Lion's Bride - Iris Johansen [106]
Vaden flung out a hand at the soldiers below and spit out, “Perhaps you’d rather I go out and join the other soldiers. I have a strong right arm. I can sever a head from a man’s shoulders with one blow.”
“I don’t appreciate such levity.” The Grand Master fixed him with a cool stare. “You have another mission which you’ve been neglecting since Grand Master de Ridfort’s death. Now that I’m Grand Master, that will not be tolerated. After this is over, you will return to Dundragon at once. We must bring an end to this threat.”
Bring an end to Ware but not to the horror going on below.
“Or perhaps your dedication to the task is wavering?”
“I know it must be done. I will finish it.”
“Then leave Acre to Richard.” His gaze shifted away from Vaden to the hill above Acre. “Ah, I see Saladin has heard rumors and sent some of his people to witness.”
“The moment Saladin hears of this, no Christian hostage or captive will be safe.”
“Saladin will be too fearful of Richard to act.”
Did de Sable actually believe that madness?
“What a magnificent banner,” the Grand Master murmured. “Richard would find those lions most appropriate for himself. They call him the lion-hearted, you know. I must tell him….”
De Sable was mumbling about banners when that royal idiot was going to ignite all of Islam with this blood spill?
“He may decide to take it for his own when he returns to France,” de Sable said. “Is that Saladin’s banner?”
Vaden cast an impatient glance at the group of Saracens gathered on the hill. He recognized only Tariq Jallal and Kemal ben Jakara. “I’ve not heard Saladin has lions on—”
My God, Ware, have you gone mad too?
“Well, is it Saladin’s banner?” the Grand Master asked with impatience.
“No. But I see Kemal ben Jakara, Sheikh of El Sunan. I suppose the banner belongs to him.” Robert de Sable clearly didn’t recognize the lion throne in the design. When he had taken power he had only been told of the throne; he would not be able to see it until Jerusalem was liberated. Christ, but any of the Grand Marshals would instantly see the danger. And they knew of the agreement between Kemal and Ware.
“El Sunan.” Robert de Sable smiled slyly. “I’ll tell Richard. He may want to pay a call on the sheikh on his way to Jerusalem. A captured fortress has no need of banners.”
“El Sunan isn’t on the way to Jerusalem.” He gazed at the flag with anger and frustration. The woman held captive by Kemal ben Jakara had to be responsible. My God, why had Ware permitted her to flaunt her knowledge to the world?
Ware had told her of the lion throne. He had lied to Vaden. It should not be a shock. All the world lied, and with far less reason.
It was a shock. He felt betrayed.
Foolishness. Ware had told him he would lie to keep the woman alive.
And then he had let Kemal come there waving a banner that would be her death warrant.
“Such a banner is worth a detour.” Robert de Sable’s glance returned to the Saracen captives, and his voice harshened. “I believe they’re ready to begin. I want no protest from you. You will stand here and watch, and if you show any emotion at all, it will be approval. Do you understand?”
Vaden watched as a soldier decapitated the first captive with one slice of his sword. Was the captive one Vaden himself had delivered to Richard? The cry of approval that went up as the blood spurted reminded him of the howl of a hungry animal. He said impassively, “Oh, yes, Grand Master, I understand perfectly.”
A rider, coming fast.
Ware shaded his eyes with the edge of his hand.
Kadar.
A chill rained through Ware as he moved out of the trees and waited for Kadar to reach him. Kadar’s pace was as forbidding as the grimness of his face.
Kadar reined in before him. “Get them out of El Sunan. Now. Today.”
Ware’s heart leaped. “How bad? What happened? Someone saw the banner?”
“Saladin sent Kemal to Acre to bear witness and report back to him. It’s likely both he and the banner were seen.” He slipped from the saddle and led his horse toward the brook.