Iris Johansen - The Treasure

“I’ve made the journey twice. I won’t have you interfering in my-”

“It will do you no harm to show me the charts. Sinan ordered you to bring me to him. What if the ship sinks?” He nudged Balkir forward. “He’s been said to be able to curse even the dead. Do you want him angry with you in the hereafter?”

Balkir frowned and then turned on his heel. “Follow me.”

Kadar winked at Selene over his shoulder before sauntering after him.

Impudent rogue. She started to smile and then caught herself. So easy to fall back into the habit of years. “Come with me, Haroun.” She led him down the deck toward her cabin.

“I’m sorry, Lady Selene.” Haroun’s sandals squished as he hurried after her. “I had to come.”

“I know.” She opened the door and ushered him into the cabin. She grabbed a toweling cloth on the washstand and handed it to him. “Dry your hair.”

He began to rub his head. “The captain is a bad man. You should have waited and talked to Lord Ware.”

“And you should have done as you were told.” She grabbed the cover from the bunk. “Take off your clothes and wrap yourself in this.”

He turned bright scarlet. “I cannot. It would not be fitting for a man to undress in your presence.”

“It would not be fitting for me to have to tend you if you became ill from your foolishness. For heaven’s sake, I’ve seen naked men before. Besides, you’re scarce more than a boy.”

“I’m older than you,” he said indignantly.

Why, he must be, she realized in surprise. She always thought of Haroun as the boy she had first met those many years ago, before they had come to Scotland. He had been the survivor of a massacre by the Knights Templar, and Ware and Thea had taken him into their entourage. How eager and young he had seemed then. But young boys grew up, and she had hurt his pride. Thea would know what to say to ease that sting. Thea always knew what to say. Well, Thea wasn’t here, and Selene must do her best in her own way. “You’re right, it’s not fitting, but this is an emergency. I’ll turn my back.” She faced the door. “But be quick. I wish to sit down. I’m not feeling well.”

She heard the rustle of clothing behind her.

“You can turn around now.”

Haroun was wrapped from ears to toes in the gray blanket.

“Sit down.” She gathered his wet garments from the floor and spread them on the chair.

“You should not be waiting on me.”

She smiled. “And you should not have swum out and clung to that anchor line. But, since you did, we must forget what is fitting and try to help each other to stay alive.”

“You did not tell Lord Ware the truth in your note, did you?”

“No. I’m a hostage and so are you.” She sat down on the bed.

“But we don’t want Lord Ware to know, do we? You know what danger he would face if he came after us.”

He nodded. “That’s why I told Robert nothing was amiss when I gave him the note.”

“Good boy-man.” Dear heaven, she was weary. She wanted only to lay her head down and go to sleep. “But while you’re on board this ship, you must do nothing to anger Balkir’s men. Stay out of their way.”

“I will try.”

Of course he would try. He seemed terrified of everyone connected with Sinan.

“I’m not usually a… coward,” he said, as if he had read her thoughts. “Lord Ware has trained me to be a warrior. He says I’m a good soldier. It’s only… all my life I’ve heard of the Old Man of the Mountain. His people are not as others. They are… demons. One cannot fight demons.”

“Don’t be ridiculous. Kadar was once one of Sinan’s people. Is he a demon?”

He shook his head. “But Lord Kadar is different. He walks alone.”

“How many times have I seen you dicing together? He’s your friend.”

“Yes.” He looked confused. “But he’s… different.”

She gave up. Kadar was different. One had only to be with him for a short while to realize that beneath that light, charming facade lay impenetrable depths. “But you trust him?”

Haroun brightened. “Oh, yes.”

“Then trust him to see that nothing happens to you at Maysef.”

“I not only worry about myself. Great harm can befall a woman. I know you belong to Lord Kadar, but still the danger is-”

“I do not belong to Kadar.”

“But everyone knows that you-” He saw her expression and added hurriedly, “But it seems you-”

“Everything is not always as it seems. I belong to no one but myself.”

“But a woman must belong to someone. It is-” He sensed the storm approaching and changed the subject. “It does not matter. I will care for you.”

She would probably be the one to have to care for him, but he meant well, so she resisted the impulse to tell him that. “Thank you, Haroun. If I’m in need of help, I will certainly-”

She stopped as the door opened and Kadar came into the cabin.

His gaze raked Haroun from head to foot. “Well, you look a pitiful sight.”

“Lady Selene made me take off my clothes. You are not angry that I am with her like this? I told her it wasn’t fitting.”

“I’m not angry.” He smiled. “She’s hard to refuse, isn’t she?”

He nodded, relieved. “And she has most strange ideas about… Even though she says she does not belong to you, I hope you will aid me in caring for her on this journey.”

“Oh, is that what she says?” Kadar asked silkily. “I do hope you didn’t make the mistake of believing her?”

“No, everyone knows-” He cast a glance at Selene. “I mean, everyone thinks that-”

“Enough.” Selene was holding on to her temper by a thin thread. “What of Balkir? Are you sure Haroun’s out of danger now?”

“As long as he doesn’t make himself obtrusive.”

“He can stay in this cabin with me.”

“No!” Haroun’s eyes were wide with horror.

Kadar shook his head. “That will make his position more tenuous. If the sailors think he could be getting favors they’re being denied, they may throw him overboard. But there are only two cabins on board this ship, and one is occupied by Balkir.” His gaze shifted to Haroun. “Suppose we sleep outside on deck in front of Lady Selene’s cabin? Then anyone who tries to pass will have to go through us.”

Haroun nodded vigorously. “Much wiser.”

Of course he thought Kadar’s plan was wiser than Selene’s. They were both men. “Oh, go away, both of you.” She lay down and closed her eyes. “I hope Balkir drowns you both.”

“But then you would lack any protection at all. I realize you think us both unworthy at present, but we are good for something.” Kadar clapped Haroun on the shoulder. “Come along. We’ll try to find you something to wear besides that blanket. She may need it if the night grows cold.” He opened the door. “I’ll return in the morning, Selene.”

She didn’t answer and heard the door close behind them.

Go to sleep. Don’t think of Kadar or this ship cleaving through the water on its way to Sinan.

Impossible. Now that she was alone and the need to act was gone, she could think of nothing else. She was shaking, she realized. Weakness. She was glad Kadar was no longer here to see it. She would be all right soon. She would sleep and grow stronger, and tomorrow she would be able to face Kadar with coolness and control.

Tomorrow…

THE NEXT MORNING, after a cursory knock, Kadar walked into the cabin. His arms were overflowing with garments. “Good day.” He crossed the cabin and deposited his burden on the bunk. “I thought you’d need something to wear since Balkir gave you no opportunity to pack.”