The Treasure (8 page)

“That’s your problem.” For the first time since he’d entered the chamber, he glanced at Selene. “Women have big ears and busy tongues.”

“You’re right. Dress and wait in the hall, Selene.”

“Wait.” Nasim smiled. “You’re too eager to rid us of her presence.”

“I want to protect your secrets.”

“You want to protect her. If she knows, she will never be permitted to leave.”

“Unless the treasure is delivered to you. Then there is no secret as to its location. But if we send her—”

“She stays. You’re too eager to have her go,” Nasim said flatly. “The treasure is being held at the castle of Sienbara in Tuscany.”

“Italy.”

“Yes, not a far journey.” He added maliciously, “But you will find it interesting.”

“How well guarded is the castle?”

“Guarded well against an army, but a man like you can go where armies cannot. You will slip in like a ghost and pluck my treasure from Tarik.”

“If he doesn’t make me a true ghost before I do it. Where is this treasure kept?”

“It’s hidden in Tarik’s chamber. It’s contained in a large gold box with a bejeweled cross on the lid. You’ll recognize it at once.”

“A cross? Is this a holy relic?”

“What do you care?”

“I care if this Tarik will be able to call on the Church to protect the treasure.”

“He won’t call on the Church. He stands alone.”

“Except for an army guarding his fortress. How do I get there?”

“Ali Balkir will take you on the
Dark Star.
He’ll stay with you and bring you back when you have the treasure.”

“And to assure that I will return.”

Nasim nodded. “Though I have little need of such assurance while I keep the woman and the boy as hostages.”

“No.”

Nasim stiffened, his eyes narrowing. “What are you saying?”

“I’m saying that the boy and the woman go with me.”

“And I’m saying they stay.”

“Then you’ll wait a long time for your treasure.”

“You’d break your word?”

“You know me better than that. But I may take another twelve years to finish your task, and you appear very impatient.”

Nasim muttered a curse. “You cannot have your way in this.”

“Why not? You’re sending Balkir with me. Tell him to kill the woman and the boy if I try to cheat you.”

Nasim glanced at Selene. “What if she’s with child? I
want
that child.”

“Which do you want more? The treasure or a child who may or may not be a reality?”

“Both.”

“You can’t have both. Choose.” He stared directly into Nasim’s eyes. “Or I swear you will wait a long, long time for any treasure I bring you.”

“I could settle the argument by throwing them both off the battlements now.”

“And rob yourself of hostages? Besides, that would anger me. You’ve never seen me angry, Nasim. You don’t know which way it would make me jump.”

Nasim was silent a moment. Then he shrugged. “As you say, I’ll have Balkir there to butcher them if you seek to betray me.”

“But that’s the only area in which Balkir will not be under my orders. You’ll see that he obeys me in everything else.”

“He won’t like it.”

“What difference did that ever make to you? It will clearly be difficult enough to steal this box without having to worry about a captain who may sail off and leave me stranded.”

Nasim shrugged. “Very well, he’ll have orders to obey you as he would me.” He turned and moved toward the door. “I’ll go have the horses saddled. Come down to the courtyard at once. I wish to give you more details on the location of Tarik’s chamber.”

Selene watched the door close behind him before she said, “You handled that very well.” She swung her legs to the floor. “Though I was ready to kick him to make him stop treating me as if I weren’t in the room.”

“Now, that would have caught his attention. I’m glad you refrained.” He rummaged in the saddle baskets and tossed her the sailor’s garments she had worn when she arrived. “I was walking a fine line as it was.”

“I’m not an idiot. I knew that the only thing of importance was getting us out of here. We’ll worry about escaping Balkir later.” She scrambled into her clothes and ran her fingers through her hair. She would have liked to braid it for the journey, but it was better to leave at once. She didn’t want to give Nasim time to change his mind. She headed for the door. “You gather our things while I go wake Haroun.”

______

“Balkir is in a rage.” Selene watched the captain stride about the ship barking orders. “I almost wish Nasim had told somebody else to go with us.”

“I don’t.” Kadar leaned his elbows on the rail and gazed out at the sea. “If he hadn’t given the task to Balkir, I would have asked for him.”

She turned to look at him in surprise. “Why?”

He changed the subject. “I doubt if I’ll have an opportunity to set you and Haroun free before we reach Tuscany. Balkir’s terrified of offending Nasim, and he’ll be on guard. But a chance may occur when the action begins.”

He meant when he had to find a way into Tarik’s fortress. “Nasim is mad. How can one man hope to do what an army cannot?”

“We’ll have to see. It may be possible.” He smiled mockingly. “I’ve told you before: I’m very, very good, Selene.”

“You’ll be very, very dead.”

“And then will you weep for me?”

She shook her head.

“You wept for me once.”

“I was a child and a fool.”

“A child perhaps, never a fool.”

She looked down at the water. “Don’t do this, Kadar.”

“I must. If I give him the box, he’ll leave Montdhu alone. Besides, I gave him my word.”

“A promise to that demon means nothing.”

“It does if I made it. I’ll bring him his golden box.”

She whirled on him, anger flaring. “And you’ll send me away and then go back to him.”

He lifted his brows. “But you said you wanted to leave me.”

“Stop smiling. I do want to go. Do you think the tower chamber meant anything to me? Pleasure for the moment. That was all. Now it’s over.”

“I assume that means you’ll no longer allow me in your bed?”

“I told you that I would couple with you only while it was necessary.”

“So you did.”

“And it’s no longer necessary.”

“Not to save lives, but perhaps to save souls.”

“Coupling will save your soul? I think not.”

“Coupling is a form of closeness, and closeness saves souls. Perhaps even your soul, Selene.”

“You’re talking nonsense. My soul has nothing to do with you.”

“It has everything to do with me. Just as my soul has everything to do with you.” His smile faded. “There’s a fate that guides all of us. We were meant to be together. I’ve known it almost since the first time I saw you. Sometimes fate goes awry, but not this time. You can fight it all you please, but we’ll still come together in the end.”

He believed what he was saying, and his intensity sent a ripple of uneasiness through her. Even if his talk was foolishness, she did not like the idea of being herded willy-nilly along a path decreed by any force but her own. She turned away. “Believe what you like, but it won’t be in my bed that we’ll come together.”

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.