyone present, he said, Karim. Put an assassin into el Aswad. Let this heap of camel dung be the target. You. Hell serf Fuad. You think about that. Wonder when he or she will strike. He smiled his thin, cruel smile. Karim. They wish to depart. Let them run like the whipped dogs they are. Let us amuse ourselves with the sight of them running with their tails between their legs.

Once the enemy had departed, El Murid sighed, limped back up and collapsed into the Malachite Throne. That was close, Nassef.

Too close. Why didnt you use the amulet? You could have destroyed one of our worst enemies.

El Murid raised his arm. He stared at the glowing jewel. He had not called on its power since his demonstration at El Aquila. The people of the el Habib were still talking about the day that he had restored their dry oasis.

It didnt occur to me. It truly didnt. I suppose the Lord touched me, telling me that you were coming. I never doubted our victory.

As you say, it worked out. And as long as you dont use it, they wont be reminded. They wont be trying to find ways to counter it.

Why did you tell Karim to let them go?