“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
