Page 8
THE DARK STAR DOCKED at the small port of Lantano a little over a week later.
“It didn’t take as long as I thought.” Selene gazed out at the gently curving coastline.
“Didn’t you tell me Tuscany was far to
the north?”
“This port is halfway between Rome and Tuscany. We’ll have to find horses and supplies to purchase. We go overland from here.” Kadar took her elbow and urged her toward the gangplank.
“There’s no port near Sienbara.”
“That will make it harder to escape with the treasure. There’s sure to be a pursuit.”
“Perhaps.”
“You know there will be.” Her gaze narrowed on Kadar’s face.
“What are you thinking?”
He smiled.
“Only that someone has to lead a pursuit.”
She shivered as she realized what he meant.
“You’ll kill this Tarik?”
“It would be the safest thing to do.”
“No.”
“He evidently had no compunction at slaughtering Nasim’s men.”
“That’s different. They were trying to steal from him. Just as you’re trying to do.”
“How do you know he didn’t steal this treasure first?”
“It doesn’t matter what he stole or didn’t steal. I won’t have your soul tainted by committing murder.” Her tone became fierce.
“Do you hear me? I want your promise.”
“And what would you do if I refuse to give it?”
“You won’t refuse. You know I’m right.”
“But that’s no reason for me to hold my hand. Shall I tell you how seldom in my life rightness has had anything to do with what I’ve done?”
“You’re not like that any longer. Give me your promise.”
He held her gaze for a long moment.
“Why does it matter to you?” he asked softly.
She glanced hurriedly away from him.
“Why do you think? If you kill, you’ll be doing what Nasim wants you to do. I won’t give him that victory.”
He chuckled.
“That’s not the only reason. Will you never tire of trying to—”
“Think what you like. I’ve told you my reason. Now give me your promise or I’ll be the one who goes to the castle to steal that treasure.”
“By God, you’d do it.” All trace of humor had vanished from his tone.
“You’re to stay away from that castle. Do you understand?”
“Your promise.”
He muttered a curse.
“Very well, I won’t kill him unless I find it absolutely necessary. That’s all you’ll get from me.”
It was all she could expect.
She had no desire to tie Kadar’s hands if it meant robbing him of defense.
Besides, she wasn’t at all sure she wouldn’t take action herself under those circumstances.
Best not to pursue the subject.
“How long will it take to get to Sienbara?”
“If the road is good, a week of hard riding.”
Her pace quickened.
“Then let’s find those horses. I wish this over.”
Selene shivered.
“It looks very strong.”
Sienbara Castle was perched on one of the highest hills in the Tuscany countryside.
Though small, its stone walls and moat were as impressive as any she’d seen.
Even the windows were well situated.
She had watched Ware build his castle and knew the value of correctly positioned windows for the loosing of arrows.
Kadar’s gaze was on the castle.
“You’re frightened. Why? It’s less formidable than Nasim’s fortress.”
It was true.
Maysef had been a ghost fortress surrounded by stark mountains.
Sienbara was merely a small, well-guarded castle surrounded by lovely rolling countryside.
She didn’t know why she was feeling this disturbance.
Her uneasiness had erupted like a dormant volcano the moment she caught sight of Sienbara.
Kadar met her gaze. “I feel it too,” he said quietly.
“Do we make camp here? It’s growing dark,” Balkir demanded as he rode up to join them.
He cast a contemptuous glance at the castle.
“It is nothing. Nasim should have sent me alone. He didn’t need you.”
Evidently Balkir felt none of the unease she and Kadar shared, Selene realized.
She glanced at Haroun.
The boy looked tired but not frightened.
No one but Kadar and she seemed to sense this impending—
Kadar nodded.
“Tell the men we’ll camp here for the night.” He slipped from the saddle before helping Selene from her horse.
“But keep a sharp watch.”
Selene moved restlessly on her blanket.
She was tired, bone weary from the long journey, but she could not sleep.
Why didn’t Kadar come back to the camp?
After they had eaten, he left without a word and climbed the slope overlooking Sienbara.
He was still there. She had left her tent flap open and she could see him silhouetted against the moonlit sky.
What was he thinking?
Well, she would never know unless she asked him, she thought impatiently.
She tossed her blanket aside and left the tent.
