Kaid’s face had set into fierce resolution, but as he took the amulet his eyes softened.
“Zaida. Inshallah! Zaida, she was called. She has the truth almost of the English. She could not lie ever. My heart smote me concerning her, and I gave her in marriage.” Then his face darkened again, and his teeth showed in malice. A demon was roused in him. He might long ago have banished the handsome and insinuating Harrik, but he had allowed him wealth and safety—and now...
His intention was unmistakable.
“He shall die the death,” he said. “Is it not so?” he added fiercely to David, and gazed at him fixedly. Would this man of peace plead for the traitor, the would-be fratricide?
“He is a traitor; he must die,” answered David slowly.
Kald’s eyes showed burning satisfaction. “If he were thy brother, thou wouldst kill him?”
“I would give a traitor to death for the country’s sake. There is no other way.”
“To-night he shall die.”
“But with due trial, Effendina?”
“Trial—is not the proof sufficient?”