The abbot did not believe him at first, and castigated him for having abandoned his post. Its an el Habib trick. Theyre out there stealing water right now. But al Assad convinced the man. And that left the abbot no happier. The last thing we need is more mouths.

Have you bread and your brother naught to eat? Have you water and your brother naught to drink? Then I say this unto you...

Spare me the quotations, Brother Ridyah. Hell be cared for. The abbot shook his head. He got little thrills of anticipation when he thought of the Dark Lady claiming al Assad. The old man was one too sincere pain in the neck. See. Theyre bringing him in now.

The brothers dropped the litter before the abbot, who examined the tormented child. He could not conceal his revulsion. This is Micah, the son of the salt merchant al Rhami. He was awed.

But its been a month since the el Habib found their caravan! one brother protested. Nobody could survive the desert that long.

He spoke of being tended by an angel, al Assad said. He spoke of seeing the ramparts of Paradise.

The abbot frowned at him.

The old man is right, one of the brothers said. He started talking on the way up. About seeing the golden banners on the towers of Paradise. He said that an angel had showed him the wide earth. He says he has been told by the Lord to bring the Chosen back to the Truth.

A shadow crossed the abbots face. That kind of talk distressed him.

Maybe he did see an angel, someone suggested.

Dont be silly, the abbot countered.

Hes alive, al Assad reminded him. Against all the odds.

Hes been with the bandits.

The bandits fled across the Sahel. The el Habib tracked them.

Someone else, then.

An angel. You dont believe in angels, Brother?

Of course I do, the abbot replied hastily. I just dont think they reveal themselves to salt merchants sons. Its the desert madness talking through him. Hell forget it when he recovers. The abbot looked around. He was not pleased. The whole Shrine was gathering over the boy, and in too many faces there was a desire to believe. Achmed. Bring me Mustaf el Habib. No. Wait. Ridyah, you found the boy. You go to the village.

But why?

A technicality had occurred to the abbot. It looked like the perfect exit from the difficulties the boy was generating.

We cant nurse him here. He hasnt been consecrated. And he would have to be well before we could do that.

Al Assad glowered at his superior. Then, with anger to banish his aches and weariness, he set off for the village of El Aquila.

The hetman of the el Habib tribe was no more excited than the abbot. So you found a kid in the desert? What do you want me to do about it? Hes not my problem.