GHESLUM OINA MEINYUNS

Rhalib is Invocator hieb studyen arcanes ed mysteirs. Is mieyster neid soitos, bet siegv bihe obediht
ab sien familiar Jinn. Ia stars eysios gnahsadien hieb ei garantien un gwit pleno med magia !
Pos diens os safer, id odor om wer ed zrehl fruits iom yavyen hortghehrds perambh Bagdad medv
ed gwiwit Rhalib. Ep id crest uns clin, is oislu ia reins os sien reidbiest ed admirit sieno
gnahsacitad. Ia rais ios aghyernsol, per id mighel, comspers med gold ia gardens ed ia
marmorfrontons. Pod ia walls, id lucembras fluv Tigris sohrp inter ia aghers ed ia beboscta
saydplors.
Rhalibs ekwo hingolit swadh-ye ed protietraxit ia oulers.
Kheiss id fresch gras, ne Antar ?
Is dlies eys bursch med un breuk pre stighes ghom ex seddel ed paske iom aygur. Lyehgend ep sien
regv, Rhalib se forrahiet in id solwierme. I beis drohn adriug-ye inter ia florenchuffs. Is hieb abriden
yant prue ed hieb suatrohten ; is oistahiel un cort siesta pre entre id urb.
Bet ob eys excitation, swehpen refusit lambhnes iom. Oino munt prever hieb is likwt Bagdad pro id
daunos os eys oncle ; aunsweurgh, aun fortune ed aun megilfuture. Quel habiet fikern od tel veut
wir is payn-ye gnohsit ei habiet loikwnt sien hol maals ? Dank iom hieb Rhalib ghohdto tules Antar,
un excellent aygur ed taiper sien sellst prient ed ia goldbars is bohr in sien holks, id cleicho kyun
gohder future.
Kraghs ens eysa sogna. Eet semanghen ocolo id clin. Stingen ab curiositat, Rhalib likw Antar grase
sakwn-ye ed stohmb sub id steg os vegetation. Un grupp ambikwolen preparit un agrost obedd. Un
cordon soldaten stahsit nedalg : id honor guardia uns krewost ed suadut patrician, qui se zalissit
med un meongcin. Is pleukih el animal kya clins ed quand el falk rik, samt un khamwst in sien snap
qual nugvers el hiebit brohct, un desamat gleimen scuss id gwiwot ios patrician.
Oin iom guardes gwohm prosch ed salutit iom. Rhalib eet kafi prokwem pro aure :
Vanscht Swamen Jafar ke dehmmos id schater ?
Jafar ! Is Grand Wasire os Bagdad. Is Khalifa klu iom de id siyassa ios citad, hatta pro ia lytsta
detayls. Rhalib kaur-ye remien kohlt ; esiet aun tadbir sturbes un tem riche ed staur wir. Is maghiet
khisses ombragen ab eys presence ed bichihes we kaydanibehnde iom.
Jafar acquiescit honn-ye. Is soldat abstiup, ceddend id place uni minc ed sworddut slougi qui hieb
tuntro remant apank ud alters. Is lacai ee-sismeiht vessel-ye, kam un dyindar admiss do id presence
es els divtat.
Jafar lohnc iter el falk ed apterspohc el. Pensive-ye, kam pro seswo, is sisit skape oik werds :
Ielg noct, is Khalifa mutavehst ex sien zinat do ordinar vesters. Iom neihm unte ia secret
passages ios palat ed ia gatvas ios citad. Noster souverain wehlpt comprehende ia desires os
sien popule agend-ye claus id.
Un roy vidt ops quo is ghehdt vide... kieusit is sworddut lacai.
Ne credihst sayge tem prabh... antwohrd Jafar. Ho promenen nies Khalifa do select locs,
herbehrgs occupet ab mien agents. Simuleer complote pri iom... Is Khalifa buit oku

persuaden od eysi subjects haine iom !

Quod un subtile plan, Excellence ! ghiewd is sloug artificial-ye. Bet kay, sei mien nedecos
permitt... ?
Nies Khalifa se hat paurbohndt. Is hat strehngeriht sien loys, traitet kaurd-ye sien subjects ed
renquestiont quanten loyaltat. Prevenskwnd rebellion, is cadadien probablereiht id !
Is lacai applausit samt transport.
Mien Swamen est un mayster os venchen ! Id populace vaht gwehme do haines druve-ye
iom Khalifa...
Ed quan id moment habsiet gwohmen, uperwaldhsiem iom. Kam maung siet id sell popule
applaude ! Kam kienkiu-ye siem iorefuse id thron ios despote, quod mi sessiet dwighen
accepte ! Fikers tu to, Natar ?
Oh ya ! Scricit is lacai in trance. Ed quan yu sessiete Khalifa, tun... ?
Is oiskohpt, samt un spehpleno smeih ep sien lipps quod disprohp quan is kieusit id sombre
protiokw os Jafar.
Tun ? visieyg is Wasire med un buxianxu ton. Tun... id mund vaht uces baye me.
Rhalib hieb kluno meis quem kafi kafi pro bihe nict. Is oistiup retro tadbir-ye do id vegetation kun
oino iom guardes prohp. Indignation prus iom : so duxit ansia-ye eys aygur !
Ke Swamen Jafar vidt quo ho trohven !
Tiaghi... murmurit Jafar teipend-ye Antars boywn. Quel dehlgo io danke pro tod daumost
hadia ?
To eet meis quem Rhalib ghohd tehle. Is surrexit inter ia teguts, samt rectpeungst ed indignation in
sien voc.
Hey ! Est mien ekwo !
Jafar glaz vagh-ye kyom, eyso specto tehrndo Rhalib kam sei is ne existiet.
So ekw est mieno, bet credeihm aure sem protest. Semquis deursiet accuse iom Grand
Wasire... ob lughes ?
Indignation quasi pnig Rhalib. Is siz ia oulers med un brusko geste.
Lughes ? Est mer klehpt, ya !
Jafar trohpit bad sien glehdjsrig specto kyom. Rhalib krus. Id badkhouaya ios Wasire eet quasi
palpable.
Tolcs de klehpt ? spiusit is. Justice ne est pro leuds kam te. Som id justice.
Natar, is lacai, chohx Rhalib ed endersieyg anxieus-ye sieni poti :
So miser nos hat sigwra aurn, Swamen. Dehlgo io... ?
Is traxit sien khandjar ex ids kardkasch. Pos is Wasire hieb nuken, oino iom guardes choykit Rhalibs

neuk ed protiedier iom quan eysa jambs oislub. Nataro rexit ja eyso miech kyeys coll.
Ne her ! Se erghit Jafar. Id vid os cruor me beghsappetitteiht. Tyeicte voster sreups nieb id
fluv dind abdehte id nayv. Gnohskwo neid.
Pwolbohrt pwolsohlct, Rhalib viwohs ana id fluv. Is wois od sei is sisit se sehnke do bayaldissia
taiper, is naiwo gehriet iter. Bogo grohmit nedalg ed Natars lige swohbh in uno nauseamighel... Id
khadjar iter gwohm prosch eys gurgule. Med un spreud, is repuls iens korels. Natar iliey.
Baygh gohd, baygh gohd, has dar harara in te !
Rhalib grip eys nerveus bagu bet is ne hieb kafi nerce kay desarme iom. Is sisit se falle, neudend
sien vyige kay distule iom lacai. Bo coboreer ep id oupertaluss ed id srig wed arohg uper iens !
Nataro fried ob haines ed paur. Noroc-ye, id khandjar hieb skapt ex iom in id strohm. Rhalib rollit
ed rollit in id bog, bayalidissend alnos.
Solpreus brigh tom tsay do conscience, ilstrandus ye oin petraxubh dalg ud ia peiskerhytts ye id
leizdo ios citad. Ignorend gvol, Rhalib stahsit tsay ed vienkit kay endergwehme do id meirong iom
gatvas. Eys wahid bren eet remane kohlen. Jafars agents eent ja aundwoi sokend po iom. Pos quo is
hieb aurn, ad Rhabil eet script.... ploisko sei ghehdiet dismaske iom Grand Wasire.
Regwos surpris Rhalib in eys wander unte Bagdads gatvas. Nedalg ud iom ghyahsit un vast place
quer ambikwohl vageks ed noctravaners. Ia flammes prickleer in ia mankals behandihn pro un
festival. Contraste-ye, ia strads perambh kwohk desert ed pau belucen. Is oisnohg bayna ia skadhs,
saul con sien brens.
Un taskar se hockit sub un porche, ignoret ab i passants. Eet un veuto darwisch samt greisstriht
berd. Is porsit sien keskul kye Rhalib, ed so trohs ob vide eys turs ed squamic cuit. Eys glendo
delbando dik yed lit de hagi, reikus ghi ex id perileuso safer do Makka.
Almujna, bihakkillah... kwohster is.
Id marzen quod hieb unte sem instant diplisen Rhalibs traits buit tayn ab scham. Is obsokit sien geps
ed lohnc ei oin Denar. Id pieng swehnihsit id keskul, ed is wir dyisit id kam un pregust os paradays.
Is liv sien hands waurntro ed karuxit pomp-ye :
Spehc ub ed vid ! Leis in tod vast waurn ! Div vidt quant ed neihsiet el prabh kyels mizdo !
Eys ton ed geste hieb semject prophetic. Rhalib chohx id waurn uper ia krovs : tusents istaren twis,
aunnumer spilknuktas in id noctmantel. Sem respect blanden ad baysa lud in eys atmen ant ir sakwn
beauteit. Quan is oispohcit ghom, is Darwisch hieb abvols med sohlken stieups.
Rhalib sohkwit iom tiel id bud ios gatva bet is lus eys ighnos quan is endermers do id menegh
sammeln ambh uno nackal ep id place. So zalohg sien storia ed i kleustrers diaspohr. Sems trohceer
kyun trupp acrobaten ex piern China, quim olt corpsa luc med id diutis iom fakels. Alyi kieup
leckereits bi ia kedays sub ia arcades. Is nackal sess ghom ep sieno matta, testend med un dehnken
ia piengs qua skip eyso salair.
Rhalib stahsit ant id schop uns astrolog. Sem wir sielg id, hurt iom ed ouzrit med uno smeih. Id
tatou ep eyso xiongbu suggestit lit de uno naut.
Rhalib trohcit kyom nackal, qui invitit iom ad sedde prokwem iom ed ei schohnk un tasse chay, tod

