But Jafar al-Sharif was not to be so easily assuaged. He fell prostrate on the ground before Selima and rolled around in agony, moaning over and over again in words that were barely comprehensible. “O mighty lord Oromasd, ever beneficent and compassionate, forgive thy servant his trespasses against the natural laws of parental affection. Had my daughter been of flesh and blood at this moment I’d have killed her, and her murder would be on my head to be judged at the Bridge of Shinvar.”
The booming laughter of Varyu filled the glowing room. “Is this the proud Jafar who threatened to take from me what I would not give him? Has he been sufficiently humbled to know the proper deference due a yazata?”
Slowly, his body still shaking, Jafar al-Sharif drew himself up onto his knees and made a de
