Текст книги "Tiger Prince "
Автор книги: Iris Johansen
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"I know this," Li Sung said. "But I do not like . . ." He shook his head. "And it is not only my own loss I worry about. There is Jane and you."
"Me?" Ruel smiled in mirth. "I'm touched by your concern."
"I am concerned." Li Sung smiled gently. "Jane has great dreams that could be toppled. And you are in pain."
Ruel flinched. "I assure you the pain will go away when I've killed Abdar."
"Will it?"
"Try me and see. Help me."
"I will think on it." Li Sung wrinkled his nose. "It is true my natural aversion might be influencing my judgment in this instance."
"My judgment isn't impaired. This will work if we do it right." Ruel turned away. "And we'll do it right."
"Dilam's crossing the river." Jane had come to stand beside them. "I counted about seventy warriors with her."
"Then you'll have to make a decision soon," Ruel told Li Sung. "Abdar's not going to give us much more time."
"When Dilam comes we will discuss it." Li Sung held up his hand as Ruel opened his lips to protest. "I will need her help if I decide your plan is wise."
Darkness fell and Medford still had not come. When he failed to arrive by midnight, guards were posted and they went to their blankets to rest.
To rest but not to sleep, Jane thought wearily. She felt too worried and afraid to let go of awareness. She turned on her side to look at Ruel across the campfire. He was not sleeping either. He lay on his back, every muscle rigid, staring into the darkness, and she was again reminded of brittle crystal, ready to explode ... or be shattered. He had barely spoken a word to any of them all evening, withdrawing into himself, withdrawing into his anger and sorrow. She should let him have his solitude. If he had wanted her help, he would have asked for it.
What was she thinking? Ruel had difficulty admitting he needed anything or anyone.
She threw aside the blanket, jumped to her feet, and moved around the fire.
She knelt beside Ruel and lifted his blanket. "Move over."
He didn't look at her. "No."
She lay down beside him.
"Go away. I don't want you here."
"Too bad. I'm staying." She drew the blanket around her. She lay there, not touching him, sensing his stiffness and resistance.
"I knew you'd come," he said harshly. "It was bound to happen. You have to have something to mother. Well, I'm not a young boy with a crushed leg or a damn baby elephant. I don't need you. I don't need anyone."
"I didn't say you did." She slid her arms around his taut, strained body. "I'm the one who needs you. I'm frightened of tomorrow, and I feel as if I have this wound inside that won't stop bleeding."
He was silent a moment. "You do?"
She nodded. "It would help if you would hold me. I don't think I'd feel so alone."
He didn't respond for a moment, and then his arms slowly slid around her. "You're not alone."
"Neither are you," she whispered. "If you want me, I'll always be here."
He stiffened even more. "Pity?"
"Love."
"I find it strange you find it necessary to make this declaration now."
"You once said you knew I loved you."
"I also know you have a nature soft as mush."
"Very well, there's pity too."
He swore beneath his breath.
"There's nothing wrong with pity, Ruel."
"The hell there isn't."
"Blast it, I won't say I'm sorry for giving you pity. When I was ill, didn't you pity me? When Zabrie hurt Li Sung, didn't you want to help him?" Her arms tightened around him. "Now shut up and go to sleep."
"I'm not tired."
"Then talk to me." She paused. "Talk to me about Ian."
She could feel the ripple of shock that went through him. "There's nothing to say. He's dead."
"Then we're just going to forget him?"
"Of course I'm not going to forget him." He spoke through his teeth. "I'm going to kill Abdar."
"And me? Are you going to kill me too? It would never have happened if Ian hadn't been crippled. He would have been able to escape."
"Be quiet," he said hoarsely. "It wasn't your fault."
"A month ago you would have blamed me."
"I don't want to talk about this."
"And I won't be silent about it. Say it. It's my fault."
"It's not your fault." He suddenly exploded. "It's mine."
She looked at him, startled. "What?"
