Wizard of the winds tott-1

by Allan Cole

  Safar was similarly occupied. He had only a few wizards, but although their powers were weak they had battle experience. They told him what he could expect and he prepared remedies.

  Safar made everything as simple as possible. He created small amulets and used some of the tricks he'd learned from the Book of Asper to make them very strong. The wizards mass produced these amulets and passed them out to the men.

  He dispensed with the need for large quantities of magical suppliesinstead he commandeered several heavy chariots, drawn by triple teams. In each he put several kegs of certain oils and powders he'd mixedanother idea he'd borrowed from Asper.

  The most important thing Safar did, however, was meet with his father.

  It was like old times in his father's shop, the kiln glowing merrily, his sister, Quetera, at the wheel, his mother mixing glaze.

  Apparently Myrna thought the same thing, for she said, This is like the old caravan season days, Khadji. I used to love those times. All of us together making pots and plates as fast we could to sell to the caravan masters."

  Quetera groaned. The last time we did that, she said, I was pregnant. She held her hands out from her sides. I was this big. I could barely get close to the spoke, and when I did it reminded me of that devil husband of mine who'd put me in that condition."

  "As if you had no part in it, Myrna sniffed.

  Quetera laughed. Oh, I got my pleasure, true enough, she said. But so did he. At the time it didn't seem fair I had to do the rest by myself. It still doesn't."

  Leiria, who stayed close to Safar even when he visited his family, stirred in the corner.

  "I'm glad I chose my path instead of yours, Quetera, she said. Fighting always seemed like it was less painful than birthing."

  "It is, Quetera said. But it got me Dmitri."

  She smiled at the little boy in the corner, making a messy business with his child's potting wheel.

  "I was happy in the end."

  Quetera suddenly laughed and covered her mouth. What am I saying? My end was definitely not happy."

  Everyone laughed, even Khadji who was embarrassed by discussions of that nature. But since it was Quetera who said it, and he loved her humorous nature, he allowed himself enjoyment.

  Over in the corner little Dmitri had tired of the clay and was playing in his washing up bucket. He put a straw in the soapy water then held it up and puffed.

  A bubble formed on the end of the straw. Delighted, Dmitri puffed more. The bubble became huge, then broke off and floated across the room.

  "Look mother, he cried. A balloon! I made a balloon!"

  They all turned to look. The bubble, kiln light wobbling on its surface, sailed slowly into the other corner. It hovered over the glass-making equipment, then burst.

  Everyone made automatic noises of sympathy.

  "Don't worry, everybody, Dmitri crowed. I can make more. Lots more!"

  He happily dipped his straw in the bucket and started blowing streams of bubbles.

  Safar's smile died. He turned to his father.

  "I want you make something for me, father, he said.

  Khadji frowned, wondering what was in his son's mind.

  Safar pulled over some sheets of sketching paper and drew. Make it like this, he said as he drew. But make it thin. As light as you can. Don't worry about it being too fragile."

  Khadji held up the sketch. I'll do it, son, he said, but whatever on Esmir for? What do you want with one of these?"

  "Not one, father, Safar said. It'll take a least a score."

  ****

  "You're returning me to Manacia? Kalasariz quavered. But whatever for? What have I done, Your Majesty, to deserve such a fate?"

  Kalasariz was standing before Protarus and Safar. He was blindfolded. He'd been blindfolded and kept out of the sight of the military preparations, since Iraj's arrival in Kyrania.

  "Don't remind us about what you may or may not deserve, Safar said. We probably have strong differences on that small matter."

  "Don't worry, my friend, Iraj said. Manacia won't kill you. We'll make it look good. You can claim you escaped. You have an agile mind. And I'm sure you can make it a very brave escape. What really happened will be our little secret.

  "Make of it what you will. Gamble that I'll lose and join them. Gamble that I'll win and keep your faith with me. You can do either, or both at the same time. Just choose well. Act well. And if you see me again in person you'll know what to expect."

