Lion’s Bride

Chapter Thirteen

TWO MONTHS LATER AUGUST 20, 1191 ACRE

“THE FOOL IS GOING to do it.” Vaden watched with disbelief as the soldiers drove the long line of Muslim captives outside the gates of the city. “For God’s sake, stop him.”

“It is disrespectful to speak so of His Majesty.” Robert de Sable, Grand Master of the Knights Templar, gazed straight ahead. “Saladin has shown ill faith in the surrender negotiations. King Richard believes he must be taught a lesson.”

“It’s not ill faith. Saladin seeks to strike a fair bargain to protect his people. Richard need only have a little more patience.”

“His Majesty wishes to push on toward Jerusalem to liberate the holy city from that infidel.”

“That ‘infidel’ treated his captives with utmost honor when he captured Jerusalem four years ago. He could have followed the example of butchery set by the Crusaders during the Second Crusade, but he did not.”

Robert de Sable turned to look at him. “I find it curious you would defend him when captured Templars are never ransomed but executed immediately on his orders.”

“A compliment. He doesn’t want his men to face us in battle again.” Vaden’s hands clenched on the stones of the battlement. “There are women and children among those captives. Speak to Richard. He thinks well of you, or he would never have persuaded the Order to accept you as Grand Master.”

“He thinks well of me because I’m not foolish enough to interfere when I know it will do no good. He wishes to teach Saladin a lesson.”

“The devil he does. He doesn’t want to bother with caring for captives on the way to Jerusalem.” He could tell by de Sable’s expression that his protests were to no avail. Why was he even trying?

Because it was senseless. There should be some reason in this world. Men should not take life on a whim or because they could.

But they did and called it glory.

“I think it best you leave here. I will not risk you offending His Majesty.” Robert de Sable added, “The Marshalls tell me you’re a great warrior, but I’ve noticed a certain arrogance in your demeanor.”

Vaden flung out a hand at the soldiers below and spit out, “Perhaps you’d rather I go out and join the other soldiers. I have a strong right arm. I can sever a head from a man’s shoulders with one blow.”

“I don’t appreciate such levity.” The Grand Master fixed him with a cool stare. “You have another mission which you’ve been neglecting since Grand Master de Ridfort’s death. Now that I’m Grand Master, that will not be tolerated. After this is over, you will return to Dundragon at once. We must bring an end to this threat.”

Bring an end to Ware but not to the horror going on below.

“Or perhaps your dedication to the task is wavering?”

“I know it must be done. I will finish it.”

“Then leave Acre to Richard.” His gaze shifted away from Vaden to the hill above Acre. “Ah, I see Saladin has heard rumors and sent some of his people to witness.”

“The moment Saladin hears of this, no Christian hostage or captive will be safe.”

“Saladin will be too fearful of Richard to act.”

Did de Sable actually believe that madness?

“What a magnificent banner,” the Grand Master murmured. “Richard would find those lions most appropriate for himself. They call him the lion-hearted, you know. I must tell him….”

De Sable was mumbling about banners when that royal idiot was going to ignite all of Islam with this blood spill?

“He may decide to take it for his own when he returns to France,” de Sable said. “Is that Saladin’s banner?”

Vaden cast an impatient glance at the group of Saracens gathered on the hill. He recognized only Tariq Jallal and Kemal ben Jakara. “I’ve not heard Saladin has lions on—”

My God, Ware, have you gone mad too?

“Well, is it Saladin’s banner?” the Grand Master asked with impatience.

“No. But I see Kemal ben Jakara, Sheikh of El Sunan. I suppose the banner belongs to him.” Robert de Sable clearly didn’t recognize the lion throne in the design. When he had taken power he had only been told of the throne; he would not be able to see it until Jerusalem was liberated. Christ, but any of the Grand Marshals would instantly see the danger. And they knew of the agreement between Kemal and Ware.

“El Sunan.” Robert de Sable smiled slyly. “I’ll tell Richard. He may want to pay a call on the sheikh on his way to Jerusalem. A captured fortress has no need of banners.”

“El Sunan isn’t on the way to Jerusalem.” He gazed at the flag with anger and frustration. The woman held captive by Kemal ben Jakara had to be responsible. My God, why had Ware permitted her to flaunt her knowledge to the world?

Ware had told her of the lion throne. He had lied to Vaden. It should not be a shock. All the world lied, and with far less reason.

It was a shock. He felt betrayed.

