As Prince Ahmad ran to the back of the stable, he heard the frenzied whinnies around him. Even a noble steed like Churash, trained to remain calm in the heat of battle, was frightened near out of his wits by the flames, the heat, the smoke, and the confusion all about him. Ahmad approached him slowly, speaking calmly, trying to exert a steadying influence.
Suddenly from behind him, a shape loomed up, a human shape. Ahmad whirled to see a man with a sword standing behind him, a man in black robes coming at him with death in his eyes. His hand reached for the saif that was normally tied at his waist—but it was among the possessions Cari had taken to safety, and it was not there now. Unarmed, the prince faced the assassin who advanced on him with naked steel.
Suddenly Selima darted between
