human
This city--spare me uttering its name, Master!--lies many hours' journey, even by this Eagle of the Sky, beyond the Iron Mountains that no man of the Feringi hath ever seen. It lies beyond the Great Sand Barrier, in a valley of the Inner Mountains; yea, at the very heart of Ruba el Khali.
gpt
I hear thee, Rrisa. Speak further. And let thy speaking be truth!
human
It shall be truth, by the Prophet's beard! What doth the Master ask of me?
gpt
Is it a large city, Rrisa?
human
Very large.
gpt
And beautiful?
human
As the Jebel Radhwa!
gpt
Thou hast been in that secret city, Rrisa?
human
Once, Master. The wonderful sight still remaineth in mine eyes.
gpt
And, seeing the Iron Mountains again, thou couldst guide us thither?
human
Allah forbid! That is among the black deeds, Master! 'The grave is darkness and good deeds are its lamps; but for the betrayer, there shall be no light!' _Wallah, Effendi!_ Do not make me your guide!
gpt
I have not said I intended to do so, Rrisa. I merely asked thee if thou _couldst_! The Master's voice was silken, fine, penetrant.
human
Well, Rrisa, tell me if thou couldst!
gpt
Yea, Master. _Ya gharati!_ (O my calamity!) It is true I could. The words issued from his unwilling throat as if torn out by main force.
human
But I earnestly beg of you, my sheik, do not make me do this thing!
gpt
Rrisa, if I command, thou must obey me! 'There is only one thing can ever loose the bonds I have knotted about thee.
human
And that is certainty (death), Master?
gpt
That is certainty! But this, to the oath-breaker and the abuser of the salt, means a place among the _mujrim_ (sinful). It means Jehannum, and an unhappy couch shall it be!
human
Master, I obey!
gpt
It is well,