Lion's Bride - Iris Johansen [111]
Ware shook his head. “I won’t lead Kemal or the Templars to Dundragon. Neither would hesitate to wipe it from the earth now. After Jedha, I promised my people safety.”
“The Templars have been too cautious to strike at Dundragon before,” Thea said.
“But that was before Kemal took the banner to Acre. They won’t wait for an easy strike now.”
Thea frowned in puzzlement. “What matter does the banner make to the Templars?”
Ware’s eyes narrowed on her face. “You don’t know?”
“Would I ask if I knew?”
“I never know what you’ll do or how you come to know things you should not. It is not—” Ware broke off and wearily shook his head. “All I know is that we cannot return to Dundragon. We’ll lead Kemal in another direction away from it.”
“What direction?” Kadar asked. “With the entire country lusting for blood, you will be safe from the Templars and Kemal nowhere.”
“One place may be safe from both of them.” Ware met his gaze. “With you as guide. It was before.”
“Before?” Then Kadar gave a low whistle as comprehension dawned. “You would certainly be safe from them there. That doesn’t mean you would survive. You were within a hair of being removed from this earth before. He won’t take kindly to your trespassing again.”
“We have no other choice. We need a haven until I can think of some other solution.” He paused. “Unless you refuse to take us.”
“It’s not a place I’d choose. I don’t wish to be drawn back into that web.” He shrugged. “But I never refuse fate when she comes knocking. I deem it extremely discourteous.”
“What are you talking about?” Thea asked impatiently.
Kadar said, “It seems we’re going to visit the Old Man of the Mountain.”
THEY TRAVELED ALL THAT NIGHT and through the next day, stopping only to rest and water the horses. Ware reined in at a clearing on a hillside at sunset. “We’ll set up camp here for the night.”
“Is that wise?” Selene asked. “You need not stop because of Thea and me. We can go on.”
“You stalwart women may be able to go on, but I’m far too weary.” Kadar got down from his horse and spoke to Ware. “I saw a brook a quarter mile down the hill. You can make camp while I go water the horses and stake them.”
Ware nodded as he dismounted, then he lifted Thea from the saddle.
“I’ll go with you.” Selene took her horse’s reins and followed Kadar down the trail.
How could Selene retain that much strength after the past two days? Thea wondered tiredly.
She turned to Ware and echoed Selene’s question. “Is it wise to stop?”
“It’s wiser than killing the horses and ourselves. Kemal has to rest and eat too. We’ll leave early in the morning.”
“We’ve not seen any sign of Kemal. Are you sure he’s following us?”
“Oh, he’s following us. He must remove the blemish on his honor before he faces Saladin again.” He turned away. “Sit down. I’ll have fire and food ready soon.”
She sank down onto the ground. She would not argue with him. Every muscle in her body felt bruised, and she could barely keep from collapsing. Sitting at an embroidery hoop was no training for this kind of physical punishment.
She felt better later, after she had eaten a little, but she was still dazed with weariness.
Selene was in little better condition, she noticed. The energy or proud pretense that had kept Selene going ebbed swiftly after she sat down before the fire. She was the first to lie down between her blankets and was asleep moments later.
Kadar smiled. “It’s good she is asleep. She would probably insist on taking her turn at guard duty.” He stood up and stretched. “I will go first,” he told Ware. “You’ll relieve me at midnight.”
Ware nodded.
Thea watched as Kadar moved up the trail to a higher point that would allow him a view of the entire valley below. “He’s been very quiet on this journey. That’s unusual for Kadar.”
“Yes.” His lips thinned. “If there had been any other way, I’d never have asked him to return to the Old Man. It’s too dangerous for him.”
“More dangerous than for us? He told me he lived with the assassins.”
“But he broke away from Sinan, and he told me once that he’d rather be stung by a scorpion