Текст книги "Tiger Prince "

Автор книги: Iris Johansen

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"What do you know about elephants?" she asked Li Sung as they followed Tamar into the palace.

"Elephants?"

"Ruel believes they may prove a problem. Didn't you hear anything he was saying?"

"No, I was thinking of something else. The only thing I know about elephants is that I don't like them."

"Why not?"

"They have very big feet." As she continued to frown at him in puzzlement, he went on. "Cripples are extremely cautious of creatures with big feet. It's sometimes not easy for us to get out of the way of them."

She chuckled. "Then we'll have to make sure you don't encounter any at close range."

"That is my most earnest hope."

"If you don't mind my saying so, you're a bloody fool, Ruel," James Medford said bluntly.

Ruel chuckled. "It wouldn't do me any good to mind when you'd say it anyway. You don't have to approve of Miss Barnaby, you have only to make yourself available in case she needs information or advice."

Medford scowled. "Which probably means I'll be building the damn line myself and not getting paid for it."

"Once you meet the lady I believe you'll realize she's not one to take advantage of you." He motioned a servant to refill Medford's glass. "How is your work going?"

"Well enough." Medford was not to be distracted. "Good God, wasn't that mess she made of the line in Kasanpore enough for you?"

Ruel stiffened. "You know about that?"

"Pickering told me."

"You didn't mention it to me."

"Because I couldn't believe you wouldn't change your mind and give me the go-ahead to finish the entire line."

"You're getting greedy." He lifted his whiskey to his lips. "Not that I should complain when I've been accused recently of that fault myself."

"Really? Who was so bold as to dare risk offending the great white rajah of Cinnidar?"

"Jane Barnaby."

"Interesting. At least, I'm now assured she didn't use flattery to cajole you into hiring her."

"She doesn't know the meaning of cajolery."

"Which leaves me with the same puzzle with which I started. Why the devil did you hire her to—" He stopped in midsentence, his gaze on the doorway. "Is that our Miss Barnaby?"

Ruel followed his glance and caught a glimpse of braided red hair shining under the blazing chandeliers. "Yes, that's–" He stiffened in shock as his gaze wandered over Jane.

She wore a simple white gown of some filmy material that bared her arms and shoulders and emphasized the tininess of her waist and the fullness of her breasts. For the first time since he had met her, she looked totally, desirably woman.

"Never mind," Medford murmured.

Ruel jerked his gaze from Jane to see Medford watching him. "What?"

"You don't have to tell me why you gave her the job," Medford said, his glance falling to Ruel's lower body. "It couldn't be more obvious."

Dammit, he had only had to look at the woman to ready like a stallion eager to mount a mare. He said curtly, "I'll bring her over and introduce you."

"Don't hurry, I'm not panting to meet your little ..."

Ruel didn't hear the rest of the sentence as he moved across the wide salon, his gaze never leaving Jane. Her skin glowed with a soft flush and she was looking warily at him. She should be wary. He wanted to touch that skin, brush his fingertips over her bared shoulders, reach into the gown and cup her breasts. Why not? he thought recklessly. Medford had mockingly referred to him as the rajah of Cinnidar, but that power was very real. He could have her brought to his chamber and do anything he wished to her. He could undo that tight braid and run his fingers through her hair. He could strip off her gown and part her thighs and move—

He stopped before her. "Good evening. I didn't expect such elegance. You look . . . exceptional."

"And that makes you angry?"

"I'm not—" But he was angry, he realized suddenly, angry and frustrated because he wasn't going to take her tonight. Force would not rid him of this damn obsession for her. She had to come to him beaten and defeated. He tried to smile. "I've never seen you in a gown before. You took me off guard."

"Margaret gave it to me." She glanced around the room. "Where is she?"

"She sent a message saying Ian was too tired to come to dinner and they would dine in their suite." His stare went to her bared shoulders. "As always, Maggie's taste is impeccable. How did she convince you to accept such a garment?"

She shrugged. "She always insisted we dress for dinner at the castle and said it was only fair she furnish Li Sung, Kartauk, and me with the appropriate clothing."

When she had lifted her shoulders, the bodice had slipped a trifle, revealing more of the silky flesh of her upper breasts. He felt an aching stirring in his groin. "I'm surprised you obeyed her dictum to wear it."

"Margaret says a gown doesn't make a woman any more than trousers do a man. They're both just trappings that indicate difference, not superiority."

"How compliant you've become. You've changed a great deal since you left Kasanpore."