"It's always been my fault. I blamed you, but I guess I always knew I was the one responsible. Ian would never have been in Kasanpore if it hadn't been for me."
"But he followed you from Scotland. You didn't even want him there."
It was as if he hadn't heard her. "And I should have been more careful getting him out of the wreck."
"You saved his life."
"I crippled him," Ruel said fiercely. "I ruined his life and then I brought him here to die."
She had never dreamed he could harbor this agony of guilt. Yet she should have known. Ruel never did anything in half measures. His emotions and reactions were always stronger, deeper, and more intense than anyone else's. And she was partially responsible for his guilt, she suddenly realized. He loved her and wanted to exonerate her, to shoulder her guilt himself. She had to do something. That was an easy decision, but what was she to do? Arguing would only make him more stubborn.
"All right, it is your fault." She went on, feeling her way. "But it's my fault too, and you forgave me. You have to forgive yourself."
He shook his head.
"Listen to me. Ian loved you. He wanted you to be happy."
He didn't answer.
"He died to help you and Margaret and Kartauk have the good life he wanted for you all. Are you going to let him die for nothing?"
She thought she felt a slight easing in those painfully knotted muscles, but she couldn't be sure.
"How can you be so stubborn? He wanted—" She stopped as she felt something warm and damp on her temple. "Ruel?"
"I love you," he said unevenly. His arms tightened around her. "God, I love you."
Now she could let her own tears come. Her last resistance to him flowed away with them. Life was too short to be afraid, love too precious not to risk everything to hold it. "I believe you."
"You do? It's about time," he said huskily. He was silent for a long time. "It . . . hurts, Jane."
"I know." She brushed her lips along the line of his cheek. She knew his moment of weakness would not last, but she felt a surge of fierce maternal protectiveness. She wanted to shelter and keep him from all harm. For the first time she realized the true power Ian had wielded over Margaret. A man who needed you was the greatest mandarin of all. "But we'll share it and soon it will get better for us. It has to get better."
"Aye." His arms tightened around her. "It will get better, love."
Margaret, Kartauk, James Medford, and his people arrived at midafternoon the next day.
"Where's Ruel?" Medford asked Jane as soon as he stepped off the bridge.
Jane nodded to the south. "Downriver with Li Sung and Dilam. Abdar?"
"We sighted him starting down the canyon trail before we left," Medford said as he set off in the direction she had indicated. "Six hours."
As usual, Medford's conversation was blunt and sparing, Jane thought as she turned back to watch Margaret, closely followed by Kartauk, cross the final few yards to the bank. She had thought Margaret looked bad the night she had arrived at their camp, but now she was shocked at the tragic difference she saw. Strong, vibrant Margaret appeared almost fragile, her face pinched and pallid, great dark circles imprinted beneath her eyes.
"Hello, Jane."
"You know how sorry I am," Jane said gently. "Is there anything I can do?"
Margaret shook her head. "There's nothing anyone can do."
Jane gestured to the campfire in the middle of the encampment. "You must be tired. Why don't you go sit down by the fire and get some rest?"
"If you like," Margaret said dully.
Jane gazed worriedly after her as the other woman moved toward the campfire. Ruel had said Margaret was numb, but she had never dreamed to see her this lacking in vitality.
"Do not comfort her."
She turned to see Kartauk gazing after Margaret.
"Don't be ridiculous," she snapped. "She's suffered a great loss. Of course I'm going to comfort her."
"She does not need time to dwell on it. Give her work to do. You have to make her come alive again."
"I can't perform miracles," Jane said wearily. "If you know how to accomplish it, perhaps you should make the attempt."
"She has said scarcely two sentences to me since I woke with a raging headache at Medford's camp." He smiled crookedly. "She cannot even look at me. I betrayed her."
Her eyes widened. "How?"
"I told her to trust me and then I had the bad judgment to underestimate Ian. It's not a mistake easily forgiven when it means a man's life."
"Margaret told me you meant to stay in his place."
