“BY GOD, you’ve been there over a week already. How much longer will it take?” Balkir demanded.
“I have no idea,” Kadar said.
“Then I want the woman returned to me.”
“Tarik prefers her to remain at the castle. I doubt if he would release her.”
“Why not?” Balkir’s fists clenched in frustration. “What is this about?”
Kadar smiled. “It’s about getting Nasim’s treasure for him.
Why else are we here?”
“I’m sure Nasim would not like this. I sent a messenger to tell him what you were doing the moment you entered the gates.”
Kadar’s smile vanished. “And has he replied?”
“Not yet. But he will. He’ll tell me to storm this castle and take the treasure as you could not.”
“He’s wiser than that. He’ll tell you to wait and obey my instructions.” Kadar turned to go. “If I don’t return with the treasure in another week’s time, I’ll come out and inform you of my progress.”
“I’ll not wait forever.” Balkir’s voice lowered menacingly. “I won’t face Nasim’s anger because of your dawdling. I think you seek to betray him.”
“Nonsense. I’ll be in touch with you.” Kadar left the tent and strode toward his horse. As he mounted, he saw Balkir standing beneath the awning at the opening of the tent, balefully watching him. Ordinarily, Kadar would not have been overly concerned, but he could sense a change in Balkir’s attitude. He was growing more belligerent, and his fear of Nasim’s wrath was growing.
Frightened men were always dangerous.
“He’s sent a message to Nasim?” Tarik frowned as he moved his pawn. “That’s not good.”
“But to be expected.” Kadar studied the chessboard. “You couldn’t keep us here indefinitely with no action being taken.”
“Am I keeping you here?” Tarik smiled. “I believe you would stay regardless of anything I said or did now.”
He was right, Kadar thought. With each passing day he felt as if he were being drawn deeper into the web Tarik was spinning about them. Strange, he had fought Nasim’s power but he was not battling Tarik. Maybe because he knew he could tear the delicate web aside and break free at any time. His glance went to Selene standing at the windows across the hall. “I noticed a change in Balkir. I want her away from here. Find a way to get her away from the castle without Balkir seeing her and send her back to Montdhu.”
“She wouldn’t go.”
“If you want me to stay, then you have to send her safely from here. You’ll discover a way.”
Tarik leaned back in his chair and gazed at him. “I’m not sure I wish to do that. What if my plans for you come to naught and I must look elsewhere? It would be a great inconvenience to retrieve Selene from Montdhu.”
Kadar’s head lifted with sudden menace. “I’ll not have you using her.”
“How quickly you rise to her defense. It’s truly touching.”
“I’m weary of your games and your sarcasm. Let’s be done with it. Tell me what you would have me do and I will answer yes or no.”
“You grow impatient.”
“And you speak in riddles and secrets. Is it the grail in your coffer?”
“Do you fear God will strike you dead if you steal a holy relic?”
“Answer me.”
Tarik was silent.
“Then tell me how you came to have the box.”
“My, how persistent you are.” He raised his voice. “Selene, come. Kadar has persuaded me to reveal my secrets. I would not leave you out.”
“Don’t involve her any further,” Kadar said in a low voice. “I told you I wanted her away from here.”
Tarik smiled and held out his hand to Selene, who was coming toward them. “Kadar is being unfair. He wishes to exclude you from our discussion.”
Selene seated herself on a stool by the fire. “It does not surprise me.”
“Where did you get the coffer?” Kadar asked again.
“It was given to me by a young prince. He said it was a gift, but I knew he sought to bribe me to give him the treasure. I took the gift and gave him nothing. I thought it a good lesson for him.” He grimaced. “No, that’s not true. I took it because I was a poor man and the gold and jewels of the box dazzled me.”
“You said you were born of scum of the streets. What did scum have to do with princes?”
“Any man becomes valuable to royalty if he possesses something they want.”
“And what court did this prince grace?”
Tarik shook his head. “You never cease trying to trap me, do you?”
Kadar tried another question. “How did the prince learn of the treasure?”
“Layla told him. She was afraid and wanted to protect us.”
“By giving the treasure away?”
“You don’t understand.”
“How can we understand when you don’t tell us anything of worth?” Selene asked.
“Ah, you wish me to tell you something of importance.” Tarik lazily leaned his head back. “Let me think… What does Nasim regard as important?”
“Power,” Kadar said.
“And he believes my treasure will bring it to him.” He paused. “It’s true, it will.”
Kadar went still. “How?”
Tarik ignored the question. “Power is a beacon. It attracts you, doesn’t it, Kadar? What if I told you that you could have enormous power but you would lose everything that meant anything to you? That you would wield it alone?”
“More riddles.” But Kadar was aware that Tarik’s laziness was only a pose; the other man’s gaze was fixed watchfully on his face. “What man would want power that much?”
“Nasim.” Tarik pushed back his chair and stood up. “But apparently not you. I thought not, but there was always hope. It seems I must still make the choice.”
“What choice?” Selene asked.
“Good, evil. I’ve come too close to you. I find myself wavering.” His lips tightened. “But I’m a selfish man. No doubt self-love will triumph in the end.” He turned and walked out of the hall.
Excitement gripped Kadar as his gaze followed him.
“What did he mean?” Selene asked.
“I’m not sure.” But he was beginning to catch a glimmering on the horizon. Impossible. It could not mean… No, impossible.
“He frightens me more than Nasim does,” Selene said. “He wants to destroy you.”
Kadar shook his head.
“Don’t be foolish,” Selene said fiercely. “You heard him. We must leave here. And don’t tell me you have to keep your promise to Nasim. I weary of such madness.”
“Then I won’t tell you.” She was frightened, and he wanted to pull her into his arms and comfort her. He knew she would not permit it. Instead, he gently touched her cheek with his forefinger. “I’d hate to risk your displeasure.”
“Don’t jest.” She moved her face to avoid his touch. “Will you come with me?”
“Soon.”
“Why not now, tonight?”
“Why are you so eager to go? There’s no more threat tonight than there was a week ago.”
“Yes, there is. He… It’s changing. He was-but now he’s-Something’s going to happen.”
He could feel it too. But to him the realization brought anticipation, not fear. “I’ve discussed with Tarik getting you out of the fortress and back to Montdhu. As soon as it’s safe, I’ll-”
