SILK AND SECRETS by MARY JO PUTNEY

Author:MARY JO PUTNEY [PUTNEY, MARY JO]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Published: 2012-05-31T22:36:34+00:00

CHAPTER 15

The last leg of the journey was rather public, for Ross’s identity had long since ceased to be a secret. The tale of the bozkashi match and of his mission to the amir had run ahead of the travelers, so after the caravan crossed the broad Oxus river into more heavily populated territory, people began coming to see the ferengi. The Uzbek and Turkoman callers were curious and wanted to touch his blond hair, but most were friendly.

However, there were exceptions. The last night before the caravan would reach the city of Bokhara was spent in the caravansary of Karakul. As Ross and his companions ate their evening meal, a shabby rat-faced Uzbek crossed the courtyard, then squatted down to watch them.

Thinking the man might be hungry, Saleh said, “Will you honor us by sharing our humble fare?”

The visitor spat on the ground. “I will not defile myself by sharing bread and salt with a ferengi spy and his dogs. I have come only because tonight will be the last opportunity to see what the infidel looks like.”

“Look all you like,” Ross said mildly.

The Uzbek’s slit-eyed gaze went to Ross’s face. “Tomorrow you will be met by the amir’s horsemen. They will be carrying baskets with bandages to blindfold you, chains to bind you, and knives to butcher you,” he said with obvious relish. “You are a son of death, ferengi.”

“Are not all sons of man also sons of death?” Ross took another bite of his bread. Having long since learned that piety was the best defense in this sort of conversation, he agreed, “Only in death does man find eternal life.”

The Uzbek glowered at him. “Paradise is only for the Faithful, ferengi swine. Tomorrow night you will dine in hell.” He rose to his feet and stalked away.

Ross swallowed the last of his bread, then said into the silence, “Anyone care to lay odds on whether that unpleasant fellow was telling the truth about what will happen tomorrow?”

Juliet, who had become more vocal since Murad discovered her identity, said acerbically, “No point in wagering with a man who may not be around to pay off his losses.”

“British humor is very strange,” Murad said, giving them a disapproving glance. “But no matter, for that son of a swine was lying. How could one such as he know the amir’s plans?”

“Very likely he invented that story as a way of ruining a night’s rest. However…” Ross brushed crumbs from his lap. “If any officers of the amir approach the caravan tomorrow carrying baskets, I want all three of you to move away from me. If I am to be butchered, I don’t need company.”

Ross glanced at Murad. Several days earlier, Ross had taken the youth aside and persuaded him that if something happened to Ross, serving and protecting his master’s wife would be a deed of great honor. Remembering that conversation, Murad gave a nod of agreement.

Then Ross caught Juliet’s eye and repeated, “If in doubt, you will keep your distance.

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