Foolishness. Ware had told him he would lie to keep the woman alive.

And then he had let Kemal come there waving a banner that would be her death warrant.

“Such a banner is worth a detour.” Robert de Sable’s glance returned to the Saracen captives, and his voice harshened. “I believe they’re ready to begin. I want no protest from you. You will stand here and watch, and if you show any emotion at all, it will be approval. Do you understand?”

Vaden watched as a soldier decapitated the first captive with one slice of his sword. Was the captive one Vaden himself had delivered to Richard? The cry of approval that went up as the blood spurted reminded him of the howl of a hungry animal. He said impassively, “Oh, yes, Grand Master, I understand perfectly.”

A rider, coming fast.

Ware shaded his eyes with the edge of his hand.

Kadar.

A chill rained through Ware as he moved out of the trees and waited for Kadar to reach him. Kadar’s pace was as forbidding as the grimness of his face.

Kadar reined in before him. “Get them out of El Sunan. Now. Today.”

Ware’s heart leaped. “How bad? What happened? Someone saw the banner?”

“Saladin sent Kemal to Acre to bear witness and report back to him. It’s likely both he and the banner were seen.” He slipped from the saddle and led his horse toward the brook. “Even if that were not so, it doesn’t matter now. Kemal will kill her anyway. Have there been any horsemen before me today?”

“No.”

“There probably will be. As I left Saladin’s camp, I saw messengers streaming out, bound for every province of the land.” He knelt and splashed water on his face. “I doubt there will be a Christian captive left alive by the end of the week.” He lifted his head. “King Richard ordered twenty-seven hundred Muslim captives put to the sword. They were driven from the city to a field outside the gates and butchered like cattle.”

“God.”

“I saw no sign of any deity at Acre that day,” Kadar said. “Though I may be mistaken. After all, Richard says he’s God’s instrument in the battle to win back the Holy Land.”

“Almost three thousand lives…” It was beyond comprehension. “Why?”

“You’ll have to ask Richard. I could see no valid reason.” He stood up. “But I could see the danger to Thea and Selene.”

And so could Ware. Kadar was right—Kemal might not even wait to get back to El Sunan to have Thea executed. No personal reward for himself would count against avenging the atrocity that had just been committed. Ware’s arrangement with Kemal was known to Saladin, and Kemal must erase any taint of dealing with the Franks. Even now an assassin might be on his way to El Sunan.

“How long do you think we have?”

“A few hours. I didn’t stop to eat or sleep, but we can’t count on Kemal to pamper himself on this journey. It’s known he bargained with a Christian, and he’ll have to prove he’s a true believer or become an outcast among his people.”

“We’ll have to be well gone from El Sunan by nightfall, then.” Ware moved quickly toward his horse and began to saddle it. “Wipe down your horse and clean yourself. We don’t want anyone at El Sunan to suspect you had reason to ride hard.”

“You have a plan?”

“Yes, we’re going to ride into El Sunan and claim my property.”

“Hardly very clever.”

“We don’t have time for clever. We have to be gone from El Sunan before they hear about the massacre.” He tightened the cinch. “Kemal’s soldiers are accustomed to seeing you, and my arrangement with Kemal is common knowledge. We’ll tell them that Kemal and I have come to a parting of the ways and I’m releasing him from his guardianship.”

“And hope that they’ll let you take her.”

“Yes.”

“And that Thea and Selene will come without argument.” Kadar shook his head. “Impossible.”

“What’s impossible is leaving them there and doing nothing.” Ware put on his armor. “Kemal took his most trusted officers with him. Those in charge will be uneasy about making any decisions. Two men riding alone into El Sunan will not put them on guard as an army would.”

“True. I’m feeling better already about riding into an enemy fortress.” He ran his fingers through his damp hair and began to dust off his tunic. “It should be no trouble at all plucking them from El Sunan.”

“Do you know any of the officers who may be there?”

“Kemal left Hallam ben Lallak, one of his captains, in charge. I’ve diced with him a few times. I’ll work my powers of persuasion while you get Selene and Thea.” He snapped his fingers. “What of Jasmine and her daughter?”

“They’re no longer at El Sunan. I saw a wagon pass by here four days ago with them in it.”

Kadar began to wipe down his horse. “It seems Thea has been busily making her own plans.”

