Iris Johansen - The Treasure

A little of her terror eased. “It’s just… I never thought of it before. The possibility seemed so far away…” And now it was too close. A week or two and she would know if-

“Will you stop trembling?” he said gruffly. “You’re tearing me apart. I’ve never seen you this frightened.”

“It’s not for me. It’s the babe. We had no right. A babe is helpless and cannot-”

“But we’re not helpless. If necessary, we can protect him.” He held her closer. “Now forget this and go to sleep.”

Yes, he was right. They could protect their child. Kadar and she could do anything together. She relaxed against him even as she said, “You shouldn’t be in my bed. You said Nasim would know…”

“Nasim may go to hell.”

“He would be at home there.” She was silent for a moment, thinking. “I’ll not stay here without you.”

“I never intended to leave you or Haroun here.”

“Then what will we do?”

“Would it be too much to ask you to stop worrying and leave the matter to me?”

“Yes. I can’t stop worrying.” She paused. “But you know Nasim better than I do. I will listen to your suggestions.”

“Thank you.”

“You’re welcome.” She yawned. “Now I’m going to sleep. It seems I haven’t had a good slumber in-”

“Weeks?” Kadar chuckled. “I wonder why?”

She didn’t want to think of the reason why, nor of the sensual, passionate Kadar of the tower room. Right now she felt comfortable and treasured and safe. “You know why. Please have the courtesy to stop talking about it.”

He brushed his lips across the top of her head. “Yes, my lady. Anything you command. Whatever you wish.”

Not very likely, she thought drowsily, but she was too tired to refute him. She would tell him tomorrow that never in their acquaintance had she had everything entirely as she…

____________________

She slept so soundly she didn’t hear the thundering at the door a few hours later.

She lifted her head drowsily as Kadar slipped from the bed. “What is it?”

Kadar didn’t answer as he moved across the room and threw open the door.

Nasim strode into the chamber.

Selene hurriedly sat, jerking the cover up to cover her breasts.

A futile effort. She might as well have been invisible for all the attention Nasim paid her.

“My messenger has come.” The old man set the candle on the nightstand, his dark eyes glittering with excitement. “By Allah, I was sure he’d be sent back to me in pieces, but he came riding in only an hour ago. You must set out at once.”

“May I clothe my nakedness first?” Kadar asked dryly as he pulled his tunic over his head. “And who is chopping up your messengers?”

“Tarik. He guards the treasure. A clever, dangerous man.” He smiled grimly as he watched Kadar slip on his shoes. “And he does not like my people.”

“How many have you sent?”

“Five over the past twelve years. My most clever and talented of assassins. This is the only man who has ever returned.” He frowned. “I have to wonder why he was permitted to come back unscathed.”

“Perhaps this Tarik is no longer as formidable as he was once. Men weaken as years pass.”

“Tarik would not weaken. You’ll still find him most formidable.”

“If he let your messenger return, it could be he found him more than he could deal with. Send Fadil back to get your treasure.”

“Fadil is good, but he’s no match for Tarik. I would be a match for him. No one else.” He paused. “Except you.”

“Then you’d better break your silence and tell me where I’m going to find this treasure.” Kadar was at the washbasin, splashing water in his face. “And how you think I’m going to accomplish this.”

“That’s your problem.” For the first time since he’d entered the chamber, he glanced at Selene. “Women have big ears and busy tongues.”

“You’re right. Dress and wait in the hall, Selene.”

“Wait.” Nasim smiled. “You’re too eager to rid us of her presence.”

“I want to protect your secrets.”

“You want to protect her. If she knows, she will never be permitted to leave.”

“Unless the treasure is delivered to you. Then there is no secret as to its location. But if we send her-”

“She stays. You’re too eager to have her go,” Nasim said flatly. “The treasure is being held at the castle of Sienbara in Tuscany.”

“Italy.”

“Yes, not a far journey.” He added maliciously, “But you will find it interesting.”

“How well guarded is the castle?”

“Guarded well against an army, but a man like you can go where armies cannot. You will slip in like a ghost and pluck my treasure from Tarik.”

“If he doesn’t make me a true ghost before I do it. Where is this treasure kept?”

“It’s hidden in Tarik’s chamber. It’s contained in a large gold box with a bejeweled cross on the lid. You’ll recognize it at once.”

“A cross? Is this a holy relic?”

“What do you care?”

“I care if this Tarik will be able to call on the Church to protect the treasure.”

“He won’t call on the Church. He stands alone.”

“Except for an army guarding his fortress. How do I get there?”

“Ali Balkir will take you on the Dark Star. He’ll stay with you and bring you back when you have the treasure.”

“And to assure that I will return.”

Nasim nodded. “Though I have little need of such assurance while I keep the woman and the boy as hostages.”

“No.”

Nasim stiffened, his eyes narrowing. “What are you saying?”

“I’m saying that the boy and the woman go with me.”

“And I’m saying they stay.”

“Then you’ll wait a long time for your treasure.”

“You’d break your word?”

“You know me better than that. But I may take another twelve years to finish your task, and you appear very impatient.”

Nasim muttered a curse. “You cannot have your way in this.”

“Why not? You’re sending Balkir with me. Tell him to kill the woman and the boy if I try to cheat you.”

Nasim glanced at Selene. “What if she’s with child? I want that child.”

“Which do you want more? The treasure or a child who may or may not be a reality?”

“Both.”

“You can’t have both. Choose.” He stared directly into Nasim’s eyes. “Or I swear you will wait a long, long time for any treasure I bring you.”

“I could settle the argument by throwing them both off the battlements now.”

“And rob yourself of hostages? Besides, that would anger me. You’ve never seen me angry, Nasim. You don’t know which way it would make me jump.”

Nasim was silent a moment. Then he shrugged. “As you say, I’ll have Balkir there to butcher them if you seek to betray me.”

“But that’s the only area in which Balkir will not be under my orders. You’ll see that he obeys me in everything else.”

“He won’t like it.”

“What difference did that ever make to you? It will clearly be difficult enough to steal this box without having to worry about a captain who may sail off and leave me stranded.”

Nasim shrugged. “Very well, he’ll have orders to obey you as he would me.” He turned and moved toward the door. “I’ll go have the horses saddled. Come down to the courtyard at once. I wish to give you more details on the location of Tarik’s chamber.”

Selene watched the door close behind him before she said, “You handled that very well.” She swung her legs to the floor. “Though I was ready to kick him to make him stop treating me as if I weren’t in the room.”

“Now, that would have caught his attention. I’m glad you refrained.” He rummaged in the saddle baskets and tossed her the sailor’s garments she had worn when she arrived. “I was walking a fine line as it was.”