brun scharab ex Hind. Rhalib confidit bei : so klu samt uno mileuso smeihum id narn os eys biedan
dien, tiel eys incontren con eys Darwisch.
Amen, id wehkwos uns iser wir est semper surce os mensdeh, kieusit is.
Rhalib plex.
Ne sollo ses kafi hakime kay fahame, tun. Quod iblis mieyn is ? Eys ton... is eet kwecto
wehn, kam un prophet...
Is tolkit del av rokh, interrup is nackal, pfehrstend waurntro. Tel animal est tem plaut quem
un tannin, ed storms gnahnt ex id plaben elsen ptergs. El neizdt in ia ubsellst ghyors ed hat i
elephants ka praedds.
Quod deilt tod legend con me ? Ne vido...
Is nackal scussit sien cap.
In id budmen os cada legend est un druve. Tik Allah xeiht cada ilm, lakin narns nos
mantheihnt id Rokhoiv est ex pur diamant. Oin dresk ex id payghiet id diya uns amire. Sei
opnos est tien ziel, dehlcs trehve id nest al Rokh.
Is nackal stahsit ub kay primes alyens vageks. Rhalib dienk iom pro id chay. Is naut is hiebit
pristiupen auser wohs dar unte ter, spehcend sem magician trage wisgas ed wisgas os colorreibum
ex ia aurs eysias assistantin.
Rhalib ghieng engwn id sreumen. Id hilal inikies kam un pall argwrnten simitar fallto do id wed. Ye
pau distance, couples frolier ed sib murmureer mysteirs inter ia drus. Liubh est blind : ne hatta kieur
iom.
Is ruminit sombre brens de sien future. Id gwit uns taskar eet tik misere, peins, siuges ed fin-ye un
prematur mohrt. Rhalib jier ob grassab de esus traiten tem marhour-ye ab Jafar. Isge Khalifa eet un
sell wir qui ne gnohsit quo eys malefic Wasire wohbh. Bet uni baygh humil subject molicit hassile
audience bei Amire im Muaminen. Ah, yadi Rhalib habiet est noble au baygat ! Id dachin ios Justice
clih kyid gon iom goldsacks, kam id proverb sieyg.
Vis pon id port, Bagdads fayn tors kwohkeer kam un dreun decor delicate-ye placken prod id azur
ios waurn. Nauks vasyen megen dienseer mliak-ye med ir dunsa sekwent ia drunas ed ia windkaugs,
wipeihnd ir hog mastos uper Rhalibs cap. Nauts comclostreer, scharabend we leikend zahrs, ob
taiper id Ramazan eet khatem.
Plur besi iskweer complete ir nieute ed hoyreer Rhalib po 3 Denars. So chus fortrehce kye Misr.
Prompt ed agil kam maymouns skapus ir cage, ies nauts glohm do id mastos ed tens ia seghels ei
wind. Id nav slid engwn ia quies samt grace kay abfanzowe ex Basra. Is sol nuktit ye id horizont,
transformend wed do pall gold, flittern med glend bliutes. Pos dec diens fanzow, is bendrit
prokwem un village in id bud uns khaykou kay iter se betyices med preswed ed meriends.
Sayranend-ye unte ia duilic strads, Rhalib attraxit id attention os un swarmo magven qui waurs
ambh eysa jambs kay klues de ia splendors os piern Bagdad. Is inkiep uno narn, bet un geront
interrup iom :
Pur invention ! Tien werds sont kam un taam : solid wehbh, bet covohrno med lucra colors.
Ego ghehdo narre semjec' quod swehnsiet franko kam gold.

 To hol est pur vertat, Div woid to ! inkiep is nackal. Est id storia uns yun Amire qui, safernd-ye
unte wakhschats, arrivend ant un adoben hyt. Is hieus wed ex id putt bet buit fauran hajoumt per
surprise. Dwo pletwost braters sohlk iom ant ir mater, un anua samt gviht cuito dipliset kam un veut
kirba. Ays dents kwohkeer kam petradreska, ays okwi tect med un deck. Is Amire ghieb ob id pallor
irs cuit is ne dil con simple mertis sontern un familia Goulen ! Is tremblit pro sien gwit. Noroc-ye,
so Amire hieb akel.
Dehlgo io nehce aun hatta oin chance ke nehso ? sprohg is menxu id ogwn bihsit gwiwt.
Ia veut Goul payn glaz oin, pior besic med olgrihes iom.
Quod chance habies tu contra mien sons ? Periesent i mertis in quant !
Albatta ne som armenhandug, jawieb is Amire, bet in mien land, som fameus de drahsa. Ma
me lures ed mi linkwes lyt perodhia ? Sei voster sons ne sont platupod, sient me navaxe.
Persehkwe me ghyansiet ir appetitts ed eddsient tiel id senst ferume ex ir talers.
Rhalibs capitan hieb gwohmen prosch ed aurn un part os narn. Is interrup iom nackal ed beschahidit
Rhalib :
- Kay kuses sien wak' kleund-ye ta cacavanias ? Est un idioten basmo ! Nos ayt so wir ka jahil
nowngmins ?
Is nackal nalohg sieno narn ignorend-ye ia commentes ios capitan.
Ia Goul ijieb pau importance ei proposen ios Amire, bet ays sons eent exciten ab tod idee.
Mutlak prufskweer ir superioritat uper i mertis. Semptos absorbmos id gwis im menscen
con ir krewos ! goileer ies. Gwask idi, drahdi, te sehkwsiemos pos penkwe minutes.
Is Amire se elien, bet yant is buit extervid ud iens Gouls, is tup do un xenti. Mox, baygh
auser quem homologhen, bo braters curs kyeys ighnos. Est meis oku quem io credih ! iey
uter. - Druv, yed iom kapsiems ! iom rassurit alter perichehxend id horizont.
Kun ies hieb abdraht, is Amire gwohl ex sien kulk ed rik id calive. Unte eys miegve, eys
deimen hieb ei narren much samlik storias. Is wois od ordinar metallen armes khake gvehne
un Goul. Tik un baygh kaurd ed gneubhic dreu ghohd to. Is surpris iam veut monstrin
chaldend ays kattil ed kiep un gazd hangend kata id dwer, ed tun...
Is nackal clieck brusk-ye med sien hands kay imite id cutt, spreudend iens magvens. Samt uno
smeih, is nalohg :
Ah, yadi is Amire hieb meis suaklun sien veuto deimen ! Is hieb myohrsen od, sei un suabirt
gazdcutt ghehdt gvehne un Goul, un dwoter cutt siet schife id vurnos eti kardwnsiet id... Is
bir dwo cutts ay anua credeihnd-ye suaage, ed sa stahsit tsay kay merge eys cap do sien
yehsend kattil !
Tun is zalohg ed ambhspohc sien umum.
It finihsit id storia ios Amire.. qui ne gwivit noroct ni aiwo hieb purts.
Nughs ! crisch is capitan. Ne hatta un lytil noroct end ! Hay, nun est saat os stighes in.

