Alamut by Judith Tarr

Author:Judith Tarr [Tarr, Judith]
Language: eng
Format: epub, mobi
Tags: romance, Crusades, ebook, Judith Tarr, fantasy, Historical, Book View Cafe
Publisher: Book View Cafe

V. Masyaf

24.

There were torches lit in the outer courtyard, horses stamping and fretting, even a roar of disgust from amid a huddle of laden camels. Aidan took it all in with mild surprise. That his mamluks would follow him, he had expected. He had not thought to find an expedition fitted out as if for a raid in the desert.

Karim came toward him, as fussily elegant as ever, with his curled and perfumed beard and his towering turban. He looked unhappy, but that would be for appearance’ sake, and in remembrance of Joanna. Under it, where Aidan’s blunted power could just perceive, he was richly content. He had had an impossible task, he had fulfilled it, he was well rid of this disturbance in his household; and he had paid less for it than he had expected.

He regarded Aidan without hostility, if with no great liking. “I regret,” he said, “that we were unable to provide you with all that we had agreed upon. Guides, the full complement of baggage camels, doubled remounts...”

“No matter,” said Aidan. “I see two horses for every man, and camels enough. Guidance I do not need. I know where we go.”

“And do you know where it is safe, and where the tribes have forbidden passage?”

“God will guide me,” Aidan said.

No good Muslim could express doubt at such a sentiment. Karim, trapped in piety, escaped to duty. “I have told the chief of your mamluks what I know of the road and its dangers. You would do well to ride warily, even where the land seems most quiet. He whom you hunt is not above using the tribes as his weapons; and they are much given to raiding for the love of it.”

“Then I’ll have to oblige them with a battle, won’t I?”

“Youth,” said Karim, “is a wonderful thing.” A man could die in battle, his eyes said. And this one had dishonored his kinswoman and his House; and Allah was just as well as merciful. If it was a prayer, it was a very subtle one.

Aidan smiled at him. “It’s hardly youth, sir. I was bred to oblige my enemies as my friends.”

“God help your friends.”

An unguarded utterance. Aidan saluted it, even as he turned to find his grey gelding waiting, Arslan at its head, somewhat owl-eyed but holding back hard on a grin. Others had not so much self-restraint. Under his eye the grins vanished, but there was no quelling the high fierce joy.

He knew it himself. It was black and scarlet, like fire in the dark. He swung lightly into the saddle. “I shall come back,” he said, “to see the end of our bargain.”

It did not cost Karim excessively much to murmur, “Allah grant.” Then, because he was an honorable man, and because he saw no profit in vindictiveness: “May God prosper your venture.”

Aidan bowed in the saddle. His hellions were waiting. He flung them into flight.

oOo

The city was closed up until dawn, but the House of Ibrahim had influence at a postern gate.

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