Chapter 6: The Afrits of the Air
In the city of the apes, it was agreed among the travelers that they would attempt their escape through the hidden doorway the next morning, since the apes appeared most active at night and should be less willing to pursue them in daylight. A strategy was devised whereby the apes would be diverted and would not notice the travelers’ escape until it was too late. Then the people retired to their beds to sleep as best they could before their ordeal in the morning.
Jafar al-Sharif, however, had a troubled night. When he was certain the others were asleep he summoned Cari the Jann to him and talked to her in whispered tones about his doubts and fears.
“I’m facing a predicament I can’t talk my way out of,” he admitted. “Once we go up that tunnel we can never
