Desert Song (DeWinter's Song 3) (22 page)

"I'm not sure how deep my feelings go for her," Michael said, knowing he couldn't tell his father the real reason he had married.

Raile clapped his son on the back. "You must have had strong feelings for her, or you would never have married her. I watched you as you spoke of her just now, and I saw something in your eyes that's never been there before. Congratulations, Michael, I'm looking forward to meeting my daughter-in-law." Raile fell silent and his expression became grim. "If we ever get out of this prison."

"Have faith, Father. Prince Khaldun will breech the walls of this city and free us. He will not stop until Sidi is either dead or driven from this land."

"I wish I had your confidence."

Michael said nothing, because he didn't want to face the doubts that were beginning to gnaw at him.

He and his father were trapped, and could do no more than wait for others to free them.

Chapter 24

Mallory threw back the heavy veil as she walked with Fizal in the small garden at the back of his aunt's house. Although his aunt spoke no English, she welcomed Mallory with smiles and bows. The small woman with soft brown eyes kept a clean house, and was busily polishing her furniture, or scrubbing the floors on her hands and knees. She reminded Mallory of Cousin Phoebe.

"My aunt and uncle are happy to have you as their guest, lady."

"Do they understand who I am, and why I'm here?"

"They know only that you are a great lady with trouble. And that you are Inglizi."

"Even so, if it was discovered that they gave me shelter, they might be punished. I would not like to be the cause of any reprisals against them."

Fizal spat, his eyes rolling in his head. "Have no fear, lady. They would sooner see Sidi's bones bleaching in the desert sun than do a kindness for that Turk. My family has many reasons to despise that wicked man."

"But your cousin, Jabl, is one of his guards. Surely he is loyal to Sidi?"

"One must eat, lady, even if one eats from the hand of the devil."

"You must go at once to talk to your cousin. Beseech him to find out all he can about my father-in-law. I believe if we don't help him soon, it will be too late."

"I will hurry, lady, and do as you bid, but I still fear the danger for you."

"Do not think of that. Are you certain your cousin will help me?"

Fizal's eyes narrowed with anger. "He will do anything to strike out at the Turk who killed his wife and son as they crossed the road one day. They were run down by Sidi's horse, and he didn't even slacken his pace or inquire about their injuries. Jabl will certainly help us in this."

"I pray it is so."

"You must promise that you will remain here until I come for you, lady," Fizal insisted.

"You have my word that I'll wait here for you. But don't make me wait too long."

"I will not return until I know something about the great Inglizi."

Together they moved toward the house. At the door, Fizal paused is if he were having trouble with something he wanted to say to Mallory. At last, studying his feet, he spoke. "Would it not be better if you allowed my cousin and me to try to free the Inglizi? I will be blamed if harm comes to you."

"Fizal, don't try to talk me out of this. Come for me when you are ready."

He looked at her with troubled eyes. "Yes, lady." She placed her hand on his arm, and he looked into her eyes. "I can never thank you for all that you are doing. Even if we don't succeed, I'll always be grateful to you for helping me try."

"It is good to serve a great lady." He grinned widely, showing crooked teeth. "Even if I lose my head when the prince and the lord find out what I have done."

* * *

Two days had passed since Michael was taken prisoner and placed in his father's cell. They waited for word of a rescue, but none came. The guards who served them were surly and silent, until that evening, when two of Sidi's personal guards entered the cell.

"You'll come with us," one of the guards said, grabbing Michael and shoving him toward the door.

When Raile tried to intervene, he was struck with the hilt of a sword, and staggered backwards. Michael attempted to go to his father's defense, but two more guards rushed forward and forcibly pushed him out of the cell.

Michael was led down several flights of stairs, through dark corridors, and finally to a heavy iron door. A key was inserted, and he was shoved inside so hard he almost lost his balance.

The sight that met his eyes would have made even the bravest man recoil. A sickening stench permeated the air. Chains were attached to the rock walls, and there were several bloodstained tables. Weapons of torture hung from rusted racks. It was obvious this was a place of great evil.