"It's not compliant to recognize good sense. Of course I've changed. Only fools fail to learn from the years." She added impatiently, "Why all this bother about a gown?"

"I don't like it."

Color flushed her cheeks. "The gown or the fact that I'm no longer the child you knew in Kasanpore?"

"You weren't a child. Even then you were very . . ." His gaze went to her breasts. "Ripe."

The flush burned brighter. "Then what's wrong with my gown?"

It wasn't the gown, he realized suddenly, it was the fact he hadn't been the one to give it to her. It had been Margaret who had persuaded her to give up those mannish togs and he was seething with a jealousy that was as unreasonable as it was fierce. "It's too demure. I gave a great amount of thought to every detail of our coming time together including how I intend to furbish you. Would you like me to tell you about it?"

She inhaled sharply. "No, I'm here to meet Medford. I assume that's him standing by the french doors."

"Yes, that's James. Unfortunately, he's not eager to meet you."

"Why not?"

"He thinks the only reason I hired you was that you're my mistress."

Her lips tightened. "And, of course, you didn't tell him otherwise?"

"Why should I? I'm a truthful man, and that is one of the reasons you're here."

"I'm here to build a railroad."

"But I have every intention of also making you my mistress. A mistress is only a humble vessel meant to please and grovel before her master. You would hate that, wouldn't you?"

He saw the flare of anger in her face, but she said evenly, "I don't have to worry about something that's not going to occur."

"But you knew I meant that role for you before you left Glenclaren. I was very honest with you. I want Cinnidar to defeat you and then I want to do the same thing myself."

"You won't get what you want." Her gaze returned to Medford. "And, blast you, you might have told him I was competent at what I do."

"You'll be even more competent after I have an opportunity to school you."

"I meant . . ." She drew a deep breath and then exhaled slowly. "You know what I meant. Are you going to introduce me to him, or must I do it myself?"

"Aye, I'll introduce you." He turned and led her across the room. "I've made sure Medford will cooperate with you, but don't expect me to be your champion. It's another battle you'll have to fight yourself."

"I'd never make the mistake of believing you'd help me any more than you could possibly avoid."

He had shaken her, but she was trying not to let him see it. She was treating him with a composure and calmness that was thorn-abrasive in his present mood. "Did you know I built the summerhouse for you?" He hadn't meant to tell her that yet, but he had to reach her, touch her. "I wanted a place where I'd have you entirely to myself."

She didn't answer, but he could see the color deepen on her cheeks, the faint acceleration of the lift and fall of her breasts beneath the bodice of her gown.

It was not enough, dammit. "Gold."

She glanced at him, startled. "What?"

"I'm going to dress you in gold silk," he said softly. "A gown that will bare your breasts and limbs. You have lovely limbs."

"Be still," she said hoarsely.

"And I remember how pointed and red your nipples were after I had them in my mouth. How hard they felt on my tongue. Do you remember?"

"No."

"I'll have one of the local seamstresses start on the gown at once. The gold will be quite beautiful with your red hair."

"You'll be wasting your money. It's not going to happen."

"It will happen." His gaze lingered on her breasts. "I'd wager it's starting to happen now. It's only fair really. As James noticed, I'm going to have an extremely uncomfortable evening."

Her gaze went involuntarily to his lower body and then quickly away.

"You see?" he said softly. "It's beginning already and it's not going to end." They had stopped before Medford, and Ruel smiled and asked politely, "James, may I present Miss Jane Barnaby? I'm sure you'll take good care of her while I go and see what's keeping Li Sung and Kartauk."

"You are annoyed," Li Sung observed as they left the salon at the end of the evening. "I was watching you all through dinner while you were talking to Medford. He is a fool?"

"No, I believe he may be a very smart man." She wrinkled her nose. "Though he thinks I'm a little fool, and that will cause difficulties I could do without."

"He will soon learn his mistake. Did he tell you anything we can use?"

She shook her head. "He said all the information he had gathered was in the survey. He did mention something about the elephants."

"What?"

"He said the Cinnidans revere them and to harm them would cause trouble."

"So we must stand still and let them trample us with their huge feet?"

She shrugged. "We may have nothing to worry about. We'll face that problem when we must. Medford said he had caught only brief glimpses of them while he was doing the survey." She covered a yawn with her hand. "And soon I intend to put everything else out of my mind as well and get a good night's sleep. Are your quarters comfortable?"

