He watched the eunuch’s expression rearrange itself from intrigue to a carefully contrived look of sympathy. “Odalisque Ana will not be joining us today, Highness.”
Even though discontent had knifed through him at not spotting her easily, it had not occurred to Boaz that she wouldn’t be present at all. He struggled to keep the disappointment from his voice. “Why ever not? Is she unwell?”
“She is in fine health, Majesty.”
“Then where is she?”
“She is with the Valide today, Highness.”
Boaz frowned, totally confused. “My mother? What is this about?”
The huge man shrugged but kept it courteous. “She did not share that with me, Your Highness. I was simply told that the Valide wished the Odalisque Ana to accompany her today on a trip into the city.”
“To do what?”
“I don’t know, Majesty. Womanly things, presumably.” Now Salmeo smiled, showing the gap between his teeth. “The Valide is looking for new fabrics and she prefers to choose them herself. I imagine she sees taking Ana along with her a special honor to confer on an odalisque.”
Boaz thought differently but this time he resisted sharing what was on his mind. “Are they still in the palace?”
“Sadly not,” Salmeo replied. “They left early.”
A new swell of fury rose within Boaz now. He was certain he was being manipulated. This would put everyone back on notice about who was in charge in the palace. “I see.” Before he could help himself, he ordered, “Have Odalisque Ana fully prepared for me this evening.”
The word prepared had special meaning to the keeper of the harem and its effect was immediate and dramatic. “Prepared, Highness? Do I understand you correctly?” Salmeo blustered, clearly caught off guard.
Before Boaz could respond, the mute, Salazin, ran up to him, bowing low before the Zar. When the man straightened to eye level, Boaz fixed an angry look of inquiry on his face, hugely irritated at the interruption.
One of the Elim spoke up. “He needs to run back to your chambers, Majesty. We have forgotten—”
“Yes, yes, don’t trouble me with these trivialities!” Boaz admonished. The Elim and the mute retreated, Salazin running at full speed to retrieve whatever had been left behind.
“Apologies,” Salmeo said, “I believe the Grand Vizier has instructed the mutes never to leave your side without royal sanction.”
More irritation flickered in the Zar’s darkening eyes. He ignored the man’s explanation and returned to their original conversation. “You asked whether you understand me. We both speak Percherese perfectly well, Grand Master Eunuch. I think my plain wording should have made it precisely clear for you. Tell me what you understand by my order.” Though he deliberately kept his voice low, the threat was still evident.
Salmeo actually took a step back. Boaz liked that he’d shocked the fat eunuch.
“My understanding, Highness, is that you wish Odalisque Ana to be readied for bedding by her Zar. That you choose to claim her virginity this night.”
The Zar beamed, not prepared to show even a slight clue of how much that statement petrified him. “Good, I’m glad I made myself perfectly plain,” he replied condescendingly. “Don’t make any excuses for disappointing my wishes this time, Grand Master Eunuch. I shall expect to see her.” He added as a vicious parting shot: “After my supper, which I’m taking with the Grand Vizier.”
Turning, he stalked away to the boats.
10
Salmeo knew he had to catch the Valide before she and Ana left the palace. It appeared as though their crafty plan was to be outwitted by the Zar and his helpless infatuation for the girl. He found the Valide draping herself with the dark veil that would cover her tight silks from head to toe for her excursion.
She looked at him, surprised. “I permitted you only because my servants said you were breathless. So presumably this is important?”
“Highly,” he said, sucking in air.
“Zarab save us! That run has cost you, eunuch. More than important, then…dangerous, even?”
“Very,” he managed to say, bending over slightly to help himself breathe.
“Well, get on with it, Salmeo. I’m about to depart the palace. The karaks have arrived and I don’t want to linger long enough for the sun to warm them too much.”
“Valide,” he began, wondering how best to deliver this news. She glowered at him. “It’s about Odalisque Ana.”
“What of her?” she demanded, irritated.
“The Zar has chosen her. Just now,” he said, not sure how to read the mask that was her expression.
Silence engulfed Herezah and he watched her complexion blanch as she struggled to absorb his words. He couldn’t even enjoy her shock because this turn of events had implications for him as much as the Valide. “I have just been ordered by the Zar to prepare her for tonight.”
“Already? Are you absolutely sure?” she croaked, her full attention given to him now.
He nodded grimly. “There is no mistake. Your son made it embarrassingly clear what he intends for the girl. We are too late, Valide.”
“Nonsense!” Herezah admonished, rapidly gathering up her wits and regaining her composure. “We just have to put our plan into action faster.”
“It’s impossible,” Salmeo said, shaking his head in surprise. “The Zar means this night.”
“And she will be gone by tonight!” Herezah snarled at him in a low, angry voice. “See to it. Make all the preparations that we’ve discussed. The girls will return tired but happy, presumably—we might as well keep that mood going with a little surprise of our own. Not only Boaz can offer them treats.”
Salmeo nodded slowly. “Perhaps it can be achieved,” he said, thinking it through.
“It will be, Grand Master Eunuch. Make it happen. I am going out now with Ana. We will not be long. Her taste of freedom will be brief and I’m sure will put her into the right frame of mind…especially after I allude to what’s in store for her tonight.”
