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“Praying five times a day is considered the second most important of my religion’s five pillars, after professing that there is no god worthy of worship but Allah and that the Prophet Mohammed is Allah’s messenger,” explained Sinbad. “It reminds me about Allah throughout my day. At fixated intervals, no matter how busy you are, all of a sudden you have to take out a few minutes and you are remembering why we a really here.”

“In prison?” asked Azrak.

“No,” said Sinbad, “the true reason we are in existence, my friend.”

Azrak stared perplexed at him. “Why do you move so much when you pray?”

“Each prayer includes a series of movements, supplications, and recitations from the Quran—a sacred text for my people,” replied Sinbad. “We consider prayer to be both spiritual and physical. The various standing and bending symbolize my devotion to Allah. My entire being is involved in my prayer, and it is in service to my creator.”

“I have something I must tell you,” began Azrak, trying to find the right words. “There is a prophecy amongst my people. It is written that a stranger from a foreign land will free the Azurians.”

Sinbad broke out of his worship. What Azrak said took him unaware. Something about that last part really alarmed him.

“What—what are you saying?” Sinbad was stunned.

Azrak took Sinbad’s hand as if he was going to reading the palm.

“I believe yours is the hand that will one day slay Akhdar and reunite the Azurians and the Thulians. That’s why I took you in, and that is why you are a prisoner.” Azrak’s face was filled with remorse. His voice was breaking and he hung his head in shame. “I am sorry.”

“There is no need for an apology, Azrak,” assured Sinbad. “You saved my life and treated me as if I were a

SINBAD: ROGUE OF MARS

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