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powerful advantage was that which Daoud and Mish’al between them had secured – the citadel itself. Not only was it the symbol of rule, but it was also a virtually impregnable bastion against any who would dispute Talal’s right to that rule. That it also held both the treasury and the main armoury were, in themselves, also not insignificant underpinnings of their strength.
    Isaac, as ever indefatigable when the interests of Faoud or his line were concerned, had also been active in mustering support, but he had to do it quietly, almost anonymously. For although the majlis would be attended by some of the most prominent non-family inhabitants of the town, it would be only the family itself who would confirm or deny the succession to Talal. Though many merchants and other powerful families had strong links with one or more of the reigning house, all accepted that, in theory at least, only the family should choose from within itself who became their head. All loyalty, whether it was from the town or the deserts, was given to the emir from the family of the ruling house, whoever that turned out to be. Indeed, many of the town’s most prominent citizens wished fervently that they wouldn’t be invited to attend the gathering.
    They had absolutely no wish at all to get caught between one or more of the rival claimants. It would be too unsafe for any merchant to willingly place himself in the position of even appearing to be supportive of one of the eventual losers. Almost equally perilous, of course, was not seeming enthusiastic enough, early enough, for the eventual winner.
    The forces gathering behind Talal knew that Badr would be crucial to influencing the majlis . Besides being a senior brother, his reputation on both the battlefield and in the emirate’s councils meant that he would be closely listened to – and followed by many. He had also been one of the closest to Fouad in both age and outlook, which, when his brother was alive, gave them both great strength. Whether any loyalty would remain when he himself had a chance of becoming emir and leader of the emirate remained to be seen. Certainly, they’d been wise to block his attempt to lead the deliberations.
    Fortunately, enough other senior members had confirmed Nasir’s nomination of Abdullah, which meant that the great-uncle of Fouad and the most senior surviving sheikh of the family by a good few years, would indeed preside over the gathering. It was, however, only by the younger man’s strongest persuasion that the elderly Sheikh agree to do it. However, his age, combined with his only surviving son’s incompetence, meant that he would make no attempt to stay at its head permanently – facts that made him an ideal choice. Of course, his path away from potential power was very much smoothed by Firyal and Zahirah’s gold, by this time lavishly, though secretly, bestowed on him. That the very temporary nature of his accession suited other groupings besides the pro-Talal camp also helped ensure his swift endorsement, of course.
    Nasir reflected that he had learnt well from the inner group around Fouad, over the two years or so that he’d been involved in the inner council. Once he would have assumed that each family member would choose with the good of Narash uppermost in their minds. Though still far from cynical, he now automatically discounted that such personal disinterestedness would play much of a part in anyone’s calculations, whatever platitudes would be mouthed. He just wished he was older. He knew that, though his reputation as both a warrior and a politician was strong and still growing, his youth would preclude his saying too much in the family council, certainly not before all, or most, of those older and more senior than he had had their say. And by then it could be too late. The separate thoughts of those present, as in any gathering of men would at some point settle into the collective will and, should that happen before Nasir had a chance