A moment later she was climbing the slope.
“I was expecting you.” His gaze didn’t leave the castle as she came to stand next to him.
“It took you long enough.”
“I can’t sleep. What are you doing?”
“Listening.”
“Listening?”
“Don’t you hear it calling?”
She tilted her head.
It was a still night, and yet, did she hear .
. . ? “I hear nothing. You’re mad.”
“Perhaps.” He smiled down at her.
“Or perhaps you’re afraid to hear it.”
“There’s nothing to hear but the wind blowing through the cypress.”
“Nasim taught me there’s always more to hear than one would think. Places call, people call. One must only open one’s mind to hear them.”
His head lifted, his gaze returning to the castle, and she could sense his excitement.
It was as strange as this place, and it frightened her.
“It’s only the wind. Come back to camp and go to sleep.”
“In a moment.”
“Now.”
“What a nagging wench you are.” He turned and started down the slope.
“There’s nothing to fear. You should embrace new experiences.”
“Like trying to find a way into an enemy castle to get that foolish box?” She fell into step with him.
“When will you go?”
“Tomorrow night. Midnight. I’ll scale the south wall.”
“Alone?”
“I’m safer alone. Nasim was right in that.”
“Then he should have come himself.”
“I think he was afraid.”
“What?”
“I’ve never known him to fear anything, but I think he was afraid to come here. Interesting, is it not?”
More chilling than interesting.
“So he sent you to face this Tarik.”
“Tarik . . .” He glanced over his shoulder at the castle.
“Nasim told me little about him. That’s odd in itself. He usually made sure I knew everything about a situation.”
“You know that Tarik usually sends back Nasim’s men in pieces. You’ve made no attempt to hide our presence here. What if he finds out there are strangers about?”
“He already knows.”
She stared at him in astonishment.
“We’ve been watched since early this morning. It has to be Tarik.”
“And you’re still going to the castle tomorrow night?”
He nodded.
“Dear God, you’re truly a madman.” She tried to steady her voice.
“Why?”
“He’s waiting for me.”
“Then let him wait.”
“But that would be no challenge at all.”
“ Damn your challenge.”
He went on as if he hadn’t heard her.
“I’ll tell Balkir and his men to wait for me near the south wall. He should leave only a token guard on you and Haroun. It may be the best opportunity for you to escape. Run to the woods and hide. I’ll find you.”
She was supposed to leave while he was in Tarik’s castle?
“No.”
“It will be better for me not to have to worry about you.”
“I want you to worry about me. You should worry. It’s your fault we’re here. Maybe if you worry enough you won’t be so eager to take challenges from men who—” She broke off and drew a deep breath.
“I’ll wait to leave until you come back.”
If he came back.
“I’ll come back,” he said, as if he’d read her mind.
“There’s something waiting here, but I don’t think it’s—” He shrugged.
“But I could be wrong. Death has many masks to fool a man.”
Her hands clenched into fists.
“Don’t you dare die. I won’t have it.”
“I’ll try to oblige you.” They had stopped beside her tent.
“There’s something I have to ask you.”
“Then ask it.”
“Are you with child?”
“Would it stop you from going if I was?”
“No, but I’ll need to make plans and find a priest to wed us. I must take care of my child.”
He would make plans to keep her and the babe safe, but he would still go his own way, as he’d done that night at Montdhu.
She would not have it.
“I will not wed you. I’m not with child.”
“You’re certain?”
She was not at all certain.
It was time for her flux, but she was often late and she had missed her time before.
It could be true. “Of course I’m certain.”
His lips twisted.
“I know I should be relieved, but I find I’m disappointed. I’ve been thinking of you with child of late, how you’d look, how you’d feel . . .” He pushed her into the tent and lifted her blanket.
“Enough of this. Now lie down and go to sleep—if you can.”
“Of course I can.” She dropped to her knees on her pallet and jerked the blanket from his hands.
“You don’t think I lie here worrying about you? I was just restless tonight.”
“You might ask yourself why. Was it concern, or did you hear what I—”
“Neither. It was caused by a bellyache from the rabbit stew I had for supper.” She snuggled down and closed her eyes.
His low laugh was full of amusement.
But when she opened her eyes a few minutes later, he was not laughing.
