"They do care about him," Tess said thoughtfully.

Sacha nodded. "Of course. He keeps the El Zalan alive and prospering."

"No, it's more than that."

Sacha shot her a thoughtful glance. "Very perceptive, imp. Galen's a chameleon. He's taught himself to become whatever he has to be, to adjust to any situation, to give whatever is demanded. He gives the El Zalan what they need, and in turn they give him unquestioning affection and loyalty. I told you he holds great power."

For the first time since she started the journey, Tess experienced a flutter of uneasiness. If Galen was the chameleon Sacha described, the man she thought she had begun to know might not exist. She suddenly felt very much alone in this wild land.

"It's too late for second thoughts now," Sacha said.

She tossed her head. "I wasn't having second thoughts. Well, only small ones." She spurred her horse into a gallop. "Come on, let's go. I'm hungry."

The tribesmen fell silent as Tess approached; they made her apprehensive, and she was glad Sacha was at her side. Galen was talking with an extraordinarily handsome young man mounted on a superb bay gelding. They were so absorbed in their conversation that Tess again felt estranged… and terribly alone.

"What news of Tamar?" Sacha called as they drew within hailing distance of the two men.

"No sign of him," Galen said grimly. "But that doesn't mean he's not here."

The beautiful young man next to Galen flushed and said quickly, "I searched most diligently, Majiron."

"That means little. Tamar's a wily wolf." Galen turned his head and said something to the man in a low tone.

Tess was irritated by Galen's ignoring her and then realized how foolish she was being. Nothing in their bargain demanded Galen must stay by her side every minute, and she must see to her own needs. She boldly rode up to Galen and stopped her mare before him. "I'm tired and wish water and food, my lord."

He looked up absently and gestured casually to the man next to him. "May I present my wife, Kalim? This is my lieutenant, Kalim Ranmir, Tess."

Surprise and then resentment flickered over Kalim's classic features. He bowed his head politely. "Majira."

"My lord Kalim." She nodded and then looked again at Galen. "As I said, my lord, I'm hungry."

He caught the hint of defiance in her tone, and his eyes narrowed on her. He saw the lines of tension around her mouth and the arrow-straight rigidity of the carriage of her slight body. He smiled. "Then of course I must supply food to appease you. We've already discussed my duty in that regard." He turned to Said. "Show my lady to my tent, Said, and fetch her whatever she requires."

"Will you be joining me later?" Tess asked.

He looked a trifle surprised. "Is that your wish?"

"As you like." She shrugged carelessly, she hoped. "I merely want to know if I am to expect you." Before he could reply, she turned and let her mare pick her way through the troop of tribesmen, her back very straight, her head high.

"Who is this Kalim?" Tess asked Said as she rode beside him toward a tent in Galen's striped colors. It was located by a sparkling blue pool that appeared to be directly in the center of the oasis.

"He's the majiron's second in command. Kalim's a very fierce fighter and much respected."

"I thought Sacha was his second in command."

"Oh no!" Said shook his head. "That would not be possible. My lord Sacha is an outsider. He is not of the El Zalan."

Her lips twisted. "Not too much of an outsider to befriend your majiron and fight for your cause."

Said nodded. "I meant no insult. He is a true friend to the El Zalan. Everyone likes my lord Sacha."

But they still had clearly not accepted him as one of their own, even after years of service. Her feeling of alienation deepened. "How nice for Sacha."

"He appears to find it pleasant." For an instant the tiniest flicker of smile touched Said's lips. "Our women have a special fondness for him." The smile immediately disappeared, as if he had been startled by his own outspokenness. "Forgive me, I meant no disrespect, Majira."

"Of course not." Tess shot him an exasperated glance. "Let's come to an understanding, since we're evidently going to spend a great deal of time together. I'm not like the women of the El Zalan, and I have no intention of behaving like them. I'm more accustomed to the talk in a stable than I am to women's gossip. I will not become offended if you make remarks you deem indiscreet." She paused. "And, in fact, such conversation may make me feel less…" She searched for a word that would not reveal her vulnerability and finally ended baldly, "Alone."

Said's expression softened as he dismounted in front of the tent and came around to help her down. "You will not be alone. The women of the court will be honored to become friends of Majira. The majiron would not permit anything else."

"We shall see." Holding Said's hand, Tess threw her leg over the pommel and slipped from the sidesaddle. "However, I believe I shall fight my own battles and not rely on your master."

She turned and strode into the tent.

Said brought water for washing, and after Tess had refreshed herself, he busied himself preparing to serve her meal. He put out a place setting on the intricate beauty of the Persian rug and served her delicately flavored rabbit stew. It was far better than the food at the cafe the previous night. "Won't the majiron and my cousin be joining me?"

Said shook his head. "They eat with the men by the fire."

"Indeed?" Now that she had rested a bit, her first qualms at the extraordinary situation in which she had been placed were disappearing. "Perhaps I'll join them." She picked up her bowl and started to get to her feet, but Said was frantically shaking his head, his face horror-struck. "No?"

"The majiron would be most upset with me if I permitted you to leave the tent. It is not—"

"Fitting," Tess finished for him. "For a barbaric land your customs are annoyingly stringent."

"Barbaric?" The man was obviously insulted. "The El Zalan are not barbaric. Other tribes are barbaric, but we have the majirons laws." He frowned. "You will not go to the campfire?"

"No." She was too weary tonight to fight the disapproval she would probably meet if she violated the El Zalan's customs. Besides, she was beginning to like Said and had no desire to get him into Galen's bad graces. "But it's too hot to stay in this tent."

He thought for a moment. "I will spread a rug just outside the entrance, and you may catch the night breeze. We will turn out the lantern so that you can see but not be seen by the men."

"Is that nec—" She sighed. "Very well. Anything you say. Please do get the rug."

The breeze was indeed cool on her face as she lounged outside the tent with Said sitting a protective few yards away on his own rug. She didn't really care about the coolness. She could have borne the heat of the tent, but she could not bear being totally isolated from the activity going on around the campfire across the pool from the tent. The air was alive with laughter and casual talk and the camaraderie of men accustomed to living with one another. She wasn't the least bit intimidated any longer, and she yearned to join the men.