"Splendid. I've even been allotted two servants to care for my every wish. This lowly peon is overwhelmed."

"That's probably our host's intention."

"Or perhaps Ruel wishes to pamper us a little before submitting us to the mercy of his mountain of gold." He grimaced. "And those big-footed monsters."

"Perhaps." She was weary of trying to guess Ruel's reasons for doing anything and even more weary of the unbearable tension that enveloped her whenever she was near him. Tonight had been almost unbearable, sitting in that opulent room that shimmered with lacy gilt and breathed of Ruel's power. For the entire evening she had sensed in him a rawness and anger just below the surface. She had no idea what had goaded him into that initial explosion, but she had come out of it feeling bruised and frightened. She could not wait until they reached the mountain and she could be free of him until the job was done. "Medford said the journey to the base camp will take us three days and Ruel usually overnights at Elephant Crossing."

"Elephant Crossing," Li Sung murmured. "That was mentioned in the contract."

She nodded. "The track has to be completed over that crossing in eight weeks."

"Ah, yes, the penalties. We forfeit a high fee if we don't meet the deadline, don't we?"

"Fifty percent."

He gave a low whistle.

"That doesn't matter. We are going to make it. We'll take the opportunity tomorrow evening to look over the area." She stopped at her chamber. "Sleep well, Li Sung."

"I will." His tone was abstracted as he moved down the corridor toward his own chamber.

 

Chapter 13

Ruel got off his mule and started to undo the strap on the backpack. "The sun won't set for another hour. I'll set up camp while you and Li Sung look around."

"There doesn't seem to be much to see." Jane looked around the clearing—an area a good half-mile in diameter denuded of vegetation except for a few thorn trees that lay dead and rotting on the ground. "Why do they call it Elephant Crossing?"

"According to Dilam, the elephants usually stay on the east side of the island but occasionally one or two, sometimes even the entire herd, make a trek to the west and take this route."

"Then why did you cut your road directly through the crossing area?"

"It saved me about a half-mile of clearing." He shrugged. "I've never seen any elephants in all the time I've been running pack trains from the mountain. If I ever did run across a herd, you can bet I'd back away and let them go first."

She frowned. "I can't lay track here if there's a chance of it being damaged by a herd of elephants. I'll have to angle away from the crossing."

Ruel smiled. "It will take more time."

He had known she wouldn't risk building across the clearing, she thought in frustration. "Then I'll cut time somewhere else."

"Why do they go?" Li Sung asked suddenly.

They both turned to look at him.

"The elephants," he said. "You said they only occasionally trek to the west. Why do they go?"

"I have no idea. Dilam says the Cinnidans leave the elephants alone and the herds leave them alone."

"If they're interested enough to know they go west, why don't they know why?"

"Why are you so curious about them?"

"No reason." Li Sung slowly and painfully dismounted and began unsaddling the mule. "It is good to be off this creature. I thought riding a horse was painful until I mounted this beast."

"I would have given you a horse, but a mule is more surefooted on that narrow canyon trail."

"We'll have to send a crew to widen the trail," Jane said.

"It would make no difference. All animals are painful to this limb of mine." Li Sung moved stiffly across the clearing. "I will look over the terrain and see if I can determine another route that will prove adequate."

Ruel looked after him. "He's a brave man. A far more worthy specimen than your Patrick." He shot her a mocking smile. "I'm surprised you didn't bring your father along too."

"He would have been in the way."

"He's always in the way now, isn't he? Yet you still take care of him. Why?"

She unsaddled her mule and dropped the saddle on the ground. "I can't do anything else. When you take care of someone, you become accustomed . . . they belong to you."

"The caretaker."

"What?"

"Nothing, it's just something Kartauk said about you. It's a dangerous weakness."

She recalled Kartauk had once warned her of much the same thing, but only after he had used that 'weakness' to his advantage. "I have no time for this." She started across the clearing. "I'm going after Li Sung."

"Why didn't you tell him to wait for you?"

"He needed the time alone. The trip was hard on him and he doesn't like anyone to see him in pain."

"Not even you?"

"I would feel the same way." She looked at him. "And so would you."

She moved quickly after Li Sung.

Night had fallen when they arrived back at camp, led by the aroma of frying bacon and the beacon of a blazing campfire. Ruel was crouched before the fire, a frying pan in his hand. He glanced up as he ladled the bacon onto three tin plates already heaped with beans and biscuits. "Well, have you charted a new course?"