And they would not include riding off with him, Ware knew. Worse, he didn’t have time to argue with her. There was no telling when Kemal’s messenger would arrive, and seconds might count. What a shambles. Even if he managed to get Selene and Thea away from El Sunan, where would he take them? The entire countryside would be in flames after Richard’s action. If the Templars had seen the banner, not only Kemal but the Templars would be on their heels.

He would have to consider possibilities on the way to El Sunan. The only thing of importance now was getting Thea away from the fortress.

The lion banner waved in the wind in taunting challenge.

Vaden put spurs to his horse to keep Kemal’s escort in sight as they thundered toward El Sunan. It had not been easy to strike a balance between speed and caution when he wanted only to ride with reckless speed. God, he was sick of caution…and of waiting.

I will finish it.

If he got the chance. The Grand Marshals had seen the banner, and Vaden had watched them gather their forces after the massacre. The Templars would employ a little diplomatic maneuvering to explain to Richard why the most skilled fighting force in his army was not marching to Jerusalem in his wake, and then the Templars would ride to Dundragon. And when they didn’t find Ware there, they would seek him out elsewhere. Nothing would stop them now.

Damn the woman. Damn that cursed banner. Ware was his prey. He would not have de Sable interfering.

I will finish it.

As those captives at Acre had been finished.

Well, why not? Innocent blood was always spilled in war, and when had he ever worried about anyone but himself? Ware was no innocent. He had made a mistake, and such mistakes were not permitted in this world; they were paid for in blood. Vaden had known this moment would come since the day he had been told why Ware had fled the Temple. He could wait no longer.

It had to be finished.

Thea’s gaze flew to the door as it burst open.

Ware!

She stared at him in stunned disbelief as he strode into the chamber and slammed the door. “What do you do here?”

“Get your cloak. Where is Selene?”

She put her embroidery aside and stood up. “Why are you here?”

“We’re leaving.” He glanced around the room. “Dammit, where’s your sister?”

“I go nowhere with you.” Her hands clenched with anger as she understood. He was taking advantage of Kemal’s absence to reclaim her and destroy all her plans. “Never again.”

“You will go.” In four strides he was there before her, glaring down at her. “We have no time for your protests. You’ll come with me, or I’ll knock you senseless and carry you out of here.”

He meant it, she realized with fury. He would strike her down as he had that first night in the desert. “I see you’ve armored yourself to face an unarmed woman.”

“You’ve never been unarmed. I’ve armored myself to keep us alive.”

“Leave here and you’ll stay alive.”

“But you won’t. Where’s Selene?”

“We’re not going with you.” She took a step back. Should she turn and run toward the door leading to the hall or to the garden? The garden. Dusk would soon fall, and there were more places to hide there. “I’ll call Domo, and he’ll tell the guards that Kemal’s property has to be protected.”

“But everyone here knows you’re my property, including Domo.”

“And Kemal has shown them I’m to be treated with respect, my every command obeyed.”

“Except as pertaining to your freedom. Don’t fight me, you’re going.” He glanced at the window behind her. “By all that’s holy, stop arguing, it’s getting dark.”

She backed toward the door.

His gaze swung to her and his hoarse voice rang with desperate sincerity. “Don’t do this to me. I don’t want to hurt you. I’m trying to keep you alive. Kemal is on his way back here to slaughter you.”

She froze in place. “Why should I believe you? You’ve lied to me before.”

“I don’t lie now. Look at me, listen to me.” He held her gaze. “If we’re not out of this place soon, we’ll all be dead.”

She moistened her lips. “The banner?”

He shook his head. “Richard butchered twenty-seven hundred Muslim captives at Acre.”

She stared at him in shock. “No,” she whispered.

“You know Kemal. What do you think he will do?”

She knew what he would do. She felt a surge of wild frustration and anger. Freedom had been so close. “How much time do we have?”

He gazed at her warily. “You believe me?”

“You don’t lie well. If I hadn’t trusted you, I’d never have let you trick me when you brought me here.”

He flinched. “I had no choice. I had to—” He broke off and returned to the matter at hand. “We’ve no time for talk. Kemal could be arriving here within the hour.”

“Selene!” Thea called as she strode toward the door. “Get your cloak and the bag we packed. We’re leaving.”

“Now?” Selene came to the door. Her eyes widened as she saw Ware. “What’s happening? Why would we—”

“No time,” Thea said. “Hurry. Danger.”

“The banner.” Selene sighed. “I knew it would bring us grief. I’ll be right back.” She vanished from the doorway.

