The Golden Barbarian Read Free Page B

Majesty sees no advantage in aligning himself with a primitive tribe that can offer him nothing for his protection but promises.” Galen strode down the hall past the row of footmen, his every step charged with explosive energy. “Fool! Can’t he see that a united Sedikhan could offer Tamrovia more than he could offer us?”
    “You’re speaking of my august father,” Sachareminded him mildly as he fell into step with Galen.
    “He
is
a fool.”
    “Yes,” Sacha agreed amiably. “A very stubborn one.”
    “I needed this alliance to mold the tribes into a single central government. With Tamrovia as an ally the El Zalan could use the threat of a foreign invasion to rally the chieftains. There’s little as powerful as a threat from an outside force to unify those who enjoy being at odds.” Galen’s voice vibrated harshly off the fresco-decorated domed ceilings. “Dammit, the wars
can’t
go on. They’re ripping Sedikhan apart. We can’t go forward as long as the tribes continue to raid and kill each other.”
    Sacha had heard it all before and remained sympathetically silent.
    “Tamrovia’s forces are puny compared to the might of Sedikhan’s warriors. Your father is a lunatic to believe we couldn’t help defend his borders.”
    Sacha didn’t mind this further insult to his father as he felt much the same. However, he wasn’t sure he liked his country’s military might impugned. He decided to change the subject. “So what do you do now?”
    “Go home,” Galen muttered savagely. “What else is there for me to do? Go back to warring and killing and protecting my own. It’s the way of life in Sedikhan.”
    “You could stay here.”
    “Where I’m looked upon as a barbarian?” Galen shook his head. “No, my friend. I’d soon grow tired of the jokes, the innuendos, and show them how a real barbarian behaves.” He glanced at Sacha. “Why don’t you come to Sedikhan with me? You have no fondness for the life here at the court.”
    “I might do that. I hear your women are beautiful and exceedingly generous to us poor males.”
    “Come and find out.”
    Sacha’s eyes gleamed with mischief. “But one can spend only so much time involved in bed play. And, since you’re determined to make Sedikhan into such a boringly peaceful place …” He studied Galen speculatively. “I’ve always wondered why you chose such a path.”
    Galen didn’t respond.
    “You’re matchless with a sword, a dead shot. Yet you—”
    “What does it matter?”
    “I’m curious. I’ve found that anything I do well I wish to do again.”
    “I … I like it too much,” Galen said haltingly, not looking at him.
    Puzzled, Sacha gazed at him. Then, suddenly, he understood. Powerful emotions seethed beneath Galen Ben Raschid’s apparently calm exterior. Once allowed beyond Galen’s facade, Sacha had found the sheikh possessed a recklessness and undisciplined nature that matched his own.
    How would a nature so untamed respond to the unlimited opportunity for violence now existing in Sedikhan?
    Galen was watching the expressions flitting across Sacha’s face. “Yes,” he said quietly. “I’m even more of a savage than they think I am.” His lips tightened. “But I don’t have to be. I have intelligence and strength of will. A man need not remain uncivilized because of his birth and perhaps even his instincts.”
    But it would be a lifelong battle between Galen’s innate savagery and reason, Sacha thought with sympathy. “When will you leave Tamrovia?”
    “Tomorrow at dawn.” Galen smiled brilliantly. “Stop frowning. I haven’t given up. I’m just going home to regroup my forces. If I can’t get Tamrovia for an ally, perhaps I’ll go to France and apply to Napoleon.”
    “France is a long way from Sedikhan.”
    “And Napoleon is very greedy. He might decide to ‘protect’ me out of all the gold in Zalandan.” Galen shrugged. “Still, it’s something to consider.”
    “Your mother was French,