Lion's Bride - Iris Johansen [134]
“I notice you don’t mention Vaden.”
“There’s been no sign of Vaden. Perhaps he died at Acre.”
Thea couldn’t believe Vaden was no longer a threat. He had been too long a part of Ware’s life. “I don’t think so.”
“Well, don’t worry about something you can do nothing about. Ware will have to confront Vaden at some time.”
And by creating the banner she had made sure that time would come sooner, Thea thought. It made no difference that the design’s resemblance to the lion throne had been unintentional; the effect was the same. “It’s my fault.”
“Nonsense. You know that’s ridiculous. The Knights Templar had marked Ware for death long before you came.”
“But the banner will serve to remind them of the urgency of killing him,” she said bitterly. “You cannot deny that truth.”
“No, the banner has certainly stirred a hornet’s nest.”
“And will continue to do so as long as it exists.” Kemal had almost killed Ware and would not now be camped in the foothills waiting to pounce if his courage hadn’t been bolstered by his belief in the banner. “It must be destroyed.”
Kadar shook his head. “Not unless you burn it in full view of Kemal and the Knights Templar. If it disappears, they’d merely think you’d secreted it away. It would become legend and therefore infinitely more valuable.”
She had not thought about that possibility, she realized in exasperation. “There must be some solution. After we leave this land, we won’t need to fear Kemal. Maybe if I sent the banner to the Knights Templar for them to destroy, it would ease their pursuit.”
“Before you make any more plans to destroy it, may I remind you that you no longer have possession of the banner?”
“Then I must get it back. I’ll not have Ware put in more danger by a banner I created.”
“Am I to assume that I’m to be involved in this retrieval?” He shook his head. “Did you think I’d not considered stealing the banner and pricking the bubble of Kemal’s courage? The banner is kept in a chest in Kemal’s tent, and the tent is very well guarded. You’ll have to wait for Ware to return with his army.”
“Ware will not go to battle Kemal while he still has the banner.” The words tumbled unbidden and without thought from her lips.
“Ah, I see.” Kadar smiled. “You believe the banner does have power.”
“I didn’t say that. Of course it doesn’t. I should know. I made it. It’s just that—” She stopped as she realized the words were coming jerkily. She steadied her voice. “Maybe Kemal will fight fiercer if he has the banner. I’ll not take the chance.”
“And I’ll not take the chance of losing my head or leaving you and Selene unprotected for the sake of a scrap of silk. We’ll wait for Ware.”
“I didn’t ask you to go after it. The banner is my responsibility. I may need your help, but I’m the one who will go to Kemal.”
Kadar muttered an exclamation. “And then Ware will cut my throat, instead of leaving it to Kemal. What do you intend to do? Just walk in and ask him for it?”
“You need not be sarcastic.” She paused before saying with effort, “If Kemal must die, I’ll do it.”
“Easily said, not easily done. Taking a life diminishes the taker.”
She gave him a cool glance. “You’ve killed and you do not appear diminished.”
“Because I’m extraordinary?” He raised a brow. “But then how do you know what heights I’d reached before I was diminished?”
She ignored his mockery. “I won’t kill unless it becomes necessary, but I won’t let Kemal face Ware again.”
“Ware could squash him without effort. If he hadn’t been weakened and off guard, Kemal would never have got near him.” Kadar studied her expression. “It’s not Kemal but the banner you fear, isn’t it?”
“I told you the banner has no power.” They had reached her chamber and she quickly opened the door. “Will you know when Ware approaches?”
He nodded. “Sinan knows when a camel sneezes as far away as Damascus.”
“And you’ll go to Kemal’s camp to help