Vifanzoweer pri Basra poskwo trans id wostia ios fluv. Tehre id Gulf os Pars tiel id Strett os
Hormose tehrbiet oin hevd. Id weter eet mild, id waurno cristallclar kam in ia awa songvs.
Bet skehpt od smos in id Hindi Ocean, wiern uno naut, ter stahalsiemos cada denar nosters
hoyer !
Id nav se betyic med wed ed annon in id elegant port Suhar, ye oino mardien dalg ud Hormose.
Rhalib brug to kay visite ia langs ios mercat. Is ierk ex officio bibelotrie ed souvenires pro nauts, ed
sib kieup un botelo jlampohn.
Is capitan decis mutatrehce ed fanzowe kyid Scarlat Insule. Id nav disfundier samt id aghyernflutt
poskwo navige pri id rass quod schaliesch id porto pre entre id pelegv. Alya navs fiss id wedor
beluct ab id weusend sol : vecels samt hog bord ed plaut seghels mehneihnda de un majestueus
ornd ; ghem arginavs, samt dagaskeipo bug ed seghels suarta kyid wind ; smulk rundscrocka
causters... Quants seghleer kye piern horizonts ed ielgo capitan spehsit rikes sien hemport samt
lastruyms plena med perles, ivor, spissa au harihrs.
Rhalib suwiel capitan Ibrahim : quod tovar ghohd bihe wohlpt ep id Scarlat Insule ? So nispohc iom
invocator aun sayge werd, poskwo disvols meukend-ye un bragv antwehrd :
Ivor. Nun reik tien orbat.
Tri diens pos ir asimat ex Suhar, uno nebulestangh wierdh ep un tuntro kweiter mar. Sol ed
tienghiay buir sorpt ab un perlengreis mighel. Bila wind, ia seghels hieng, inutil in id madh air. Id
nav eet forstillen.
Rhalib kyucskwit sien Jinn. Un dumsayeto, deusker quem un noctmighel, gwohl ex eys Ring ed
wierdh do uno massive seso samt ghiulokwi. Ies nauts diswaurs ep id deck ed crier ob terror.
Capitan Ibrahim exkardkieschit sien eins yed ee-sistieupt retro. Rhalib posit sien hand ep eys brakh
kay rassure iom.
Mae bihte beghspace ! So ogre ne est meg jamile, bet is est mien sloug.
Is Jinn spohc Rhalib sombre-ye.

 Quod magho io kwehre pro te, o Fontan om Tusents Virtuten ?

Teum nies seghels, pleh ia med wind, transporte nos dalg ud ta mighelstanghs !
Existo tik kay serve tib... antwohrd is, bet Rhalib ne kiem kam so skeirsmih.
Eysa suspecens buir confirmen oin instant serter quan, blaheind windo nitos, is rohv id vecel ex id
liquid element kay xudes id endo waurn ! Ies nauts coboreer ep id deck ed antgrip ia spygats.
Daumos-ye nimen buit uperborden ab tod fantastic drahsa.
Id navo viswohbh still samt un crack. Rhalib proe-spehsit od muschkilias eent khatem... Bet id nav
ne kihsit ep ia volns sontern inter cotonlik masses, hangend inter ia nebhs !
Is Jinn twohr ed ghohd tsay do Rhalibs ring. So kyuk iom criend-ye :
Jinn ! Te endemeuro ke reprehps !
Est neis Jinn her... murmurit un voc ois id clenod. Tik un ne meg jamile ogre...

Rhalib aunstohg samt crehscend surprise id situation quer ies wohs. Id nav hieng uper ia nebhs, ye
centens peden uper marsurface, ozdbohnden ab un stauro dru plantet ye id leizd os un sehnkseid
behrg.
Probeudte me, plais probeudte me !
Capitan Ibrahim eegighanct ep id deck ed wul pri se oik violett andsa ex ia ozda. Is oispohc ia honnye dind xubh ia kye Rhalib. Oin ex ia remien hangend kata tos delband.
Cer ! cricit is kawi kyeusend-ye un colorengloi dalgi, weipend inter dwo nebhs.
Un airurb ! iey is capitan, revrehvso sieno ment ed volgend kye Rhalib. Tu ! Vahs gwahe
cetro ed trehve quosmed nehsihes nos tetos.
Rhalib jawieb khich bi-sabab od is khiek nege ses massoul de tod situation. Is oistiup ocolo id reling
kay taste id air med sien pedbors ed aunstehge samt surprise od ia nebhs anac un solid quayque
elastic surface, kam un albh kelim. Pos un rhayr-yakin specto kye sien sokwis, is bighiengit kyid
aircitad.
Pos gwahvs perodh unte takriban mil peds, is ieur ia plangs uns magv. Kwohkeer gwehme ex un
cotonlik nebhstangh. Rhalib ih visum ed bedyohrc eet tik un lytil bent qua spohc ub kyom med sien

dakruplen zeytuni okwi. Ia snif samt un kerdbrehgend weidos. Rhalib kieu ia dohrj in sien hand un
sregkentho mauven florn. Is mohm id andos is capitan hieb rohven.
Yed, ei enfiell fauran un veut legend quod eys mater hieb ei narren. Eet id storia unios naut qui hieb
wohsen xuden endo warwn ab un voln ubseller quem alters. Eysmen dusti fiell quanti bet isde naut
xihsit uno magic flor quod ei permiss ghange ep nebhs. Is it aunstohg un urb samt golden krovs
quer is pieg ed duxit esor. Sem yars serter, is ghohd linkwes id urb kun ia nebhs ep qua id citad eet
constructo toucheer id akrum uns ghyor. Is nih sien esor con se bet ia ne tohl id pior dens ed gwaur
air iom dals ed mohr.
Mimehmend tod narn, Rhalib decis eet meis prudent ne disfanghe id mauve andos, un yasmin.
Ia bent fauran zasluct ed glaz iom med un sehrgglehdjend spect. Menxu Rhalib stiup retro,
beghspace, ia elien-se ed disprohp inter dwo cotonlik nebhstanghs ! Pior sert, makar is obsokit, is
neti trohv trace ias magv. Dyehrcend ia thols ed tors ios aircitad ye sem distance, Rhalib decis
gwahe tetro.
Tod citad eet uns annemraubhend beauteit. Colunns ex ivor ed alabster tohleer thols ex purst gold ;
ia adoquins eent argwrnten blocks implohct ab cristalls ed jauhars. Torsaden minaras eent cronta
med tem intense blou lazuward quem kwohkeer kam schtuks os solidifiet waurn.
Pleht med yazgos, Rhalib uperghieng un arche quos oisculpt facettenmarmor glimmrit sub id sol. In
un vast hall muss id stragnest katu is aiwo prispohc : un Gryp un pterct lion samt cap ed snap es
ornd wigh in un corps-ad-corps contra un gigantesk Scorpion ! Ir furieus cutts cliengh inter ia
golden murs. Id noble crie al Gryp kwohr echo ibs gnirskims es els iadic duschman. Ielg passe ios
duel srakuit id marmor ; ia tangs ed ia onoghs gnirskeer ep ia flises xeubhend-ye dekhschatic
bliutes. Id kielken buit mox meidaw.
Stayg, el Gryp collapsit aun gwis prokwem Rhalib. El Gigant Scorpion remien ahockt protiev id
witer mur, elschi exhausen. Bet el ops trohv un second annem ed oistohmbit perodh, samt liven
gwelon kay gvehne el noble animal. El Gryp wohrt sien pur okwi kye Rhalib ed iltijit :
Spend mi sem ex tien gwis ed tien sehrg, mensc. Est id saul zariya kay uperwehndo tel
monster.
Rhalib acceptit ; id snap al Gryp dyohgw eys krewos ed sreuihsit un sprut cruor ep eyso xiongbu.
Dind, is oistiup retro steunend-ye menxu el mythic creature rusch contra sien duschman samt udnot
gwis. Id swayp al Gigant Scorpion buit peritohmen ed els capo bohngen ab un rarzend snap ! Bet
pre is ghohd reage we ensines, alya monster stohmbit perodh, plehnd id hall med sieno masse : un
gigantesk Ayga qua spiu skum. El Gryp oisprud retro.
Dehlgo sorbe un menscok, nun. Est id saul jec' quod mi permittsiet resiste tam !
Rhalib acceptit ed forslug ob gvol quan el Grypis pung eys levter ok.
Pleno med un nov energia, tel klieup unte id hall ed tieckel iam mustring Gayd. Quan els peind hieb
zasroht, el spohc ub ed se pariet ad sayge semject ad Rhalib... bet ja gwohm unis nov intrus ex id
bud ios palat. Eet un Gigant Ogvi, samt corpos rund ed gwaur kam un pelegvvecel. Un pestilent iad
ghutt ex els dwo kanks. Els okwi blig med id sam rudh ogwn quem os Iblis, Swamen em
Desperation ed malefic drukhs.
Rhalib wohrt sien aunspeh oko kyel vurnen Gryp : is tierk id sehkwo !

