Read Online The Bartered Bride by Mary Jo Putney - Free Book Online
Authors: Mary Jo Putney
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he might face. With luck he'd win the game, they'd both leave Maduri, and she would never need to know that he'd risked ten years of his life.
After dressing in clothing that allowed him to move freely, he entered the main room. "Alex?" No answer. He called her name again without response, then looked behind the screen. She was gone. As his pulse accelerated with shock, the door from the corridor open. He spun around, ready to do battle, but it was Suryo. "Do you know where Mrs. Warren is?"
"I have been in the guard room, and they say she was taken to the women's quarters," his steward replied. "No harm will come to her there."
"Why the devil did Kasan move her?"
"It is not for common men to guess the ways of kings," Suryo said dryly. "But I have gathered more information about the Singa Mainam. You are skilled in most of the tests: swimming, diving, chess, climbing, fighting with the kris or with bare hands. You should do well." He frowned. "Information about fighting the dragon, dancing the fire, and worshipping the goddess is less clear."
"The names sound like elaborate descriptions of something mundane," Gavin observed. "I hope I don't have to fight Kasan. Even though he says there will be no duels to the death, I suspect he's very dangerous with either dagger or bare hands."
Suryo looked amused. "I myself taught you the art of pentjak and how to use a kris. You will not lose."
"I wish I shared your confidence." Gavin checked his pocket watch. "Time to go. I trust you know where the Lion Garden is."
"Indeed. Follow me, Captain."
Their route took them through the palace and down a spiral staircase cut from living stone. At the bottom, two guards flanked a massive door. Gavin blinked as he stepped through into glaring sunlight. A roar of voices struck him.
As his eyes adjusted, he found himself in the bottom of a small natural amphitheater. The door they'd just exited was cut from a sheer stone cliff that towered behind him. The opposite side of the arena had been shaped into rows of seating, with a gate that led down to the city. The excited faces of hundreds of onlookers made him feel like a Roman gladiator.
A palace official approached and bowed, then led him and Suryo across the sun-baked arena to a pavilion on the north side. Under the high thatched roof was a peacock throne woven from rattan, plus three similar but smaller seats. All were set in a semicircle around a pedestal carved from shining obsidian. On top of the pedestal rested a twelvesided die formed from aged ivory, and large as a child's fist.
When Gavin was escorted to the seat on the left, Suryo positioned himself behind, ready to advise or interpret as necessary. Than Daksa, a serene, elderly man in the robes of a Buddhist monk sat opposite. Gavin bowed courteously to the monk, then to the audience, wishing this business weren't so blasted public.
A slow rumble of drums gradually amplified until thunder echoed from the stone walls. A hush fell as men stood and looked toward the tunnel entrance.
First to emerge was Sheng Yu, chief minister of Maduri. Then two guards in elaborate ceremonial gear, followed by Sultan Kasan, regally garbed in silk and jewels, with a priceless ruby flashing in his turban. He was a westerner's fantasy of an eastern potentate-strong, rich, and powerful, a man above the laws of lesser men.
Gavin stiffened when he saw Alex among the sultan's entourage. Dressed in Maduri garments, she was beautiful and furious, glittering with golden chains as she crossed the arena with swinging strides. Kasan reached the pavilion and claimed the throne while Alex was guided to the chair set between him and Gavin. She was the only woman in the arena, present to show what the contest was about. Quietly Gavin asked, "Are you all right?"
Her eyes narrowed. "Apart from being chained and treated like a silver race cup, I'm well." Despite her thinness, in her rich garments and elaborate hair she was a splendid, exotic prize that any man
After dressing in clothing that allowed him to move freely, he entered the main room. "Alex?" No answer. He called her name again without response, then looked behind the screen. She was gone. As his pulse accelerated with shock, the door from the corridor open. He spun around, ready to do battle, but it was Suryo. "Do you know where Mrs. Warren is?"
"I have been in the guard room, and they say she was taken to the women's quarters," his steward replied. "No harm will come to her there."
"Why the devil did Kasan move her?"
"It is not for common men to guess the ways of kings," Suryo said dryly. "But I have gathered more information about the Singa Mainam. You are skilled in most of the tests: swimming, diving, chess, climbing, fighting with the kris or with bare hands. You should do well." He frowned. "Information about fighting the dragon, dancing the fire, and worshipping the goddess is less clear."
"The names sound like elaborate descriptions of something mundane," Gavin observed. "I hope I don't have to fight Kasan. Even though he says there will be no duels to the death, I suspect he's very dangerous with either dagger or bare hands."
Suryo looked amused. "I myself taught you the art of pentjak and how to use a kris. You will not lose."
"I wish I shared your confidence." Gavin checked his pocket watch. "Time to go. I trust you know where the Lion Garden is."
"Indeed. Follow me, Captain."
Their route took them through the palace and down a spiral staircase cut from living stone. At the bottom, two guards flanked a massive door. Gavin blinked as he stepped through into glaring sunlight. A roar of voices struck him.
As his eyes adjusted, he found himself in the bottom of a small natural amphitheater. The door they'd just exited was cut from a sheer stone cliff that towered behind him. The opposite side of the arena had been shaped into rows of seating, with a gate that led down to the city. The excited faces of hundreds of onlookers made him feel like a Roman gladiator.
A palace official approached and bowed, then led him and Suryo across the sun-baked arena to a pavilion on the north side. Under the high thatched roof was a peacock throne woven from rattan, plus three similar but smaller seats. All were set in a semicircle around a pedestal carved from shining obsidian. On top of the pedestal rested a twelvesided die formed from aged ivory, and large as a child's fist.
When Gavin was escorted to the seat on the left, Suryo positioned himself behind, ready to advise or interpret as necessary. Than Daksa, a serene, elderly man in the robes of a Buddhist monk sat opposite. Gavin bowed courteously to the monk, then to the audience, wishing this business weren't so blasted public.
A slow rumble of drums gradually amplified until thunder echoed from the stone walls. A hush fell as men stood and looked toward the tunnel entrance.
First to emerge was Sheng Yu, chief minister of Maduri. Then two guards in elaborate ceremonial gear, followed by Sultan Kasan, regally garbed in silk and jewels, with a priceless ruby flashing in his turban. He was a westerner's fantasy of an eastern potentate-strong, rich, and powerful, a man above the laws of lesser men.
Gavin stiffened when he saw Alex among the sultan's entourage. Dressed in Maduri garments, she was beautiful and furious, glittering with golden chains as she crossed the arena with swinging strides. Kasan reached the pavilion and claimed the throne while Alex was guided to the chair set between him and Gavin. She was the only woman in the arena, present to show what the contest was about. Quietly Gavin asked, "Are you all right?"
Her eyes narrowed. "Apart from being chained and treated like a silver race cup, I'm well." Despite her thinness, in her rich garments and elaborate hair she was a splendid, exotic prize that any man
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