El Murid glanced at the wadi. It was a shadowy forest of grotesque sandstone formations: steeples, pylons, giant dumbbells standing on end. He shuddered as he considered that devils playground.

Were ready, Nassef said.

Go ahead.

Nassef turned to Karim, el-Kader and the others. On my signal.

His captains trotted their horses down to the divisions they commanded.

Nassef gave his signal.

The horde surged forward.

Yousifs men waited without moving. They had arrows ready on the strings of their saddle bows.

Somethings wrong, the Scourge of God muttered. I can feel it.

Nassef? El Murid queried in a voice gone small and tentative. Do you hear drums?

Its the hoofbeats....

El Murid did hear drums. Nassef! His right arm stabbed out like a javelin thrust.

The devils garden of Wadi el Kuf had begun to disgorge a demon horde.

Oh, my God! Nassef moaned. My God, no.

King Aboud had harkened to Yousifs importunities at last. He had sent Prince Farid to Wadi el Kuf with five thousand of the deserts finest soldiers, many of them equipped after the fashion of western knights. With Farid, in tactical command, was Sir Tury Hawkwind of the Mercenarys Guild. Hawkwind had brought a thousand of his brethren. They were arrayed in western-style lances of a heavy cavalryman, his esquire, two light and one heavy infantrymen.

Nassef had time to think, to react. Heavy cavalry could not charge at breakneck speed across a mile of desert and up a slight hill. And Hawkwind obviously meant to bring his shock power to bear.

What do we do? El Murid asked.

I think its time for the amulet, Nassef replied. Thats the only weapon that will help now.

El Murid raised his arm. Without a word he showed Nassef his naked wrist.

Where the hell is it? Nassef demanded.

Softly, At Sebil el Selib. I left it. I was so excited about coming, I forgot it. He had not worn the amulet for years, preferring to keep it safe within the shrines.

Nassef sighed, shook his head wearily. Lord, choose a company of Invincibles and flee. Ill buy you all the time I can.

Flee? Are you mad?

This battle is lost, Lord. All that remains is to salvage as much as we can. Dont stay, and deprive the movement of its reason for existing.

El Murid shook his head stubbornly. I see no defeat. Only more trouble than we anticipated originally. We still outnumber them, Nassef. And no matter what, I wont leave the field while men are dying for me. Not when they have it in their hearts that I am commanding them. What would they think of my courage?

Nassef shrugged. We can but die with honor, then. I suggest you form the Invincibles to meet the coming charge. A moment later, after studying the enemy banners, he murmured thoughtfully, I wonder what Hawkwind is doing here.