"But I didn't." He shrugged. "Which makes the situation complicated."
"She would never have wanted you to sacrifice your life, Kartauk."
"I know. But she has more conscience than is good for her and she's not an easy woman." His gaze lingered on Margaret for a moment longer before he looked away. "I cannot help her this time," he said gruffly. "You will have to do it. Help her to heal. Keep her busy. Make her work so hard, she doesn't have time to think."
Why, he loved her, Jane realized suddenly. She remembered Margaret's frantic anxiety about Kartauk's safety. Love there too? How could they possibly sort out the guilt and love and sorrow. A complicated situation indeed, she thought sadly. Why could nothing in this world come easily?
"I'll keep her busy," she promised. "We need all the hands we can get to help form the barriers." She changed the subject. "Ruel is downriver and wishes to speak to you right away. He has a plan and needs your help."
"He has it." Kartauk smiled crookedly as he started off along the riverbank. "God knows, I need to keep busy too."
The last of the canoes and rafts were brought across the river to the new encampment, and Jane supervised the destruction of the hanging bridge. The brush barriers were completed by sundown and there was nothing further for them all to do but wait.
Near eight o'clock they saw the flare of torches of Abdar's soldiers coming down the trail from the direction of the canyon wall.
"Well?" Ruel asked Li Sung. "Time's run out. For God's sake, give me an answer."
"You have prepared the instruments?" Li Sung asked.
"Aye."
"Dilam believes there is worth to your idea, but there will have to be a distraction."
"Abdar will be distracted," Ruel promised grimly. 'I'll take care of that."
Li Sung smiled. "That is all I ask."
"Ready?" Kartauk asked Ruel, his gaze on Abdar's encampment across the river. During the past three hours a sprawling military camp had mushroomed with a multitude of tents dotting the bank. Torches on tall iron stands lined the shore, casting fiery reflections in the dark waters.
Ruel nodded as he walked around the brush barrier and strode to the edge of the riverbank. He sent his voice echoing over the expanse of water. "Abdar!"
No answer.
He shouted louder. "Abdar!"
It was Pachtal who appeared on the bank, illuminated by the pool of light formed by the torches.
"Give it up, MacClaren," Pachtal called. "Cannot you see you are defeated?"
"I want to talk to Abdar."
"He's in the tent, meditating."
"Get him."
"Why should I disturb him when I can accept your surrender?"
"I am here, Scot." Abdar suddenly appeared at Pachtal's side.
Hatred rushed through Ruel as he stared at Abdar's smooth, bland face. Control it, he told himself. Think. Don't feel. "We have things to talk about. Will you honor a flag of truce if I come over to your encampment?"
"Why should I do that? In a day or two we will be able to launch rafts and crush you."
"I'm not a fool, Abdar. It's clear you've won the game, but I can make it hard or easy for you. Let Kartauk and me come over and we'll—"
"Kartauk?" Abdar interrupted, interest flaring. "Kartauk will come?"
"Kartauk has an excellent instinct for survival, and he's aware that we need to negotiate."
"He should have negotiated three years ago if he wished me to be merciful." Abdar's pleased laugh rang out. "But come ahead, Scot, I will listen to your pleas."
"This is a mistake," Pachtal protested. "It could be a trick. We have no need to—"
"Do not question my wisdom," Abdar snapped. "It is you who have become prone to mistakes. Call me when they arrive." He whirled and vanished from the pool of light.
"Success," Kartauk murmured when Ruel once more stepped beyond the barriers. "The first step."
Ruel nodded grimly. "I hope it's not going to be our last. Let's get over there before he changes his mind."
"No one told me you would be going too." They both turned to see Margaret standing a few feet away, staring incredulously at Kartauk. "Why? There is no need for both of you to go."
Kartauk shrugged. "Abdar enjoys my company, and Ruel is only a puling Scot. He needs my help."