He was clapped into chains and slammed against the wall. A man dressed in a black robe that was edged with silver embroidery appeared as if from nowhere.

"So, Akhdar 'em Akraba, you are in my hands at last. How foolish of me to waste effort trying to capture you, when all I had to do was leave my front door open. I will soon display your dead body at my front gate, so all will know that my power is mightier than yours."

Michael stared with insolence into the black eyes of the man that could be none other than Sheik Sidi Ahmed himself.

"This meeting is overdue, Turkish dog," Michael snarled.

Sidi moved slowly toward him, a cruel smile curving his thin lips. "You have the insolence of your father, but I believe the time will come when you will beg for death to release you."

"I will never beg you."

Sidi snapped his fingers and motioned for someone to come forward. "Turn the insolent Inglizi's face to the wall and remove his robe."

Two guards immediately complied. Michael's face was ground into the slimy rock, and he felt his robe being ripped from his back. He yanked against the chains, straining his muscles to get free, but the chains held fast.

"Every man has something he fears—every man has vulnerability," Sidi taunted. "I wonder how long it will take me to find yours? I have yet to find your father's, but I shall before he dies."

Michael only laughed. "Do what you will and be done with it. If you can't break my father, you can't break me either. Get on with it, or do you intend to talk me to death?"

Sidi's voice came out with the intensity of the whiplash. "You are as uncooperative as your father, but I'll find your weakness, and then his."

"I think not."

"I will ask you questions, and you will answer."

Michael merely straightened his shoulders.

"Where is my nephew going to strike, and when?"

"Why would I know? I don't even know your nephew."

Sidi's voice was silken. "Do you play games with me? I know my nephew, Prince Khaldun, is your champion. I've had you watched since you saved him from death on the ship from England."

"Your cutthroats are bungling fools." Michael sneered. "It's to be hoped that the rest of your soldiers have been better trained than those I've met thus far."

Sidi's voice had an edge to it now, and Michael knew he'd struck a raw spot. "What do you mean?"

"You sent your men to kill Khaldun on board the Iberia, and they failed. They later tried to capture me and failed in that. You even attempted to abduct Lady Mallory and blundered there, too. It's hard to fear anyone who is so incompetent," Michael taunted.

With an angry yell, Sidi uncoiled his whip. Before Michael could say another word, the lash snaked out and cut into his back. The pain ripped through his body, but he closed his eyes, and he thought of how his father would expect him to resist.

"Insolent dog!" Sidi said as he lashed out at Michael once more. The sting of the whip forced the very breath from Michael's body, and he clamped his teeth together to keep from crying out in pain.

He tried to think of something that would make him forget about the pain. He opened his mind to the vision of a pair of blue eyes. He reminded himself of the softness of Mallory's skin, as the whip continued to cut through the air.

"Cry out!" Sidi said, his voice coming out in an angry hiss. "Beg for mercy and I may spare you." His voice rose in volume. "Beg, you son of a desert sheepherder!"

"Never," Michael whispered, as his knees buckled from the force of the whip.

Again and again the whip cracked through the air.

"Ask me to stop," Sidi's voice became more insistent.

"May God damn your soul to hell," Michael said, biting his lip so hard it drew blood. He tried to hold onto the image of Mallory's blue eyes, but they were slipping away as pain became the only reality. The whip cut deeply, and he slumped forward, into a bottomless black abyss.

* * *

Mallory sat in the garden beneath a shade tree, impatiently waiting for Fizal's return. He'd been gone for hours, and it was almost sundown. Suppose something happened to him, she thought frantically. What if he was captured and was now in prison himself?

She heard the sound of soft footsteps, and glanced up to see Fizal's aunt approaching with a tray of food. The woman smiled at Mallory and offered her the tray.

Smiling and nodding in return, Mallory lifted the glass to her lips, finding it was fruit juice. "Thank you. It is delicious."

