“I can see that.” Megelin had heard the same remark so often, even where the desert had been kind, that he suspected it was a homily.
Yousif was sitting up, arguing with a physician who wanted him to lie down. “Ah. Megelin. Here at last. Save me from the mercies of this old woman.”
“The old woman probably knows more about what your body needs than you do, Wahlig.”
“You all stick together, don’t you? Well, no matter. Come here. Take one of these cushions. I can’t use them all.”
Radetic sat. He could not conceal his discomfort. He was too old to adapt to the desert custom of sitting cross- legged on cushions.
Yousif ignored his discomfort. “I’ve been away from this world a long time. It makes a man take stock. You know what I mean?”
“I think so, Wahlig.”
“My first job in this second life is to get you to stop acting like a servant. We have things to talk about, Megelin. I think the first should be friendship.”
“Wahlig?”
“You brought my caravan through.”
“Nonsense.”
“I’ve spoken with Muamar. We won’t argue it. I’m grateful. It hadn’t occurred to me that I might be leaving enemies behind me.”
“My life was in danger, too.”
“That’s one way of looking at it. Whichever view you choose, my wives and children came through safely. I consider your effort an act of friendship. I do as I’m done by, Megelin.”
Radetic could not stifle a wry smile. “Thank you.” The gratitude of princes was notoriously short-lived.
“Megelin, you show expertise in surprising directions. I value a man who has skills beyond those demanded by his profession.”
“Score a point for education.”
“Indeed. Tell me. What do you think of Fuad’s expedition?”
“I haven’t been over the ground, except on the chicken tracks you call maps. He had a thousand men. Maybe he’ll get lucky.”
“He outnumbers them three or four to one.”
“The numbers might be enough to make his hammer blows more convincing than Nassef’s finesse. Your brother isn’t a thinker.”
“How well I know. Tell me, why are you so impressed with Nassef?”
“He has the subtle touch of genius. In a western context his threat to send an assassin to el Aswad would have been brilliant. Here it’s a waste of inspiration.”
“I don’t see it. That was just talk by somebody who got spit on.”
“That’s the flaw in his subtlety.”
“What?”
“There’s no one here subtle enough to see the implications of the threat. Is the assassin here already? If not, how will he get in? And so on.”
“You westerners are a devious race. We’re more direct.”
“I’ve noticed. But Nassef and El Murid are working on a different level. Their behavior betrays careful calculation. They occupied Sebil el Selib knowing your strength and probable response.”
“Meaning?”
“Meaning they’re confident they can hold it. There’s no point in their taking something they can’t keep. Not at this point in their growth.”
“You give them too much credit.”
“You don’t give them enough. Despite everything you told me at Al Rhemish, you haven’t really convinced yourself that these people are anything more than bandits led by a madman. Do you recall what you said? About El Murid selling the snake oil everyone wants to buy? I’ve reflected on that, and I think it’s even truer than you know.”
“What would you have me do?”
“There are a lot of possibilities.” Radetic suggested several, all of which Yousif rejected as impractical or politically unfeasible. “Then be direct. Murder El Murid. People will scream, but they will forget quickly enough. And Nassef won’t be able to survive without him. Not at this point.”
“I plan to try. Assuming Fuad fails. You haven’t given me a thing.”
“I know I’m overlooking the financial and political difficulties. You asked for options. I laid out what I see. Hell, it’s even remotely possible we could ignore them till they all die of indifference.”
“Megelin, my recovery wasn’t spontaneous. I’ve been lying here for two days, aching more in mind than in body. I’ve thought of it all. And the only workable option is to fight and hope we get lucky. If we can’t get lucky, then we’ll try to keep them contained.”