 Ed nun ?
Nun, grokit el med un strak voc, mien saul chance os vinces est suges id mozg us
menscbemern.
Ye id trit ker, Rhalib acceptit ; id plaut snap dyohgw eyso jam ed enderghyien eys krewos ! Is emiss
un agonia crie pre collabe.
Esdi is hieb survivet, Rhalib conservit payn kafi conscience pro prispehce id katu. Samt dakruflau
spect, is vis i dwo mustring duschmans drehde mutu. Lehncend ad alter sem stohnterolgha cries ed
menacend strids, katuer unte un pell-mell om squams ed ptors. Ia murs trembleer ob ir cutts. Bad, el
Gryp stieusit uper id spolye siens duschman, rhalib, pre joine iom samnam samt un sighstrausen.
Eet el senst, iey is. I hieb nicen mien potis tod Palat eet ir baytel. Ho vengen i.
Bet ye quod pris ! stun Rhalib. Spehc me ! Kaykihn, desfiguren, cruppelihn ! O Div os afu,
quod ho io kwohrt kay stahale tod beurt ?

Sehkwe me ! Iey el Gryp.

El duxit iom do un vestibule quer is vis un platinen table tem schlift quem un specule. Ep idso

denwrnt lyohg dwo objects : un oivplaut sappir, ed un jamb alnos ex gold. Dehkend-ye id gemme
do sien tuich oktorm, Rhalib aunstohg is tem suavis quem med sien lust ok. Id prothese adaptit-se
perfect-ye do id bors os eys bemern ed ei permiss tem wardhstahe quem med eys wi jamb !
Dind el Gryp abwohgh iom do hava tiel id nav, dar hangend inter ia ozda iom mauve drus.
Surpriden, ies nauts sis falle ir marspilkers. Oin ex iens oiswohngit kyopev-ye un lonc, bet
Rhalib ghohd convinces iom od el monster eet ir allieit.
Quod bieda bringhs tu uper nos ? spiusit is capitan. Ne hant tien diabelries nos attragen kafi
omens ?
Bet el Gryp rassurit iom med sien noble voc.
Sinte me ghende id topp ios grand mast inter mien onoghs ; som kafi nert kay abnihes nav
ed nieute in hol salvtat.
El Gryp ne lugh. Id hurcan elsen ptergs ed id nerce elsen onoghs lur id vecel ex ids ozdenkarcer, ed
eni quant buir wohght in plen hava, inter ia nebhs ed id azur ios ocean.
Per Allah, Dehtor quanten jects ! Se forsorpsit capitan Ibrahim, sien face tem albh quem sien
seghels. To ne est un safer pro nauts !
Hayte ! scherzit Rhalib. Kun reicsiemos, nos sessient schohnct bell drehnkrunds kay narre
todge safer !
Id nav hurt ia volns samt un storgnend wedbehngos, volveihnd hol ed quantens abord. Rassuren ab
Rhalibs wehkwos au ab id reiken do sien element, capitan Ibrahim bad exterhonnit smihes. El Gryp
skrit dar lyt dind elien-se do id waurn kam un isu. Id nieute genuit ghom kye Makka ed dienk Div
pro tod kjiugnan.
Pos oika diens, kam marks apterlikwn ab Divin Providence, nov constellations prohp ye id horizont
ed permiss ibs mides iro progression. Diens, Sowelo blig in id sakwn blou scrin ios aunnebh waurn.
Kam joyeusi safersokwis, i mevs glihr ed mers do ia volns pre salge ia samt un pisk in ir snap.
Act nordeusttos ab ia mussimwinds, ies recordeer un gohd mutawassitsyrat. Pos tri hevds, arriveer
in vid om dwinpics qua transbieur id horizont, cronend un sandstrei : id Scarlat Insule. Id steto dulg
sieno nam ei rudhspalven volns unte milia perambh.
Idwert mar habiet emt id color ios cruor iom teuts qua han' nict mutu her... murmurit un veut
naut med un tremblant voc.
Fu ! interrup is capitan. Un rudh slamm carrien ab ia torrents ios insule !
Paurskend un khaykou, ies dyohrc ia colorta krovs uns caustal village. Ia adoben doms knigveer
caud-ye engwn un behrg. Alyer, eent tik polds ed lungs qua nisturdeer tiel id mar kam smaragdcolor
kelims. Quan ir nav stopit claus id quie, mult walski sielg ia doms ed gwohm kyens. I vohs long
beige robes kincta med un linen strangh, ed sems bohr kata ir flanko kjinxwenyungen miecha
Capitan Ibrahim exstigh do land ed pit se pretihes ab i insulars med pelu gestes.
Gweupte id nav ! Wohl is pos oik instants. Ti leuds vahnt me duce bi ir patriarch kay tolke
de verslyn.
Ed, sohkwt ab un druv cortege, is abghiengit kyun hog dom stahnd in id centre ios smulk varosch.

Ye regwos, zamtlik temos covohr id landspecto kam un teun blanquet. Oik luces dar blig in id dom
ios Patriarch, bet id reste ios urb eet mergen in deusk.
Ia stars prohp. Kun id brise biblahsit ed firschit mliak-ye id fluv, Jamal, is cokwo, grohnd sien
ghiton ambh sien omsa ed mlu nerveus-ye :
Ne kamo to. Quod hat wakyet ei capitan ? Is solliet ja reikus.
Circum midnoct, is wakhtmatrose protiebud id hol nieute spreud-ye. Is oiswohn id alarme deikendye un grupp insularen ep id moli, samt exkardkaschen knivs ed mier smeihs skeir sub ir cherkin
nasters.
Quod habte yu kwohrn ex nies capitan, demons ? Cricit oino iom nauts med un tremblant
voc.
Dind is nabahsit ad Rhalib :
Dehlgiemos hajoume i, vrehne id dwer ios Patriarch ed behrge Ibrahim ex ir fangh !
Bet ia wakyas precipiteer-se. Id palamar buit tohmen ab eys sokwis ed eys nav buit driven ab id
reflux, menxu crier i yeambans. Bayna i, un geront samt sombre protiokw abvicihsit id menegh, liv
uno gneubhic gazd epkiht ab uno menscghalv ed nasieyg un incantation quod cliengh inter ia clins.
Rhalib krus : isghi geront vahsit balstehme iens.
Rhalib yinjier kyuk sien Jinn. Senter observit iom geront qui dar psalmodicit ep id leizdo ios moli,
dind sprohg Rhalib :
Quod eiskws tu ke kwehro, O Poti ?
So geron' nos balstehmt. Proteg nos !
Is Jinn plex, zalissen.
Tieno meinyun vaht mox sehkwe kriv itners. Ghehdo protege te ud tien fat, bet quosmed
woide an ex tod khitert niet salge un meger sellt ?
Aunsense lalay ! grasbien Rhalib. Behrg nies vecel do un prient port, te wehlo !
Bet is Jinno ne movit ed sieyg :
Tib repeteihm, sei nun te hehlpo, to ghehdiet skehthe te ye long meiwrnt. Sei dar me wehls
to, siem obedihes, yed suamehn....
Rhalib cungid tom pau cooperative Jinn. Ia seghels ios nav ois ed tod abfanzowit kyid horizont. Bet
mox, id capricieus wind se kardwnit ed ne stopit mithes direction. Ia volns ne se contenteer med
crasche protiev id bug sontern abfirscheer id deck desorganisend-ye id nieute. Blixa beluc id sword
aptergrund ios swergos, iro grohm se repecuttend menacend-ye uper ia flutts. Stayg, pwolstohct ab
ia baubs ios storm, un agonia crie : is styrman hieb just bihe xubhto protiev id reling ab un gvaltic
mov tos styr !
Neti biht styrt! cricit semquis.
Id grand mast se fiss in sieno medium ed fiell dreibhend un forest dauynen ed falldaunen ed plur
nauts con se. Rhalib wohs wedi kun id nav kwohlp, ob id vyige ios mast ed iom permadhen seghels.

