"I won't drop you."
"I'm afraid you wouldhave no choice."
"Nonsense, I'm strong asan-—"
He broke off as the vase Tamarwielded shattered on his head. He grunted, his eyes glazing over. He slumped tothe floor.
"You see?" Ian askedas he gazed down at Kartauk. "I really could not allow you to cheat me, myfriend." He lifted his gaze to Tamar. "Very good. Get him on a horse.Quickly."
Tamar hesitated. "I donot think—"
"You said you wouldalways obey my every command." He smiled gently. "Don't worry, thisis a good thing I've done, Tamar."
"No." Tamar met hisgaze with understanding. "It is a great thing." He nodded to one ofthe bearers, who helped him lift Kartauk's massive bulk.
"Wait!" Ian said."Tell the bearers to take the chair down the mountain. Tie Kartauk'shorse's reins to the back of the chair and let them lead him down."
Tamar frowned, puzzled."Take the chair without you?"
"Margaret will be on thelookout for the chair. If she doesn't see it, she'll return instead of going onto Ruel."
Tamar nodded and issued quickorders to the bearers. "I will be back as soon as I get them underway."
"No, I want you to hideon die grounds. When the soldiers find you, don't fight them. Ruel may need aman here at the palace."
"I would rather come backhere."
Ian shook his head.
Tamar hesitated and then saidsoftly, "It will be as you wish."
In moments Ian was left alonein the chamber. Contentment flowed over him. It was done. Well, not entirelydone, but soon it would be over. He should have had more faith. He should haveknown that God would have more compassion than to let him suffer with noreason. He had been given a role of splendor and heroism to play out the end ofhis humdrum life.
He settled back in his chairto wait for Abdar.
"There." Jockpointed up the trail. "I see them!"
Them? Hope leapt in Margaretas she shaded her eyes against the sun. From this distance she could barelymake out the chair about a quarter of the way down the trail, but wasn't therealso a horseman just behind the chair's ornate fringed awning?
"Come," Jock urged."Medford's camp is right ahead."
"Aye." Margaretspurred ahead. It could be both of them. Kartauk could have come with Ian. Letit be both of them, she prayed. Be merciful and let them both be saved.
He was afraid, Ian realized.He hadn't expected fear, and yet here it was, ugly and twisted and dark. Hemustn't think of darkness. He must think only of the light.
They were coming.
He heard shouts from outsidethe palace and then the sounds of boots on the fine wood floors and doors beingthrown open up and down the long corridor.
They were closer, rightoutside his own closed door.
He tensed as the door wasthrown open and Abdar stamped into the chamber.
"Ah, at last! I fearedthere was no one here." Abdar came toward him, his usually blank facetwisted with annoyance. "I know you. You are the brother, the crippledone."
Ian inclined his head. "Irecall our first meeting in great detail, Your Highness."
"Where are theothers?"