  "I have every faith in your eventual victory, Majesty, Kalasariz said. I'll do anything you instruct me to."

  "I have only one instruction, Iraj said. I want you to deliver a message. And this is what I want you to say…"

  ****

  The Demon Moon was rising when Kalasariz put spurs to horse and thundered across the desert.

  It hovered just above the night plain, red as new death. The landscape had an orange tint to it and was pocked with inky shadows. Kalasariz steered his horse around the shadows, praying to the gods he was correct each time he changed course, digging in his heels to make the horse run faster still.

  Low as it was, the Demon Moon captured the whole northern sky, wiping out any sign of the star houses that reigned there. Just above the Demon Moon was a comet so bright it was the only other light that bleared through.

  It's the Sign of Alisarrian, Kalasariz thought.

  Manacia claimed it was meant for him. Protarus believed the same. Kalasariz had no idea which way to jump.

  In his madness he cursed the gods for not allowing him spies on the court of the Demon Moon.

  ****

  Luka stared at Kalasariz in amazement.

  "This is insane, the demon prince said. How dare you approach me in such secrecy? If my father hears about it he'll have us killed!"

  "If you'll forgive me for pointing this out, Highness, Fari said, I think this human expected us to understand that… and therefore say nothing."

  He looked at Kalasariz, yellow eyes glowing. His tones, however, were mild when he said, Either by foolish design, or cleverness, it seems you have made us all conspirators."

  Kalasariz kept his features blank. This was no time for arrogance to creep through. I'm hoping it was by clever design, Exalted One, he said. Clever for all of us, that is."

  The Crown Prince was not mollified. What angers me most, he said, is for some reason this Protarus, this upstart king, believes I am such a traitorous son that I'd not immediately speak out."

  "And me as well, Highness, Fari murmured. I'm here beside you."

  Again he glared at Kalasariz. But again his tones were mild. I suppose you told him about the habits of our court, he said. Filled him in on our personalities."

  "I said as little as I could… under the circumstances, Kalasariz replied.

  Fari's talon shot out. A burning light speared into Kalasariz who shrieked in pain.

  "You really should learn to scream with less vigor, Fari said, letting the talon drop. Someone might hear us and the conspiracy would be exposed."

  "I told them everything, Kalasariz gritted. Anything they asked."

  Fari turned to Luka. I think from here on he'll be more careful with the truth, Highness, he said.

  Luka nodded. He'd become calm. More measuring. I suppose Protarus knows that you and I are not the fondest of friends, he said to Fari.

  "I expect so, Highness, Fari answered.

  Luka looked at Kalasariz. Why does Protarus believe we'd choose each other to help hatch a plot? he asked.

  "I don't know, Your Highness, Kalasariz said. He simply gave me the message and ordered me to deliver it. In private."

  "And that message is?"

  Kalasariz took a deep breath, then plunged into it. King Protarus sends his greetings, warm wishes for your health and said he hopes all will go well with you in the coming battle."

  "He does intend to fight, then, Fari said.

  "Never doubt that, Exalted One, Kalasariz said. Protarus will fight."

&nbs
p; "But the odds against him are impossible, Luka said.

  "King Protarus guessed you would say that, Your Highness, Kalasariz said. And he told me in reply that it was not unknown for the impossible to become possible during the Demon Moon."

  Fari chuckled. A lovely myth, he said. I've heard it before, although it is very old."

  "When the battle comes, Your Highness, Kalasariz continued, he asked that you watch carefully. And if something should happen which gives you pause, to think on his offer.

  "If you give him Manacia, he will give you his throne. He said he believed you would be an able administrator of the demonlandsunder his direction, of course."

  "I think we should just kill this worm, Luka said to Fari. Kill him quick. And go about our business as if nothing happened."

  "Don't be so hasty, Highness, Fari advised. You will note the message is addressed to both of us. He requires agreement from two traitors, it seems, or his plan won't work. Curious, isn't it, that he also believes we both hate your father more than we dislike one another."

