Silk and Secrets(133)

Subhan tucked the bag inside his chapan to the sound of cheers. "We will sing songs and dance the night through in your honor," he promised, "and someday I will tell my sons, when I have some, of the day that I met the legendary Khilburn."

After a final exchange of courtesies, the groups separated, the ferengi party westbound and the Turkomans eastbound. Less than a quarter-hour later, when Juliet and the others had stopped to water their horses, the crack of rifle shots began rolling over the sandy wasteland. They all stopped to listen.

Murad grinned. "I never thought the day would come when I would be grateful for the fact that Turkomans are bloodthirsty barbarians."

"As long as they're on our side, they can be as bloodthirsty as they want." Juliet finished watering her horse, then took a small mouthful herself, moistening her cracked lips and rolling the precious fluid around her mouth before swallowing. As she remounted, she thought that it was typical of Ross to have found a way to harness that bloodthirstiness on their behalf. He was a man in a million. What a pity that she wasn't the woman in a million who deserved him.

* * *

As he bandaged his grazed wrist, Shahid cursed with vicious fluency. The damned Turkomans had almost ruined everything with their unexpected attack. After getting off to a noisy start, the skirmish had subsided to occasional shots and colorful shouted insults, continuing in desultory fashion until darkness fell.

Shahid's force had scattered and eight of his soldiers were gone beyond recall, lost not to death but cowardice, for they used the fighting as an excuse to retreat. By now the swine would be halfway back to Bokhara.

He managed to rally three of his men, and they were the toughest, the most dangerous, and the most willing of his patrol. They would be enough to finish the job. The Uzbek calculated that it would take about two more days to regain the hours that had been lost to the Turkomans; they should overtake Khilburn about where the desert joined the hills.

Shahid remounted and ordered his three men to do the same. Then they set off into the night after the ferengi. The next two days were difficult, for they had to push themselves to the limit to gain on their prey. But four men raised less dust than a dozen, and Khilburn seemed to have no notion that he was still pursued.

The infidel was finally overtaken in the rugged hills that marked the edge of the plateau of Persia. The rough terrain favored the pursuers and, without being seen himself, Shahid was able to lead his men along the stony track until he had his enemy in view. As a clear sign that fortune was on his side, the trail ahead dipped into a broad ravine before rising once more. Khilburn and his men were on the far side of the ravine and below the Bokharans as they picked their way up the steep track. It was a perfect site for an ambush.

Shahid ordered his men to dismount and take cover. When all of their weapons were loaded, the rifles aimed, and more ammunition ready to hand, he gave the signal to shoot.

The target he chose for himself was the swine Khilburn.

* * *

In spite of the constant blazing heat, Juliet thought that the last two days of travel had seemed easier for the worst was behind them. The next well they reached after meeting the Turkomans had been bountiful, and they had obtained enough water to last them all the way home.

When the rugged hills came into view, Juliet had recognized their position and led the group to the most direct route to Serevan. Now, as they climbed the side of a ravine, the brisk wind brought the scents and cooler air of the highlands, and the travelers were in blithe spirits. "We're within five miles of the fortress," Juliet announced with deep satisfaction. "There will be time for a leisurely visit to the hammam before dinner."

Ross chuckled. "You're like a horse with the scent of its own stables in its nostrils."

Juliet smiled, unabashed at the simile. They were riding in a close group, Ian just below her, and Ross and Murad ahead.

"You did it, Murad," Ross said cheerfully. They reached a wider section of the track and he brought his horse up alongside the Persian youth's. "You led us safely across the Kara Kum on a route that you had never traveled yourself. I think that qualifies you as a master guide."

Murad laughed. "Words are all very well, Khilburn"—he leaned forward to emphasize his point—"as long as you don't forget the bonus you promised if I did my job well!"

The playful atmosphere vanished as a ragged volley of rifle shots rang out. One of the men ahead of Juliet cried out, but she didn't waste time looking to see which one. As bullets ricocheted from bleak stone, she dived from her horse and scrambled behind a tumble of boulders, then forced her mount down so that it would also be protected.