Sien cap stohct ab un staunos-ye warm voln binisbat id glehdjic mrehgh, Rhalib credihsit unte oin
instant kharke in id cruor sienen sokwis. Med id energia os desperation, is tentit skape id dewer
suwen ab id naufrage. Eys ambhtastend finghers vitrohv un ghend : eno driv, glehmbend do un
baurd ios deck. Hol perambh, eent oik vracks kwohlken inter ia volns. Id nav ed id reste ios nieute
hieb disprohpt.
Rhalib khiss ia volns tundes iom ed sand sub sien lige. Sem crabe gnibh iom mliak-ye. Kam
muschkil eet oistahe tsay ! Is wohs ep un strand lizden ab moder behrgs qua lyt vegetation strih.
Oins meis-ye hieb Rhalib nohst. Titubend-ye, is sohkwit tod strand.
Pos ta ordeils, is credih ses victim uns hallucination quan is dyohrc id Palat. Id oistieu medsu ia
ghianshieks qua clus id strand. Ia tors qua frieum id kwohkeer kam minc spiras ex albh marmor,
cronta med bulbes ex mosayic vasyen nuancen. Rhalib stahsit daumos-ye ant id edifice quan plur
wirs ed gwens samt angelic protiokwo sielg id kay primes iom. Rhalib se sis bihe ghenden per id
hand ed dribhen do id Palat. Is buit lyict ep un silken crovat ed is nierc samt uno smeih.
Kun is gohr, douzen nauten periembh eyso lyegher.
Quer sont i angels ? sprohg Rhalib, lyt-ye decepen.
Oino iom nauts abvicihsit alters ed se presentit. Ob eys accent, Rhalib tierk is gwohm ex Basra.
I slougs ios Blou Magios, mayns tu ? Ho viden i tik oins ; kam wey quants in fact : kun
arriveer hetro, ed naiwiter dind.
Rhalib stahsit ub ed oistiup lyt :
Is Blou Magos ? Smos wey eys prisoners ?
Quanti glihr.
No, eys gosts ! correxit is wir ex Basra. Nos hat quantens salwt quan el Dendan un gigant
pisk hat sorp' nies nav. Nos hat hatta dahn un nov vecel kay gwirlayms ! Bet hat prohgen
ke chitayms nies asimat unte oik diens isghi wois alyo naufrageit vahsit gwehme... tu !
Rhalibs maals hieb esto suadeht nieb id crovat, tem quem eys denars. So mysterieus mukarime
kwecto ne eet dusmenos dia iens nekam ies brukhs quoy befolkeer narns.
Nun chunke has ganist, iey oino iom nauts, kay intizare ? Smad hisse id anker !
Lakin Rhalib ghietskwit ir mejban. Is trohv iom in id hogsto kamer ios Palat. Is eet yuner quem quo
is hieb fikern, ed baygh minter dekhschatend quem ies necromants ed brukhs iom legends. Is Magos
eet alnos dun in blou : un azur mantel covohr un robe ios color uns aunnebh waurn. Rings ex sappir
ed cobalt orneer eys hands ed un lazuwarden brosch clohsp eys indigo delband. Eys okwi eent uns
deubios blou, quayque id ne hieb id pall teint im Christians ios piernios Nord.
Rhalib dientowit ant iom Blou Magum.
Tib deulgo sieune eti gwit aundwoi ; ob to, dank spollay pro mult yars. Poitto io gnohe id
nam os mien mukarime ?
Ye id manier em brukhs ed drukhs in basma, is antwohrd aun antwehrde :

 Som tik un schaghird, ne is poti tos Palat tik eys palek.

Eys blou okwi dipliseer quan is nabahsit smeihnd-ye :
Tu es semquis interessant. Mi wakyet habe fugitive visions iom prev ed gwehmtur
moments... ed ambh te, Meinyun desployt kam un colort taam... Tien exploits bleigent ter
med lucra colors...
Yaghi, ho ja hab' kafi aventures ! Scherzit Rhalib.
Ed gnohsies alya. Id vevt os wakt, opac pro menscokwi, appareiht yando mienims okwims.
Te vido victim os injustice. Perambhen ab mahibe prients ed implacable peinds. Te vido
dostighes id ghyor quer gwivt el Rokh, el av quel lyeict oivs alnos ex diamant. Reidsies in id
hava. Te vido vehse un Robe os Honor. Nibo...
Nibo... quod ? Rhalib urs iom.
Is oiscussit sien cap.
-Khako tib sayge an gwivsies kay gnohe tod future. Bet ghehdo tib dahe semjec' quod imdadhsiet
te.
Is prehpihsit un pair om altiet babuscha inter sien hands.
Quel uwnt ta Magic Babuscha ne vyeict gwaurer quem un ptor. Maghsies folossie ia kay
udstighes id akro quer neizdt el Rokh.
Rhalib uwit ta babuscha poskwo dienk iom Blou Mago pre joine alters. Tik pos id nav hieb
disfundarn ed absegheln vighieb Rhalib od is Mago ne hieb ei saygen sieno nam.
Ryowkhowa winds ed bayga duxeer salv iens do id porto Zeilah quer Rhalib viensch adieu ad sien
safersokwis. Pro panges ir besoyn, kwohryient itner kye Basra menxu Rhalib eiskwiet bayga in ta
exotic lands. Stohcta carretts eent ardehn unte ia strads ios port. Ep tod improvisen mercat eent
deidikiet pieut, bibelots, armes ed local products. Is kieup sib ter un kandel.
Dind, is oistup ex ia ghem quartiers do pod id clin quer stieur mier baytels ed id Palat ios Sultan.
Stayg, Rhalib buit waurgpuscto gontro ab lunamask soldats. Staunend de tod brutalitat, is
apterspohc iens menxu iegeer ghom cadence-ye kya quies.
Un ambulant hajam hieb kaut id incident ed gwohm kye Rhalib.
Mae sdi surpriden ! Ies guardes ios Palat paurske quel hat klohpt un rubin ex id kuzdsall. Is
Sultan est tem furieus quem menacet crucifictihes iom guarden hetman sei tel fur ne biht
retrohf' pre meunweus !
Comprehendo ir hast, iey Rhalib, dar lyt-ye dlasen. Bet to est neid sabab kay tem d
missulouke dia honeste mussafers.
Is wiro protiokwit iom.
Es rhayir ei citad ?
Ya, acquiescit Rhalib, ma ?
Is oistiup lyt-ye dalger ed cricit :

 Guardia ! Fur, fur !

Ed pre Rhalib ghohd reage, id patrol parvols kay kernes iom. Is liv sien hands ka seuten, bet is
hajam volvih iom med un gambit ed dier iom ghomi, sien genu ep eys regv. Buit zaruri ibs soldats
arreste iom.
Suact, prient ! iey is officier ei hajam. Sessies mizden pro tien heroyisme.
Mien mizdo me intizart warwni, antwohrd is kienkiu-ye.
Habies tien mizdo, muticit Rhalib, quando habsiem esen lurn !

Nespekent sien protests, Rhalib buit sohlcto tiel id place ios Palat. Is palach ios Sultan wohs ter,
garwiend sien instruments kay execute iom guarden hetman sei so khakiet trehve el furo pre octent.
Is Sultan prohp in sien bohrlict.
Est is nies fur ?
Terrifien, is hetman payn glaz Rhalib.
Ya, O Mayster os Justice, stiemmel is, est is !

