“Please think seriously about this. Umar is old and has led an exemplary life; if he dies now, he will assuredly go to the House of Song. Leila—well, she is a riskier proposition, but her help on this quest will surely count in her favor at the Bridge of Shinvar. But weighing against them you have your own soul, the success of our mission, and your daughter’s life. You ordered me, on our first night together, to advise you if I felt you were making a mistake. I am doing so now, O master. I beg you to let Umar and Leila die, if you must, rather than summon the Afrit Axabara.”
Jafar paused for a long moment and looked at her. “Your eloquent and passionate plea is noted, O Cari, and your reasoning is sound. I hadn’t realized how serious a matter a little drop of blood could be—yet allowing m
