Free Captive Rose by Miriam Minger Page A

odds.
    "Ease yourself , Lord de Warenne ," he heard Leila say. "If you would only
allow me to finish."
    His gaze riveted back on her face, and he wondered
sarcastically what other good news she had to share with him. Then he chided
himself, knowing she was but a slave and doing what she had been charged by the
captain.
    "I'm listening," he replied tightly.
    "Governor Mawdud has
sent another messenger to Acre within this very hour, and not alone. A full
complement of Mameluke soldiers travels with this
messenger to protect him. In his benevolence and wisdom, Governor Mawdud believes it is unlikely Lord Edward would so
wantonly throw away the life of one of his knights, just as you say. He has
granted your prince one more chance to pay the ransom."
    The words "one more chance" sounded too damn
ominous to Guy. He had no intention of waiting around to see if anything
happened to the second messenger.
    Leila was here. He could finally ask her for her help.
He had no doubt she would jump at the chance to leave Damascus with him, and he
could do no less as a knight bound by the sacred code of chivalry than see her
safely to Acre. Perhaps they might somehow manage to escape together tonight.
    "You must ask your master Al-Aziz to thank the
governor for me," Guy said, choosing to appear grateful. Better that than
show the frustration and impatience that were eating him alive. The captain
seemed positively incensed he hadn't attacked them at this news, giving him the
opportunity to force Guy into shackles again. He sensed the bastard might still
do so at the slightest provocation, which would only thwart any attempt to
escape. "I am certain the governor's decision will be well rewarded as
soon as Edward receives the letter of ransom," he added.
    Leila spoke with the captain, but so fast Guy couldn't
understand what they were saying. God's bones, he should have practiced his
Arabic more diligently! Then she turned back to him, gesturing to the cots.
    "If you will sit so I may see to your wound."
    As he did so, the guards moved with him, their deadly
blades a hair's breadth from his body. But they backed off a little when Leila
uttered a few sharp words, which surprised him. She was certainly spirited for
a slave. Perhaps her position within the renowned physician's household gave
her some special status.
    "What did you say to them?" he queried as she
began to swiftly unbandage his shoulder. She was
standing so close to him that her perfume enveloped his senses, heightened by
the heat of her body. He felt an overwhelming urge to draw her into his arms,
but somehow he managed to restrain himself. "Maybe I could try it on the
bastards when they get too close."
    "Has the wound been causing you any pain?"
she asked, ignoring his question. She pressed gingerly around the purplish red
scar.
    Guy shook his head, deciding not to waste any more
time. He had no idea how long the captain would allow her to tend to him before
she was escorted from the cell.
    "Tell me, Leila. Have you been treating any others
like me in this prison?"
    Her fingers ceased their gentle prodding for the
briefest moment, but she kept her head lowered, not looking at him. "No.
The rest of your party perished."
    Guy felt gut-twisting grief at her terse pronouncement.
He shot a dark glance at the four guards and their morose commander. They were
all watching him closely, their knuckles white where they clutched their
swords. It was men like these who had slaughtered his friends. He swore that
somehow he would avenge their deaths.
    "Your wound is healing well," Leila said,
relieved she was almost finished with her task. She was anxious to leave the
cell. This encounter with the crusader had been most unsettling and unlike
anything she had expected. Their exchange and his restrained reaction to her
unpleasant news had made him seem so much more than a mindless barbarian, and
she could not help but feel pity for him. Perhaps he did not realize how close
he was to being executed.