Is Sultan xeubih Rhalib do prison, ed isswo libter chus eyso kyasen. Hayranos ant tod tem neieust
quem inexspectet zwaujece, Rhalib khiek reage ! Eys denars buir sacen ud iom. Un guarde stighih
iom ghom do un deusk torm ed zaghyien id kankel uper eys cap... Id presence os Rhalib ne
dekhschiet i rats qui nabrynt in id kalm ios donjon.
Enghi iom fameus fur ? mlusit un voc in id temos. Yed is ne tengiet it, kwe ne
Scheherazade ?
Rhalibs okwi viswohd xep. Is enderkwit iom wir seddend face iom, un geront samt memsa tem teun
quem uradels, dehrjend ep sien grem un lupen cat quel el eebeibreuct kam un princesse ye id vesper
aysen snuptias. Rhalib explicit tei geront od sollit ses uno mispreten. Is ne eet qui hieb raubht id
rubin ios Sultan.
So lyt ilieyit weidwos-ye.
Ne es el Skadh, he ? Yaghi ; ne cras bihsiet tel kapen.
El Skadh ? Repetih Rhalib.
El boltst im birbants, gvrenduit is geront. El hat raubhen id magic ring os Alendyin, id
pleukend kelim ios Amir os Crdoba ed id cron os Charlemagne, iom fameus frank cesar. El
- ob ne gnohms els identitat hat eti sponden raubhe id Diamantoiv al Rokh.
Stragnis bonem ! Rhalib fried uno smulko goilisk smeih.
Tu kwehcs suaconnaisse... narre storias !
Ne me credeihs ? scricit is seddend-ye ub, samt keraunspect. Oh, ghehdo tib pruves quo ho
sayct. Spehc mien cat. Me hat aurn yed eys swayp ne hat crohscen unte oin inch.
Rhalib clackih sien dingv samt un embarassen protiokwo : is geront hieb okwivid-ye lusto sien aum.
Oh, un irrefutable pruv ! goilit Rhalib. Kam habe dwois pos to ?
Mae mi bahas kam uni wahi, yun idiot ! Spehc anter kam react id swayp miens cat quan sem
leugh biht narren. Scheherazade ? Est mien gnahdien hoyd, quod mi schehncs tu pro mien
dec yars ? Todeghern, is cipire mi hat bright khurmas, zafaranris, spissmuton ed fresch
butter ka snidan. Ob to hat mien gventer gvolt ! Spehm to sessiet khatem quando gwahsiem
klustres id sermon ios-pet Prophet ye azansaat, alayissalam...
Ed is natolkit, sigwrnd liubhes sien esor, ses is behndwrcousin ios Khalifa ed alya cacavanias.
Rhalib ghnih sien okwi, incredule, vidend-ye id swayp ios animal crehsce unte dwo incha ye cada
exbohrt leugh ! Bet yant is geront swigh, id gwohm tsay do sien normal mege.
Quod un fabuleus animal ! iey Rhalib aun trehve alya werds.
Un Hablarcat est id gohdst wassila kay woide kweter anghen sayc' druve, explicit is geront.
Poskwo, so chohx ia babuscha os Rhalib samt attention.
Fayn altice, blahsit is. Ne credeihm aiwo vidus un tem fayn wehrg. Ta babuscha sigwra ne
sont ordinar...
Ed Rhalib ei revelit quetos gwohm ta schous. Poskwo, is decis rahate spehnd-ye od sem
skapwaurmen ubgwehmiet. Un lusic matrass ei procurit un simili-swehpen in ia aktwns qua pohd
per id kankel.

Is gohr ye idpet medium ios noct. Ia kentha os eys coschmar dar swohbh ye ia leizda os eys
conscience... Bihsit intilkalto do id cemtier saygway Bagdad, baygh-ye gwiv ed conscient, bet
khakend move menxu is grabhar ei xubh ia prest ghomlopatdels... Un srig swoid bemiedh eys
vesters.
Rhalib ambhtastit kye sien roubes : ia Babuscha hieb disprohpt ! Isschi geront... qui hieb lakin
likwn sien Hablarcat po ia...
Id sirdab eet un ghem ed wonko kyal, straht med uno meln kalm. Mult alyi prisoners kowpeer ter.
Oin ex iens gwohm prosch ed kyus id kankel medsu id tavan.
Unte ub nos biht xubh pieut semdiens, explicit is. Bad... quan hams nassib. Apart to, est
kamsei wey hieb esen myohrsen. Neid wassila kay skape.
Hmm... ed pro jlampohn ?
Is salgih sien subsword ed aruswento dingv.
Lingmos id miedhe quan ghehdmos...
Rhalib stahsit sub id kankel. Id lyohg ye minst-ye dwogim peds hoger ed ia wonk stens eent pior
glat pro wehlpe glehmtum.
Oin hevd serter, id kankel buit ghyant ed alyo prisoner xubhto do id sirdab.
En iom Skadh, ex krew ed osta ! Proclamit un cipire. Mumtase hamrahsa, bande om
biedans !
Id kankel zaghyahsit samt uno metallclacken.
Hey ! Ed ego ? kiel Rhalib. Sei yu habte kapen iom Skadh, bayad som innocent !
Un vulgar face prohp uper id kankel, fradend uno smeih.
Innocent ? Kam ghehds tu ses innocent sei es in prison ? Kad ne has klohpten id rubin ios
Sultan, bet quel kaurt de ? Siems ya trehve semjec' kay te vinovatihes !
Bet est injustice ! cricit Rhalib... in kenos, isghi wir hieb abgwaht.
Is novgwehmer dehsit sien hand ep eys oms.
Ioschi som victim os injustice, mien prient. Ne somis Skadh. Io te wois her ed ho gwohmen
pro te. Mien nam est Azenomei.
Rhalib stier ad iom samt surprise : un bell yuwen samt glat lige ed okwi prickelnd ob malice. Is hieb
uno smulk schram ye id uber sienios nas.
In tod fall, tu vahs ses decept. Ma smeihs tu ? Ne has tu ghaben vahms mehre her ?
Dayir ses karcerbohndt her, en quod pro betouche baygh scluds... iey is oiswehngend-ye un
enorm cleichenchehise. Nos etileikwt glehme tiel tod kankel !
Id stragno magho ios Hablarcat renfiell ad Rhalib : eyso swayp crohsc ye oin inch ielgs kun is ieur
un leugh.

 En noster skapzariya ! Ghiewd Azenomei.

Io ne woid, iey Rhalib scuttend-ye sien cap. Eys swayp gwehmt oku do normal mege, ed id
kankel lyehct ye takriban dwogim peds uper nies caps.
Ia okwi os eysum sokwi blig ob glewos.
Sei tehrbo, ghehdo lehge centens om srayens, ielg meis khiter quem alter. Smad just intizare
ke nehkwt.
Ye midnoct, is protiebud Rhalib dind se clih kyid aur ios Hablarcat kay murmure. Is foriliey-se ex
tid do tid. Id swayp ios animal bicrohsc, crohsc... hina touchit id kankel !
Glehm oku ! Blahsit Azenomei scuttend-ye id cleichenchehise.
Bo stigh ub. Azenomei probirit plur cleicha hin is trohv id dohbro. Is ghyien id lokat, ed bo emers
do id khuldet ios noct. Pos tod hol wakt in cell, id noctbrise medv Rhalib, kam id wed uns oasis pos
salgus id desert ! Id swayp ios Hablarcat ja schrohnk ; Rhalib kiep iom ed hissit tom orm animal tiel
se. Kad so curieus kiekwr ei iter daughiet...
Ies likw id citad ye id posdien, kohlen ye id caud uns auxencarrett. Eyso suter quasi bayaldissit kun
dwo slampic latri gwohl ex eys grainsacks !
Azenomei niterplieg ed dyi ia walls dalg apter gleihnd-ye.
Haysa lahtu tod urb ! Ne cras reiksiem ambhkaupe ter nischi tu, prient. Aproposs, kam has
tu landen do tod prison ?
Ho fortrohcen ex Bagdad po bayga ed klewos. Buim accusen neprabh-ye ob klehpt, itak me
vids aundenar.
Cengki-ye me has incontren : ne habies ghohden trehve gohder ! Declarit Azenomei.
Gwahm id desert kay salve mien swester ex id fangh os un Jinn. Is hat rapt ed karcerbehndt
iam in sien Bronzen Citadell. Sehkwe me, promitto tib od klewos ed bayga nient manke !
Sei Rhalib habiet aurt sam logos oik munte prever, is habiet ayno iom un foll. Bet is eevevis tem
daumsa... Yed is remien prudent.
Un manghant Citadell ed un Jinn, saycs ? Kad sont lyt pior klewos ed bayga pro me...
Azenomei ne etimlu, sinend Rhalib bepehnde pro ed contra. Fin-ye is chus hamrahe iom.
Azenomei guidit iom unte desertic aykwsa quer chald airo riesp id gurgule ed quer ielg stieup ieyr
uno nebhduil. Unte plur diens, ies ghieng aun vide gwitsigne. Ex id aydhend octent do regwos, ies
khiss literal-ye iro krewos turses ep ir osta, menxu nocts air eet sriger ed tomoster quem glehdj. Pos
parpohus id botel jlampohn os Rhalib, bo dyohrc un inikas os polihno metall ye horizont.
Est id Citadell ios Jinn ! mohld Azenomei.
Is ghens Rhalib per eys brakh kay stehme eys vankend ghang tiel pod ia walls. Zanns, torettes, hol
eet ex glat bronze, bleigu kam un brand sub id sol ye idso zenith. Id entrat eet un weur ebonen ed
sidermoinihn portal. Bo puscus id ring, ies ghohd enderghyane id. Ocolo eet un dakhel quer
wieusteer decens, centens om dikhliz unte plur etages.

 Smad age seni kay retrehve mien swester ! propos Azenomei. Dehlgmos spehde, is Jinn
maght gwirlaye ye cada instant.
Bet sont centens dwern ! kieu Rhalib ambhspehcend-ye id dakhel. Kam... ?
Tusents ghi. Bet oin ex ta dwers sessiet perchinen. Sessiet tod.
Rhalib chus un corridor towsraen ed biexplorit id meirong. Dwer pos dwer, is tohr tik tuich kyals.
Bad, is trohv un klinko quod refusit cedde sub eys hand. Un stump crie ghohd do iom trans id panell
bet quan is akowsicit, is ieur neid meis.
Is decis vrehne tod dwer ed eys cutts vifiss ids panell ; it ghohd Rhalib penetre un kamer samt
fresch ed profumen hava, decoret med diaphen harihrs. Un gwenak samt crauvkyehrsen kayso
lyohg ep un golden lict medsu id kyal.