  There was an uncomfortable silence.

  "That's it? Luka said to Kalasariz. He only asks that we watch, and if the course of the battle goes badlyfrom our point of viewthat we consider changing our alliance?"

  "Yes, Highness, Kalasariz said.

  Another long silence. Broken by a dry chuckle from Luka.

  "Ridiculous, he laughed.

  Fari also laughed. Ridiculous in the extreme."

  "One other thing, O Great Ones, Kalasariz said. Safar Timurahis Grand Waziercommanded me to give you this."

  He handed Lord Fari a scroll. The old demon unrolled it and examined the contents. After a time he lifted his head, troubled.

  "It's a formula for a spell, Highness, he said to Luka. A formula that breaks the curse of the Forbidden Desert."

  "Meaning the humans can cross as easily as we can, Luka said. What of it?"

  "It pains me to admit this, Highness, Fari said, but I've never seen a spell so granda spell we worked years to perfectdone so simply. It's really quite elegant. And it has the feel of something that came through inspiration, rather than from years of tedious experiment."

  "Quick or labored, Luka said. Why should it matter?"

  "Oh, it probably doesn't matter at all, Highness, Fari said. Although I'd be derelict in my duties if I didn't point out that only a master wizard could have done such a thing. A master wizard as great, or greater than your father."

  Luka peered into the old demon's eyes. Then he turned away. There was another long and uncomfortable pause.

  "We probably shouldn't bother the king with this, Luka said at last.

  "I absolutely agree, Highness, Fari replied with barely disguised relief. There's no need to burden him with such foolishness."

  "What about me? Kalasariz blurted, not certain which way things were going.

  "Oh, I'd sugg est you watch the battle, Fari said. He turned to Luka, Isn't that right, Highness?"

  "Yes, yes, that's what I'd do, the demon prince said. Watch the battle. And see."

  CHAPTER TWENTY

  FOUR BATTLE AND FLIGHT

  King Protarus quick marched his army to the place of the Two Stones.

  His scouts told him King Manacia's main force was two days away. Protarus had perhaps fifty thousand fighting men, nearly all mounted. With these he would oppose about three hundred thousand demons, some mounted, most afoot.

  On the surface these odds seemed insurmountable. Protarus generals told him so in daily meetings. They pointed out he had another seventy-five thousand men spread over his realm, keeping the peace. To this he could add two hundred thousand men who had recently volunteered to fight the hated demon enemy. If Protarus waited a month that number would easily reach five hundred thousand. So many hot-blooded young men were pouring in, begging to fight, Protarus recruiters were nearly overwhelmed.

  "I mean to fight now, Protarus told them. Not a month from now. A month is too late. A month is certain defeat.

  "And we don't have two days to prepare for Manacia, but a day and a half. I want him here faster. I want him here in time to settle into a comfortable camp. He'll want to feed his men, rest them and then surprise us with a dawn attack."

  "How can get we get him here more quickly, Your Majesty? one his aides asked. We can't command Manacia to speed up."

  "True, but we can entice him, Safar said.

  Then king and grand wazier explained how this thing could be done.

  ****

  The desert heat formed twin devils that attacked Manacia from above and below. The appalling discomfort made him angry and his slaves kept well out of kicking range. Manacia thought the gods were being unreasonable to the extreme. They'd determined his fate, hadn't they? They'd decreed he would be King of Kings. If this were the caseand Manacia had no reason to doubt itit seemed unfair and undignified to make him suffer so.

  Angry as Manacia was at the gods, his wrath knew no end when he considered the pretender, Iraj Protarus. Manacia had heard reports that Protarus shared his ambitions to rule Esmir. How dare he? Why, he was nothing more than a dirty plains savage.

  Manacia's belly lurched uncomfortably with each roll of the elephant. The smells around himbeast smells, unwashed demon smellswere so thick it was difficult to breath without gagging. The sounds were so chaotic it was impossible to thinkgroaning life on the hard march, shrieking wheels in the heat, distant cries of demon kits and the babble of their complaining mothers.

