‘For what purpose?’ shouted Chareos. ‘To die? Achieving what?’
‘So that is your fear?’ responded Tenaka Khan. ‘You were afraid to try. Afraid to fail.’
‘Don’t you dare to judge me!’ Chareos stormed. ‘I will not be found wanting by a murderous traitor.’
Tenaka Khan spread his hands. ‘And who did I betray, Chareos? I was the Khan of the Nadir. I had saved the Drenai once. I gave them good warning that I would return. But you – you betrayed your father and all your ancestors back to Regnak, second Earl of Bronze. He held Dros Delnoch against seemingly insurmountable odds. Generations of Drenai warriors have died to protect their homeland, but not you. No, you would be content to marry a whore and win a little battle here at Bel-azar.’
Chareos dragged his sword from the bolt latch of the door and swung on Tenaka.
‘Is this how you repay me for saving your soul?’ asked Tenaka, mildly. ‘Only a few moments ago, you were asking for my help against the beasts of the night.’
Chareos lowered his sword. ‘Am I a coward then?’ he whispered.
‘There are many forms of cowardice, Chareos. One man can face a score of enemies with a sword, but not a sickness which paralyses him. Another can face death with a smile, yet fear the years of hardship and toil which are living. Are you a coward?’
Chareos sat down on the battlements, staring at the sword in his hand. ‘I have never feared an opponent. But yes, I am a coward. I did not have the strength to return to the Drenai … I still haven’t.’
‘You found the Tattooed Man?’
‘Yes. Yes, we found him. And he will come with us on our . . . journey.’
‘You feel this quest is below you?’ asked the Khan.
‘We are seeking to rescue a pig-breeder’s daughter, taken by Nadren raiders. Will the sun fall from the sky if we fail?’
Tenaka stood and placed his hands on Chareos’ shoulders. ‘I returned to the lands of the Drenai to kill a madman. Instead I found a friend, and a love, and a home I never knew I had lost. From being the Prince of Shadows I became the Great Khan, and I took the Nadir to heights undreamed of. Do not judge your quest until you have completed it. You remember that other night on this very tower?’
‘How could I forget? You let us live.’
‘One day soon, you will know why.’
Chareos awoke. The fire had died, the room was cold; he shivered and pulled the blankets over his chilled frame. He could still picture the slanted violet eyes and feel the strength of the grip on his shoulders.
The door opened and Okas stepped in. He moved silently to the bed and sat upon it.
The dawn is up,’ said Okas. ‘Your quest awaits.’
‘I had a dream, Okas.’
‘I too. I dreamt of a bed of rushes and a soft woman.’
‘And I of Tenaka Khan.’
‘Was he at Bel-azar?’ enquired the Tattooed Man.
‘Yes.’ Chareos sat up. ‘How do you know that?’
‘I did not,’ replied Okas, blinking. ‘It was a question.’
‘But why did you ask it?’
The old man was silent for a moment. ‘There is a mystery here. Tenaka Khan was buried with his ancestor Ulric in the Great Tomb. It was sealed by his son, Jungir, and a thousand spells were cast upon it so that it should never be opened.’
‘I know all this,’ snapped Chareos.
‘You do not know,’ said Okas, ‘or you would solve mystery. I understand magic that is hidden in the world; I can read hearts of men. Yet the Source of All Things has his own secrets, and I cannot read those. Tenaka Khan died and was buried – this we know. His son was anxious that no one should enter the tomb; this also we know. But here is the mystery, Chareos: why do Tenaka Khan’s bones lie hidden at Bel-azar?’
‘That is impossible. It would be sacrilege.’
‘Indeed so.’
Chareos shook his head. ‘Our quest has nothing to do with Tenaka Khan. We will be travelling nowhere near Bel-azar.’