"Hurry."
"Tarik?"
"Of course. And have the courtesy to take your hand off that dagger. I'm not armed."
Kadar was still to one side of the open door. How had Tarik known his hand was on the dagger hilt?
"You're here to steal, Kadar. It's only logical that you have a weapon, and you always prefer a dagger. Now come in. You know you can never resist satisfying your curiosity once it's aroused."
He was right. Kadar drew his dagger, took a step forward, and stood in the open doorway.
"My, my, you are a lethal-appearing specimen." Tarik was lounging in a cushioned chair across the chamber. "After you finish ogling me, please shut the door."
Kadar had trained himself never to make assumptions, but he must have made them about Tarik, for he was surprised. This was not the fierce warrior capable of bringing fear to Nasim. He was lean, perhaps near his fortieth year, garbed in a purple tunic. The low-burning fire in the hearth lit his coal-black hair with a matte glow. It was his face that was compelling. A broad, high forehead, a long beak of a nose, and mocking dark eyes dominated that golden-skinned visage. It was not a comely face, but the alertness and intelligence of expression made it riveting.
"Enough?" Tarik asked. "We've both taken the other's measure. Now we can be at ease."
"Can we?"
"How cautious you are. I have no soldiers behind the door ready to leap on you. They would have been waiting on the south wall if I'd wanted you intercepted."
"I thought it was too easy. How did you know I'd choose the south wall?"
"It's the one I would have chosen." He smiled. "And you're a very clever man, Kadar."
"How do you know my name?" His eyes narrowed as a thought occurred to him. "Nasim?"
"You think Nasim betrayed you?" He shook his head. "I can see your reasoning. Nasim is both treacherous and convoluted, but I assure you he sent me no messages."
"Then how did you know me and my mission?"
"I have my own people at Maysef."
Kadar stared at him skeptically.
"Ah, you think because Nasim's followers are such fanatics that I could not inveigle my people among them. It was difficult but not impossible."
"Why would you do that?"
"Because Nasim is clever and persistent. I knew he would eventually find someone he considered capable of taking the box from me. He chose well in you. I've followed your progress with interest from the time you were a boy. You're truly unique."
"You're too kind," Kadar said ironically.
"I'm not kind at all--unless moved. And it takes a great deal to move me these days." Tarik gestured to the chair opposite him. "Well, are you going to put up that dagger and come in and make yourself comfortable?"
"What would you do if I didn't?"
"I would take it away from you."
"Indeed?"
"Without harm to you, of course. You're too valuable to damage. Even Nasim realized that truth."
"You think you could do it?"
"I didn't mean to arouse your competitive instincts." He sighed. "Yes, I could do it. You're very good, but I'm older and I've had more experience."
"Older is not always better."
