The Royal Compound occupied five acres bordering the southwest flank of the Mrazkim Shrines, which were the religious heart of Hammad al Nakir. Today, because it was Disharhun, the compound was infested with royal relatives, favor seekers and sycophants. Most of the captains, sheiyeks and wahligs had brought their entire households. Traders and artisans, hoping to achieve some small advantage over their competitors, virtually besieged the Compound's boundaries. Ambassadors and foreign mercantile factors roamed everywhere. The smells were overwhelming. Men, animals, machines, and insects made noises which melded into an overpowering din.

And beyond the mad anthill of the Compound lay vast encampments of ordinary pilgrims. Their tents swept up the sides of the bowl-shaped valley containing the capital and Shrines. Thousands upon thousands more than customary had made the journey this year—because El Murid's visit had been rumored for months. They had come because they did not want to miss the inevitable collision between dissidence and authority.

Yousif was playing with fire, Radetic reflected as he watched Fuad stride toward Aboud's palatial tent. This monarchy, unlike its predecessor in Ilkazar, did not have the power to rule by decree. Today even the most obnoxious rabble-rouser could not be denied his hour in court, his opportunity to speak in his own defense.

A shy Haroun came to sit with his teacher. He put his hand into Radetic's.

"Sometimes, Haroun, you're too crafty for your own good." There was no rancor in Radetic's voice, though. The gesture touched him, genuine or not.

"I did wrong, Megelin?"

"There's some disagreement." Radetic surveyed the human panorama briefly. "You should think, Haroun. You can't simply act. That is your people's biggest handicap. They yield to impulse without ever considering the consequences."

"I'm sorry, Megelin."

"The hell you are. You're sorry you got caught. You don't care a whit how much you hurt that man."

"He's our enemy."

"How do you know? You never saw him before. You've never talked to him. He's never hurt you."

"Ali said—"

"Ali is like your uncle Fuad. He says a lot. His mouth is always open. And because of that, someday somebody else who doesn't think is going to shove his fist down Ali's throat. How often is he right? How often does pure foolishness come out of that open mouth?"

Radetic was letting his frustrations run wild. He had never encountered a student more unyieldingly unteachable than Ali bin Yousif.

"Then he isn't our enemy?"

"I didn't say that. Of course he is. He's your bitterest enemy. But not because Ali says he is. El Murid is an enemy in his ideals. I don't think he'd harm you physically if he had the chance. He'd just rob you of everything that's important to you. Someday, I hope, you'll understand just how gross a mistake your prank was."

"Fuad's coming."

"So he is. And he looks like an old cat licking cream off her whiskers. It went well, Fuad?"

"Beautifully, teacher. Old Aboud isn't as stupid as I thought. He saw the chance right away." Fuad's grin vanished. "You may be called to testify."

"Then, perhaps, we may be friends no more. I am of the Rebsamen, Fuad. I cannot lie."

"Were we ever friends?" Fuad demanded as he entered the tent.

A chill stalked down Radetic's spine. He was not a brave man.

He was disgusted with himself. He knew that he would lie if Yousif pressed him hard enough.

The court was convened as the traditional Disharhun Court of Nine, the supreme court of Hammad al Nakir. Three jurists were provided by the Royal Household, and another three by the Shrine priests. A final three were common pilgrims selected at random from among the hosts come for the High Holy Days.

It was a stacked court. El Murid was down eight votes before a shred of evidence had been presented.

Someone had bandanged Haroun heavily. He had been coached quickly and well. He lied with a straight face and defiantly traded stares with El Murid and Nassef.

Radetic nearly shrieked in protest when the Court voted to deny a request for permission to cross-examine.

A parade of pilgrims testified after Haroun stepped down. Their testimony bore little relation to the truth of what had happened. It seemed, instead, to follow religious predilection. No one mentioned seeing a peashooter or dart.

Radetic already knew this phase of desert justice well. He had reviewed judicial sessions at el Aswad. The disposition of most cases seemed to depend on which adversary could muster the most relatives to lie for him.

Megelin dreaded having to give his own testimony. His conscience had been ragging him mercilessly. He feared he would not be able to lie.

He was spared the final crisis of conscience. Yousif had passed the word. He was not called. He sat restlessly, and seethed. Such a travesty! The outcome was never in doubt. The decision had been made before the judges heard the charges... .

What were the charges? Radetic suddenly realized that they had not been formally declared.

They were trying El Murid. Charges did not matter.

El Murid rose. "A petition, my lord judges."

The chief judge, one of Aboud's brothers, looked bored. "What is it this time?"

"Permission to call additional witnesses."

The judge sighed and rubbed his forehead with the heel of his left hand. "This could go on all day." He was speaking to himself, but half the audience heard him plainly. "Who?"

"My wife."

"A woman?"

A murmur of amazement ran through the gallery.

"She is the daughter of a chieftain. She is of the el Habib, who are of the same blood as the Quesan."

"Nevertheless, a woman. And one disowned by her family. Do you mock this Court? Do you compound your crimes by trying to make a farce of the administration of justice? Your request is denied."

Radetic's disgust neared the explosive point. And yet... to his amazement, he saw that even the El Murid factionalists in the audience were appalled by their prophet's suggestion.

Megelin shook his head sadly. There was no hope for these savages.

Fuad pushed a stiffened finger into his ribs. "Keep still, teacher."

The chief judge rose less than two hours after the trial's commencement. Without consulting his fellows privately, he announced, "Micah al Rhami. Nassef, once ibn Mustaf el Habib. It is the judgment of this Court that you are guilty. Therefore, this Court of Nine orders that you be banned forever from all Royal lands and protection, all holy places and protection, and from the Grace of God—unless a future Court of Nine shall find cause for commutation or pardon."

Radetic smiled sardonically. The sentence amounted to political and religious excommunication—with an out. All El Murid had to do was recant.

Had there been any genuine crime the sentence would have been scorned for its mildness. This was a land where they lopped off hands, feet, testicles, ears, and, more often than anything, heads. But the sentence fulfilled the Royal goal. Executed immediately, it would keep El Murid from preaching during Disharhun, to the vast gatherings this year's High Holy Week had drawn.

Radetic chuckled softly. Someone was scared to death of the boy.

Fuad gouged him again.

"My lords! Why hast thou done this to me?" El Murid asked softly, his head bowed.

He does it well, Radetic thought. The pathos in him. He'll win converts with that line.

Suddenly, proudly, El Murid stared the chief magistrate in the eye. "Thy servant hears and obeys, O Law. For does not the Lord say, ‘Obey the law, for I am the Law'? At Disharhun's end El Murid shall disappear into the wilderness."

Sighs came from the crowd. It looked like the old order had won its victory.

Nassef shot El Murid a look of pure venom.