He was kneeling by his blanket a few yards away from her tent.
His head was lifted to the night sky.
Listening.
Kadar pulled himself up the final few yards and over the wall.
No guard.
Too easy.
He froze in place, his gaze raking the courtyard below.
Soldiers were at the gate and on the far battlement, but not here.
Why?
It didn’t matter.
He couldn’t stop now.
The excitement was growing with every breath.
He moved silently along the battlement, opened the oak door, and started down the long, twisting stairs.
No torch brightened the thick blackness, but he was accustomed to darkness.
His hand tightened on the hilt of his dagger.
Where are you, Tarik?
Around the next curve?
Waiting at the bottom of the steps?
He was almost disappointed when he reached the foot of the stairs and encountered no one.
He moved quickly down the hall.
Second door on the left, Nasim had said.
He stopped short.
The door was standing open.
“Come in. Come in.” The man’s deep voice issuing from the room was impatient.
“I need to close this door. There’s a dreadful draft.”
Kadar moved warily forward.
“Hurry.”
“Tarik?”
“Of course. And have the courtesy to take your hand off that dagger. I’m not armed.”
Kadar was still to one side of the open door.
How had Tarik known his hand was on the dagger hilt?
“You’re here to steal, Kadar. It’s only logical that you have a weapon, and you always prefer a dagger. Now come in. You know you can never resist satisfying your curiosity once it’s aroused.”
He was right.
Kadar drew his dagger, took a step forward, and stood in the open doorway.
“My, my, you are a lethal-appearing specimen.” Tarik was lounging in a cushioned chair across the chamber.
“After you finish ogling me, please shut the door.”
Kadar had trained himself never to make assumptions, but he must have made them about Tarik, for he was surprised.
This was not the fierce warrior capable of bringing fear to Nasim.
He was lean, perhaps near his fortieth year, garbed in a purple tunic.
The low-burning fire in the hearth lit his coal-black hair with a matte glow.
It was his face that was compelling.
A broad, high forehead, a long beak of a nose, and mocking dark eyes dominated that golden-skinned visage.
It was not a comely face, but the alertness and intelligence of expression made it riveting.
“Enough?” Tarik asked.
“We’ve both taken the other’s measure. Now we can be at ease.”
“Can we?”
“How cautious you are. I have no soldiers behind the door ready to leap on you. They would have been waiting on the south wall if I’d wanted you intercepted.”
“I thought it was too easy. How did you know I’d choose the south wall?”
“It’s the one I would have chosen.” He smiled.
“And you’re a very clever man, Kadar.”
“How do you know my name?” His eyes narrowed as a thought occurred to him.
“Nasim?”
“You think Nasim betrayed you?” He shook his head.
“I can see your reasoning. Nasim is both treacherous and convoluted, but I assure you he sent me no messages.”
“Then how did you know me and my mission?”
“I have my own people at Maysef.”
Kadar stared at him skeptically.
“Ah, you think because Nasim’s followers are such fanatics that I could not inveigle my people among them. It was difficult but not impossible.”
“Why would you do that?”
“Because Nasim is clever and persistent. I knew he would eventually find someone he considered capable of taking the box from me. He chose well in you. I’ve followed your progress with interest from the time you were a boy. You’re truly unique.”
“You’re too kind,” Kadar said ironically.
“I’m not kind at all—unless moved. And it takes a great deal to move me these days.” Tarik gestured to the chair opposite him.
“Well, are you going to put up that dagger and come in and make yourself comfortable?”
“What would you do if I didn’t?”
“I would take it away from you.”
“Indeed?”
“Without harm to you, of course. You’re too valuable to damage. Even Nasim realized that truth.”
“You think you could do it?”
“I didn’t mean to arouse your competitive instincts.” He sighed.
“Yes, I could do it. You’re very good, but I’m older and I’ve had more experience.”
“Older is not always better.”
“In this case it is. But I have no intention of humiliating you. Though I believe you’re one of the few men who could accept and learn from it. You always have before.”
He spoke with such absolute certainty that Kadar was intrigued.
What the devil. The situation was too interesting not to explore.
He thrust his dagger back in its scabbard and kicked the door shut with his foot.
“Good.”