"There's a possible route to the north." Li Sung took one of the plates and sat down. "But the light faded before we could explore very thoroughly."

"It doesn't matter. There will be plenty of time for that later." Jane sat down and began to eat. "You can take a team back here while I supervise the start on the track down the mountain."

"You don't foresee any lengthy delays?" Ruel asked.

She met his gaze. "None that we can't overcome."

He smiled. "Sometimes delays occur over which we have no control. We'll have to see, won't—"

"What was that?" Li Sung lifted his head, his expression intent. "I heard something."

Jane heard it too this time, faint and far away.

"It's only an elephant trumpeting," Ruel said. "You hear them sometimes."

"I thought they would sound fierce," Jane said. "He sounds . . . sad, lost."

Li Sung gazed at her sternly. "He is neither sad nor lost and there is no need for you to rescue him."

Ruel smiled. "There's no danger of that. He's not nearby."

"Near enough," Li Sung said dryly. "I would prefer to neither see nor hear them."

"Li Sung has a dislike for elephants," Jane explained to Ruel.

"She is kindly trying to disguise my real feelings. I do not dislike them. I fear them." Li Sung paused. "And I envy them."

"Envy? Why?" Ruel asked.

"Power. They possess more strength than any creature on earth. It is always the lot of those who have little power to envy those who do. I have always been considered inferior because of my race and crippled body." He glanced at Ruel. "I also envy you, Ruel. You have power now."

"Power can always be taken away if not guarded well."

"But you know what it feels like to possess it. That is something I will never know."

"Yes, you will." Jane blinked rapidly to hide the tears she must not let fall. "You'll see, Li Sung. Once we have our own railroad, you'll be respected and—"

"It's not the same. It is a power you will have given me, not one I've won myself." He set his plate on the ground. "I believe I'll go to sleep now. You may clean up, Ruel."

Ruel grimaced. "So much for my lauded power. May I point out I've done all the work so far?"

"It is the responsibility of those who hold power to care for those weaker than themselves." Li Sung settled into his bedroll and turned his back on them. "It is only fair, after all."

Ruel turned to look at her, and she could see the reflection of the flames in his eyes. She stiffened as tension gripped her. As long as Li Sung was there, Ruel maintained a civilized facade. But now Li Sung was going to sleep, leaving her to face Ruel alone.

"I agree with Li Sung." She quickly set her own plate down, settled into her bedroll beside Li Sung, and shut her eyes.

She heard Ruel swear softly and then chuckle. "I believe there's something wrong with both your reasoning, but I'll not argue."

No, Ruel never wasted time arguing about the unimportant things, she thought. He would perform the menial tasks with perfect good nature and matchless efficiency and save himself for the bigger battles.

A short time later she heard Ruel crawling into his blankets across the fire. Then there was silence except for the rustling night sounds of the jungle surrounding them, the crackle of the wood in the fire . . . and the occasional trumpeting of an elephant.

Li Sung was probably right about the elephants being neither sad nor lonely, but the sound still filled her with melancholy.

Another elephant trumpeted in the darkness.

She had thought Li Sung asleep but apparently she was mistaken.

His murmur was almost inaudible but still held an element of wistfulness. "Power . . ."

Ruel's mining camp was a tent city as different from his palace as Kasanpore had been from Glenclaren. A hundred or so tents dotted the landscape, a sight not so different from the temporary tent camps of her childhood.

The thought caused Jane's hand to involuntarily clench on the reins.

"Is something wrong?" Ruel's gaze was narrowed on her face. "I know it's not the palace, but I didn't think it was that bad."

She forced a smile. "Nothing's wrong. It just reminded me of—"

"It is not the same," Li Sung interrupted. "See how clean it is here? No rubbish. Perfect order."

She felt an easing of tension as affection surged through her. Trust Li Sung to sense the bitter memories and step in to soothe and comfort her. "No, it's not the same."

"Same as what?" Ruel asked.

She stiffened warily as she saw his arrested expression. "Li Sung and I have seen quite a few tent cities over the years." She added quickly to forestall further questions. "But none this clean. Are you responsible?"

He shook his head. "The Cinnidans are incredibly fastidious. The first thing they demanded when I came to terms with the workers was a communal bathhouse, a belim tent, and two hours a day for belim and time to police their living quarters."

"Demanded?"

"Did you think I was using slave labor?"

"Let's say I didn't find you so compliant in our negotiations."

