human
When thou hast learned the Secret, and used it upon our mutual behalf; then only can I extricate myself from the Bond of Blood.
gpt
The Bond of Blood! What is that?
human
Ah, no! she responded, with a touch of sorrow in her voice.
gpt
I am unable to give thee explanation. When thou hast gained the Secret, then wilt thou learn the truth, and penetrate the veil of Great Mystery. Until that day have patience, and seek not that which must remain hidden.
human
But I--I have lost the Crescent,
gpt
It is in my possession, she replied, with a smile, rising from her divan, kneeling beside me, and placing her arms about my neck.
human
When last night I recognised thee on thine arrival in our camp, I foresaw thy deadly peril. Labakan, who had been ordered to kill thee, was also aware of thy presence; therefore I had thy travelling companion, Halima, brought before me, and from her ascertained that on thy journey thine eyes had been constantly upon one of thy saddle-bags. I therefore felt confident that the Crescent thou hadst lost had been recovered. Later, I caused search to be made among thy belongings, and it being found there, it was abstracted and brought hither.
gpt
Hadst thou a reason for this?
human
Yes. I knew that if the Crescent of Glorious Wonders were found in the possession of thyself, an Infidel, no argument of mine would save thee from death.
gpt
But thou hast again rescued me, Zoraida, I murmured in ecstasy.
human
Again my life hath been in thine hands.
gpt
I love thee,
human
And thou art risking everything for my sake--even thy position as Queen of the Ennitra!
gpt
Art thou not doing the same for me? she asked.
human
As lovers it is our duty to assist each other, and to stand together in the hour of danger.
gpt
How didst thou know I had lost that which thou hadst entrusted to my care?
human
I ascertained that when thou wert a slave in the Fada thou hadst not the Crescent. Then I learnt of the circumstances of thy fall into the hands of the Kel-Fade, and it was at once apparent that it was they who had filched it from thee.
gpt
Thou didst not know how I recovered it?
human
No, she answered.
gpt
Tell me; I am interested to learn the truth;