"Don't joke about this. It's not enough you tried to kill yourself before. Now you must complete the task." She drew her shawl closer around her shaking body. Then suddenly her eyes were blazing at him. "Well, go! I don't care. It is nothing to me if that monster draws and quarters you. I hope he does. It would serve you well for being so foolish as to—" Her voice broke, and she was running away from them.
Kartauk gazed after her with a curious expression on his face.
"She didn't know what she was saying," Ruel said quietly.
"Margaret always knows what she's saying."
Kartauk was now smiling faintly, Ruel noticed. "You don't appear upset."
"I'm not upset. She's coming alive again." Kartauk turned away. "Let's go."
. . .
Jane was waiting at the canoe when Kartauk and Ruel approached it five minutes later. "I'm going with you."
"No," Ruel said. "We don't need you."
"You do need me. You need every distraction you can muster. Abdar regards you only as an annoyance, but he has a personal animosity toward me for depriving him of Kartauk."
"But he will have me," Kartauk said. "Such a prize should be enough. Stay here, Jane."
Jane ignored him as her gaze met Ruel's. "I either get into that canoe with you or I swim across. Take your choice."
Ruel stared at her in frustration. "Dammit, what are you trying to do to me?" he said hoarsely. "I can't lose you too."
"Do I swim?"
"Damn you." He grasped her waist and lifted her into the boat. "But you'll leave Abdar to me and obey instructions. Do you hear me?"
"I hear you."
"You notice she doesn't say she will obey," Kartauk said. "I consider that a significant omission."
Ruel didn't answer as he picked up the paddle and dipped it into the water.
Pachtal, Abdar, and a guard of ten soldiers stood waiting on the bank when the canoe reached the opposite shore.
"Ah, what an extraordinary pleasure," Abdar said as he saw Jane in the canoe. "I was not expecting you. Kali has given me good fortune."
"Why all three?" Pachtal asked slowly. "I have no liking for this, Your Highness. Why should all of them be so willing to risk their lives?"
"They could not help themselves. I told you, if I drew power from my masks, all would come to me." Abdar smiled. "And so you did, Miss Barnaby. You may think you came to help your friends persuade me to spare you, but it's not true. Kali called you."
"Kali does not exist," Jane said.
"Be quiet," Ruel said harshly. "Do you want to make things worse for us?"
Abdar's attention shifted to Ruel. "You were always the clever one, Scot. Under other circumstances Kali could have used your services. You are far more sensible than your brother."
Ruel shrugged. "He was always a fool."
"Yet we have heard that you have cared for that crippled fool for three years," Pachtal said.
"Our God promises paradise for such acts. It cost me little and I thought it worth the chance." He met Abdar's gaze. "You should understand that."
Abdar laughed. "Oh, I do. Gods may be manipulated as well as manipulate."
"May we get out of this boat?" Kartauk asked. "Or are we to conduct this entire conversation in these uncomfortable circumstances."
"Arrogance." Abdar's smile faded. "You've learned little, Kartauk."
"I've learned I like life." Kartauk paused. "And I've learned that sometimes I have to make certain concessions to keep it."
A flare of interest touched Abdar's face. "Indeed? Then by all means we must talk. Come to my tent." He turned and walked toward a large tent several yards from the bank. "Search them for weapons and bring them, Pachtal."
"Yes, Your Highness." Pachtal's gaze was on the opposite bank. "I do not like this. It is most strange . . ."
"That we come to bargain for our lives?" Ruel asked as he got out of the canoe and lifted Jane onto the bank. "Not against these kinds of odds."
"Perhaps." Pachtal's comely face lit in a vicious smile. "But I doubt if your bargaining will do you any good. His Highness has every intention of having you join his collection. He believes you will add great power." He turned to Jane. "And you will join him there after you have provided us diversion."
"I promise I will be very diverting," Jane said. "Perhaps too diverting for your taste."
"Oh, you intend to fight? That is always very exhilarating." Pachtal quickly searched them before turning to an officer. "Watch for other canoes being launched from across the river. This is too easy."
