Tiger Prince

Ruel's mining camp was a tent city as different from his palace as Kasanpore had been from Glenclaren. A hundred or so tents dotted the landscape, a sight not so different from the temporary tent camps of her childhood.

The thought caused Jane's hand to involuntarily clench on the reins.

"Is something wrong?" Ruel's gaze was narrowed on her face. "I know it's not the palace, but I didn't think it was that bad."

She forced a smile. "Nothing's wrong. It just reminded me of—"

"It is not the same," Li Sung interrupted. "See how clean it is here? No rubbish. Perfect order."

She felt an easing of tension as affection surged through her. Trust Li Sung to sense the bitter memories and step in to soothe and comfort her. "No, it's not the same."

"Same as what?" Ruel asked.

She stiffened warily as she saw his arrested expression. "Li Sung and I have seen quite a few tent cities over the years." She added quickly to forestall further questions. "But none this clean. Are you responsible?"

He shook his head. "The Ci

"Demanded?"

"Did you think I was using slave labor?"

"Let's say I didn't find you so compliant in our negotiations."

"I had no choice with the Ci

But he bore them no ill will. Jane noticed the same affectionate possessiveness when he spoke of the Ci

"Money has appeal for everyone, but the Ci

"And what do they think is necessary?" Li Sung asked.

"Children, serene surroundings, time to learn from their teachers, and belim."

"Belim?"

"Games. Ci

"And we're supposed to get them to work?" Jane asked dryly.

"They're not lazy, but I had a problem with that when I first came here until I realized the secret. You make work a game and put the workers in competition with each other. Every night we declare a wi

"What kind of prize?"

"It changes every day. A day off, a trinket, money . . . The local council gathers to decide the prizes every two weeks."

"And you head the council?" Li Sung asked.

He shook his head. "No one is allowed to sit on a Ci

"Is Dilam on the council?"

"Oh yes, Dilam heads the council. A most extraordinary individual." He cast a glance at the setting sun. "I'll take you over to the belim tent. Most of the workers gather there for dice and card games before supper. I believe it's time you met our Dilam."

They heard the laughter and excited shouts issuing from the huge tent in the center of the camp from a hundred yards away.

When they entered the tent the noise was deafening. The tent was unfurnished except for colorful rugs covering the bare dirt floor and elaborately carved brass filigree lanterns that illuminated the excited faces of the men and women gathered in several groups. Jane smiled in amusement as she remembered Li Sung's comment about the superiority of the Ci

Their entrance received little attention from the crowd, though a few men hailed Ruel with more friendliness than respect. Ruel answered with equal casualness while he looked around the tent. "Ah, dice ... I thought so. Dilam loves dice. This way." He elbowed his way through the crowd to a circle of men and women kneeling, playing dice in the far corner.

"Dilam, could I speak to you?" Ruel called.

One of the glossy dark-maned heads bent over the dice lifted. "In a moment, Samir Ruel."

Jane stared in shock. Dilam was a woman.

Dilam's glance shifted to Jane. "Ah, they are here? Good."

"I thought you'd approve," Ruel murmured to Jane. "It seems you're not the only woman capable of bossing a railroad crew."

Dilam rolled out the dice. Immediate groans and derisive whoops erupted from the other players. She gri

Ruel nodded and steered Jane and Li Sung from the tent.

"A woman?" Li Sung asked.

"Medford asked the Ci

"She speaks English very well."

"She learned it in only four weeks. I told you she was extraordinary."

A moment later Dilam strolled out of the tent and came toward them, moving with a springy step and athletic grace. She was of middle height, with broad shoulders and a body that appeared both strong and lithe. She was dressed in a dark green tunic, loose black trousers, and brown sandals that, though worn, appeared spotlessly clean. "You are Jane Barnaby?" She beamed. "I give you greetings. I am Dilam Kankula. You may call me Dilam."

"Thank you." In the dimness of the tent Jane had received only a fleeting impression of sparkling dark eyes and an equally gleaming wide white smile. Now she could see the woman was probably close to her thirtieth year and those fine eyes were set in a square face whose only other claim to beauty was a well-shaped mouth and an expression of intelligence and good humor. "Ruel didn't tell me you were a woman."

"But it is better, yes? We will work in harmony and understanding. I will not have to teach you my value as I did Samir Medford."

"And are there other women on the crew?"

"Oh yes, but not many. Men are better for physical labor. Women have more endurance and reasoning power, but men possess more physical strength. It is best to let the men do what they do best and leave the rest to us."

"I beg your pardon." Li Sung's tone had a distinct edge as he stepped out of the shadows cast by the huge tent.

Dilam's gaze swung to Li Sung and her eyes widened. "You are Li Sung? I did not see you there in the shadows behind Jane."

"Even though I'm a mere humble man destined to do only what he does best, I do not stand in the shadow of any woman."

"I meant no insult by my words." Her tone was absent, her expression totally absorbed as she gazed at Li Sung. "But it is the truth, you know."