Swords of Arabia: Betrayal Read Online Free Page A

accidental oversight by the powerful prince.
    The tall warrior, whose hawk-like features and lithe, muscular build made him the closest in appearance to Faoud, his dead half-brother, bowed his head briefly to Firyal before turning his attention fully onto the younger woman. “Sister – I…” For a moment she thought he would lose his famous self-possession, show some emotion, but he didn’t. “I didn’t believe the rumours swirling round the town when I rode in just now, but… Daoud has just confirmed that the Emir – that Fouad – is dead!”
    She nodded, and was saved the need to say anything further as Nasir called weakly from the adjoining room. Hurrying to the side of the deathly pale invalid they were surprised to see, besides Ayesha and Nawwaf, a distraught Isaac Ben Ishmail, Faoud’s podgy chamberlain, out of breath as though he’d been running.
    “Brother!” Nasir said and, striving to sit up, briefly grasped Badr’s arm and embraced him before turning to Zahirah.
    “We must call a majlis ! Have Talal recognised before them and endorsed by them, before any other names gather enough backing to challenge him.” Only then did he seem to see the armed men ranged behind his older brother, but beyond casting an approving glance at Daoud’s state of readiness, said nothing, as he sagged back onto his pallet.
    Zahirah nodded. It was a risk that, having called it, they could lose control of the family gathering, but without it, Talal’s accession would be merely hollow show. “How many of the family and other customary members are available?”
    “I’ve sent messages, in Lord Nasir’s name, and at his request, to all family members who were not in the town or with him on the recent campaign, and so may not know what has happened,” cut in Isaac, his genuine grief making him unusually forceful. “As also ordered, I’ve requested that they return urgently and gather here.”
    Badr, taken aback at the speed and efficiency of their organisation, made the best of a bad job. “Yes, speed is vital in these troubled times and the sooner the family gathers the better. Then we may swiftly do what is right.” he ended enigmatically.
    Nasir had come far in the two or so years since, as an impulsive and callow youth, he had lead an urgent expedition to al Hofuf. He neither looked at Zahirah nor allowed his face to register his growing unease both at his half-brother’s words and the armed men clustered behind him. Neither did Zahirah, long skilled in hiding any of her thoughts, let her face show anything of what she was thinking. This was as well for family relations as she prepared, should it become necessary, to mentally shift Badr from the column marked ‘Friends and Rewards’ to that headed ‘Enemies and Death.’
    She nodded her thanks, her actual expression warmer than her feelings toward one who, inevitably, was a serious rival to her son. In the meantime, she’d been giving as much serious thought as time and events had allowed as to who would open the assembly. Were he older, it would be natural for Talal to lead the majlis . His youth however made that impossible at present. She and Firyal were, however, well aware of the danger of allowing any potential rival the opportunity such a position would give as a springboard for their own ambitions.
    “As the brother closest to Fouad I will naturally lead the gathering,” said Badr matter of factly, almost casually. as he turned and gestured to his guards who then left the room, his point made. “In these difficult times, it will, I think, show unity,” he said smoothly.
    Ay Allah , thought Zahirah, for once caught off guard by the speed of his attack. That would not, must not, happen she knew, but her mind was still immersed in her children’s grief, and she was momentarily, and unusually, unable to produce an adequate reason why not.
    “That would be excellent Brother!” lied Nasir, fighting to control his laboured breathing. “But, alas,