The Beloved Scoundrel

have Gregor and all those fine soldiers of the ravin. That’s more than I had when I last encountered him.” She looked away from him. “It all seems very hazardous. What if something goes wrong?”

“I can’t promise you that it won’t,” Jordan said quietly. “But it’s the best plan that I could devise. If you can think of a better one, let me hear it. You call me vain, but I wouldn’t let Alex die for my self-love.”

He was not closing her out; he was letting her have a part in saving Alex, she realized with a surge of warmth that banished a little of the dread. She said haltingly, “I was angry. It could be that you aren’t vain.”

His lips turned up at the corners. “I appreciate the measure of doubt.” The faint smile disappeared. “You agree to the plan?”

“If you can think of nothing safer for Alex.”

“I can think of nothing safer for either of you.” He added harshly, “Do you think I want you in danger? If I thought you’d agree, I’d have had Gregor meet with Nebrov and send you back to Rengar.”

“You said Nebrov wants the Jedalar and me. The bait would not be as tempting.” She shuddered. “No, it has to be me.”

“Then we’ll meet here on the Bordlin steppes in four days’ time.”

“Four days…” For bad or good, in four days it would all be over.

Her gaze went to the purple mountains to the south that marked the border between Kazan and Montavia. Alex was beyond those mountains.

Alex and Nebrov.

CHAPTER 13

Jordan’s hands clenched the reins as he watched the column of soldiers wind its way down the mountain trail toward the distant steppes. Marianna’s hair shimmered in the sunlight as she turned to speak to Gregor. They were too far away for Jordan to hear her words, but he could see there was no hint of a smile on her face. He could not remember her smiling since Alex was taken. What the devil did she have to smile about? he thought bitterly. She was frightened her brother might be killed at any moment, and he had compounded the horror by sending her as bait to the man she feared most in the world. Christ, he had not wanted to let her go. He had exaggerated the danger she would face so she would not demand to come with him to Pekbar, but Nebrov was always a threat.

“You are afraid for her,” Ana said. “You should not worry. Gregor will take care of her.”

“I know.” Jordan turned to her. “Gregor takes care of all of us, doesn’t he? I’ve often wondered why he bothers. We’re not really worth his efforts.”

“You mean I’m not worth his effort.”

“I didn’t say that.”

“But you meant it.” She shrugged. “You’re probably right. I’m not a virtuous woman. But I’m a strong woman, and I take care of my own now.” She smiled. “Why do you think I insisted on coming with you? I realize it’s a little late, but I must prove that I no longer run away from responsibility.”

“You need to prove nothing to me.”

“I didn’t say I wanted to prove anything to you. I know your mind is closed to me. I need to prove it to myself.” She turned her horse. “Enough of this chatter. Let us go to Pekbar and get the boy.”

Two days later Gregor and Marianna set up their tents on the steppes, and Gregor immediately sent a rider to Pekbar with the message. Nebrov’s reply came the next morning.

“He’s coming?” Marianna asked as Gregor scanned the note.

“He’s coming,” Gregor answered, glancing at the foothills a few miles away. “He should be here by tonight.”

“Why isn’t he coming at once? It could be a trick. If the messenger could travel this quickly, Nebrov could be right behind him.”

He shook his head. “I surmise he wishes to arrive after darkness falls. It is easier to hide deception at night.”

“He will attack?”

“Of course, if he thinks it possible to succeed.” He smiled gently at her. “Do not frown. It is my duty to make sure he does not think that possible.” He turned to Niko, who stood a few feet from them and said, “It is time, my friend. The foothills.”

Niko nodded and hurried away.

“The foothills?” Marianna asked.

“Nebrov will not bring his entire force when he comes to camp. It is too open here, and he has respect for Kazan’s army. I believe it probable he will leave a sizable force in the hills and have them sweep down to surprise us.”

“How can you be sure?”

“Nothing is sure, but he has few options on this terrain. If I am right, Niko will hide his men in the hills and rid us of that threat.”

“You seem very certain of victory.”

“Kazan’s borders have always been challenged by one army or another, and we know these mountains. We have learned to hide and hit. Run and hit again. Most forces are too rigid and sluggish to respond to such attacks.”

“Nebrov also lives in these mountains.”

“But his army showed no great power to adapt when he tried to conquer Montavia. He relied on sheer numbers and arms to overwhelm the enemy. It is my belief he lacks imagination.”

She shivered. “I hope you’re right.”

“You are frightened.” Gregor shook his head. “Have you so little trust in me? I will guard you.”

“I know you will. It’s just that-” She fell silent, trying to find words to explain the fear that paralyzed her whenever she thought about the coming encounter. “I know you must think me a coward. It’s because of him. He makes me feel helpless.”

“You are not a coward, and you are not helpless unless you let yourself be.” He changed the subject.

“It is good he has delayed his arrival until tonight. He will linger in the foothills to deploy his troops, and that will give Jordan more time to free Alex.” His face clouded. “God knows he will need it. Finding a way to enter that stronghold alone will not be easy.”

“Alone!” Her gaze flew to his face. “He’s going to go into the castle alone? He told me there would be an attack.” He had not really said that, she realized. He had merely not denied it when she had made the assumption.

“There is no time to lay siege.”

“Alone,” she whispered.

“Sometimes one man is safer than a battalion. They will not be expecting it. He will meet with Janus and learn where they’re keeping Alex. Then he’ll scale the wall and try to free the boy before they know he is there.”

“He didn’t tell me. Mother of God, and he said my meeting with Nebrov was more dangerous.” She clenched her hands into fists at her sides to keep them from shaking. “Is he mad? He’s not a bird that can fly in and out of a castle without being noticed.”

“It is the only way.”

“How can you say that? What if this Janus is wrong about his information?”

“Alex will still be safe. Jordan will make very sure that he’s not exposed to any danger. Nebrov’s men would not dare hurt his hostage.”

“And what about Jordan?” she asked fiercely. “Will they hesitate to kill him? You know they won’t. If they catch him, they’ll murder him without a thought.”

“He’s not so easy to catch. His time here in Kazan was not all spent in palaces. He has proven himself in many battles against our enemies.”

“Hitting and running, you said. Where is he going to run to at Pekbar? They’ll capture him and-” She stopped, her throat dry with terror. “You should never have let him do this.”