"Do you see any canoes?" Ruel asked. "Unfortunately, you caught us off guard."
"I suppose it is possible." Pachtal gestured toward the large tent. "His Highness will grow impatient."
"We wouldn't want that," Ruel murmured. He took Jane's hand and moved toward the tent. His touch felt warm and comforting, dispersing some of the chill creeping through her.
Even that warmth was banished when they entered the tent.
White candles in tall golden stands lit the dim interior, their light falling on Abdar, who sat with legs crossed on an enormous white satin cushion, and shimmering on the multitude of gold masks on the ground surrounding him in an obscene circle.
Jane gasped, her stomach clenching as the impact of the horror and pain of those masks struck her.
"Steady," Ruel said in an undertone, his grip tightening on her hand.
She swallowed and pulled her gaze from the masks. Dear God, she had never been aware of Abdar's full malevolence until this moment.
"Power," Abdar said softly, and she became aware of his gaze on her face. "You feel it, don't you?"
If evil was power, then she did feel it here. "No."
His lips curled peevishly. "You lie. You must feel it." He threw out his hand to the ground before him. "Sit."
When they sat down, the masks were only inches from her knees, gleaming gold and tortured in the candlelight. She tried not to look at them.
"Benares's work is not nearly as fine as yours, Kartauk." Abdar picked up one of the masks. "You would have done great things with this subject. She had great life force."
Zabrie.
Jane had thought her horror complete, but it was even more terrible to recognize someone she knew among those tortured spirits.
"He was always too impatient in the final stages," Kartauk said without expression. "It is a common mistake."
"One you never made."
"But then, I am superb."
"True." Abdar put the mask down. "But can I trust you not to run away again? That is the question. I do not like to be disappointed."
"Can we dispense with this talk of masks and discuss terms?" Ruel asked.
"You appear a trifle irritated." Abdar smiled slyly. "Were you not pleased with the mask I sent you? Pachtal assures me it was one of Benares's best efforts. I was very disappointed I did not get to see it myself. Perhaps you will return it to me for my collection?"
Ruel's face remained without expression. "I think not."
"Why did you not see it?" Kartauk asked suddenly. Jane noticed his gaze was fixed on Pachtal, and for the first time she became aware of the curious tension of Pachtal's demeanor.
"I misunderstood His Highness's orders and sent the mask without letting him view it," Pachtal said stiffly. "He was right to be angry with me."
"Terms," Ruel prompted Abdar.
"I will choose the time for such discussion," Abdar said haughtily. "You have nothing with which to bargain, or you would not be here."
"That's not totally true. You need gold and I have the trust of the Cinnidans. For a percentage of the profits I could run the mine and deal with the Cinnidans for you."
"I do not need the Cinnidans. I understand my grandfather found them surly and uncooperative. I will bring my own people from Kasanpore."
"But that would mean a delay you don't want. Together we could—"
"What was that?" Pachtal asked, his head tilted, listening.
Abdar frowned. "I heard nothing."
"There was . . . something. A sort of whoosh . . . like water or . . ." Pachtal strode out of the tent. "I'll return shortly. I'm sure I heard—"
Unearthly screams filled the air.
Abdar jumped to his feet and ran toward the tent entrance. "Pachtal! What is it?"
"Stay here." Ruel told Jane as he followed Abdar. "Keep her here in the tent where she's safe, Kartauk."
She ignored him and ran out of the tent. She had known what to expect, but the sight that met her eyes was still astounding. All along the shore, elephants were surfacing from the river, leathery coats gleaming wetly, like nightmare creatures from the deep. The riders on their backs were almost naked, carrying only spears and the reed pipes they had used to breathe underwater as the elephants had swum beneath the surface from downriver.
The herd of elephants was already running through the encampment, the vanguard led by Li Sung on Da-nor. The soldiers, caught completely off guard, were fleeing before the elephants thundering toward them, over them.
Chaos broke out everywhere—soldiers running, shouting, guns exploding.
