The Treasure_ A Novel - Iris Johansen [35]
“How well guarded is the castle?”
“Guarded well against an army, but a man like you can go where armies cannot. You will slip in like a ghost and pluck my treasure from Tarik.”
“If he doesn’t make me a true ghost before I do it. Where is this treasure kept?”
“It’s hidden in Tarik’s chamber. It’s contained in a large gold box with a bejeweled cross on the lid. You’ll recognize it at once.”
“A cross? Is this a holy relic?”
“What do you care?”
“I care if this Tarik will be able to call on the Church to protect the treasure.”
“He won’t call on the Church. He stands alone.”
“Except for an army guarding his fortress. How do I get there?”
“Ali Balkir will take you on the Dark Star. He’ll stay with you and bring you back when you have the treasure.”
“And to assure that I will return.”
Nasim nodded. “Though I have little need of such assurance while I keep the woman and the boy as hostages.”
“No.”
Nasim stiffened, his eyes narrowing. “What are you saying?”
“I’m saying that the boy and the woman go with me.”
“And I’m saying they stay.”
“Then you’ll wait a long time for your treasure.”
“You’d break your word?”
“You know me better than that. But I may take another twelve years to finish your task, and you appear very impatient.”
Nasim muttered a curse. “You cannot have your way in this.”
“Why not? You’re sending Balkir with me. Tell him to kill the woman and the boy if I try to cheat you.”
Nasim glanced at Selene. “What if she’s with child? I want that child.”
“Which do you want more? The treasure or a child who may or may not be a reality?”
“Both.”
“You can’t have both. Choose.” He stared directly into Nasim’s eyes. “Or I swear you will wait a long, long time for any treasure I bring you.”
“I could settle the argument by throwing them both off the battlements now.”
“And rob yourself of hostages? Besides, that would anger me. You’ve never seen me angry, Nasim. You don’t know which way it would make me jump.”
Nasim was silent a moment. Then he shrugged. “As you say, I’ll have Balkir there to butcher them if you seek to betray me.”
“But that’s the only area in which Balkir will not be under my orders. You’ll see that he obeys me in everything else.”
“He won’t like it.”
“What difference did that ever make to you? It will clearly be difficult enough to steal this box without having to worry about a captain who may sail off and leave me stranded.”
Nasim shrugged. “Very well, he’ll have orders to obey you as he would me.” He turned and moved toward the door. “I’ll go have the horses saddled. Come down to the courtyard at once. I wish to give you more details on the location of Tarik’s chamber.”
Selene watched the door close behind him before she said, “You handled that very well.” She swung her legs to the floor. “Though I was ready to kick him to make him stop treating me as if I weren’t in the room.”
“Now, that would have caught his attention. I’m glad you refrained.” He rummaged in the saddle baskets and tossed her the sailor’s garments she had worn when she arrived. “I was walking a fine line as it was.”
“I’m not an idiot. I knew that the only thing of importance was getting us out of here. We’ll worry about escaping Balkir later.” She scrambled into her clothes and ran her fingers through her hair. She would have liked to braid it for the journey, but it was better to leave at once. She didn’t want to give Nasim time to change his mind. She headed for the door. “You gather our things while I go wake Haroun.”
______
“Balkir is in a rage.” Selene watched the captain stride about the ship barking orders. “I almost wish Nasim had told somebody else to go with us.”
“I don’t.” Kadar leaned his elbows on the rail and gazed out at the sea. “If he hadn’t given the task to Balkir, I would have asked for him.”
She turned to look at him in surprise. “Why?”
He changed the subject. “I doubt if I’ll have an opportunity to set you and Haroun free before we reach Tuscany. Balkir’s terrified of offending Nasim, and he’ll be on guard. But a chance may occur when the action begins.