"If you didn't actuallysee the mask, then maybe it's a trick. Maybe Ian is still alive."
"Goddammit, he'snotalive!"Ruel exploded harshly. "Tamar saw the mask as it was put in the box."He added, "And he saw Ian's body in the same room."
Her last hope fled and shedrew a deep, shaky breath. "How is Margaret?"
"Sick, numb, angry."
Her eyes lifted to his face."And how are you?"
"Sick, but I'm notnumb." His gaze shifted to her face. "I'm going to butcher the son ofa bitch."
She shivered as she saw thecold savagery in his expression. Then she thought of Ian and felt a surge ofthe same cold anger. "How?"
"I have a few ideas.Where's Li Sung?"
She nodded across theclearing, where Li Sung was talking to a Cinnidan. "He sent Dilam to hervillage to bring back their warriors. They should be here soon."
"Good. We're going toneed them. Medford has broken camp but he's waiting until he sees Abdar'sforces start down the canyon trail before he retreats. His men don't have morethan twenty rifles among them."
"And we havetwelve." Jane shrugged. "But the Cin-nidans wouldn't know how to usethem if we had them."
"After we have bothDilam's and Medford's people on this side of the river, we'll burn the hangingbridge."
She nodded. "It will taketime for Abdar to build rafts for that size force, and we may need that time.How long do we have, do you think?"
"I have no idea. I don'teven know why Abdar didn't follow Margaret and Kartauk immediately. Kartauktold me once he wasn't sane. We'll have to take advantage of his lunacy in anyway we can."
"Li Sung and I have beenconstructing brush barriers all along the shore. We're out of range of theirrifles from across the river, but we'll need protection so they can't pick usoff once they start across."
"Good idea." Hisvoice was abstracted as he started across the clearing toward Li Sung. Hewalked stiffly, carefully, as if he were made of glass and was afraid he wouldshatter and fly apart.
She wanted to be with him, tocomfort him, to ease the aching rawness of the pain she sensed. She started tofollow him and then stopped. She could feel the tears brimming and knew shewould be no help to him now. They would both be better off keeping busy attheir own tasks. She turned back and walked toward the barriers.
"I don't like it,"Li Sung said. "It is too dangerous."
"It's the only way."Ruel looked him in the eye. "You're worried about losing what you've foundhere. Well, it could all be gone in a month if Abdar takes Cinnidar. He's notgoing to have any mercy on either the Cinnidans or those elephants you love somuch."
"I know this," LiSung said. "But I do not like… " He shook his head. "And it isnot only my own loss I worry about. There is Jane and you."
"Me?" Ruel smiled inmirth. "I'm touched by your concern."
"I am concerned." LiSung smiled gently. "Jane has great dreams that could be toppled. And youare in pain."
Ruel flinched. "I assureyou the pain will go away when I've killed Abdar."
"Will it?"
"Try me and see. Helpme."
"I will think onit." Li Sung wrinkled his nose. "It is true my natural aversion mightbe influencing my judgment in this instance."
"My judgment isn'timpaired. This will work if we do it right." Ruel turned away. "Andwe'll do it right."
"Dilam's crossing theriver." Jane had come to stand beside them. "I counted about seventywarriors with her."
"Then you'll have to makea decision soon," Ruel told Li Sung. "Abdar's not going to give usmuch more time."
"When Dilam comes we willdiscuss 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."