"Out of the way!" Dilam leaned down from the female elephant she was riding and grabbed one of the standing torches bordering the shore. She fired Abdar's tent and then turned the elephant and followed Li Sung, lighting tents and shrubbery along the way.
"So much for keeping you safe inside," Kartauk murmured as he grabbed Jane's arm and drew her away from the burning tent.
"Where's Ruel?" Her gaze frantically searched the melee of elephants and soldiers. "I don't see him."
"That's not surprising." He pulled her toward the trees lining the banks. "With all this smoke and confusion, it would be odd if you did."
She shook off his grip. "Let me alone. I'm not going anywhere without Ruel." The entire encampment was now ablaze, and she could barely discern figures in the thick smoke. She could hear Abdar screaming, shouting orders, and moved toward the sound. She knew Ruel would be wherever Abdar could be found. Her eyes stung from the smoke, and her lungs felt scorched. She dodged to the side as an elephant thundered out of the thick black haze.
She could no longer hear Abdar for the screaming of the soldiers and the trumpeting of the elephants. "Ruel!"
"Harlot!" Pachtal emerged from the haze, his face twisted with rage. He lifted his hand and she saw a glimpse of steel gleaming—a dagger!
"Down!" Kartauk knocked her to her knees as Pachtal's knife tore toward her breast.
Pachtal lunged forward, off balance. Kartauk stepped behind him, his massive arm encircling Pachtal's throat.
Pachtal was cursing, his eyes popping from a face no longer beautiful. Kartauk's arm jerked backward and Jane heard a sickening crack as Pachtal's neck broke.
He looked so surprised, Jane thought dazedly. Not pained, just . . . surprised.
Kartauk released him and Pachtal slumped to the ground.
"And good riddance," Kartauk said as he bent down and retrieved Pachtal's dagger. "I could only wish it were Abdar, but Ruel will be attending to him."
"How do you know?" Jane asked frantically. "He can't even see in this smoke. Abdar could slip up behind him."
"There he is." Kartauk was looking at something beyond her shoulder.
She whirled to see Ruel only a few yards away.
Abdar lay on the ground, his leg bent at an awkward angle, his lip cut and bleeding. Ruel stood over him, his hair, loosened from its queue by the struggle, falling wild and full about his face.
Dear God, his expression . . .
Tiger burn bright.
Ian's words came back to her. Ruel was burning now with a terrible beauty, flaming with hatred and vengeance.
Abdar screeched something inaudible at him as he tried to scramble to his knees.
"Ruel!" Kartauk called.
When Ruel looked up, Kartauk tossed him the knife he had taken from Pachtal.
Ruel let the knife fall to the ground. "No. Too quick." He picked Abdar up and carried him thrashing and struggling deeper into the smoke near the blazing tent. "You and Jane get over into the trees."
"Kali will punish you," Abdar sobbed. "You will see. Kali will strike you down."
"You can talk it over with her soon," Ruel said as he carried Abdar past the tent and dropped him on the riv-erbank. "Li Sung!"
"Here!" Li Sung called out of the veil of smoke across the clearing.
Ruel walked over to the protection of the trees, where Jane and Kartauk now stood. "The elephants have done their part," he shouted. "Take them back across the river!"
"Gladly," Li Sung said. "They have no liking for all this fire and smoke."
"No!" Abdar screamed as he realized what the order meant.
Too quick, Ruel had said about the dagger. This might also be quick, but Abdar would die in an agony of terror, the death he feared the most.
"No, do not—" Abdar broke off as he saw the elephants thundering toward him out of the smoke. "This is not Kali's will! This is not—"
Jane doubted if the elephants even saw Abdar on the bank in their eagerness to get away from the fire and smoke surrounding them.
This was justice. She would not have lifted a hand to save him, but she could not watch it. She closed her eyes but could not shut out Abdar's screams as the elephants crushed him beneath their feet.
She opened her eyes when the screams stopped but avoided looking at Abdar.
