El Sareuk did not move a muscle.
Heraj, uncertain that he had accomplished his purpose, glanced about at the half dozen Crusaders and Bedouins who were in the room. He gave them each a repetition of the spell. He enchanted Ramizail, who was eating dates. Then he cautiously rose to his knees.
No one moved, not even Pepi.
"All right, boy," said Heraj, standing. "They're stuck."
"So am I," groaned Pepi.
His sound of sorrow was echoed by Mufaddal, who sat up and felt his jaw tenderly. "Allah smite everybody," said Mufaddal. "Everybody!"
"Move, Pepi," said Heraj encouragingly. "He's immobilized."
"So am I, you lunkhead. Can't you see his arm and sword encircle my neck?"
"Oh," said Heraj. "Hum. Well. Can't you force back one of his arms?"
"They're like stone. Ouch!" The edge of the scimitar had cut him a little. "I tell you I don't dare move!"