Wizard of the winds tott-1

by Allan Cole

  Luka snorted. What else could you call it but madness? he said. Only a madman would play such a dangerous game. This is no ordinary monarch he's dealing with. But the King of Kings. Absolute monarch of all Esmir."

  "What really troubles me, Iraj said, is his attitude that somehow I want to harm my subjects. My whole purposemy whole lifehas been dedicated to the exact opposite. I want nothing but good for everyone. I truly do seek an Age of Great Blessings. Peace and plenty for humans and demons alike.

  "Why, I remember telling him something almost exactly like that years ago when we were boys. And I've certainly done nothing but become stronger in that resolve.

  "I consider it my holy duty."

  "The root of the problem, Your Majesty, Kalasariz said, is that Lord Timura has become not just mad, but power mad. This is not speculation, Majesty, but fact supported by your very best spies.

  "Lord Timura has said time and again that he is more popular than Your Majesty. He believes he is revered by all your subjects. And that he should be king, instead of you.

  "This is why he refuses you, Majesty. He holds his own reputation as more important than your own."

  Iraj was seething when they entered the Necromancium. Rather than needling that anger further, the three conspirators changed their manner, pointing out different objects of interest.

  Fari, the old demon wizard, took the lead.

  "You see this, Majesty? he said, showing him a flask covered with magical symbols. It contains a potion that would enhance even your mighty abilities with women. One drop in a glass of wine and you could pleasure a hundred maids."

  Next, he displayed a small purse. He upended it and a handful of rare gems poured out. With the proper spell, Majesty, he said, these gems can become many. I mentioned their existence to Lord Timura, saying they would help solve your financial difficulties, but he declared them black magic, evil magic, and commanded me to say nothing."

  Then he picked up a skull with the unmistakable shape of a wolf. This is a shape-changer's amulet, Majesty, he said. Used wisely it could give you amazing powers. Magical powers, Majesty. Which I hesitate to suggest, is the only thing Your Majesty lacks.

  "Why, with magical powers, Majesty, you would have no need for wizards, other than to perform rote duties."

  "Than I'd be like Alisarrian, Protarus murmured.

  "Yes, Majesty, Fari said. You would be master of both worlds. Temporal and spiritual."

  "And I'd have no need for Safar, Iraj said.

  Fari shrugged. I hadn't thought of that, he said. Lord Timura is such a mighty wizard it prevents such thinking.

  "But I suppose it's true. You would have no need for him. He chuckled. Or me either, for that matter. Except, of course, I'm more than willing to tutor Your Majesty in the magical arts."

  "And Safar wouldn't?"

  Another shrug. You would be the best judge of that, Majesty, he said. After all, you have been friends for many years."

  Iraj pressed the point. If that were the case, he said, I could declare the Age of Great Blessings."

  All three conspirators showed surprise.

  Then, I suppose you could, Majesty, Fari said.

  "Indeed, said Luka.

  "Why not? posed Kalasariz.

  "I must think on this, Protarus said. I don't want to react too swiftly. That way leads to errors and disappointment."

  "That is a truth that should be engraved on stone, Your Majesty, Kalasariz said. A pause, well used, is what separates the good from the great."

  At that moment a shrill noise sounded. All four heads, two human, two demon, swiveled to the source of the sound. It came from a small alembic, made of jewel encrusted crystal, which sat upon an ebony stand. The alembic had a large bulbous stopper which was flashing a purplish light.

  Luka displayed his fangs in a most lascivious grin.

  "Wait until you see this, Majesty! he said.

  Iraj was puzzled. See what?"

  "We had a small entertainment planned for you, Majesty, Fari said.

  "Actually, it was completely unscheduled, Kalasariz added. Everything depended upon luck. We prayed it would happen when you were here to see."

  "I hate to repeat myself, Iraj said. But… see what?"

  Chuckling, the three conspirators guided the king over to the alembic. As soon as he came close the noise stopped and the flashing light became a steady glow.

  "Look into it, Majesty, Fari said. I guarantee you'll be delighted at what you see."

  Iraj stared at the alembic, an expectant smile playing on his lips.

