"No," Ruel said."We don't need you."
"Youdoneed me.You need every distraction you can muster. Abdar regards you only as anannoyance, but he has a personal animosity toward me for depriving him ofKartauk."
"But he will haveme," Kartauk said. "Such a prize should be enough. Stay here,Jane."
Jane ignored him as her gazemet Ruel's. "I either get into that canoe with you or I swim across. Takeyour choice."
Ruel stared at her infrustration. "Dammit, what are you trying to do to me?" he saidhoarsely. "I can't lose you too."
"Do I swim?"
"Damnyou." He grasped her waist andlifted her into the boat. "But you'll leave Abdar to me and obeyinstructions. Do you hear me?"
"I hear you."
"You notice she doesn'tsay she will obey," Kartauk said. "I consider that a significantomission."
Ruel didn't answer as hepicked up the paddle and dipped it into the water.
Pachtal, Abdar, and a guard often soldiers stood waiting on the bank when the canoe reached the oppositeshore.
"Ah, what anextraordinary pleasure," Abdar said as he saw Jane in the canoe. "Iwas not expecting you. Kali has given me good fortune."
"Why all three?"Pachtal asked slowly. "I have no liking for this, Your Highness. Whyshould all of them be so willing to risk their lives?"
"They could not helpthemselves. I told you, if I drew power from my masks, all would come tome." Abdar smiled. "And so you did, Miss Barnaby. You may think youcame to help your friends persuade me to spare you, but it's not true. Kalicalled you."
"Kali does notexist," Jane said.
"Be quiet," Ruelsaid harshly. "Do you want to make things worse for us?"
Abdar's attention shifted toRuel. "You were always the clever one, Scot. Under other circumstancesKali could have used your services. You are far more sensible than yourbrother."
Ruel shrugged. "He wasalways a fool."
"Yet we have heard thatyou have cared for that crippled fool for three years," Pachtal said.
"Our God promisesparadise for such acts. It cost me little and I thought it worth thechance." 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 thisboat?" Kartauk asked. "Or are we to conduct this entire conversationin these uncomfortable circumstances."
"Arrogance." Abdar'ssmile faded. "You've learned little, Kartauk."
"I've learned I likelife." Kartauk paused. "And I've learned that sometimes I have tomake certain concessions to keep it."
A flare of interest touchedAbdar's face. "Indeed? Then by all means we must talk. Come to mytent." He turned and walked toward a large tent several yards from thebank. "Search them for weapons and bring them, Pachtal."
"Yes, YourHighness." Pachtal's gaze was on the opposite bank. "I do not likethis. It is most strange… "
"That we come to bargainfor our lives?" Ruel asked as he got out of the canoe and lifted Jane ontothe bank. "Not against these kinds of odds."
"Perhaps." Pachtal'scomely face lit in a vicious smile. "But I doubt if your bargaining willdo you any good. His Highness has every intention of having you join hiscollection. He believes you will add great power." He turned to Jane. "Andyou will join him there after you have provided us diversion."
"I promise I will be verydiverting," Jane said. "Perhaps too diverting for your taste."
"Oh, you intend to fight?That is always very exhilarating." Pachtal quickly searched them beforeturning to an officer. "Watch for other canoes being launched from acrossthe river. This is too easy."
