Iris Johansen - The Treasure

He could not see her mouth move but knew the word it formed.

Fool.

She was walking forward, past him.

No!

He had to follow her.

He couldn’t move. He was chained.

He watched, helpless, as she disappeared over the horizon.

Emptiness. Loneliness.

Come back.

But she would never come back.

Tears were running down Tarik’s cheeks when he opened his eyes.

He hadn’t had the dream in a long time, but he had known it would return. It always came back when his soul was in conflict. At other times he could block it, but not when the longing for freedom became this overpowering.

And was that longing so terrible? He had made his decision. Why was he hesitating when he had worked and planned for so long? Did he not deserve to be set free?

She would say he did.

She had called him a fool.

He turned over on his side and looked up at the tapestry Rosa had made for him.

Rosa had never called him a fool. Rosa had been kind and gentle and without a thorn. She had wanted only what was best for him. There had been neither torment nor crisis of conscience when she was by his side. He should be dreaming of Rosa.

But he never dreamed of Rosa.

When he dreamed, it was always of his love, his passion, his nemesis. The woman who moved with the exquisite grace of a dancer and who stared at him with scorn from that jackal’s face.

Selene and Kadar were sitting, waiting, when Tarik strode into the great hall the next morning.

“It’s almost noon,” Kadar said.

Tarik raised his brows. “Is this a sin? Selene made much of the fact of my advancing years. I decided a crippled old man needed his rest.”

“Or perhaps decided to torment us for pushing you to show us the manuscript,” Selene suggested.

“Were you in torment?” He smiled slyly as he dropped down in a chair and stretched out his legs before him. “What a pity.”

“Why does Nasim think you have the grail?” Kadar asked.

“Questions before I’ve even broken my fast?”

“Why?” Kadar repeated.

“There have been rumors about my pretty golden box for some time. You’re aware that Nasim knows everything that goes on in all of Christendom. When we met many years ago, he was curious about the treasure. Later, when he obtained a copy of Le Conte du Graal , he became convinced my golden coffer contained the grail.”

“Why?”

Tarik shrugged. “Perhaps because he wants it so desperately. He’s studied the ways of power all his life and thought this was a true path.”

“God would not give that monster power,” Selene said flatly.

“If the grail is of God’s making.”

“What do you mean?”

“You read de Troyes’s claim that he took the tale from another document? The ancient Celts have many legends concerning the grail. There is always a king who guards the treasure, there is always a wandering knight, but the rest of the stories differ. Some of them say the treasure is not a vessel at all but a precious stone loosed from the crown of Lucifer during his struggle with God. Don’t you think that tale would appeal to Nasim?”

“Yes.” Kadar stared directly into Tarik’s eyes. “Is it a grail in your box?”

Tarik smiled. “What do you think?”

“You’re not going to tell us,” Selene said in frustration. “Why show us the manuscript, then?”

“I promised I’d show you what persuaded Nasim to involve you in his machinations. I promised nothing else. Wouldn’t I be a fool to give you a description of the treasure Kadar intends to steal? Perhaps it would make him even more eager to take it from me.”

“Nonsense. He doesn’t want it for himself. He promised Nasim, and he regards any promise as sacred.”

“And you do not?”

“Not if it’s made to a man who would break any promise himself if it suited him.”

“Ah, but women are so much more practical than we men when it comes to honor. We seem to be blinded by our own code.” He looked at Kadar. “But what if it was the grail and it would give Nasim greater power? Would you still give it to him?”

Kadar slowly nodded.

Tarik chuckled. “I thought as much. It’s an obstacle that I must overcome if I’m to win you. I’d far rather set Selene to the task, but, unfortunately, she isn’t ready yet.”

“What is this task?” Kadar asked.

Tarik shook his head. “Not yet. We’re coming closer each day, but I must be sure.”

“And I cannot linger here forever. More than a week has passed. This afternoon I’m going outside the fortress to speak to Balkir before he decides to storm the gates.”

“Very wise. He’s a very impetuous man. By all means, go and reassure him that you’re doing everything you can to wrest my treasure from me.” He paused. “I will, of course, keep Selene and Haroun safe until you return.”

Selene stiffened. “Prisoners?”

“What an ugly word. Guests. Kadar would not wish you with Balkir. I’m the better choice.”

“Yes,” Kadar said. “And who knows, Selene? He may decide you’re more ready than he thinks and give his great task to you instead.”

“I’ve chosen you. She does not have your experience and searching mind. That will come in time, but I’m too weary to wait.”

“And because I’m a woman.”

Tarik shook his head. “I’m not so foolish. I know the worth of women. The cleverest human being I’ve ever encountered was my first wife.”

“And she had this ‘searching mind’?” Selene asked.

“More than I,” he said sadly. “She shone like the sun.”

“Well, I’ve no desire to shine like the sun. I merely wish to be free to go my way and do as I please.”

“So did she. Soon.” Tarik turned away. “I’ll go and tell the guards at the gate that you’re to be permitted to leave, Kadar. Do try to return by dark. I look forward to our evenings together. Selene, will you join me in the courtyard to bid him farewell?”

“Perhaps.”

Tarik smiled over his shoulder at her. “Difficult. But the interesting women always are. I believe you’ll be there.”

“Why?”

“Because life is uncertain and your heart is greater than your stubbornness. You’ll not let Kadar go back to Balkir without a last good-bye.”

She met Tarik’s gaze and then looked away. “You don’t know me as well as you think.”

Tarik smiled as he saw Selene approaching. “You could not resist.”

She didn’t look at him but at Kadar going through the gates. “Only because I had nothing better to do. It’s not as if he goes into danger. Balkir knows better than to harm Kadar. Nasim would kill him.”

“And so would you.” Tarik’s gaze followed hers. “You love him. Why do you fight it so?”

“I will not love him. He lied to me. He was going to leave me. He cared nothing for his promise. And you know nothing about me. You cannot know how I feel.”

“I know that sometimes the excuses we seize not to do things are not what really move us.”

“It’s not an excuse.”

“I believe it is. Your instinct is not to run but to fight. So why are you not fighting for Kadar? Fear?”

“Why should I be afraid?”

He shrugged. “I don’t know. You may fear to love him too much. You have an idea what he is and perhaps you sense what he may become. Your instincts are correct. He is in great danger.”

She felt a stirring of panic. “Don’t be foolish. Kadar is too clever. Nasim will not have him.”

“Not Nasim. Me.”

She gazed at him in surprise. “You? You will not hurt him. I’m not blind. You like Kadar.”

“We have a great bond. That will not prevent me from doing him the greatest damage any human can do to another.” His lips twisted. “The temptation is too great.”