CHAPTER 2
"Give the infidels to me," Mommar's harsh voice carried.
"My Sultan ordered their capture. They belong to Saladin," Hakim stood up.
"There are few of your guardsmen here," ben Sahid threatened.
"Indeed the rest guard my lord Saladin," Hakim nodded to the rise behind ben Sahid. A line of horsemen were lit by the evening sun.
"I will give a gold coin for this one," ben Sahid dismounted and indicated the hunter.
"That is for my lord to decide," Hakim reminded stiffly.
"You have lead me a merry chase infidel," Mommar jerked the hunters's head up. Saying something in a unfamiliar language he roughly grasped the infidel's chin. Mommar swung his open hand to slap the infidel. A sudden shift and the hunter lunged locking his teeth around ben Sahid's thumb. A sharp yell and Mommar tried to shake him loose. Brutal blows to the head and shoulders seemed to have no effect.
"Kill him!" Mommar screamed finally jerking away holding tightly to the injured hand.
"He is mine thief. You are not welcome here. Leave now or die," Saladin's silky voice filled the air. No one relaxed until the raiders rode off.
"So what have you caught me?" Saladin asked his old friend.
"I haven't had time to find out," Hakim huffed. The sultan stopped all his attention locked on the icy sapphire gaze of the bound bowman.
"What is he?" Saladin hissed Calmly the hunter turned his head and spat. Akmid gagged and several of the guardsmen cursed. Mommar's severed thumb lay twitching in the dust.
"He bit it off," Hakim hissed in disbelief.
"ben Sahid should be more careful," Ari smirked. "The boy was simply informing him of the danger in putting —unwelcome— things in his mouth."
"What?" Hakim barked.
"Mommar threatened...he told the boy...his mouth was made for...Well he was lucky it was only a thumb," Ari blurted.
"Cut him loose," Saladin ordered sharply.
"My Lord," Hakim protested.
"Cut him loose," Hakim grumbled but cut the bonds. Distrustful the hunter moved back then stood. Studying Saladin for long moments he bowed his head slightly. Calmly he walked over to his horse he reached into a saddle bag. Pulling out a wineskin he rinsed his mouth then spat the liquid into the dust. Replacing it he then drank from the waterskin hooked to his saddle.
Moving over to his companion he checked the damage from his fall. Sitting down he waited, watching the Saracens intently.
"Let us return to our camp," Saladin ordered. A warning growl sounded when Hakim drew to close to the captives. Omar led the black stallion over and waited. Standing up the bowman tensed.
"Mount up," Hakim waved to the horse. Worried eyes dropped to his companion.
"Ari can you tell him that I'll hand the boy up once he's in the saddle," Hakim sighed. Ari spoke haltingly a moment. Shifting nervously the bowman scowled. Hakim lost patience and grasped the infidel's arm. Without warning the black horse struck. The big yellow teeth sank into Hakim's flesh once more.
"I'll kill that demon," Hakim hissed drawing his sword. A sudden weight struck from the right and the bowman's teeth clamped down on Hakim's forearm. Omar struck the hunter freeing Hakim.
"They are possessed," Hakim scowled in rage.
"You threatened the rider then you threatened the steed. They simply protected each other," Saladin laughed.
"Get on that spawn of a diseased camel now," Hakim snarled pointing at the bowman. A icy glare was cast his way before the bowman turned to mount. The big head turned and the black started to bite the bowman's thigh. A quick fist to the nose and the bowman was mounted. A harshly growled incomprehensible list of words followed.
"Ari?" Saladin asked the man as his grin widened.
"Much of it I do not understand. He said the stallion is not worth the copper coin he paid for it. Then he threatens the horse with shooting, skinning, drying the meat. Then he will buy a mule," Ari chuckled.
Hakim lifted the unconscious boy into his arms. Straightening he cast a dubious glance at the black stallion. Slowly the horse sank onto his haunches then stretched out his front legs coming to rest on his belly. Soundlessly the bowman stretched out his arms. Gently Hakim eased the boy into his companion's waiting arms.
"Get the boy's gear and bring it along," Hakim ordered as he mounted.
Finally the squire woke and grumbled anxiously.
"Sh sh Jaedee," the bowman crooned before his words became mangled.
"Jaedee?" Omar pointed at the youth. A sharp nod was his answer.
"My name is Omar ibn Fahad and you are?" Omar pointed to himself then towards the bowman. A silent stare was his only response. Long moments passed. Suddenly the hunter pointed up at a bird of prey riding the air currents.
"Falcon," a rough raspy whisper said.
"Your name is Fal-kin"
"Non, nomen est sombre et Falcon,"
Ari rode past and translated "Shadow his name means shadow of the falcon"
"Shadow," Omar nodded.
"I'll take Jaedee for a while," Omar held out his arms. A faint shake of the head and Shadow rode on pulling his robe around to shield the boy in his arms from the sun.