"Shiek" - читать интересную книгу автора (Connie Mason)

Night came too slowly, but when it finally arrived, Zara's excitement escalated. So as not to raise suspicion, she crept into her stall at her usual time and feigned sleep. Fearing to close her eyes lest she fall asleep, she stared into the darkness, anticipating a sweet reunion with her father.

Zara did not hear the soft whisper of nearly silent footsteps as Jamal and Haroun entered the stables and melted into the shadows. Guards were stationed beneath the walls, at various sites near the gate and outside the stables. These precautions were to be observed nightly, until Youssef appeared. Jamal had a gut feeling it would be tonight.





The Blue Men slipped over the walls as silent as wraiths, nearly invisible in the blue-black darkness of night. Jamal watched from the shadows as they hit the ground and crept toward the stables. He counted six of them. Obviously they meant to slip in and out of the compound without creating a disturbance. It was a daring rescue attempt, albeit one doomed to failure.

"They're coming," Haroun whispered into Jamal's ear. "Give the signal and my men will make short work of them."

"Nay, we do not yet know which is Youssef. If he is among them, I want him alive."

Jamal and Haroun sank deeper into the shadows as one shadowy figure crept into the stables. The other Blue Men remained watchful just outside the entrance, unaware that they were under surveillance.

Zara heard a whisper of sound and sprang to her feet. "Father, is that you?"

"Aye, daughter, 'tis I. We must leave quickly." Youssef pulled a blue robe from beneath his clothing and handed it to her. "Put this on. You'll be less conspicuous in the moonlight."

When the blue robe was in place, Youssef said, "Take my hand, we will leave together."

Zara placed her trembling hand trustingly in her father's.

"That foul beast hasn't hurt you, has he? My spy said you appeared well."

"I'm unharmed," Zara assured him. "I'll be better once I leave this accursed place. We must go quietly; there are others sleeping in the stables."

They moved toward the door, guided by a sliver of moonlight. Zara's hopes soared. Freedom was within sight. They were going to make it! They had but to negotiate the short distance to the wall and use the ropes that had been lowered to hoist themselves up and over to the other side.

A voice echoed in the darkness, issuing a crisp order. "Now!" Immediately a dozen armed men rushed from their hiding places to challenge the Blue Men, cutting off their escape.

"Nay!" Zara cried. "We've been betrayed!"

"'Tis no betrayal, sweet vixen," Jamal said, stepping out of the shadows.

Youssef sheltered Zara behind him, facing Jamal squarely. "Let my daughter go, Sheik Jamal. You have me. You no longer need Zara."

"You are wrong, Youssef, I do need Zara. You can't imagine how desperately I need her. As for you, my fine bandit, the sultan has plans for you. Your fate is in his hands now."

"Nay!" Zara cried, stepping out from behind her father. "Would you have my father's death upon your conscience?"

"Youssef has broken the law, Zara. Now he must pay."

"All the Blue Men have been rounded up, my lord," Haroun reported. "Do you want them executed immediately?"