"Leila." Her father's voice eased herdiscomfiture, but only slightly. She quickly translated the crusader'squestion.
"Tell him only that you are my helper,"Sinjarquietly instructed her, "and a slave." Ather shocked expression, he whispered, "I will explain later. Go on, tellhim."
She did so, almost stumbling on the words. She watchedas thecrusader'shard expression grew pitying, hisgaze falling to the stripedzunnarwrapped around herwaist.
"A Christian slave," he stated bluntly.
Disconcerted even more by the strange look in thecrusader's eyes, Leila was suddenly eager to be done with her increasinglyunpleasant task.
"My master,SinjarAl-Aziz, offers you a choice. If you agree to peacefully accept your temporaryimprisonment and not fight against him or your guards, he will see that you arefreed from those chains. If not, you must remain where you are, at the risk ofyour life. Myfa—" She stopped, realizing whatshe had almost revealed. "My master believes your wound could yet causeyour death, shackled as you are now. It is his wish that you live, of course,so GovernorMawdudmight receive his ransom."
"How bloody charitable of him," the crusadermuttered, leaning his head back against the wall. He grimaced, sweat tricklingdown the side of his face, and Leila had the impression he had temporarilyforgotten them in his wretched misery. Clearly his wound was causing himintense pain.
"You must choose," she insisted, drawing himback into their discussion.
"So it seems I must," he replied thickly. Itwas obvious from his increasingly labored breathing that his earlier struggleshad done him little good. He met her questioning gaze, his eyes becoming glazedand feverish. "The ransom. How do I know you are telling me the truth?"
Leila could sense he was anxious for her answer. "'Tisplain to see," she said simply. "If you werenot of value to GovernorMawdud, you would already bedead."
Falling silent at her frank response, he stared out thebarred window for a long moment. When he faced her again, he drew himself updespite his heavy chains, and she stepped back, startled and amazed by howsmall he made her feel. His huge size was only heightened by his commandingstance.
"Very well. I accept your master's offer. Betterthat than hang here on this blasted wall."
Relieved, Leila turned to her father. "He hasagreed. He will not resist."
"Excellent,"Sinjarsaid.
"He lies!" the captain exclaimed. "Sonof a cur. Infidel! How can you believe him?"
"Ask the crusader his name,"Sinjarrequested, ignoring the man behind him, "so thegovernor may have it inscribed in the letter of ransom. Also, ask him for somesmall personal fact that his Lord Edward might recognize. The letter must beconsidered authentic."
As Leila relayed her father's words, a hint of aroguish smile touched the crusader's mouth, eliciting a strange flutter in herstomach.
"Guy deWarenne,crusader knight of the realm and lord of the Welsh Marches. And the comelywench who keeps me company in Acre is namedRefaiyeh.She's got a tempting crescent-shaped birthmark, the palest pink, on the insideof her upper thigh, right below her—"
At Leila's small gasp he stopped abruptly, staring ather flushed cheeks.
"Forgive me. I almost forgot therewasa lady present, and a very beautiful one at that."The crusader's gaze jumped to her father. "Tell your master"—he spatthe word derisively— "that Edward will know it's I when he confirms what I'vejust said."
"Well, Leila?"Sinjarasked. A touch of amusement lit his eyes as she repeated the crusader's words,pointedly omitting his unexpected compliment. "Good. It is enough."He turned on the captain of the guards. "You have heard. Release mypatient at once."
The man looked as if he might protest, but he keptsilent, glaring at both Leila and her father. He wrestled a jangling ring ofkeys from the sash at his waist and threw them at the feet of the nearestguard.
"Do as my lord Al-Aziz says. Unlock the chains,"the captain ordered grimly. As the guard retrieved the keys and hastened toobey, he addressed the other man. "Keep your swords at the ready while thepatient receives his treatment. I will summon two more guards to assist you.When the revered Al-Aziz and his helper"—he shot a glance at Leila— "leave,bolt the door securely."
With a brusque bow of his head toSinjarand scarcely a nod at Leila, the captain stormed from the cell.
"Clearly a man who does not recognize his place inlife,"Sinjarsaid dryly. "Most unwise."He hurried forward as the freed crusader gripped his shoulder and slumpedagainst the wall. "Help me lift my patient to the cots!"Sinjarcalled out sharply to the two guards just entering.
Leila readied the bedding, plumping pillows and drawingback the blanket as the crusader was half dragged across the floor. Hecollapsed upon the cots, heaving a ragged sigh. His eyes met hers as shebrought the blanket up to his chest.
"I needbraies."
"Braies?" she askedblankly.
His dry laugh was a painful rattle in his chest. "Trousers.I'm not used to appearing unclothed before a lady—unless, of course, she istoo. I'd wager you've seen more of me than many a wench I've bedded."
"I—I'll see what can be done," Leila said,shocked by his candor.