Kadar strode across the room and dropped into the chair Tarik had indicated.
“Why didn’t you fortify the south wall?”
“That wouldn’t have been hospitable.”
“Why?” he persisted.
“Because I wanted you here,” Tarik said simply.
“I’ve been waiting for a long time for Nasim to lose patience and send you to me.”
“You wanted me to steal your treasure?”
“No.” Tarik smiled.
“I wanted to steal you from Nasim.”
Kadar went still.
“I’m no slave. Nasim doesn’t own me.”
“He owns a small part of you. You try to shrug off the bondage, but it’s very strong. Why else are you here?”
“You evidently know why I’m here.”
“Ah, yes, my treasure. Did Nasim tell you what it is?”
“A golden box with a cross on it.”
“And in the box?”
Kadar shrugged.
“I don’t care.”
“Because you’re not a greedy man. But you’re a curious one. Curiosity guides your life. I think you’d like to know what treasure made Nasim sacrifice all those men.”
“Perhaps.”
“You know you would.” Tarik chuckled.
“That’s what I find most appealing about you. Your thirst for knowledge. It’s a good and wondrous gift.”
“Why did you want me here?” Kadar’s lips curled sardonically.
“Do you also have a task for me? A treasure to be stolen? A man killed?”
“Oh, yes, I have a task. A far more difficult and terrible task than the one Nasim set you.”
“So terrible you can’t stop smiling.”
“One must always smile or weep. Smiling is better.”
“What task?”
“I’m not sure yet. I think you’re the one I’ve been seeking, but I must be certain.” He sipped his wine.
“So you will stay here with me for a while.”
“You’re taking me prisoner?”
“Not unless it’s necessary. I wish you to come voluntarily.” He leaned forward, his eyes twinkling.
“Consider. You’ll be in a position to win my confidence, lull my suspicions, and then snatch my treasure from beneath my nose.”
“And what if I choose to accomplish the same aim in my own way?”
“I fear it won’t be permitted. I’ve taken precautions.” He stood up.
“And now I know you will wish to depart and get back to Lady Selene. She will no doubt be concerned.”
Kadar stiffened.
“What do you know of Selene?”
“I know she must be unusual to be of such concern to you. You will, of course, bring her with you. I’ll welcome her to Sienbara. Captain Balkir and his men will stay outside the gates. He acts rashly on occasion, and I wish this period to be serene and without trouble. There are decisions to be made, and battles are so unsettling.”
“I believe that might be described as an understatement,” Kadar said dryly.
“It depends on the battle. Balkir would cause me little trouble. May I expect you back after dawn?”
“Why should I come back at all? Why not go back to Nasim and tell him I failed?”
“Because you didn’t fail. You say I made it easy for you to gain entrance. Didn’t you also make it easy for me? You’re very clever. Why didn’t you concoct a more complicated plan? Why just come over the wall?”
“Sometimes the uncomplicated plans are better.”
“For Balkir, possibly. Not for you.”
“Are you saying I wanted you to capture me?”
“All I’m saying is that we’re all guided in mysterious and wonderful ways.” He grimaced.
“And, then again, sometimes not at all wonderful. At times, hideously unpleasant. But we both know you didn’t fail and that there’s no danger of you giving up and telling Nasim that.”
Kadar was silent a moment, remembering his excitement and eagerness as he climbed that wall tonight.
That excitement was still present.
“I’ll consider returning.”
“Shall I throw in a few small tidbits to sweeten the pot? Consider that it will be much easier for Lady Selene and the boy to escape if you separate them from Balkir. Consider also that I will promise to take the box from hiding and let you view it. Isn’t that tempting?”
It was tempting.
“And you’ll also let me view the contents of the box?”
“Ah, you strike a hard bargain. No, I’m afraid I must be more cautious than that.” He thought for a moment.
“But I will show you the object that made Nasim redouble his efforts to obtain my treasure. Agreed?”
“As I said, I’ll consider it.”
“Good. I’d have been disappointed if you’d given up so easily. Think upon it. Weigh the threat against the advantages.”
“I shall.” Kadar started for the door.
Tarik called after him, “And go out through the front gate. No one will stop you. I’d hate to have you fall and break your head when everything is proceeding so splendidly.”
“I don’t like it,” Selene said.
