Weve lost too many men. Theres no sense spending more lives after weve won. Theyll be back, stronger than this time. Well need every man then.

What was that about an assassin?

A ploy. Let them become afraid to turn their backs on each other. Let them become frightened of shadows. Let fear sap their strength and will.

How clever you are. Nassef, my brother, dont you ever speak without first calculating some long-term effect for your words?

With my friends. Isnt it one of your teachings that words are the mightiest weapons of the Kingdom of Peace?

Thats true. Words of Truth. But, Nassef, sometimes I think youre mocking me. Even when you save my life...

Nassef stared at the floor. Forgive me, my Lord Disciple, Its my manner, my way of speaking. Its a curse. When I was little I couldnt tease the other children. I couldnt tell jokes. They always took me seriously. And when I was serious, they thought I was sneering.

What are we to do now, Nassef? We have the Malachite Throne. We have Sebil el Selib. And that will bring all the enemies of the Lord upon us.

We can defend ourselves and trust in the Lord. Ill send messengers to our supporters asking for warriors and arms. Ill strengthen our defenses. Well erect another fortress here. The Throne has to be protected too.

Youre right. Nassef, Im afraid well be here a long time. Sebil el Selib is a trap in a way. Its given us two astonishing victories, but to survive well have to hang on to what weve taken. Im afraid theyll simply bottle us up here.

Theyll try. But theyll never manage it completely. Their own system will work against them. As long as they can summon the tribal levies for only forty-five days a year, well pretty much be free to come and go the rest of the time. Assuming I receive your blessing, I plan to have partisan bands hitting and running wherever we have willing converts. Thatll keep the full-time warriors busy elsewhere. Itll give us a chance to build our foundation here.

El Murid peered at him thoughtfully. After a time he observed, You seem to have your plans thoroughly worked out.

Ive lain awake during a lot of lonely nights these three years, Lord.

I suppose you have. When are you going to take a wife, Nassef?

Nassef was taken aback. I havent considered it. After weve established the Kingdom of Peace, maybe.