"La I'laha ilia Allah; Mohammed resoul Allah!" he cried. "Within Islam alone is salvation."
"So say the Jews; so say the Christians; and so say the Magians,--each for his own creed," retorted Olvir.
Kasim frowned and shook his fist at the unbeliever, in sudden heat.
"What saying's this?" he exclaimed. "Who dares name the creeds of kaffir dogs in the same breath with the true faith? Who--"
"Enough, vali!" commanded Al Arabi. "There shall be no railing and contention in my House. The son of Gulnare does not come to bring strife, but to strengthen our hands in the struggle against Abd-er-Rahman. You saw his warriors in the strange ships which rowed past before our dowar. When Karolah comes south, with him will march your kinsman and his steel-clad warriors, to fight beneath our banners. And now, that the son of Gulnare may not find the way toilsome, I give him the choicest of my desert-fliers. The daughter of Rustem is fitting gift to the son of Gulnare."
"Zora!" stammered Kasim,--"Zora!"
"I have spoken. Lead the herd away, and make ready full equipment, that the fleet one may come to her master with adornment worthy of her lineage."
With his hand clutched convulsively in Zora's flowing mane, Kasim led her from the tent without a word.
Al Arabi watched his departure with a frown of displeasure, his lean hand tugging at his beard.
"He goes in anger," he muttered.