  Then an image formed.

  The king gasped. By the gods, he said, she is beautiful!"

  ****

  Nerisa thought she heard voices. She stirred in her tub, head rising from the languorous waters. She looked around and saw nothing unusual in the huge marble bath chamber. It was hazy with perfumed steam rising from the sunken tublarge enough for four Nerisas to splay their limbs comfortably and wriggle them about to feel the water's gentle massage.

  When she was certain there was no one aroundand the voices were the product of her languid imaginationshe eased back into her bath, breathing a long luxurious sigh.

  The Lady Fatinah might have been a woman of immeasurable wealth, but she'd spent the short years of that nobility on the dusty caravan track gathering her wealth. Before she'd merely been Nerisaa dirty orphan child who'd snatched a bath in cold rain barrels set beneath tenement gutters.

  Abubensu had boasted of her mansion's view, praised the nursery he'd had remodeled to her exacting specifications, but he'd never said anything about the bath. When Nerisa had discovered it she'd whispered a fervent prayer of thanks to whatever god had sent such splendor her way.

  Nerisa captured the huge sponge floating on the water. She reached over to the ledge and picked up the ornate bottle of bathing oilsone of many gifts she'd received from the guests who'd attended her welcoming banquet. The liquid inside was a deep purple, so rich in oily texture that it nearly glowed.

  She withdrew the bulbous stopper, dribbled oil on the sponge, replaced the top, then smoothed the delicious, perfumed liquid over her body. Nerisa breathed another long sigh. She'd never felt so clean, so pampered, so

  The thought broke off as once again she thought she heard voices.

  She let the sponge float away and looked up. Once again there was nothing and no one to be seen.

  Then she heard a high-piping voice and smiled.

  A moment later Scani came in, Palimak perched on her hip.

  "Lord Timura is here, My Lady, the nurse announced.

  "Thank you, Scani, Nerisa. Tell him I'll be with him when I've done with my bath."

  Scani bobbed a curtsy. Yes, My Lady."

  Nerisa smiled up at the child.

  "And how is my darling Palimak? she said.

  The child's finger jabbed outpointing directly at her.

  "Shut up! he said.

  Scani was shocked. Don't speak to your mother like that, she scolded.

  Again, Palimak pointed, but his finger was at a lower level.

  "Shut up! he said again. He sounded angry.

  "Hush, child! Scani said. Young lord or not, old Scani will peel your hide if you keep talking like that."

  "Pay him no mind, Nerisa said. He's just trying to get attention. If we ignore him he'll stop."

  But Scani was upset. This was a blow to her skills as a nursemaid. I don't know where he got such language, My Lady! she said. Those are words I most certainly never use."

  "Shut up! Palimak broke in.

  Then he wriggled and kicked so fiercely Scani was forced to lower him to the floor and let him go.

  "Stop that, Palimak! Scani cried.

  But the child paid no attention. On his hands and knees, he skittered across the wet marble floor. He stopped at the edge of the bath.

  His eyes glowed yellow as he regarded the bottle of bath oils.

  "Shut up! he demanded.

  He slapped at the bottle,
rocking it.

  "Shut up, shut up, shuutt uppp!"

  And then, to the shocked amazement of the two women, he gave the bottle such a blow that it slammed against the edge of the tub.

  Glass shattered in every direction.

  ****

  Iraj reeled back as the image exploded in his face.

  "The little whore's son! he shouted.

  Then he looked at the alembic, saw it was quite whole, and realized no harm was done.

  He laughed mightily, slapping his thigh in glee. It was almost as if the little bastard knew we were spying on his mother, he chortled.

  His three new friends laughed with him.

  "Tell me, Majesty, Kalasariz said, wasn't she as beautiful as you've heard?"

  Iraj glanced at the alembic again. His mouth suddenly went dry as he recalled the vision of Nerisa floating naked in her bath. He could almost taste her woman's scent rising on the perfumed steam.

  "Yes, he said, voice rough.

  "Even I was moved, Majesty, Luka said. And I'm a demon and have little appreciate for the female human form."

