The Treasure_ A Novel - Iris Johansen [89]
Tarik shook his head.
“Yes,” Kadar said.
“Are you going to threaten us?” Tarik asked. “I believe you know that won’t accomplish anything.”
“It depends on the threat.” Kadar moved over to the balustrade and looked up at the bright blue sky. “I’ve always loved the night. The stars, the shadows. But the morning is good too. Feel the freshness of the breeze? Since I came so close to death from Balkir’s sword, I’ve learned to appreciate those small pleasures even more.” He paused. “What was the potion that so miraculously cured me, Tarik?”
Tarik was silent.
“At the moment Selene is too numb to focus on anything but ways to use the grail to lure Nasim, but, as you were talking, things began to slide together for me. There was more than the grail in the coffer, wasn’t there? Eshe?”
Tarik nodded.
“And you had Selene give it to me.”
“It saved your life. I wasn’t sure it would. You were almost gone.”
Kadar’s brows lifted. “You claim this Eshe can cure a sword wound?”
“No, I was surprised that it helped you. It only seems to increase the body’s strength and repel disease.” He gave Layla a sardonic smile. “But perhaps you should ask my wife. She has vastly more experience with Eshe than I do.”
“Because you hide your head and won’t deal with it,” Layla said. “But, as far as I know, it does little good with wounds. He should have died.” She shrugged. “It’s difficult to judge. I’ve never given it to anyone in such dire straits. It would have been a waste.”
“And you were too ill for me to give you a choice,” Tarik said. “It was a great struggle for me.”
“To keep me alive?” Kadar gazed directly into his eyes. “Or to extend my life span?”
He smiled. “You told me you don’t believe that’s possible.”
“But you do.”
“Oh, yes, I believe it. Would I have protected the grail all these years if I hadn’t believed it?”
“But you’re tired of protecting it. You wanted to shift the responsibility to someone else. You chose me.”
“It was a very painful choice. Particularly after I got to know you.”
“I thought I recalled signs of uncertainty and remorse.”
“There’s no reason Tarik should be remorseful,” Layla said. “He saved your life and gave you a great gift.”
“I don’t think he regards it as a great gift. Do you, Tarik?”
He shook his head. “It’s a terrible, terrible burden.”
“Because you make it so,” Layla said. “There’s no reason for you to agonize. Just look at Kadar. He’s nothing like Chion. He can withstand it.”
“I hope so.”
“Who is this Chion?” Kadar asked Tarik.
“My brother.”
“And what happened to him?”
“I loved him. I wanted to share Eshe with him.” His lips thinned with pain. “He went mad. He killed himself.”
Kadar went still. “Not a cheerful prospect. I believe I’m beginning to be a trifle upset with you, Tarik. Does this potion often unbalance the recipient?”
“Chion was always delicate and nervous,” Layla said. “It’s never happened before or since.”
“How do you know?” Tarik asked. “You’re so generous with Eshe that I’m sure you don’t keep track of all to whom you give it.”
“I do keep track.” She glared at him. “Yes, I’m generous, but I’m not irresponsible. There was never another Chion.”
“One was enough.” Tarik turned back to Kadar. “But I hoped it would have no adverse effect on you. I might never have given it to you at all, if you hadn’t been hurt. It seemed as if destiny took the decision out of my hands.”
“I’ll take comfort from that, if I see madness approaching,” Kadar said dryly.
“It won’t happen,” Layla said. “And you need not try to make Tarik feel guilt. He feels nothing else. You’re the first person he gave Eshe to since Chion died.”
“I’m honored,” Kadar said. “Then I assume he’s merely acted as protector for the grail?”
“Yes.” Her lips curved in a bitter smile. “Since he would not help me in any other way. I thought it only fair that I send him the grail to keep safe.”
“Safe?” Tarik repeated. “Do you know how often I’ve been tempted to melt it down and bury it?”
“But you couldn’t