  And Manacia thought, Children? How did we end up carrying children with us?

  He twisted around and although he couldn't see them, he knew there were thousands upon thousands of demon harlots straggling behind his army. He snorted, disgusted. Apparently he'd been in the field long enough for the harlots to breed.

  Looking back, Manacia could see the Demon Moon, red glow smearing the northern horizon. Hovering above it was the lightspear of the comet. When the Demon Moon and comet had first appeared, the king had taken heart. He claimed it as his sign, the Sign of Manacia. A demon king for the Demon Moon.

  But in the weariness of the long march to meet Protarus, King Manacia had begun to curse that moon. It was always present, day or night. He felt haunted by it, as if it were a heavenly force driving him on to who knows where?

  Manacia felt a stony clatter against his magical shield. He jolted around to face the southhis enemy's lair.

  His big demon head came up, yellow eyes drilling the far horizon.

  ****

  The first thing Luka saw were his scouts racing back to his lines.

  Next he spotted watery figures charging across the desert after the scouts. The figures firmed and became mailed horsemenhumans!

  His first thought was, It's so hot! How can they keep up such a pace?

  His second thought was, By the gods, he's coming! Protarus is coming!

  Trumpets sounded the alarm all around him. Action only needed his signal.

  He gave it.

  His demon brothers howled their war cries and charged, carrying him along at their head.

  ****

  Fari saw the twister snaking towards him. It was six feet high, which became twelve, and then double that and then it became a towering, screeching force of nature.

  All about him he could hear the fearful cries of his colleagues as they leaped from their wagons to abandon Manacia's wizard caravan.

  Fari ached to run with them, but he was too old to run and had to use his wits.

  The twister struck the first wagons, lifting them up and hurling them in all directions. Fari calmed himself enough to see a human face staring out of that twister. It was many faces, actually, but the same facea blur of sameness whirling with the twister. It was beardless, hawked nosed and Fari could swear he could see blue skies through eyeholes in the dust-and-debris-choked tornado.

  And now it was coming for him, roaring his name, Fa-ri! Fa-ri!"

  ****

  Safar saw the old demon wizard and knew who he w
as. He called his name again, Fa-ri! Fa-ri!"

  He pointed his finger and Gundara hopped over to the twister and pushed it toward the demon wizard.

  Tornado and demon were among many miniature ghostly figures spread out on the campaign table in Iraj's headquarters tent. At Safar's command, Gundara moved among them, towering over the living map like a giant.

  Safar concentrated, barely noticing Iraj's presence next to him, much less the generals and aides crowding close to the table. His gaze swept over the field, taking note of the key figures.

  Not far above the destroyed wizard caravan was Manacia, clinging to the howdah as his elephant mount stamped its feet and trumpeted in panic. Demon soldiers rushed all around him, adding to the confusion.

  Some distance from Manacia he could see the diminutive figures of Prince Luka and his cavalry of monsters charging across the desert.

  Safar turned his attention back to Fari and the twister. He nodded at Gundara, who gave the whirlwind another push and it leaped forward to close the distance.

  ****

  Fari saw the trick just in time.

  He felt the twister suck at him, saw the whirling faces, heard them shouting, Fa-ri, and looked down the whirlwind's column until he saw its tail. It was a small, leaping serpent, no bigger than a demon kit's wrist.

  Fari saw in an instant this was where its power resided. He marveled at how such a large force could come from so little energy. Then he made a slicing motion with his talon, cutting it in two.

  The twister shattered, showering rocks and bits of debris everywhere. Fari suffered only a small cut on his left claw. But he was badly shaken.

  He looked at the chaos raging around him and heaved a long sigh of relief.

  ****

  Luka took his fear and made it his courage. His battle cry was drowned out by his brother warriors, but it took life from them at same time, wailing out in a long single ululation that resounded across the desert.