  "She seemed a dish more fit for a king, Fari said, than a man of such common breeding as Timura."

  Iraj's eyes narrowed. What are you suggesting? he asked.

  "Suggesting? Why, nothing, Majesty, Fari said. I was only commenting on the obvious."

  "Lord Timura does claim to be His Majesty's most ardent friend and supporter, Kalasariz said to the others.

  "That's certainly true, Luka said. He's told us all that often enough… When it suits his purpose."

  "Perhaps it's time you tested that friendship, Majesty, Kalasariz said.

  "See how deep his feelings for you really are."

  Protarus licked dry lips. His fingers rapped against the alembic's stopperthinking, rap, rap, thinking.

  Then he noddedhard. His decision was made.

  "As I see it, he said, Safar's left me with no other choice."

  ****

  "In the past, Safar said to Nerisa, Iraj always listened to what I said. He didn't necessarily take my advice, nor did I always act as he wanted, but there were no hard feelings over it. At least none he showed."

  It was night and the two were curled up on Nerisa's bed, the sleeping Palimak between them. The child had been restless since the incident in the bath the previous day, his sleep plagued with nightmares. At Safar's urging Nerisa had brought the child into their bed and now he was sleeping peacefully, thumb stuck firmly in his mouth.

  "We don't have to become man and wife, Safar, Nerisa said. I'll be your concubine, if you like. Or, since I'm a woman of means, you can be mine."

  Safar smiled, but the smile didn't linger long.

  "There's much more behind this than our nuptials, he said.

  Nerisa nodded. He'd told her about the great lie Protarus was demanding of him, and the conspiracy he suspected was being hatched by Luka, Fari and Kalasariz.

  "I was just making a silly jest, she said.

  "For some reason, Safar said, he's taken a sharp turn off the road we were both traveling on. And I don't know how to move him back."

  Nerisa shivered. I feel like a devil just perched on my grave, she said. When I was girl on the streets of Walaria I always took that feeling as a warning sign. I don't know how many times I boltedfor no reason other than that shivery feelingthen saw the thief catcher creeping down the alley."

  "Gundara has been howling danger since I left the palace, Safar said. He advises me to flee."

  "Then let's do it, Nerisa said, suddenly fierce. Leave everything behind us and flee immediately. We won't lack for money. I have gold cached all over Esmir."

  "I can't, Safar said.

  Nerisa peered at him. Then, I suppose it'd be pretty difficult giving up being Grand Wazier, she said. It's hard to imagine having so much power."

  "That means nothing to me, Nerisa, Safar said. It was never anything I wanted, much less sought. Why, my fondest boyhood dream was to succeed my father some day as the greatest potter in all Kyrania."

  "Then let's go to Kyrania, Nerisa said. You talked about it so much in Walaria that it seemed a paradise to me. We'll go together. I'll be your wife, a simple village woman, with Palimak on my hip and his sister growing in my belly."

  Her eyes glistened. That was always my fondest dream, Safar, she said. So why don't we both make those dreams come true?"

  He took her hand and said, I wish I could, but the Fates have decreed otherwise."

  And then he told her the tale of two womenone a vision in Alisarrian's cave, the other a living woman, Methydia, a powerful witch and visionary in her own right.

  When he was done he said, Both insisted Iraj and I must travel the same path together. And at the end of that road is the answer I seek. The answer to the riddle of Hadin."

  "Well, I'm no witch, Nerisa said, and I'm certainly no vision in a cave. But it's plain to me Protarus has strayed off that path. You said it yourself. You said he'd taken a sharp turn and you didn't know how to get him back on the same road again.

  "Did you ever think that maybe the road has ended? For the two of you, I mean? And you must go on, leaving Protarus behind in whatever madness he makes for himself?"

  "Yes, Safar said, almost a whisper. I'd thought of that."

  Then he said, But Iraj isn't mad. He's only king, which is a kind of madness in itself, I suppose. I remember I told him that a long time ago."

  "Still, Nerisa. Then firmer, Still!"

  Safar thought a moment, then said, I'll try one more time. We're supposed to meet again tomorrow. I owe him that one last chance."

