"BY GOD, you've been there over a week already. How much longer will it take?" Balkir demanded.
"I have no idea," Kadar said.
"Then I want the woman returned to me."
"Tarik prefers her to remain at the castle. I doubt if he would release her."
"Why not?" Balkir's fists clenched in frustration. "What is this about?"
Kadar smiled. "It's about getting Nasim's treasure for him.
Why else are we here?"
"I'm sure Nasim would not like this. I sent a messenger to tell him what you were doing the moment you entered the gates."
Kadar's smile vanished. "And has he replied?"
"Not yet. But he will. He'll tell me to storm this castle and take the treasure as you could not."
"He's wiser than that. He'll tell you to wait and obey my instructions." Kadar turned to go. "If I don't return with the treasure in another week's time, I'll come out and inform you of my progress."
"I'll not wait forever." Balkir's voice lowered menacingly. "I won't face Nasim's anger because of your dawdling. I think you seek to betray him."
"Nonsense. I'll be in touch with you." Kadar left the tent and strode toward his horse. As he mounted, he saw Balkir standing beneath the awning at the opening of the tent, balefully watching him. Ordinarily, Kadar would not have been overly concerned, but he could sense a change in Balkir's attitude. He was growing more belligerent, and his fear of Nasim's wrath was growing.
Frightened men were always dangerous.
"He's sent a message to Nasim?" Tarik frowned as he moved his pawn. "That's not good."
"But to be expected." Kadar studied the chessboard. "You couldn't keep us here indefinitely with no action being taken."
"Am I keeping you here?" Tarik smiled. "I believe you would stay regardless of anything I said or did now."
He was right, Kadar thought. With each passing day he felt as if he were being drawn deeper into the web Tarik was spinning about them. Strange, he had fought Nasim's power but he was not battling Tarik. Maybe because he knew he could tear the delicate web aside and break free at any time. His glance went to Selene standing at the windows across the hall. "I noticed a change in Balkir. I want her away from here. Find a way to get her away from the castle without Balkir seeing her and send her back to Montdhu."
"She wouldn't go."
"If you want me to stay, then you have to send her safely from here. You'll discover a way."
Tarik leaned back in his chair and gazed at him. "I'm not sure I wish to do that. What if my plans for you come to naught and I must look elsewhere? It would be a great inconvenience to retrieve Selene from Montdhu."
Kadar's head lifted with sudden menace. "I'll not have you using her."
"How quickly you rise to her defense. It's truly touching."
"I'm weary of your games and your sarcasm. Let's be done with it. Tell me what you would have me do and I will answer yes or no."
"You grow impatient."
"And you speak in riddles and secrets. Is it the grail in your coffer?"
"Do you fear God will strike you dead if you steal a holy relic?"
"Answer me."
Tarik was silent.
"Then tell me how you came to have the box."
