Jock nodded. "Aye."
"I'm not going until—"
"Do you trust me?" Kartauk asked. "Do you truly trust me, Margaret?"
"Aye, but I still—"
"This is the right thing to do for all of us. It may be the only way to save the day. I promise Ian will be right behind you." He smiled and suddenly his face was illuminated with love. "Go, Margaret, trust me."
He lifted her to the saddle and swatted the horse's rear, sending it into a gallop toward the canyon.
He turned immediately and climbed the veranda steps. He wished he could have watched her leave, to see the slender straightness of her back, the way she held her head in that proud manner he loved so well. It did not seem much for a man to ask.
But there was no time.
Margaret and Jock were almost halfway down the canyon trail before she had time to realize the exact portent of Kartauk's words.
"My God," she murmured as panic swept through her.
He had promised Ian would be on her heels.
He had said nothing about himself.
Ian was still sitting in the chair by the window when Kartauk entered his chamber. He turned to Tamar, who stood against the far wall beside the Cinnidan bearers. "Why isn't he in his traveling chair? I told you to get him ready."
Tamar shook his head. "And he told me not to move him. It is he I must obey."
"She's gone?" Ian asked.
Kartauk nodded. "Not without protest. We have to send you on your way to be sure she doesn't turn back. I promised you'd be right behind her." He crossed to Ian's chair. "Brace yourself. I'm going to lift you."
"Not yet." Ian grimaced as he nodded at the glass of wine on the table beside him. "After I finish the wine. I've just taken my laudanum and I must wait until it takes effect. The trip down that canyon will prove excruciating. I'll only be a moment."
"We don't have many moments."
Ian picked up his wineglass. "You don't intend to go with me, do you?"
Kartauk went still. "Why do you say that?"
"You said send, not bring, and such an action would be reasonable considering your character."
"Considering my character, you should expect me to do just the opposite. No one has more self-concern than me."
"Not where Margaret is involved." He sipped his wine. "I take it you think it's necessary to stay and delay Abdar from following us."
Kartauk nodded. "Abdar would enjoy having Ruel's brother to toy with."
"But not you?"
He shrugged. "I've dealt with Abdar for years. I know him."
"But there is still danger for you."
"Finish your wine. You have to leave."
Ian nodded and obediently swallowed the rest of the wine. "I know I mustn't keep you, but since I've been sitting here I've suddenly realized something. Something that's been troubling me since that night at Lanpur Gorge."
"We haven't time for this." Kartauk took an impatient step forward.
"God always has a purpose, but I couldn't see His hand in saving me that night. It's all coming clearer now."
"I'm going to lift you." Kartauk bent to gather him into his arms.
"I really wouldn't do that," Ian murmured as he nodded at Tamar over Kartauk's shoulder. "You appear so concerned about me, and if I fell it would cause me great pain."
"I won't drop you."
"I'm afraid you would have no choice."
"Nonsense, I'm strong as an-—"
He broke off as the vase Tamar wielded shattered on his head. He grunted, his eyes glazing over. He slumped to the floor.
"You see?" Ian asked as he gazed down at Kartauk. "I really could not allow you to cheat me, my friend." He lifted his gaze to Tamar. "Very good. Get him on a horse. Quickly."
Tamar hesitated. "I do not think—"
"You said you would always obey my every command." He smiled gently. "Don't worry, this is a good thing I've done, Tamar."
"No." Tamar met his gaze with understanding. "It is a great thing." He nodded to one of the bearers, who helped him lift Kartauk's massive bulk.
"Wait!" Ian said. "Tell the bearers to take the chair down the mountain. Tie Kartauk's horse's reins to the back of the chair and let them lead him down."
Tamar frowned, puzzled. "Take the chair without you?"
"Margaret will be on the lookout for the chair. If she doesn't see it, she'll return instead of going on to Ruel."
Tamar nodded and issued quick orders to the bearers. "I will be back as soon as I get them under way."
"No, I want you to hide on die grounds. When the soldiers find you, don't fight them. Ruel may need a man here at the palace."
"I would rather come back here."
Ian shook his head.
Tamar hesitated and then said softly, "It will be as you wish."
In moments Ian was left alone in the chamber. Contentment flowed over him. It was done. Well, not entirely done, but soon it would be over. He should have had more faith. He should have known that God would have more compassion than to let him suffer with no reason. He had been given a role of splendor and heroism to play out the end of his humdrum life.
He settled back in his chair to wait for Abdar.
"There." Jock pointed up the trail. "I see them!"
Them? Hope leapt in Margaret as she shaded her eyes against the sun. From this distance she could barely make out the chair about a quarter of the way down the trail, but wasn't there also a horseman just behind the chair's ornate fringed awning?
"Come," Jock urged. "Medford's camp is right ahead."
"Aye." Margaret spurred ahead. It could be both of them. Kartauk could have come with Ian. Let it be both of them, she prayed. Be merciful and let them both be saved.
He was afraid, Ian realized. He hadn't expected fear, and yet here it was, ugly and twisted and dark. He mustn't think of darkness. He must think only of the light.
They were coming.
He heard shouts from outside the palace and then the sounds of boots on the fine wood floors and doors being thrown open up and down the long corridor.
They were closer, right outside his own closed door.
He tensed as the door was thrown open and Abdar stamped into the chamber.
"Ah, at last! I feared there was no one here." Abdar came toward him, his usually blank face twisted with annoyance. "I know you. You are the brother, the crippled one."
Ian inclined his head. "I recall our first meeting in great detail, Your Highness."
"Where are the others?"
"Others?"
"Where is Kartauk?"
Ian vaguely looked around the chamber. "He was here a moment ago." He leaned back in his chair. "You must forgive me, Your Highness. I've just taken my laudanum and I cannot think clearly. I think he is in his furnace room . . . across the veranda. Or perhaps the summerhouse. He was quite disturbed you were coming."
"He had a right to be disturbed." Abdar turned to a handsome young man behind him. "Go search for him, Pachtal. Bring him here."
Pachtal quickly left the room.
Abdar turned back to Ian. "I had word that your wife had accompanied you to Cinnidar. Where is she?"
"She became frightened and fled. I believe she's hiding somewhere on the grounds."
"Leaving you alone?"