"I had no choice with the Cinnidans." He grinned ruefully. "They deigned to work in my mine only on their own terms. If I hadn't acceded to their wishes, they would have stayed happily in their villages and watched me work myself into the grave no matter how much money I offered them."

But he bore them no ill will. Jane noticed the same affectionate possessiveness when he spoke of the Cinnidans as when he had looked at his mountain. "Money has no appeal to them?"

"Money has appeal for everyone, but the Cinnidans don't regard it as necessary to 'felicitous living,' as they call it."

"And what do they think is necessary?" Li Sung asked.

"Children, serene surroundings, time to learn from their teachers, and belim."

"Belim?"

"Games. Cinnidans love games. You can almost always find a game of some sort in progress."

"And we're supposed to get them to work?" Jane asked dryly.

"They're not lazy, but I had a problem with that when I first came here until I realized the secret. You make work a game and put the workers in competition with each other. Every night we declare a winner and award a prize."

"What kind of prize?"

"It changes every day. A day off, a trinket, money . . . The local council gathers to decide the prizes every two weeks."

"And you head the council?" Li Sung asked.

He shook his head. "No one is allowed to sit on a Cinnidar council except the Cinnidans. I've been here three years and never been accorded that honor." He smiled. "But Dilam tells me if I continue to behave in a proper manner, in another year or two I may be permitted to attend, if not participate."

"Is Dilam on the council?"

"Oh yes, Dilam heads the council. A most extraordinary individual." He cast a glance at the setting sun. "I'll take you over to the belim tent. Most of the workers gather there for dice and card games before supper. I believe it's time you met our Dilam."

They heard the laughter and excited shouts issuing from the huge tent in the center of the camp from a hundred yards away.

When they entered the tent the noise was deafening. The tent was unfurnished except for colorful rugs covering the bare dirt floor and elaborately carved brass filigree lanterns that illuminated the excited faces of the men and women gathered in several groups. Jane smiled in amusement as she remembered Li Sung's comment about the superiority of the Cinnidans because they wore their hair in pigtails. Well, these Cinnidans certainly had a fondness for the practice; she had never seen so many pigtails in one place. Men and women alike wore their long, dark hair pulled back into thick single braids.

Their entrance received little attention from the crowd, though a few men hailed Ruel with more friendliness than respect. Ruel answered with equal casualness while he looked around the tent. "Ah, dice ... I thought so. Dilam loves dice. This way." He elbowed his way through the crowd to a circle of men and women kneeling, playing dice in the far corner.

"Dilam, could I speak to you?" Ruel called.

One of the glossy dark-maned heads bent over the dice lifted. "In a moment, Samir Ruel."

Jane stared in shock. Dilam was a woman.

Dilam's glance shifted to Jane. "Ah, they are here? Good."

"I thought you'd approve," Ruel murmured to Jane. "It seems you're not the only woman capable of bossing a railroad crew."

Dilam rolled out the dice. Immediate groans and derisive whoops erupted from the other players. She grinned and said something in Cinnidan before calling to Ruel, "They do not like it because I'm lucky. I told them the gods reward with luck the one who has already been given the gift of cleverness." She began gathering up the stakes. "Wait for me outside. It's too noisy in here for greetings."

Ruel nodded and steered Jane and Li Sung from the tent.

"A woman?" Li Sung asked.

"Medford asked the Cinnidar high council for an intelligent native to supervise his crew, and they sent Dilam. On Cinnidar you don't offend the council by refusing their choice."

"She speaks English very well."

"She learned it in only four weeks. I told you she was extraordinary."

A moment later Dilam strolled out of the tent and came toward them, moving with a springy step and athletic grace. She was of middle height, with broad shoulders and a body that appeared both strong and lithe. She was dressed in a dark green tunic, loose black trousers, and brown sandals that, though worn, appeared spotlessly clean. "You are Jane Barnaby?" She beamed. "I give you greetings. I am Dilam Kankula. You may call me Dilam."

"Thank you." In the dimness of the tent Jane had received only a fleeting impression of sparkling dark eyes and an equally gleaming wide white smile. Now she could see the woman was probably close to her thirtieth year and those fine eyes were set in a square face whose only other claim to beauty was a well-shaped mouth and an expression of intelligence and good humor. "Ruel didn't tell me you were a woman."

"But it is better, yes? We will work in harmony and understanding. I will not have to teach you my value as I did Samir Medford."

"And are there other women on the crew?"