The woman placed the tray on Mallory lap. After she'd returned to the house, Mallory nibbled on a piece of cheese. She tore off a bit of kishk, the flat Egyptian bread she had become accustomed to, and ate it with relish. She hadn't realized how hungry she was. Evidently Fizal's aunt and uncle were very poor, but they gladly shared their fare with her.

Fizal's aunt and uncle had retired for the night, leaving Mallory alone in the small room they used as a sitting room. The candle burned low, and still she waited for Fizal. When the door opened, he stood there looking glum.

Mallory was on her feet. "Did you talk to your cousin?"

"Yes, and he's agreed to help us."

She clasped her hands. "That's wonderful!"

"Not so wonderful, lady. He has asked to guard the tower but does not go on duty for three days."

Mallory's face fell. "That will be too late."

"I fear it will be," Fizal agreed. "I should take you away from the city before trouble comes."

"I will not leave until I know about my husband's father. Has your cousin seen him?"

"No, lady. Jabl will only be allowed to guard the door, and is not permitted contact with the prisoner. He tells me there is one guard at the door and one inside who has the key to the cells. It will not be easy to subdue them both."

"Nevertheless, you must return to your cousin and beseech him to find a way to help us. I fear they will kill my husband's father when the fighting begins."

Fizal saw the circles beneath her eyes. He had come to admire this woman who would not give up, even against impossible odds. "I'll talk to Jabl again tonight, and we will try to work out a plan. But you should rest, lady."

Mallory nodded. "I am weary, but I doubt I'll be able to sleep."

He lifted the candle and placed it in her hand. "My aunt has prepared a bedroom for you. You should sleep now."

"I'll try, but don't forget I will be waiting for your return." She reached out and touched his hand. "How can I thank you for all you have done?"

Fizal smiled, his chest swelling with pride. "I am willing to die for you, lady."

Mallory frowned. Never would she understand the fatalistic attitude of the Egyptians. Never would she forget the loyalty they gave unquestioningly.

* * *

Two guards supported Michael's unconscious body between them, while a third guard unlocked the cell. Raile ran forward and slid his arms around his son.

"That bastard!" he ground out, pushing one of the men away from Michael. "Who has done this to my son?"

The guards grinned, shrugged, and left, locking the door behind them.

With considerable effort, Raile managed to carry Michael to the bed, where he gently laid him on his stomach. He felt sick inside when he saw how brutally Michael had been whipped. Each lash mark was like a pain in his own body. Michael's wounds needed attention immediately, so Raile pushed his anger to the back of his mind.

Michael stirred and moaned when Raile bathed his back, but he lost consciousness again and his father was grateful. After Raile had cleansed the lacerations, there was little more he could do because he had no medication. He knew Michael would be in a great deal of pain when he awoke.

Raile paced the floor like a wild animal. He'd been in the cell for so long that he had begun to think there was no escape. But now, he was determined to get his son out of there, even if he had to plead with that devil, Sidi.

Raile kept vigil over his son while anger grew in his heart. Sidi would pay for this—if it cost Raile his life, the day would come when he would have his revenge.

He heard Michael groan in his sleep, and wondered what Kassidy would think when she learned what had happened.

Michael moaned, and Raile rushed to him. Michael gritted his teeth and managed to gain his feet, but he was so unsteady, he had to lean on his father.

"You shouldn't be up yet," Raile told him. "You have been badly injured, Michael."

"I'll not let that man defeat me."

"Who did this to you?"

"Our friend, Sidi." Michael raised pain-filled eyes to her father. "Did he use the whip on you?"

"No. I was not harmed in any way. As you can see, he's allowed me to live in comfort, if you can call being caged like an animal comfort. I'll kill him for what he's done to you!"

"This was his way to strike at you, Father. But I told him nothing."

"What do you mean?"

"He wanted to know about Khaldun and his army, and when they would attack."

Raile's heart contracted. Michael had the same proud spirit of his mother. "So you endured his whip in silence to save your friends."

"I can confess to you that I wanted to cry out, but I wouldn't give that man the satisfaction of hearing me beg."