The upraised blade, poised for swift murder, did not descend. With a groan from the heart's core, Rrisa let fall his trembling hand, as he recoiled toward the vague patch of starlight that marked the cabin window.
"Bismillah!" he whispered hoarsely. "I cannot! This is my sheik-'and thrice cursed is the hand that slays the sheik.' I cannot kill h