El Murid laughed. Youre going to grow scales like a fish if you spend any more time in the water. All right. Come on. Nassef, when we reach the sea well make Sidi our admiral. I cant keep him away from the water.

Nassef rose. Ill join you. This old skin hasnt been clean for two months. Sidi, Ive got a job for you. Show me how to swim. I might need to know if your father is going to take us to the sea.

What about me? the girl demanded. She hated the water, but did not want to let her uncle out of her sight. She was beginning to remind her father of her mother at an earlier age.

Youre a girl, Sidi told her. His tone suggested that that was cause enough for her to be thrown into stocks, let alone banned from the bath.

You might melt, sugar, her father told her. Lets go, men.

Lying in the cool water, letting it buoy him up, allowed him a relaxation that was missing even in Meryems arms.

Her relaxed for half an hour. Sidi and Nassef squealed and splashed and laughed and dunked one another. Then he said, All right, Nassef. Now.

His brother-in-law did not pretend to misunderstand. He hoisted Sidi to the edge of the pool. Time to get out. Dry yourself off, get dressed and go help your mother.

How come I have to leave whenever anybody wants to talk?

Do as he says, son, El Murid told him. And make sure youre good and dry before you get dressed.

Sidi was gone in a minute. Nassef said, Im beginning to be sorry that I never married. I miss having children.

Youre not too old.

No. But Im in the wrong business. Taking a wife would be tempting fate too much, wouldnt it? Fuad would catch me the first time I took the field.

Maybe youre right. Maybe a soldier shouldnt marry. Too much strain on the family.

Nassef said nothing for several seconds. Then, Were alone. No ears to hear. No hearts to offend. Can we speak as brothers? As the two who rode out of El Aquila together, and who fought the desert side by side? Simply as Nassef and Micah, men who have too much in common to be at odds?

Its a family occasion. Try to keep it at a family level.

I will. You married my sister, who is my only true friend in this world. I am your brother.

Im deeply troubled. Were embarking on a doomed enterprise. My brother, I tell you this out of my love for you, and for no other reason. We cant take Al Rhemish. Not yet.