Ia stier ad Rhalib samt un wajkho om blanden baysa ed speh.

Es tu qui dehlc' gwehme ad lures me ?
Rhalib kieusit ays glesen eet swolbohnden med un zangir ed un weru bronzen lokat.
Qua es tu ? Sprohg is.
Ayscha, ia dugter ios Khalifa. Buim raben medsu id noct ed abnihn dalg ud Bagdad ab un
jabbar Jinn qui me tuntos karcerbehndt in sien Citadell.
Rhalib gwohm proscher ed chohx id lokat : neid chance os brehge ni dwinghes id.
Kad oin iom cleichen os Azenomei ghehdiet ? Suggestit is.
Quis est Azenomei ?
Ego, mlu sem voc.
Rhalib vols. Eys priento stahsit unte id roup ios dwer, dyeind ia sketha med uno mutaassif
protiokwo.
Azenomei, spehc ! Ho trohft tien swester ! triumphit Rhalib.
Is iliey ka jawab. Pos un instant os zakhmatic silence, Ayscha mlu :

 Is tib hat lughen. Is ne est mien brater sontern is Jinn qui me hat rapt.
Azenomei kwohk... different. Eys okwi se orneer med golden inikas ed eys traits eent sombrer. Is
gwohm perodh kye Rhalib med un subtile-ye menacend, reptil-liko gwayt.
Te ho trohft ed fanght, bad ! grohm is. Ne habiem aiwo crediht od is Skadh esiet tem facil
dreughtu...
Quod saycs tu ? jawieb Rhalib samt horror. Woidst ya od ne som is Skadh !
Is oiscussit sien cap.
Sighi.. Ed itak me ho sis' kapt ed xubh' do tod sirdab con te. Pon dwodem munts te
aptersokneum, pon has klohpten id gemme in id Citadell...
Un gemme ? Quod gemme ? Neid fahamo in quo saycs. Ho naiwo...
Bet Azenomei ignorit eys protests.
Id gemme, id legendar rubin, to woidst, tu qui connaiss clenods ! Tod quod quasi udplaut id
fameus Diamantoiv el Rokh kehlt in sien nest ep Palmen Insule... Is Marroy mi hieb
betrusen tod kuzd. Sei is mantht io hieb lust id, vaht me dehre atom pos atom ed xubhes
mien etiloikwa do un saldweuder proaiwo. Est tien saul chance kay bihe salwt : sayg mi
quer has kohlt mien kuzd ?
Ye id sens' ker, iey Rhalib knareihnd-ye sien dents, tib kassamo est un mispreten ! Ho naiwo
klohpten ud quelkwe !
Kam foll es tu ! cricit Azenomei leivend-ye sien hands kay invoque un soitos. Tien ajal hat
gwohmt !
Zabaans gwohl ex eys finghers ed slohnkeer gvol-ye ant Rhalib ! Un ak os pur paytten dyohgw eys
krewos ed eys memsa kriemp brusk-ye kamsei un wagher habiet rupt eys nerves.
Ayscha sohngv un curt incantation, ed un quat kagheln surrexit ex nischto kay tundes idpet face os
Azenomei. Is remien storgen unte uno moment, samt dohrn ed cruoric lige.
Oku ! Ayscha ursit Rhalib. Est extus, gvehn iom !
Rhalib siz un schamdan ed liv id uper sien cap. Azenomei kieusit eyso geste tik ye id sensto
moment ed hieb just kafi wakto kay murmure ia presta syllabs os un soitos... Pior sert, id schamdan
tus ghom ed dvohr eys ghalv.
Azenomei lyohg aunmov pod Rhalib. Lent-ye, eys nayv se dissolvit do un teug subsword magma
quod plehsit id kyal med un swelpelodor. Id saul jecto quod etilikw ex iom buit eys Eins, quod
Rhalib ghens.
Taiper chunke id danger eet khatem, tremblens lambh eys memsa. Is sess ghom ep id bors os
Ayschas cubh hin is regaiss id control om siena nerves.
Quer has tu uct tod charm ?
Mien veut nauna mi murmurit baygh secrets, antwohrd ia samt un discret smeih. Way, ia mi
naiwo hat docen diskwehre manghanen diemens.
Est aundwoi sem cleich.

Ayscha nuk.
Ya... kohlt ab iom Jinn in id budmen ios nest uns gigant av, al Rokh. Sei acceptes vane id,
ghehdo yises te tetro fauran.
Ia se interrup dind nabahsit keungend-ye :
To sessiet baygh dangereus.
Rhalib lakin acceptit. Ayscha chantit alyo soitos ed un swordo dewer twohr ambh iom ; so khiss
kam distens, spract inter plur locs. Ye uno moment is oispruv id caresse os seuy, dind id preus ios
middiensol. Eno stayg buit perambht ab waraks ed ayrto do id hava uper un vasto schadab insule
nizden in un wangwl os ocean uns deubios blou !
Rhalib lansit samt un sosule ed uno nebh waraken. Is oistieu tsay, lyt bluft, pre ambhglanzes id
horizony. Nedalg ud iom stahsit un karwent piton quod occupit id hol centre ios insule. Ids akro
disprohp in ia nebhs, kehlend ids rouna ud Rhalibs okwi.
Menxu so scrutit tod topp, un sword skadh wierdh prod ia nebhs, crehscend ye okvid. Un perwnt
lun ex id sten ? Rhalib biey unte oin instant bihe truden, pre vide tod skadh wehnge un pair ptergen
ed uperplukes id insule samt un stonterblosk. El Rokh !
Is ghisd. Neid iom veut narns hiebit preparen iom tei vision : un rapace tem plaut quem un vecel,
qual onoghs habient sizt aun difficultat un elephant ed qual pleuk tariegh perwnts !
Bet bila elephant, el Rokh sturd ep un ow ed exgventrit iom med oin cutt. Id snap al monster se
spielv med cruor menxu el wux ep id schkembeh al biedan pekukrent. El etilikwit neid oin carn ep
id carcasse.
Rhalib gnohsit vasya margwenaken storias iom nauts os Sohar, vasyas incredible narns iom strads
os Basra, vasya dreughlogsa iom mimithav manns os Bagdad ed narrit ia ei Hablarcat, quos swayp
crohsc, crohsc tiel ia nebhs ! Ka vafat, is lohg eti id storia'l sardine quel hieb stuppt id port os
Marseille, dind empug id appendix al felid kay dostighes id akro ios karwent piton.
Eno buit atopp tod pic, in un dener perambhto med rocksperens tem skamb quem edonts. Turs
palmas ed chuffs os vegetation covohr tod natural kalpwrnt, implohct ad nugwrnt de quos buhsa
Rhalib preferit ne kunges... In quant fall, id legend lohg prabh : id nest al Rokh eet oistraht ab
diamantfragments, sems tem plaut quem un schild ! Oin ex ia habiet est kafi pro kwehre eys bayga,
ed to eet dohbro dat is ne habiet sagvt abbehre meis quem oin unte id perileus ghomglehmen...
Eet dar alyo ject in id bund ios nest : un fayn-ye wohrcto bronzen cleich, tem longo quem eys bagu.
Rhalib chus ghende id cleich instet un diamantfragment.
Kun is touchit id cleich, un firtina unios magic wind stayg lud ed aspirit iom do sien dewers tiel id
Bronzen Citadell. Ayscha skohpt iom. Bet menxu is hieb iam likwn resignet ed zangiebohndt,
lyehgend in un forlanguien pose, ena sess ep sien golden cubh, impatience pict ep sien delicate
traits.
Has tu id ? Urs ia iom. Has tu trohft id cleich ?
Rhalib wohrt id cleich in id lokat ed ia zangirs fiell ex Ayschas glesens. Ia stahsit ub ex sien cubh
samt uno smulko crie os satisfaction :

 Bad ! Nun, est tid ke gwirlayms.

