As their shaggy mount carried them away from the small camp, Tamira said, “Truly you do not have to worry for her, Conan. I’ll wager by the end of the year she has not only managed to make him free her, but that they are wed as well.”
Conan only grunted, and watched for the first appearance of the lowlands through the gap ahead.
“It is a pity we must go back to Shadizar empty handed, is it not?”
Still Conan did not reply.
“No doubt some hillman has the rubies, now,” Tamira sighed heavily. “You must understand, I do not hold it against you. I would like to see you once we return to Shadizar. Perhaps we could meet at the Red Lion.”
“Perhaps we could.” Delving into the pouch at his belt Conan drew out the two great rubies from Jondra’s regalia. They seemed to glow with a crimson light on his calloused palm. “Perhaps I might spend some of what I receive for these on you.” Tamira gasped; he felt her rumaging within the cloak, and smiled. “Did you think I would not know of the pouch sewn inside my own cloak?” he asked. “I may not have been raised as a thief, but I have some skill with my fingers.”
A small fist pounded at his shoulder. “You said you would not steal from her,” the slender thief yelped.
“And so I did not,” he answered smoothly. “I stole them from you.”
“But you would not steal from her because you slept with her, and you … I … we … .”
“But did you not say that should not trouble a thief?” he chuckled.
“Do not go to sleep,” Tamira said direly. “Do not even close your eyes. Do you hear me, Cimmerian? You had better heed my words. Do you think I’ll allow … .”
Conan tucked the rubies back into his pouch, then thoughtfully moved the pouch around on his belt where it would be harder for her to reach. He might not receive the triumphal parade that Tenerses would get, but his would not be a bad return to Shadizar. Laughing, he booted his horse into a gallop.