“How do we know it’s not a trap?”
“He could have had me tonight. He didn’t have to let me go.”
“It’s all most peculiar. What manner of man is this?”
Kadar smiled.
“Most peculiar.”
“But not like Nasim?”
“Not at all like Nasim. He’s hard to describe.”
She studied him.
“God in heaven, I think you actually like him.”
“It’s too early to make judgments, but I respect him.”
“And he intrigues you,” Selene said shrewdly.
“You’ve always liked puzzles. Did it occur to you that he set up this situation to give you something to unravel?”
“It occurred to me.”
“But you still want to return to the castle.”
“The puzzle exists.” He paused.
“But you don’t have to go with me. There’s a possibility Tarik might use you as a hostage the way Nasim tried to do. I could ask him to wait a few days and we could try to arrange an escape for you and Haroun.”
She shook her head.
Kadar’s smile widened.
“I didn’t think so. You also have a strong streak of curiosity.”
“Nonsense.”
“No, you only try to smother it because curiosity can lead you down dangerous paths and away from safe havens.”
Her gaze went to the castle.
“Like the one leading you there.”
“Perhaps.”
“Then don’t go.”
“But there’s a puzzle to be solved and a challenge to be met,” he said lightly.
“And a fool to be slaughtered. Don’t take the chance.”
His smile faded.
“When I was a boy, I used to cling to safety as you do. Then I learned that death and poverty still seek you out, whether you’re hiding behind strong walls or sleeping in the middle of a battleground. You might as well live life to the fullest every minute of the day.”
“I’m hardly hiding behind strong walls,” she said dryly.
“No, but only because you were forced outside. You wouldn’t have taken the step on your own. Those years at Montdhu have made you cautious about leaving safety behind.” His lips tightened.
“And who could blame you once you found a secure niche? Nicholas made sure your childhood was hell on earth.”
Was it true?
Selene wondered with sudden uncertainty.
Had her years at the House of Nicholas made her afraid to risk any disruption of peace?
Well, it didn’t matter if it was true or not.
She had been happy at Montdhu, and it was only sensible to cling to what made you happy.
“No one but a madman like you would want to sleep in the middle of a battleground. I’ve no desire to do anything but go back to Montdhu, where I belong.” She looked away from him.
“But Tarik’s words about separating us from Balkir have substance. It may be easier to escape once we’re within the castle.”
“Unless Tarik becomes the threat instead of Balkir.”
“But you don’t believe Tarik is a threat.” She added sarcastically, “He’s only a puzzle.”
“He may be a threat once the puzzle is solved. I want you to think about this and—”
“We’re going.” She stared at him in exasperation.
“First you tell me there’s no safety in the world, and then you mouth warnings and argue with me.”
He shrugged.
“I never said I was reasonable.”
“Then why should I pay any attention to you?” She turned away.
“I’ll go tell Haroun.”
At dawn Balkir rode with them to the castle gates.
He turned to Kadar as the gates slowly swung open.
“I will be here waiting.” His tone was savage.
“If you don’t come out with Nasim’s treasure within a week, I’ll launch an attack. Don’t think you’ll be able to fool me.”
“Never,” Kadar said.
“But you might consider that it may be more than a week, and Nasim would not be pleased if you rush in and spoil my chances.”
Balkir’s baleful glance shifted to Selene.
“She should stay here with me. I have my orders.”
“I told you, Tarik wants her to accompany me. What do you fear? As you said, it’s a small, puny castle, unworthy of our efforts. You’ll be camped right outside the gates. You can take it at will.” He kicked his horse into a trot.
“Good day, Balkir.”
Selene heard the captain mutter a curse as she followed Kadar through the gates.
Haroun edged his horse closer to her as he saw the guards standing on the battlements.
“Is this wise?”
“I think so. We’ll have to see.”
“Welcome, Lady Selene.” A tall man was walking—no, limping—toward her.
Kadar had not mentioned Tarik was crippled.
“I’m delighted you saw fit to join us. I am Tarik.”
She nodded warily.
“Lord Tarik.”
“Only Tarik.” He smiled.
“It’s true I am lord of this castle, but I’ve never been able to accustom myself to being addressed so. I grew up as scum of the streets, and one never forgets.”
