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.
“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.
