Lion's Bride - Iris Johansen [96]
Ware smiled sardonically. “While I have only to journey forth and do battle along Kemal’s border.”
“I’m glad you realize the two problems don’t compare in scope.” Kadar’s brow wrinkled in thought. Then a brilliant smile suddenly lit his face. “I know. I’ll take them a present.”
“I wish you to make me another banner,” Kemal announced.
Thea looked up from the tunic she was embroidering. “Indeed?”
Kemal frowned as he entered the chamber and closed the door. “Why do you bother with embroidering all those tunics and robes? It’s banners you should be sewing.”
“Only warriors need banners.”
“I am a warrior.”
“But you’re not my master.”
“That is true.” He smiled coaxingly. “But Lord Ware is my great good friend. He would tell you to make me another banner.”
She drew the gold thread through the silk. “I will think about it.”
He was not pleased. “You are very proud for a slave.”
“I gave you one banner. Aren’t you pleased with it?” She knew the answer. She had heard the whispers from the eunuchs and women of the harem. At first she could not believe anyone could be so foolish as to believe such nonsense. Her second thought was to use that foolishness to her own advantage. “It’s a very fine banner.”
“Very fine. I want another.”
“It takes a long time and much effort to create a banner of such power.” She smiled. “I hear it’s brought you good fortune. It doesn’t surprise me.”
“I want to give one to Saladin as a gift.”
“So that he will look on you with favor? A very clever move.” She pretended to think about it. “But Lord Ware might not like my making a banner to give good fortune to Saladin. After all, Lord Ware is a knight of Christendom.”
“He is a renegade.”
“But his roots are with the Frankish lords.” She sighed. “No, I fear there is too much risk.”
“He values you. He will not slay you.”
“I cannot be sure. What would you do to a slave who betrayed you?”
His gaze slid away from her own. He knew she must be aware of his treatment of the women of the harem. Only yesterday he had ordered a young girl whipped senseless because she had displeased him. “I would not tell him.”
“My banners speak boldly.” She paused. “But if I felt safe, I might be persuaded to make you such a gift.”
Eagerness lit his face. “I tell you, he will not know.”
“Perhaps if he also does not know where I am…” She took a tiny stitch. “If you could free me, send me away from here—”
“I’m a man of honor. I would not betray my bargain.”
“Not even to sit at Saladin’s right hand?”
He was silent a moment. “Lord Ware has protected my border well these last months.”
“But do you need him? I hear you’ve won many battles yourself.”
“I’m a man of honor,” he repeated.
“Saladin is your liege.” She raised her gaze to his face. “Is it honorable not to share your success with him?”
Good—Kemal was frowning uncertainly. Did she have him?
“Saladin has success enough without my help. These Franks are nothing before him.” He bit his lip. “Perhaps if he needed my help, it would not be dishonorable to—But he does not.” He glared at her. “And you are a wicked woman to so tempt me.”
She smiled at him. “I merely searched for a way to give you what you wished of me. Think on it.” She looked back down at the tunic. “But not too long. A banner is not created overnight. Lord Ware may decide to return and take me away from you.”
“We struck a bargain. He won’t return.” She heard his retreating footsteps. “We are both honorable men.”
The door slammed behind him.
“You made him angry.” Selene came out of the adjoining chamber. “Do you truly think he’ll do it?”
“You heard?”
Selene nodded. “It’s true what the women say. He really believes it.” She grinned as she plopped down beside Thea on the pillows. “Why did you never tell me you could create magical banners?”
“You may laugh, but his foolishness may be our way out of this fortress.” She frowned. “He’s very stubborn. It may take some time to persuade him.”
“And what if he begins losing battles?”
“I’ll tell him the magic lasts only for so many battles and that a new banner will have