Thea opened the carved wardrobe box at the end of the bed and drew out her cloak. “Is Kadar here?”

Ware nodded. “Trying to soothe an uneasy captain.”

“He’ll have no problem. It’s good you left the falsehoods to him. Kadar can talk anyone into anything. He even persuaded me to forgive him.” She put on her cloak. “Since he’s busy, you’ll have to get our wagon from the stables.”

“Wagon? We’ll take the horses Kadar said Kemal gave you, but no wagon.”

“We’ve packed all our goods and a basket of silkworm eggs in a wagon.” She quickly folded the tapestry she had been embroidering. “We have to take it with us.”

“No,” he said flatly.

“You don’t know exactly when Kemal will arrive, and it will take only a few minutes longer to harness the wagon.”

“It may be a few minutes too long.”

“Your threatening to strike me down wasted more time than it would take you to harness the wagon. You should behave sensibly and assume I have the intelligence to realize danger when I see it. We’ll take the risk. To leave our work would be to lose these two years.” She added fiercely, “And you’ve taken too much from me already. Now, go get the wagon. We’ll meet you in the courtyard.”

For an instant she didn’t think he’d obey her. She drew a sigh of relief as he turned with a muttered curse and strode out of the chamber.

Selene hurried out of the chamber with their packing box. “What’s happened?”

“Kemal is on his way here to avenge a massacre at Acre.” She moved toward the door. “No one here knows yet of the massacre. Kadar is trying to convince the captain that Lord Ware is only reclaiming his property.”

“Where are we going?”

“We’ll worry about that when we’re away from here.”

“We’re taking the wagon, aren’t we?”

“Of course.” She stuffed the tapestry into the bag. “We must display meekness and sadness as we leave.”

“Meekness? Then they will certainly suspect something is amiss.”

Selene was probably right. Thea had made her presence felt here, and any change of demeanor would be wrong.

Domo was standing uneasily by the horses in the courtyard when Selene and Thea left the women’s quarters. “I do not know…You are my responsibility. Lord Kadar says that Lord Ware and my master have decided to dissolve their bargain, but perhaps Lord Ware should wait until my master returns.”

Thea shrugged. “Your master has been very kind to me. It would please me to stay and say good-bye, but my master says I must go. It’s not for us to question.” Was that too meek? She could see by Domo’s surprised expression that it probably was. “But perhaps you could intercede for me. Speak to Lord Ware.”

Domo’s eyes widened in alarm. “I could not. It is not my place.”

Thea sighed. “Then I suppose I must go with him. You are right. It’s not our place to question.”

“I did not say—” He stopped as he saw Ware driving the wagon across the courtyard with two horses tied behind. “Or perhaps I did.”

Kadar broke away from the young captain and came toward them. “Domo, help the women into the wagon. We must leave while there’s still a little light.”

Selene frowned. “I don’t wish to ride in the wag—” She stopped as Thea pinched her arm. Kadar was right—the sight of women riding on horseback through the gates would jar their captors, and that was to be avoided. “Oh, very well.”

Domo said, “Perhaps you should wait until morning.”

“Lord Ware is impatient.”

After a moment’s hesitation Domo lifted first Thea and then Selene onto the bed of the wagon. “May Allah bless you.”

Domo would be grateful, she knew, to have back the peaceful life he had known before Thea had disturbed his existence. He had been annoying at times but never unkind. She hoped her escape would not cause Kemal’s wrath to fall on him. “May heaven protect you also, Domo.”

The wagon started with a lurch, then rumbled toward the front gates.

How many times had she stood at her window and looked out at those tall gates, seething with frustration and bitterness?

The soldiers rushed forward, the gates swung open, and they rode through.

A wild surge of joy soared through Thea.

Kadar rode up to the wagon and said in a low tone, “We can’t look as if we’re in too much of a hurry, so we’ll go at a moderate pace until we’re out of sight.”

“I want to ride,” Selene said.

“We’re all aware of that. Later.” He spurred on ahead of the wagon. “I’ll go ahead to spy out the road over the hill.”

What awaited them over that hill? Thea tensed as she remembered how fragile was the freedom she had welcomed so joyously.

“This wagon is too heavily loaded.” Ware’s voice was as tense as Ware felt. “We’re going to have to move fast. Is it worth your life?”

No, but it represented two long years of her life. Disappointment washed through her. “Can we hide the wagon somewhere and come back for it?”

