“Father!” came a cry, and Jafar squinted through the light to see Selima rushing toward him. Fearing another false demon, he raised his arm and swung the heavy saif through the space where Selima stood. Fortunately at this moment she was her insubstantial self and the blade passed harmlessly through her, but she looked at her father in horror that he could do such a thing.
Jafar knelt on the floor, his mind too confused for a moment to realize what he’d done. Then, as the reality of his act sank in, his eyes widened in horror. He dropped the sword to the floor with a clatter and opened his arms to embrace his daughter, a futile gesture since he could not touch her.
“Selima!” he cried in anguish. “What have I done? Would that Oromasd pluck out my eyes rather than I should strike at thee.”
