The flame lasted only a few seconds, then flared out as suddenly as it had come. Left in the brazier was a pile of coarse, blackened ash. Transferring this residue to the mortar and pestle, Jafar al-Sharif ground it down to a very fine black powder, speaking more incantations as he worked. After half an hour of grinding, the powder looked as fine as it was going to get. Jafar announced the job finished. There was nothing more he could do tonight; the rest of the spell would have to be done in the morning when the horses were fed. Meanwhile, the working of even such basic magic had drained his energies more than he realized. He practically fell into his bed, and not even Leila could waken him until sunrise.
The next day was time to say farewell to their hosts. King Brundiyam generously fil