"Oh yes, but not many. Men are better for physical labor. Women have more endurance and reasoning power, but men possess more physical strength. It is best to let the men do what they do best and leave the rest to us."

"I beg your pardon." Li Sung's tone had a distinct edge as he stepped out of the shadows cast by the huge tent.

Dilam's gaze swung to Li Sung and her eyes widened. "You are Li Sung? I did not see you there in the shadows behind Jane."

"Even though I'm a mere humble man destined to do only what he does best, I do not stand in the shadow of any woman."

"I meant no insult by my words." Her tone was absent, her expression totally absorbed as she gazed at Li Sung. "But it is the truth, you know."

"I do not know."

"The Cinnidans have a principally matriarchal society," Ruel said. "Did I forget to mention that?"

The devil knew very well he hadn't mentioned that important fact, Jane thought crossly. Ruel's eyes were shimmering with mischief as he looked from Dilam to a bristling Li Sung.

"I'm sure we'll all get along very well," she said.

"If she does not try to treat me as a mindless beast of burden," Li Sung said caustically.

"Oh no, that is not my intent." Dilam frowned earnestly. "You misunderstand my words. Men are truly splendid creatures."

"Creatures," Li Sung echoed. "Like mules or elephants perchance?"

"They do not deserve to be bunched together. Elephants are much more intelligent than mules."

"And where do men rank in this bestial hierarchy?"

"By the gods, you're prickly," Dilam said, exasperated. "What do you wish me to say?"

"I wish you to explain these acts of splendor of which you deem men capable."

"I think you wish to quarrel with me." Dilam shrugged. "Men are good hunters and warriors. They can also be fine craftsmen."

"But we are not worthy to govern?"

Dilam shook her head. "Their temper is too hot. Before women took over the council, we had many tribal wars."

"And now I suppose peace reigns under your benevolent council."

"Not always." She smiled cheerfully. "But since it takes us nine months to bring a child into the world, we think much more carefully about starting a war that will crush out their lives."

"I'm sure your men have an equal concern for their children," Li Sung said stiffly.

"Then why do they war?" She held up her hand as he started to speak. "We have no real quarrel. I can see you are different." She added, "In some ways."

Jane could see Dilam's words were only exacerbating Li Sung's irritation and interceded hurriedly. "Will you show me to my tent, Dilam? Perhaps we could discuss—"

Dilam was shaking her head. "Samir Ruel will show you where you sleep." She smiled and pointed her index finger at Li Sung. "I take you."

"That is not necessary," Li Sung said coldly.

"It is a pleasure, not a necessity. You are angry with me and I must make things right. I think we nesling before supper."

Jane heard a sound that was half gasp, half snort from Ruel.

"Nesling?" Li Sung frowned as he cast an inquiring glance at Ruel.

"Copulation," Ruel murmured.

"That's another thing men are good at," Dilam said with another beaming smile. "Nesling."

"How kind that you approve our carnal capability." Li Sung looked at her in outrage. "I think not."

"Oh," she said, disappointed. "I do not please you?"

"You do not please me."

"You please me very much. I find you . . ." She made a face as she read his forbidding expression. "Oh, well, perhaps you will like me better later."

"I doubt it."

"You will not change your mind?" she asked wistfully. "I am truly exceptional at nesling."

"I will not change my mind." Li Sung turned to Ruel. "Where is my tent?"

"I'll show you." Ruel was trying to keep from smiling as he told Dilam, "I'm afraid you'll have to be satisfied with the discussion Jane suggested. Bring her to the candmar in an hour."

Dilam watched them as they walked away. "It is not a good beginning." Then she noticed something else. "He limps."

"His leg was crushed when he was a child. It doesn't hinder him. You'll find he works harder than anyone on the crew."

"I know this." She shook her head gloomily. "But the limp explains much. I could have wished for an easier task."

"What do you mean?"

Dilam didn't answer, her gaze still on Li Sung's retreating figure.

"What is a candmar?" Jane asked.

"What?" Dilam's glance shifted back to Jane. "Oh, candmar means eating place. We all eat together at one campfire in the center of the encampment." She turned and started in the opposite direction. "Come, I will show you where you sleep and then we will come back here. We have time for more dice before supper."

Jane shook her head. "I need to study the map and find what problems there might be on the—"

"We will go play dice," Dilam said adamantly. "Gambling gives zest when one is tired and downhearted. Your head will be clearer when your heart is more content." She studied Jane. "You must learn to enjoy life. You are too solemn."

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