The Treasure (9 page)

“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.”