Iris Johansen - The Treasure

“I’m not that sleepy now.”

“But I deserve better.”

He chuckled and brushed his lips across her cheek. “As you command.”

Not when it came to a choice of her will or protecting her from Nasim.

Well, that was one challenge she was ready to meet. No mysterious Eshe, no groping into the future, just a duty to be done, a debt to be paid.

A life to be taken.

“Why should I believe you?” Nasim’s gaze narrowed on Kadar’s face. “It would be no small thing to steal the grail from Tarik. What if it’s a lie? It could be a trap.”

“Why would I want to trap you? I want gold, not blood.” He glanced at Balkir hovering by the tent entrance and smiled maliciously. “Well, some blood. I want him. That wound in my chest still pains me at times.”

Balkir stiffened, his gaze flying to Nasim’s face.

Nasim didn’t look at him. “I don’t have to give you anything. If you’ve truly stolen the grail, I could torture you until you tell me what I need to know.”

Kadar chuckled. “But you won’t. It would take too much time. You’re the one who taught me to withstand torture. Who knows? I might even die before I told you where I hid it. Wouldn’t that be inconvenient?”

Nasim was silent. “How much gold?”

“I want the golden coffer that holds the grail and enough sacks of gold to fill it.” His glance went to Balkir. “Perhaps not quite fill it. There should still be room for Balkir’s head.”

Balkir’s face flushed with anger. “The master would not consent to such a bargain.”

“No?” Kadar’s gaze returned to Nasim and he said softly, “I really do want him, Nasim.”

Nasim made an impatient gesture. “You know that’s not possible. What else?”

“The Dark Star to take me back to Montdhu and your promise that Montdhu will continue to exist.”

“A high price.”

“Too high for the grail?”

“He thinks to beggar you,” Balkir said. “Let me have him. I’ll make him give you the grail.”

“You interrupt,” Nasim said icily. “Leave us.”

Balkir’s eyes widened. “I did not mean-forgive me. I only wished to-”

“Did I ask for your aid?”

Balkir shook his head and backed quickly out of the tent.

“A fool,” Kadar said. “I’m surprised you endure him.”

“A loyal fool. Not like you, Kadar. I could always count on your brilliance, never your loyalty.”

“Because I’m not a fool. I’d not throw my loyalty down a bottomless pit.” He smiled. “Now that he’s gone, we can talk freely. I wasn’t joking. I want him dead.”

Nasim shrugged. “It’s an unimportant thing. However, the ship…”

“Is also an unimportant thing.” He paused. “When tossed in the balance. Look at me, Nasim: I was a dead man.”

He became still. “You know it was the grail?”

“What else? You saw the wound.”

Nasim’s gaze hungrily raked Kadar’s face. “Do you know how fortunate you are? You’re young and frozen in time. Every year that passed, I knew my body was failing me and I couldn’t get my hands on the grail.” He frowned. “But perhaps if I drink constantly from the grail, I will reverse in aging. Is that possible?”

He shrugged. “I know little about the grail.”

“Tarik does not seem to be getting younger. He only stays the same.” His lips twisted. “So I’ll take what I can get.”

“You agree to the bargain?”

“On my terms. I’ll not go unguarded to meet you, and I’ll send you word of the meeting place tomorrow afternoon.”

“Send it to the old cypress near the stream seven miles from here. I think it best that you not know exactly where I am from now on.” He added mockingly, “Not that I don’t trust you. But Balkir might be tempted to attack while I’m unaware and run another sword through me. Send a messenger to the cypress at midday and I’ll be there.”

“You’re never unaware.” Nasim smiled slyly. “Do you wish me to send Balkir with the message tomorrow?”

“You are annoyed with him. You don’t wish to see him alive again?”

“On second thought, I’ll send someone else. I won’t give you Balkir until I see that golden coffer.”

“As you like, but he’d better not live a minute longer.”

“No longer than you’ll live if you try to betray me.” He paused. “And I’ll find the woman and kill her too. You cannot hide her forever.”

“I’m not worried. When you have the grail, you’ll lose interest in both of us.”

“That’s true.” Nasim’s eyes glittered in his taut face. “Nothing is more important. Bring me the grail. I have to have the grail.”

“Tomorrow.” Kadar turned to leave. “You won’t be disappointed. Just make sure you don’t disappoint me.”

Vaden’s army was camped some fifteen miles east of Nasim’s camp on the southern slope of Mount Vesuvius.

Selene, Tarik, and Layla arrived at the camp in the late afternoon.

Kadar strode out to meet them. “You brought it?”

Tarik jerked his head to indicate the mule behind him. “Selene saw that I did. She watched me like a hawk as I loaded it on the mule. She wasn’t about to let you go to Nasim without something to bargain with. Did all go well today?”

“As we expected.” Kadar turned to Selene with a smile. “You see, all your worry was for nothing.”

“I wasn’t worried.” It was a lie. The relief that had surged through her when she saw him had almost made her dizzy. “I wasn’t expecting anything to happen today. I had every confidence you could keep Nasim from killing you as you dangled the prospect of the grail before his nose.” She slipped from the saddle. “We both know it’s after he gets the grail that you’ll be in danger. Is Vaden ready?”

“Oh, I’m always ready,” Vaden said as he joined them. “But I’m not sure I’ll be given an opportunity to test that readiness. We’re too far away.”

“Tomorrow after I receive the message about Nasim’s new location, you’ll move closer. If you can do it without Nasim’s guards seeing you.”

“I can do it.” His gaze went to the chest tied to the mule. “Is that it?”

Layla nodded. “And you’d better be prepared to protect it.”

“I’ll protect Kadar and do my best to destroy Nasim and his men. That’s my only commitment. I wish nothing to do with your grail. I’ve had my fill of such tripe.” He turned on his heel and walked away.

“Vaden is not enamored with objects of power,” Kadar said. “You’ll have to rely on me.” He turned to Selene. “Our tent is over there. Are you ready to eat or would you prefer to refresh yourself?”

“Neither. I’m stiff from the ride.” She set out for the perimeter of the camp. “I want to walk.”

Kadar caught up with her. “May I go along?”

“If you like.”

“But I’m not invited?”

“I won’t be good company. I’m in a foul humor.”

“I’d rather be with you in bad humor than anyone else in good.”

She felt that usual melting at his words. This was not the night to quarrel with him, no matter how tense she felt. She slowed down and they walked in silence for a while. “Do you have any idea where he’ll choose to meet you?”

“I have an idea where I’d choose. I’ve explored the area, and there’s a plateau on the western side of the mountain. It’s open enough so that you could see an attacking force on one side, and the cliff drops sheer to the valley on the other. I’d be surprised if Nasim chose any other place.”

“You can’t just ride into his camp with the grail.”

“There’s a cluster of boulders a short ride away. I’ll hide the chest there and try to lure Nasim away from the camp.”