On the fourth day he began to teach her the principles of unarmed combat.
‘Hammer this thought into your mind: Think! Harness your emotions and act on the instincts this training will inspire. Rage is useless, so do not lash out. Think. Your weapons are fists, fingers, feet, elbows, and head. Your targets are eyes, throat, belly and groin. These are the areas in which a well-timed blow will disable an enemy – you have one great advantage in this kind of combat: you are a woman. Your enemies will expect, fear, terror … and ultimately surrender. If you stay cool you will survive – and they will die.’
On the afternoon of the fifth day, as Waylander and Danyal rode back towards the wagons a group of Nadir warriors galloped into sight whooping and cheering. Waylander reined in his horse as they approached. There were some two hundred riders and they were heavily laden with blankets, trade goods and saddlebags bulging with coins and jewels. Danyal had never seen Nadir tribesmen, but she knew of their reputation as ferocious killers. Squat and powerful men they were, with slanted eyes and flat faces; many wore lacquered breastplates and fur-trimmed helms; most carried two swords and an assortment of knives.
The Nadir pulled up, spreading across the trail. Meanwhile Waylander sat quietly, trying to pick out the leader.
After several tense seconds a middle-aged warrior rode from the group; his eyes were dark and malicious, his smile cruel. The eyes flickered to Danyal and Waylander read his thought.
‘Who are you?’ asked the leader, leaning forward on the pommel of his saddle.
‘I ride with Ice-eyes,’ said Waylander, using the Nadir form of Durmast’s name.
‘You say.’
‘Who is there to doubt me?’
The dark eyes fixed on Waylander and the Nadir nodded.
‘We have come from Ice-eyes’ wagons. Many gifts. You have gifts?’
‘Only one,’ said Waylander.
‘Then give it to me.’
‘I already have. I gave you the gift of life.’
‘Who are you to give what I already possess?’
‘I am the Soul Stealer,’
The Nadir showed no emotion. ‘You ride with Ice-eyes?’
‘Yes. We are brothers.’
‘Of the blood?’
‘No. Of the blade.’
‘Ride in peace on this day,’ said the Nadir. ‘But remember – there will be other days,’
Lifting his arm, the Nadir leader waved on his men and the group thundered past the two riders.
‘What was that all about?’ asked Danyal.
‘He did not want to die,’ said Waylander. ‘There is a lesson there, if you care to consider it.’
‘I have had enough lessons for one day. What did he mean – many gifts?’
Waylander shrugged. ‘Durmast betrayed the wagon folk. He took their money to lead them to Gulgothir, but he already had a deal with the Nadir. So the Nadir rob the wagons and Durmast takes a percentage. At the moment they still have their wagons, but the Nadir will come again before Gulgothir and take even those. The people who survive will arrive in Gulgothir as paupers.’
“That is despicable.’
‘No. It is the way of the world. Only the weak run … now they must pay for their weakness.’
‘Are you really that callous?’
‘I am afraid so, Danyal.’
‘That is a shame.’
‘I agree with you.’
‘You are an infuriating man!’
‘And you are a very special woman – but let us think about that this evening. For now, answer me the question of the Nadir rider: Why did he let us live?’
Danyal smiled. ‘Because you isolated him from his men and threatened him as an individual. Gods, will these lessons never cease?’
‘All too soon.’ said Waylander.
14
Danyal and Waylander made love in a sheltered hollow away from the wagons, and the experience shook Waylander. He could not recall the moment of penetration, nor any sense of passion. He had been filled with a desire to be closer to Danyal, to somehow absorb her body into his own – or perhaps lose his own within hers. And for the first time in many years he had ceased to be aware of movement around him. He had been lost within the lovemaking.
Now alone, fear tugged at him.