Ruel had not closed his eyes. He was staring at Abdar's broken remains with savage satisfaction.
Tiger burn bright.
"You go ahead." Kartauk told Jane and Ruel as they got into the canoe to return to the encampment. "I have something to do here."
"What?" Ruel asked.
"The masks." Kartauk looked back toward the ragged, blackened ruins of Abdar's tent. "The tent was only partially destroyed. They're still there."
Jane shivered. "Then let them stay there. You can't possibly want them."
"I cannot leave them," Kartauk said simply. "Gold is forever. Throw those masks into the river and in a thousand years from now the river will be gone but those masks will still exist. Do you like the thought of that?"
"No." Jane knew the memory of those hideous masks would haunt her for the rest of her life. "How can you destroy them?"
"I cannot destroy them. I told you, gold is immortal." He smiled faintly. "But I can change them. I can melt down the gold and make something beautiful from that ugliness."
"Jan's too?"
"I'm not sure." His brow wrinkled thoughtfully. "There was something odd about the way Pachtal behaved when it was mentioned." He stepped back away from the canoe. "I will come back to the encampment as soon as I find all the masks."
Chapter 22
When Jane and Ruel arrived, the encamp ment had the air of a circus fairground with Cinnadans milling around, laughing and gesturing, reliving their victory.
Jane's spirits could not help but be lifted in response. Her gaze searched the throng. "I don't see Li Sung."
Ruel nodded across the clearing. "There he is."
Li Sung was coming toward them but was forced to stop every few steps to speak to one of the jubilant warriors. His face reflected the same euphoria when he finally reached them. "Were we not magnificent?"
"Magnificent. What's the damage?" Ruel asked.
"No deaths. Seven wounded." He nodded at a hastily erected lean-to across the encampment. "Margaret and Tamar are tending them."
"And the elephants?"
"One was shot. Dilam is cleansing the wound now She believes it is not bad."
"Good," Jane said, relieved. "I was afraid it would be worse. There was so much shooting."
"The soldiers were so frightened, they couldn't even hit a target as big as an elephant. They will probably not stop running until they get back to their ship." Li Sung grinned. "It was truly an exhilarating experience."
A smile tugged at Jane's lips. "Even crossing that river underwater?"
Li Sung made a face. "You can be sure I made certain those reeds you and Ruel crafted had no blockages. Water will never be my favorite element."
"But you did well with it," Ruel said. "You couldn't have done better, Li Sung."
"You are correct," Li Sung agreed. "I was splendid. Even Dilam grants I was adequate." He turned. "I will see you later. I must go help Dilam with the wounded elephant."
Jane stared after him as he limped away through the throng. He was still dressed in the loincloth he had worn to cross the river, his limbs bare.
"What's wrong?" Ruel asked as he saw her startled expression.
"His bad leg . . . he's always kept it covered, even from me."
"It doesn't seem to bother him now. Perhaps he's decided he has nothing to hide," Ruel said. "We all seem to have let ourselves come out in the open."
She looked at him with amused surprise. He actually thought what he said was true. She doubted if Ruel would ever be completely open even with her. He would always be the mysterious mandarin who had dominated her thoughts and emotions these last three years. Yet he would also be the man who had torn his flesh to shreds dragging Caleb through the jungle and the brittle, tortured man she had held in her arms two nights ago. "Well, what do we do now?"
"Tomorrow we go back to the palace to assess the damage and start repairs." His face clouded. "And there are arrangements to be made."
Ian.
She nodded and took a step closer to him. "Hadn't we better go find Margaret and tell her about Abdar?"
He took her hand. "Aye, it will be good to give her some good news for a change."
Kartauk did not return to the encampment for another four hours. Margaret was waiting when his canoe finally approached the shore.
"Well, did you manage to stir up enough trouble to suit you?" she asked as he stepped out of the canoe. "Jane and Ruel came back immediately, but you had to stay and rake among the ashes like a ghoul in a cemetery."
