Free THE THIEF OF KALIMAR (Graham Diamond's Arabian Nights Adventures) by Graham Diamond Page A

the alley. A chilly wind was blowing down from the river; she could almost taste the salt in the air carried west from the inland sea.
    Stepping over the stones, she inched her way close to the low fence where it wound in a semicircle toward the enclosed courtyard. A large gray cat hissed from its perch on an empty windowsill. Mariana tensed, caught sight of the cat, and smiled with relief. The cat straddled the sill, tail lifted, and followed her until she turned the corner.
    Then, as the hiding place came into view, she turned around one more time, her sweeping glance taking in the fence and the black wall of the compound as well as the alley and the courtyard and the gaping black exit of the passageway. And she knew she was alone. Completely alone, with no chance she had been followed. For that much, at least, she was more than thankful.
    Cupping her hand to her mouth, she tilted her head up toward the looming lofts that obliterated half her view of the sky. The signal was brief; a low cuya bird whistle, no more than a soft drone that blended perfectly with the sounds of night.
    But, save for the wind that rustled between the aged wooden beams, there was nothing to hear at all.
    She wet her lips and tried again, praying that he was close and that this long search would at last end for her. She strained her ears to listen for his answer, but still none came.
    Mariana sank her head and tried to stop the tears from flowing. Once more she would have to begin anew. She would have to return to the Jandari and comb the maze of alleys yet again. Only this time it might truly be too late, what with the news Vlashi had given. Suddenly she turned to go, her hopes crushed. For some reason she had been so sure that she would find him here. So positive of it. It was hard to admit she had been wrong.
    There was a soft shuffle from somewhere atop the corrugated roof. And then a voice, low, but strong. “Mariana! Mariana! Up here!”
    She whirled, dress flaring, her heart thumping in her chest. Squinting, she peered up to the top, standing on her toes to see. And there he was, Ramagar, her lover, the thief of thieves, nestling perfectly among the lumbering shadows.
    Her face lit up with happiness. Straightening her shoulders, throwing back her head so that her hair swirled behind, she sighed. “Ramagar, thank the heavens I’ve found you at last.”
    He hushed her and bounded down to a lower roof, his weight making only the softest of noises. Then down a pipe he slid, landing on the ground with the agility of a cat, grinning at her like a misbehaved child and taking her in his arms.
    “How did you ever find me?” he asked.
    She smiled sheepishly. “It wasn’t easy. I’ve been searching all day.”
    He frowned briefly, then the grin returned. Taking her by the hand, he led her inside the warehouse and down a small flight of wooden steps to the cellar. There, she looked on in wonder. A small oil lamp lit a tiny room, complete with straw for a bed, blankets, a shelf well stocked with jars of preserves, salted meats, and a bottle of sweet wine.
    Ramagar laughed. “Let’s say this is my home away from home,” he teased. “At least it’s warm, and safe.”
    She looked at him sharply. “Then you know?”
    “A thief makes it his business to know everything. The moment I entered the street last night I realized that something was the matter. So I hid, and then, when I saw the soldiers come to your room, I put two and two together.”
    “You saw them?” she gasped. “You were there, hiding?”
    He nodded. “On your roof.”
    Her temper began to rise. “Then why didn’t you let me know? I’ve been driving myself crazy trying to find you and warn you. And now you tell me you’ve known all along!” He bent to kiss her and she pulled away.
    “Ah, Mariana, I couldn’t tell you. Not then. Don’t you see? The soldiers would have been watching everywhere, and had they seen me slip into your room …” He let his words trail off