Lion's Bride - Iris Johansen [37]
He glanced at the distant castle, its torches burning bright. Dundragon no longer seemed quite so impregnable as it had these two years past.
The net was drawing tighter.
“How is the boy?” Kadar whispered when Thea opened the door later that evening.
“Better. He ate a bowl of broth an hour ago. He’s back asleep again.”
“I must speak to you before I go. Can you leave him?”
She nodded, then came out into the hall and quietly closed the door. “I think he’s no longer in danger. I just want to be here when he wakes.”
“Good. Then you can bid me a fitting good-bye. A few tears, a graceful wave of your hand as I ride through the gates.” He took her arm and urged her down the hall. “After all, a man deserves it when he sets out on a journey.”
“You deserve more than that. Is it safe for you to set out tonight?”
He nodded. “Ware rode out earlier today, and there’s no sign of any danger.”
“He did? I didn’t think he would stir from the castle today. I left him in the Great Hall with a bottle of wine.”
“Wine brings forgetfulness, but Ware doesn’t forget what it is his duty to remember,” he said as they started down the stairs. “He wouldn’t let me ride into danger.”
“How do you go to Constantinople?”
“I ride to Acre and then go by ship.”
“How long will it take to bring her here?”
“Two or three months. It would be sooner, but it may take me a while to pluck her away from your loving father.” He frowned thoughtfully. “I think I will be a wealthy merchant from Cairo who wishes to start his own silk-and-embroidery house. But not too wealthy. I cannot afford any of his most experienced embroiderers. I will choose one of the younger women who will be adequate now and better later. I will ask to tour the House of Nicholas, become struck with the skill of your Selene, and accept no other. Is that not a good plan?”
It was a good plan. “Very clever.”
“Because I am clever. But even brilliant men must have knowledge to bring their plans to fruition. I cannot ask for your sister by name. What does she look like? Is she fair like you?”
She shook her head. “She has dark-red hair and green eyes.” She frowned. “And she won’t like being bought. She’ll want to stay at the House of Nicholas where I can find her.”
“Do not worry. I can handle one small child.”
“When you were ten, were you a child?”
He shook his head.
“Neither is Selene.”
He nodded. “I understand. I am not to be over confident.”
“Impossible,” Ware said dryly from the door. “You think you can move the world.”
“It’s not true,” Kadar responded. “But sometimes it’s possible to persuade others to do it for you.” He moved toward Ware. “Like you, my friend. I have high hopes for you.”
“Save your hopes for yourself.” He opened the door and preceded them down the stairs toward Kadar’s horse. “You’ve hidden the pouch?”
Kadar nodded. “No one will know I’m a wealthy merchant until I reach Constantinople. Until then I’m only a pilgrim returning from the Holy Land.” He mounted and smiled down at Ware. “Don’t worry, I’m in no danger.”
“I’m not worried.” He gazed at Kadar a moment and then said gruffly, “Go with God.”
“Of course. God will not have it any other way. He has excellent taste in traveling companions.” Kadar looked at Thea. “Now you must bid me my proper farewell. Will you lead my horse to the gates as if I were a great knight going to fight a dragon?”
“If you wish,” she said, startled. She grasped the reins and moved across the courtyard.
“I do you a service,” Kadar said in a low voice.
“A great service.”
“I ask a service in return.”
She looked over her shoulder at him. His expression was uncharacteristically solemn. “Anything. What service?”
“I leave a possession that must be cared for.”
“Your falcons? If you will tell me how to—”
“Not my falcons. The servants know how to care for them.” He nodded toward Ware. “He won’t let them care for him.”
She stiffened. “I’ve noticed he makes his demands known. You need not worry about Lord Ware.”
“I do worry. He’s my responsibility.” He shook his head. “And this is a bad time for me to leave. He grieves