A little of her wariness eased at his frankness.
“You grew up in Tuscany?”
“No, much farther east.” He turned to Haroun.
“I hear you’re a brave man and an excellent swimmer. I have use for such a soldier. Perhaps I can persuade you to join my guard?”
Haroun shook his head.
“I must stay with the lady Selene.”
“Lady Selene could not be safer.” Tarik gestured and a soldier ran forward.
“This is Adolfo. Suppose you go and let him show you how well my men are treated.”
Haroun hesitated.
“I cannot.”
“Loyalty. That’s good.” Tarik smiled.
“But haven’t you missed the life you lived at Montdhu, a soldier among soldiers?”
Haroun frowned uncertainly.
“Yes.”
“Go on,” Kadar said.
“I’ll summon you if there’s any question of her needing you.”
“Lady Selene?”
She saw eagerness as well as excitement in Haroun’s expression.
The boy wanted to go.
He had been miserably unhappy dancing attendance on her for the last weeks.
She nodded. “I’ll call on you if there’s need.”
He smiled with relief and quickly followed Adolfo across the courtyard.
“He’ll be content now,” Tarik said.
She turned to see Tarik’s gaze on her face.
“A soldier is always a soldier. He’s been ill at ease in the role you gave him.”
And she was ill at ease that he seemed to know so much about all of them.
“Your spy in Nasim’s fortress told you that?”
“No, I have eyes to see.”
Those eyes saw too much, she thought as she gazed at him.
One glance and he’d been able to say the exact words to rob her of antagonism; another look and he’d identified Haroun’s problem and set about solving it.
“Now, just what are you thinking?” Tarik asked softly.
“I’m thinking you’re a very clever man.” She paused before adding deliberately, “And that we’d better examine every word you speak carefully.”
Kadar smothered a laugh.
Tarik blinked with surprise before recovering immediately.
“Oh, yes, I’m a devious man.” He stepped forward and helped her from her horse.
“But I only lie when necessary. It’s not necessary now. At present I’m no threat to your friend Haroun or to Kadar. My earnest hope is that we will all enjoy an interesting and rewarding visit.”
Kadar dismounted.
“Balkir will prove troublesome if the visit lasts more than a week.”
“We’ll deal with Balkir when it becomes necessary,” Tarik said.
“Come. You must rest. I will show you to your chambers. I’m sure you did not have a peaceful night.” He moved across the courtyard.
“But now that you’re reassured of my excellent intentions . . .”
The chamber Selene was given was as comfortable as the one she occupied at Montdhu.
Cream-colored silks draped the bed, and tapestry cushions and wall hangings were scattered about the room.
The sunlight streaming through the narrow window burnished a brass pitcher studded with lapis lazuli on the washstand.
“You are pleased?” Tarik asked.
She nodded. “It’s lovely. That’s a fine tapestry.”
“Yes.” He gazed up at the tapestry.
“My wife brought it to me as part of her dowry.”
“Your wife?”
“My second wife, Rosa. She’s dead now.” He turned abruptly away.
“Come, Kadar. Your chamber is just next door. I understand you and Lady Selene no longer occupy the same bed. Pity.”
He seemed to know everything about them.
But Selene’s annoyance was tempered with sympathy at the pain she had glimpsed in his face when he spoke of his wife.
He might be clever and more perceptive than she liked, but he was also human.
“I’ll send servants with hot water and a tub for bathing in a few hours. Everyone in my household bathes every day here.” He grimaced.
“I’ve never become accustomed to this foul custom of leaving one’s body uncleansed for days on end. Where I spent my youth, water was looked upon as a blessing, not a curse. I cannot abide filth. I can accept almost everything else, but such sacrifices are too much to bear.”
“We have no liking for filth either.” Kadar paused.
“Where did you spend your youth?”
Tarik didn’t answer.
“I’ll send a servant to bring you food to break your fast. But I hope you’ll see fit to join me later for a more substantial meal.” He quickly ushered Kadar from the room.
Selene slowly unfastened her cloak and dropped it on the stool by the window.
It was true she had not slept well last night, but she doubted if she would be able to nap now.
Her mind was too full of questions.
She could see why Kadar had been intrigued with the puzzle Tarik presented. A very unusual man.