human
Believe, he urged at last.
gpt
Turn not to folly, but learn thou the truth, and live in piety; for verily I tell thee that the Holy War is near at hand. Then all of us,--with the exception of the Ennitra, who are the thrice-cursed sons of Eblis,--laying aside all fear and dread, will, guided by the Giver of Strength, strive with one accord against the enemies of the Faith; for Allah the Comforter knoweth that if any man die, he dieth for the truth of the Faith, for the salvation of his land, for the protection of the tombs and holy cities, and the defence of the Belief. Therefore shall he obtain of Him the bounteous reward in the Jannat al Ferdaws, peopled by the beautiful Hur al oyun, that He alone can give.
human
I believe in the marvels I have already witnessed, I answered.
gpt
I am convinced that thou canst reveal unto me means by which I can release the woman I love from the harem of villainy, ere it be too late. Has she not in her letter requested thee to afford me explanation, in order that I may gain the knowledge for our mutual advantage?
human
Darest thou leave this City of the Doomed to go forth in search of what may appear unto thee but the merest phantom?
gpt
Zoraida is in deadliest peril, I urged.
human
Would my absence be of long duration?
gpt
I cannot answer. Thou art young and reckless. With a stout heart thou mightest obtain knowledge of the truth within short space.
human
But within one moon, Zoraida--with whom no woman of Al-Islam can compare--will be imprisoned in the harem of the conqueror, and she will be irretrievably lost to me!
gpt
Art thou still undaunted? he asked.
human
Art thou still prepared to continue thine efforts to effect her rescue?
gpt
I am, O Father, I answered fervently.
human
Tell me, I beseech thee, how to act.
gpt
The medium through which thou canst alone seek to elucidate the Great Mystery hath been hidden from man through many ages, he said in a strange, croaking voice, handling the Crescent of Glorious Wonders as tenderly as if it were a child.
human
This ancient talisman, which bringeth good fortune and victory to its possessor, containeth a property which is unknown to the wise men of our generation, though when Cleopatra reigned in Egypt the hidden force was well known and freely utilised. To the True Believer this Crescent giveth valour and power over his enemies, besides averting the evil eye, like the hand of Fathma; but profaned by the touch of the Roumi, it assuredly bringeth ruin, disaster, and death. Over our Lalla Zoraida there hangeth a fate that is worse than death, yet that can be averted, provided thou canst fathom that which the wise of successive ages have attempted and failed. She now chargeth me to impart to thee the key of the Wondrous Marvel, the Secret entrusted unto me alone. Verily I declare unto thee, only the deadly peril of the fair woman thou lovest causeth me to unloose my tongue's strings--only the imminent likelihood of her abandonment to that fiend in man's shape induceth me to withdraw the veil.
gpt
Before thee I stand prepared to attempt any task that hath for its reward her escape from the power of the brigand,
human
Until now thine heart hath not failed thee. Despair not, for peradventure thou mayest crush those who, while calling themselves her friends, nevertheless seek her destruction,
gpt
Guide thou my footsteps, O director of men, and I will speed upon the path that leadeth unto truth,
human
So be it, he answered, after a pause, waving his thin hand.
gpt
Be not sceptical of what strange things thou mayest witness; only believe, and the Way may be opened up unto thee. His small jet-black eyes glittered with a brilliant fire unnatural to one so old, as, placing both his hands upon a portion of the dark wall, he pushed it, revealing a door constructed by a section of the wall itself being made to revolve upon a pivot. Then, pointing to the cavernous darkness beyond, he said in a commanding tone,
human
Come, follow me!