J’An leaned back, thoughtfully rubbing a tattooed ear. He was an especially dark-skinned man, but his eyes were bright blue, evidence that one of his ancestors had come from a foreign land.

“You’ll find Sabbah Eid and ask him to make you invincible and strong,” J’An said. “Then you’ll come back, win the mukhayret and earn the respect of your father. Is that the sum of it?”

“Pretty much,” Jebel said uneasily.

“A fool’s quest,” snorted J’An.

“I’m no fool,” Jebel protested. “I have to win back my good name. My father disgraced me, and I want to be able to walk with pride again.”

“And if you die on the quest?” J’An asked.

Jebel shrugged. “At least I’ll die as a proud um Wadi.”

J’An shook his head. “I normally never tell another man his business, but…” He scowled. “No. I won’t this time either. I think you’re mad, but on your head be it. You’re old enough to waste your life if you wish. I don’t have the right to stop you, so tell me how I can help.”

“I need a slave,” Jebel said once more. “I think I can get the permission of the high lord to quest, but I have no one to sacrifice. The trouble is, I’ve no idea—”

“—how to convince a slave to travel with you.” J’An Nasrim nodded. “That’s one of the problems with questing to Tubaygat. I’m sure you’re not the first to struggle with it. Of course, it doesn’t have to be a slave. Have you any close friends who would go with you and lay down their lives on your behalf?”

“No.”

“Then a slave it must be. You know nothing of the world, so you need someone who has traveled and fought, a man of experience and honor, who won’t swear to serve you faithfully then slice your throat open once he’s safely out of Abu Aineh. You plan to quest via Abu Nekhele?”

“I hadn’t thought that far ahead,” Jebel said sheepishly.