Ya, ed oku, antwohrdit Rhalib. Dehlgo warne iom Khalifa od eys khayn wasire complot kay
uperwaldhe iom !
Ia gwenak nuk.
Sigwra Jafar hat invoquet tom Jinn kay rabe me. Hay, prepare-te !
Ia liv sien delicate hands ed wohbh un charm med oik melodieus notes. Un nov dewer wierdh ed
abduxit bo unte uno mic trans gnoht ed negnoht mund. Dusascend, Rhalib quasi fiell supiht kun id
vortex swohnd. Eni stahr in id Thronkielken in id presence ios Khalifa ! Jafar eet ter, ed quan is vis
Rhalib ed recognih iom, surprise buit tayn af haines.
Ayscha glieb tender-ye sien pater. Is Khalifa naswigh unte oik instants.
Mien kerd peripehldt med joy : mien dugter hieb mohrt ed ena biht retrohven ! Ayscha, quer
ees tu ?
Bet is ne hieb wakto kay gvehnihes iom piwon vicel.
Rhalib narrit id hol storia ei Khalifa. Ye deuber Rhalib lohg sieno narn, ye sombrer ed grasbaner
bihsit id lige ios Khalifa. Rhalib biey so ne credeihiet iom ed irasciet contra iom, yed is kowpit ia
pruvs. Hol eet explien taiper : id druv surce ios rebellionios ne eet id loyal popule, sontern is
detestable wasire bi quom is Khalifa confidit ! So vols ed kerieun sieno minister med sien spect.
Jafar ! Bieub is Khalifa, tien ajal hat gwohmen !
Is Wasire eet dismasct ! Is oistiup tun perodh kyun souverain tragend-ye un daga ex sien robe. Id
miech eet griht med un glend liquid samt desamat odor.
Rhalt... tienghi hat gwohmt, ar-Raschihd !
Jafar, sa-plagend iom Khalifa, iliey diabolic-ye ed swohng sien khandjar. Rhalib se xubh ep eys
brakh kay ei stambhes dyehgwe iom Khalifa, qui stahsit still. Kun is Wasire buit udwaldhen, is
Khalifa recuprit sieno ment ed kriegh iens korels.
Ignorend-ye id agitation ed ia gigwahsas om dwal guardes unte id Palat, Rhalib apterdrahsit Jafar
gwaukan-ye. So ne nehsiet ! Rhalib cursit prosch iom unte un gastieup dind un hall quer eys
precipiten annem cliengh inter ia colunns. Iom gvolit sub eys gwaur pompic vesters ed quasi fiell
forstieupend-ye sien peds do sien robe. So disprohp unte oin instant ud Rhalibs okwi, bet is
vitrohvyit iom mox in un wonk perigumt quod duxit uni honor aula, ambilizden ab ia royal grajda.
Is bad-ye zacurs ed facit Rhalib.
Jafar extraxit un terracotta pot ex ia pans os sien robe ed iel id med ia borsa sienen brakhs
psalmodiend-ye in id bahsa im idolaters qui befolkeer id deserto pre id gumt ios Prophet. Quod
diabelrie preparit is ? Med un geste, is Wasire brohg id pot ep ia flises pod se.
Un duildewer lud ed oistiewit do un solid - auter sordid - forme. Jafar hieb invoquen un antique
monster, un ject samt dusarticulen longa memsa, skamba noghs ed skeletic corpos oistegen med un
charapakh quod glimmrit sub id meun... Elsa sword okwi dar inikies id diutis awen stars.
Quantenstragnest eet els pair om bantowmeing ptergs, samt veutargwrntcolor darza.

Jafaro triumphit.
Murdar ambhneuser, id strineg miens Furia sessiet pro te id senst !
Lakin Rhalib recognih tel creature ob kleuvs un veut narn del. In id legend, el Furia eet klut ka
invincible elghi semper schifit ex quant. Ielgs kun un purkerd heroy vurn el, tel lud uper id grund ed
id air tun disprehpihsit els vurnsa kam soitos-ye...
Rhalib vis tik oin weidos kay stambhes al Furia bedrughes iom kam aiwo. Is oistiup retro tiel id
veut perigumt unte quod ies hieb arrivet.
El Furia aptercurs iom do id oistegen perigumt. El vighieb sien rhalt kun Rhalib parvols. Her, el
khakiet skape ub kay ganises ex sien vurnsa !
Her es tu kapanen, ed vahs likes sekwent ia reuls ! triumphit taiper Rhalib gvehnend-ye el.

Dind, Rhalib abkielc id carcasse al Furia ed se precipitit do id honor aula po Jafar. Piwon kam is eet,
is ne hieb ghohdt curre baygh dalgtro ! Soghi eet besic med disvolvihes un long tapit altien samt
mysterieusa signes. Is oispohc ub ed glaz Rhalib goilisk-ye.
Pior sert ! Iey is seddend-ye ghom ep sien tapit. Bet mae sweurghas, som yakin od nies
itners iter sient cruce mutu pro tien fat !
Is hamrahsit ta werds con un imperieuso geste, ed stayg lud id tapit do plur peds uper id swol !
Rhalibs kerd kwohlp. Naiwo ghehdiet is kape tsay Jafar sei so abpleukiet !
Samt un behngos os fisden dreu, oino iomdwers iom grajden sprohng ex siena mifussals. Ia okwi
ios Wasire rolleer kun is vis Antar, Rhalibs aygur, rusches do id aula. Is noble animal galoppit kye
sien poti ed hingolit mynder-ye kun so sess ep iom. Esdi Rhalib solliet gwive gheslo wetsa, naiwo
myehrsiet is id magia tom instants !
Antars kaphs xubheer bliutes unte eys drahsa. Med un schungin skand, is volvih id Pleukend Tapit
ed rollih Jafar ghomtro. So ghyien sien stohm pro kamses un soitos au un balstehmen ; yed Rhalib
naiwo gnohiet quoter. Antar hingolit, fohsit ed tus iom khayno med sien kaphs. Jafar collapsit
aunmov, implohct in ia kentha siens Pleukend Tapit. Rhalib skiend ex seddel kay genue nieb iom :
neti puls. Is khayn eet mortu.

Is Khalifa tohg Rhalib med spondas : gold, joyels, ed un splendid Robe os Honor.
Ed to ne est hol, nabahsit is. Wano un nov Grand Wasire.
Ego, Swamen ? antwohrdit Rhalib sub id schock. Ne som kafi hakime kay ses wirtic tos
task, O Amire im Muaminen !
Is glih.
No, ed es neter un corrupt magistrat, ni un titule-uperpehldend idiot...
Amire iom Amiren, ne woidim quod sayge...
Has ghi id hol naudhen diplomatia ! triumphit is Khalifa. Hay, suawoidst od neid mensdeh
dart quan urgent problemes pone-se, ed od kerdkaram ne est doct in scols. Has meis safert
ed vis id mund quem quanti me nityent. Me plaissiet klues tien narns.
Ensmed buit Rhalib stayg alto do id decos os Grand Wasire ios Khalifa os Bagdad nespekent sien
humil origins. Is esiet riche ed respex, i nobles ed cortoyers neukient ant eys werds. Prophet
Muhammad eewareiht i muamins protiev id medvia vrehn in id bund ios piala vin, ne protie tod
khisst bungend-ye un prabh magh ! Todghi beurt wohlp Rhalib expohe.
Oika diens serter, ye regwos ant id Megil Masjid, Rhalib dyohrc iom Darwisch qui hieb suwt eysum
sohkwo.
Her gwehms tu, iey is. Te recogneihm.
Som taiper Grand Wasire ! Antwohrdit Rhalib schimmereihnd-ye sien Robe os Honor.
Oh, pro me, neid difference inter jabbar ed miser... vimlusit is linkwnd-ye iom za se kay
entre id masjid.
Skehpt ! Ne jimienskwim. Som tik curieus de gnohe id sense tienen werds, oik munts
prever. Mieynst tu od mien future eet scriben in ia asters, we od io dohlg me guide med stars
kay safer mari ? We eet tien vision dar stragner ?
Neid ex to hol, antwohrd is Darwisch gleihnd-ye khalal. Credeihs tu od vido future, menxu
saul Allah est holwoidend ?
Tun ?
Is Darwisch pfohrst ub. In id taiper jadenglend noctinkapem, ies vis ia prest vesperstars se daghe
prod id waurnakmen.
Io tik mieyn od pro quel weict id Citad om Pace ed Pohltos, sub tod schungjin waurn ed sub
id regne os Loy... hol est possible ed cadanghen tyeict daumsa. Est hol.
Is bighieng sub id porche dind vols kay dedie un sensto smeih ad Rhalib, nabahnd :
Quodkwe bih quo has ghapt inmien senst remarke, tu has sagven brunges id. Cadanghen
creet sien wi beurt, cadanghen trehft sien wi druve. Quan leuds te spehce, vident un noble
person qui vehst un robe quod dehbht eys rang. Bet tu saul woidst kweter tod robe est tod
uns Grand Wasire... au ios mahirst fur os Bagdad !
Ed pos uno mic, is disvols ed naghieng.