Lin-tse gave a tight smile. ‘I take your point. The axeman looks like a fighting man.’
‘He is. I have walked the Void with him, my friend, and believe me he is awesome to behold.’
‘Even so I feel uncomfortable with a gajin within the walls. Is he a friend?’
‘To the Nadir? No. To me? Perhaps. I am glad that he is here. He has an indomitable feel about him.’ Talisman stood. ‘You should go and rest, Lin-tse. You have earned it. I wish I could have seen you and your men leap the chasm. Truly you were Sky Riders in that moment. Men will sing of it in years to come.’
‘Only if we survive, general.’
‘Then we must, for I would like to hear that song myself.’
Lin-tse rose and the two men gripped hands. Then Lin-tse bowed to Zhusai and left the room. Talisman slumped back to his seat.
‘You are more tired than he,’ Zhusai admonished him. ‘It is you who needs to rest.’
Talisman gave a weary smile. ‘I am young and full of strength.’
Zhusai crossed the room and knelt beside him, her arms resting on his thighs. ‘I will not go with Nosta Khan,’ she said. ‘I have thought long on this. I know it is the custom for a Nadir father to choose the husband for his daughter, but my father was not Nadir and my grandfather had no right to pledge me. I tell you this, Talisman, if you make me leave then I shall wait for news of you. If you die . . .’
‘Do not say it! I forbid it!’
‘You can forbid me nothing,’ she told him quietly. ‘You are not my husband; you are my guardian. No more. Very well, I shall not say it. But you know what I will do.’
Angrily he grabbed her shoulders, lifting her. ‘Why are you torturing me in this way?’ he shouted. ‘Can you not see that your safety would give me strength; give me hope?’
Relaxing in his arms, she sat down on his lap. ‘Hope? What hope for Zhusai with you dead, my love? What would the future hold? Marriage to an un-named man with violet eyes? No, not for me. It will be you, or no-one.’
Leaning forward she kissed him, and he felt the soft warmth of her tongue on his lips. His mind screamed at him to pull away from her, but arousal swept over him and he drew her close, returning the kiss with an ardour he had not known he possessed. His hand slid over her shoulder, feeling the softness of her white silk shirt and the flesh beneath. His palm followed the contours of her body, down over her left breast, the hardness of the nipple causing him to slow, and stroke it between thumb and forefinger.
He did not hear the door open, but felt the warm flow of air from outside. Drawing back, he swung his head to see Nuang Xuan. ‘This a bad time, hey?’ said the old warrior, with a wink.
‘No,’ answered Talisman, his voice thick. ‘Come in.’ Zhusai rose, then leaned forward and kissed his cheek. He watched her walk from the room, following the sway of her slender hips.
Nuang Xuan sat down awkwardly on the wooden chair. ‘Better to sit Nadir fashion on the floor,’ he said, ‘but I don’t want to be looking up at you.’
‘What do you require of me, old one?’
‘You wish me to guard the gate – but I desire to stand alongside Druss on the wall.’
‘Why?’
Nuang sighed. ‘I think I will die here, Talisman. I do not object to this, for I have lived a long time. And I have killed many men. You doubt me?’
‘Why would I doubt you?’
‘Because it’s not true,’ said Nuang, with a wicked grin. ‘I have killed five men in my life: three in duels when I was young, and two Lancers when they attacked us. I told the axeman I would kill a hundred on the walls. He said he would keep count for me.’
‘Only a hundred?’ queried Talisman.
Nuang smiled. ‘I have not been feeling well.’