  "You don't owe him anything, Nerisa said. It's the other way around, Safar. I wish you could see that."

  Safar shrugged. I can't help how I feel."

  He looked down at Palimak, then back at her, brow furrowed with worry.

  "What disturbs me most of all, he said, is that both of you are in danger because of me. If Iraj acts badly he'll come after you as well as me.

  "I think you should leave first thing in the morning."

  Nerisa, a sensible woman, agreed. She had the responsibility of Palimak after all.

  "There's a village at the crossroads about twenty miles outside of Zanzair, she said. I'll have Abubensu get a carriage ready. I can tell him I'm considering an investment in the area, which isn't far from the truth. It looks to be a promising place."

  "I know the village, Safar said. If all goes well I'll send a message for you to return. And if doesn't, I'll meet you there."

  "One of my caravansbound for Caspanwill be crossing the desert in a day or so, Nerisa said. We can go with it."

  Palimak stirred. His eyes came open, a golden glow in the dim light.

  Suddenly he screwed up his face and started crying.

  Nerisa comforted him. Everything's okay, little one, she cooed. Mother's here.

  "She won't let anyone hurt you."

  ****

  Outside the mansion, Leiria crouched in the shadows watching the house.

  She heard a flutter of sound and her head snapped around to mark it.

  It was a raven on the prowl, big wings spread to catch the evening air. The raven circled the mansion grounds, then it turned and flew off toward the palace.

  It soared higher and higher until it disappeared in the red glare of the Demon Moon.

  Leiria's eyes returned to the house. Deep inside she heard the child cry.

  She thought she'd never heard such a lonely sound.

  CHAPTER TWENTY SEVEN

  ESCAPE FROM ZANZAIR

  Iraj paced the royal chamber like a captive lion, golden hair flowing from under his crown like a mane, beard jutting forward like a lion's snout; his eyes were narrowed, lips stretched back over his teeth as if in a snarl.

  Safar stood in the center of the chamber watching him pace, feeling the anger build.

  "I could command it, Iraj said. I could require you to make the casting."

  "Yes, you could, Safar said.

>   "Would you obey?"

  Safar breathed in deeply. Then let it out. No."

  "Even if the penalties were most severe?"

  "Even so."

  "I could strip you of your title and fortune, Iraj said.

  "I understand that."

  "I could even take your life, Iraj said. Are you so set in your refusal that you'd risk it?"

  "Let me answer this way, Safar said. If you were in my boots and felt your honor was at stake, how would you answer such a threat?"

  Iraj paused. I didn't threaten, he said. I was only pointing out a fact."

  "Still, Safar said, how would you answer?"

  "It's not the same. I am Iraj Protarus!"

  "And I am Safar Timura!"

  It was not an answer sculpted to please. Iraj glared at Safar, who stood there calmly, manner mild, but will just as strong. The king broke first, spooked by the strange glow in Safar's eyes.

  He resumed his pacing, saying, I'm told you think you are more popular than I am."

  Safar lifted an eyebrow. I'd brand that a lie, he said, but it's too stupid a charge to deserve the name."

  Iraj whirled. What? Now you dare to insult me?"

  "I don't dare anything, Safar said. But if you believe such a claim, it's no insult, but the truth."

  Iraj's fury suddenly turned to anguish. Tears welled up. Why do you insist on defying me, Safar? he cried. We are friends. No, more than friends. More even than blood oath brothers. I swear that I love you more than my mother, more than my father, more than any son born to me."

  "I can only answer that with another question, Safar said. If you love me, why are you pressing so hard to make me violate a thing I hold most sacred?"

  The anguish reverted to fury. Because I am your king! Iraj thundered. And I find it necessary to ask this of you for the greater good of Esmir!"

  Safar said nothingthere was no reply to make.

  Iraj's manner returned to normal. He shook his head, as if saddened. And still you refuse, he said.

  "I do, Safar answered.

  "What if I made this a matter of friendship? Iraj asked. You pleaded with me not to before. But we do have a blood bond between us. We swore we would give the other anything that was askedfreely and without hesitation.