"You lie." Abdar'seyes blazed at him. "She does exist. I will show you, she exists." Heturned to Pachtal. "Where is Benares?"
"Still at the ship."
"What is he doingthere?" Abdar screamed shrilly. "Send for him. What good is he, if heis not where I want him?"
"You said you might notneed him," Pachtal said soothingly. "You thought if Kartauk was here,he might be persuaded to—"
"But Kartauk is not here.He ran away to the protection of that Scottish dog. I must make do withBenares. Tell him to come and bring the masks."
"All of them?"
"Of course, all of them.I must meditate and surround myself with power before I launch my attack on theScot."
"Would it not be betterto go now and surprise him?"
"We have no surprise nowthat Kartauk has carried word to him of our arrival. I will crush him at myleisure." His plump, childlike face lit with a smile as he stared at Ian."You are too weak and drug-ridden to be worthy of a place in my collection,but I believe I can use you to strike fear into your brother's heart." Heturned to Pachtal. "Do it. We will use that Cinnidan servant to take themask to the Scot. It must be done well, you understand. Very well."
"I have never failed youin this, have I?" Pachtal asked.
"No, and you must notfail me now." Abdar left the room.
Pachtal smiled at Ian."You have displeased His Highness. I fear you will suffer for it." Hecame toward him. "But first we'll wait a few hours for Benares to arriveand the laudanum wears off. I must strive to get the appropriateresponse."
Eagerness surged through Ian.It would soon be here. When the moment came, he must struggle, he must fight itas decreed by holy law, but it was coming nearer.
He could almost see the light.
"It was not myfault." Benares's voice cracked with panic. "I'm only a craftsman.You are the one responsible. It was your mistake."
"I made no mistake,"Pachtal said harshly. How could it have happened? he wondered. It wasincredible. "I will not take the blame."
"Youmusttakeit." Benares's eyes were glittering, his hands shaking. The goldsmith hadnever before dared to speak to Pachtal in this manner, but his fear of Pachtalwas clearly submerged by his terror of Abdar.
He was not without fearhimself, Pachtal realized. Abdar had been growing stranger and darker eversince his father's death, and he did not know what effect this blunder wouldhave on his temper. Abdar's rage might fall on him as well as on Benares, andhe had no wish to join the collection gracing Abdar's walls.
"I will not ask you totake the blame." He turned away. "Pack it in a box and send for thatCinnidan servant, Tamar. Tell him to take the box and deliver it to Medford'scamp to send on to the Scot. Abdar will never see it. I will tell Abdar Imisunderstood his orders and thought he meant to send it directly toMacClaren."
"He will be veryangry," Benares said doubtfully.
"Not as angry as if hehad seen this... this monstrosity." He nodded at the gold mask. "Youkeep your counsel and I'll keep mine, and we will both survive."
"My God, it'sMargaret!" Ruel jumped to his feet and moved toward the rider approachingthe campfire.
Jane followed him, her heartpounding with fear. Margaret's very presence here heralded disaster, and shewas riding astride, her white gown dirty and torn, her fair hair streaming downher back.
Ruel grabbed the reins as hermare skidded to a stop. "Ian?" he asked curtly.
"Behind me,"Margaret gasped. "I told Medford to keep him at his camp until I couldcome for him. Kartauk said you had to know at once."
"Know what?"
"Abdar. Two hundredmen... the dock was burning… "
Ruel swore. "Dammit, Ididn't expect this so soon! How far behind?"
She shook her head. "Idon't know. There was no sign of pursuit as I came down the canyon. Medfordsaid he'd start to strike camp and put a watch on the trail."
"Let her get down,"Jane said as she moved closer. "Can't you see she's exhausted?"
