Chapter 28

Had any doubt lingered in Fara’s mind about the unwisdom of making Arabia her permanent home, it would have been dispelled on the evening of her return.

The fact that she wasn’t wanted there had been ruthlessly demonstrated by the Queen and Prince Deran, and when she retired that night to lie wide-awake for hours beside the happily sleeping Ione, she was firmly resolved to leave at the earliest possible moment.

It was not the shocking conduct of Rennah and her detestable son that had wounded her most deeply, though that intentional rudeness had been as painful as a physical blow. King Zendi’s utter indifference to the distressing incident was beyond understanding.

From her earliest childhood Zendi had been as tender as a father. Fara had all but worshipped him. Sometimes, during the loneliest days of her self-exile in Galilee, when her deep devotion to Voldi and her desire to share his life had momentarily shaken her resolve to sacrifice her love rather than jeopardize his career, it was the remembrance of Zendi’s unfailing kindness that had abetted the temptation. The King’s affectionate attitude toward her would go far in making her future life in Arabia pleasant and his undisguised loyalty to Voldi would silence all criticism…Now it appeared that Zendi didn’t care.

At dawn after a sleepless night, the unhappy girl slipped quietly out of Ione’s humble quarters in the midst of the servants’ tents—hardly an appropriate lodging for the daughter of an Arabian Princess—and strolled out toward the well-remembered paddocks, feeling that the sight of good old Kedar might be comforting. As she had hoped, Kedar was already going about his morning duties. At the moment he was brushing the glossy coat of a beautiful bay filly. He straightened his rheumatic back with an effort.

‘Did you do much riding while you were gone?’ he asked.

‘None. Saidi was stolen, and where I lived in Galilee we had no horses.’

‘That was too bad—about Saidi. Voldi told me.’ Kedar patted the filly’s satin shoulder. ‘This girl is Saidi’s niece,’ he said. ‘Her name is Hagar.’

Fara stepped forward and laid her hand gently on the young mare’s velvety muzzle, murmuring, ‘She’s lovely!’

‘She hasn’t been ridden much,’ said Kedar. ‘I hope this isn’t a secret, but the King intends to give her to you.’

Fara’s eyes widened in surprise.

‘How long ago did he tell you that, Kedar?’

‘Oh—three years ago, when she was foaled, shortly after you disappeared.’

‘The King may have changed his mind in the meantime,’ said Fara soberly. ‘Has he ever spoken of it since then?’

‘Last night,’ said Kedar. ‘After you had gone to bed. Want to take a little canter, Princess? Nobody will be up for an hour. Why don’t you ride over to your old home?’