“There’s a grove several miles up the road. We can hide it there.” Ware paused. “But I won’t promise we’ll come back for it. It may prove too dangerous.”

Not for her. She would find a way to retrieve her precious silks. “Then we’ll hide the trunks and wagon and loose the horses to return to El Sunan.”

“I didn’t think you’d be this sensible,” he said slowly.

“I’m not stupid. I can see that we must move quickly. I won’t risk our lives.”

Kadar was waving from the top of the hill.

No riders in sight.

They had just finished hiding the trunks and wagon deep in the grove and brushing all signs of their passing away with branches when Kadar heard the hoofbeats.

He lifted his head like one of his falcons scenting wind. “He’s coming.”

Ware went still. Then, as he heard them too, he exploded into motion. “Take the horses and watch out for the women, Kadar.” He ran toward the road.

Thea was right behind him.

Dozens of torches moved in a molten stream from the north. The horsemen would be there within a few minutes.

“What will we do?” Thea whispered.

He drew her back into the screen of trees. “Pray that Kemal won’t decide to water the horses at the brook. He may not. It’s only a short distance to El Sunan.”

“And if he does?”

“Circle around the south end of the grove and hope we’re not seen.”

She watched with horror as the fiery torches bore down on them. It would be her fault if they were captured, she thought, stricken. It had been at her insistence that they’d stopped to hide the wagon instead of abandoning it. Their lives might be forfeit because she had wanted to ensure Selene’s and her own future well-being.

The flames came nearer.

The hooves beat louder on the rocky ground.

The riders were close enough now so that she could see the cloud of dust surrounding them.

The banner.

The golden eyes of the lions shimmered with a strange luminosity in the torchlight. Thea shivered, as if those eyes could pierce the shrubbery and see them where they hid.

Idiocy. She was being as foolish as Kemal. This was a banner made of silk and thread and the fruit of her labor. It was fear that made her imagine anything else.

Her glance moved to Kemal riding behind the banner. His expression was grimmer than she had ever seen it.

The riders were only a few yards away now.

She held her breath.

Kemal hesitated, glanced at the grove, made a half motion as if to rein in.

No, please. Go on.

The flag bearer had drawn even with the trees behind which Ware and Thea were hiding.

Shimmering golden eyes.

Don’t stop, she prayed.

Kemal shook his head and his spurs dug into his horse.

The riders swept past them in a roar of thunder and a cloud of dust.

Thea sank back against the tree, limp with relief.

Another chance. They had been given another chance.

“Come along.” Ware took her arm and drew her away from the road. “It’s only a reprieve. The moment Kemal reaches El Sunan and finds we’re gone, he’ll wait only to change horses before he sets out again. We have to make use of that time.”

“And where do we go from here?” Kadar was striding toward them. “Dundragon?”

“Where’s Selene?” Thea demanded.

“I told her to stay and tend the horses. I wasn’t sure what I’d find here.” He asked Ware again, “Dundragon?”

Ware shook his head. “I won’t lead Kemal or the Templars to Dundragon. Neither would hesitate to wipe it from the earth now. After Jedha, I promised my people safety.”

“The Templars have been too cautious to strike at Dundragon before,” Thea said.

“But that was before Kemal took the banner to Acre. They won’t wait for an easy strike now.”

Thea frowned in puzzlement. “What matter does the banner make to the Templars?”

Ware’s eyes narrowed on her face. “You don’t know?”

“Would I ask if I knew?”

“I never know what you’ll do or how you come to know things you should not. It is not—” Ware broke off and wearily shook his head. “All I know is that we cannot return to Dundragon. We’ll lead Kemal in another direction away from it.”

“What direction?” Kadar asked. “With the entire country lusting for blood, you will be safe from the Templars and Kemal nowhere.”

“One place may be safe from both of them.” Ware met his gaze. “With you as guide. It was before.”

“Before?” Then Kadar gave a low whistle as comprehension dawned. “You would certainly be safe from them there. That doesn’t mean you would survive. You were within a hair of being removed from this earth before. He won’t take kindly to your trespassing again.”

“We have no other choice. We need a haven until I can think of some other solution.” He paused. “Unless you refuse to take us.”

“It’s not a place I’d choose. I don’t wish to be drawn back into that web.” He shrugged. “But I never refuse fate when she comes knocking. I deem it extremely discourteous.”

“What are you talking about?” Thea asked impatiently.

Kadar said, “It seems we’re going to visit the Old Man of the Mountain.”