Part 1, Chapters 1-5 Summary

The book opens with young Ibrahim at the side of his father's deathbed. The sheik pulls a jeweled dagger from underneath his pillow and hands it to his son. This act represents the passing of power. Ibrahim protests that the dagger should pass to his brother Farouk. "'Your brother is a dog with no teeth,' the father rasped. 'Already the others are conspiring to select a new muktar. The power must remain with us, the Sukoris," he said and thrust the dagger into his son's hand. 'It is small, as weapons go,' the sheik said, 'but it is the weapon by which we rule our people. They know the meaning of the dagger and the courage of the man who can drive it in to the hilt.'" (Prelude, pg. 1).

Ibrahim's father was not wrong. After he...