The slyness of Salmeo’s grin spread across his face until it danced in his dark eyes. “Clever, my Valide. Oh, and I have more news that will please you.”
“Oh yes?”
“The dwarf has done something to displease your son. The Zar is so displeased, in fact, that he admitted it to me himself in a state of high temper.”
“You jest.”
The huge black man shook his head. “Told me himself that he would not tolerate such insubordination from his servants. He tried to steer it into more general terms, but he was clearly referring to Pez.”
“Was Pez present?” Herezah asked enthusiastically, hungry for the details.
“He’s gone missing,” Salmeo replied, fueling her hunger. “But no one knows where or why.”
Herezah clapped her hands. “Excellent,” she purred. “This could be a special day for us. Where is the Vizier?”
“He is remaining at the palace, says he is very busy with work.”
Herezah made a disparaging sound at this. “Busy spying, perhaps. I’m going now; you will put into action all that is necessary. Keep an eye on the Vizier; I’m interested to know what he does when he is not answerable to the Zar.”
Salmeo nodded. “Enjoy your shopping expedition.”
She smiled cruelly. “You know I will.”
HEREZAH FOUND ANA VEILED, flanked by two Elim, and patiently awaiting her high-ranking companion. The Valide saw the smile in the girl’s eyes as she approached, escorted by her own Elim.
The odalisque bowed. “Valide.”
“Valide, I shall see to your instructions.”
Herezah nodded an acknowledgment of the greeting. The women were guided out of the cool shadows of the palace’s interior and into the sharp sunlight of the day.
Ana squinted. “This is very exciting for me, Valide,” she gushed helplessly, allowing one of the Elim to assist her into the karak.
Herezah was being given similar assistance into her karak. “I h
ope you have a wonderful time, Ana. This freedom is my gift to you,” she said, smirking beneath her veil.
Herezah gave the signal and the bearers lifted the two karaks, easily bearing them down the palace pathways toward the main gates. Herezah could see Ana’s almost palpable sense of excitement; in her own karak, she plotted precisely what she was going to say to her naive companion in order to provoke her into making the biggest mistake of her short life.
PEZ ARRIVED BACK AT his small chamber to find a note. He recognized instantly that it was from Razeen, and its hastily scribbled scrawl clearly reflected the urgency of the contents.
Apparently he was in further trouble with the Zar, having failed to present himself for the boating trip. Pez cursed himself for the oversight—he’d forgotten in his rush to warn Zafira. No one had told him it was leaving this morning. He shook away his concern. There was nothing to be done until the Zar returned and summoned him. More frightening was the news that Boaz had chosen Ana and instructed the Grand Master Eunuch to prepare her for tonight.
Unsure of what to do but knowing he had to do something, Pez changed into more formal dress for the court and waddled out of his room, only to be assailed by two massive Elim. He began to dance, gabbling a stream of gibberish. The guards guided him, gently but firmly, beyond the halls of the harem and into the palace proper.
“Where go we?” he sang.
“We have orders to bring you to the Grand Vizier,” one of the eunuchs answered patiently.
Pez felt his throat clamp with fear.
“Vizier, Vizier,” he sang, thinking fast.
“The Zar asked him to find you,” the other Elim said.
“I don’t want to see a snake,” Pez whined, childlike.
“But you must,” the first said softly, smiling, probably because Pez’s madness was making odd sense. “It is what Zar Boaz wishes,” he added.
This news was disturbing. Had Boaz given the Vizier permission to do more than simply find the court jester—perhaps police him, or even punish him? He took the last remaining moments he had, no longer struggling but centering himself to bring all of his Lore skills to the fore. He forced all that was Iridor deep within himself, hiding it from Maliz, burying it so far away that the demon would not be able to find it even if he looked for magic. He wondered if Maliz already suspected him of being Iridor. It certainly seemed as if Maliz was not just suspicious but now searching for evidence.
Make my madness my armor, O Mother. Encase me in your love, protect me from evil, let my Lore confuse him and keep me safe, Pez whispered, his lips barely moving.
He would need to give his best performance ever and somehow throw the Vizier off his scent.
There was still so much to achieve before Maliz killed him.
ANA SIGHED WITH A sense of restless wonder as the karak moved beyond the Moon Courtyard and through the palace gates. As the Stone Palace was perched on a hill, she knew she must hold on for safety now as the Elim adjusted their grip and began the descent. The sense of freedom she felt was so strong she was sure the air smelled sweeter, and the colors were brighter. All the darkness that she had been carrying the past year dissipated to leave her lighthearted. Her emotions were clashing into one another; Ana felt at once elated and teary. Forcing herself under control, she knew that her tears came from her understanding that this was only temporary, and that sadness made the joy of being out amongst the people even more poignant.
The karak was no longer traveling at an angle; the road had begun to straighten out and Ana risked a peep through the curtains, wrapping her arms around herself with pleasure to see the masses of people going about their midmorning business. Women chatted to one another, children clasped tightly on their hips or holding their hands. Men rolled carts laden with goods. She even spotted a few of the soldiers mingling with the general population, reminding her of Lazar. A fresh gust of grief swept through her mind. It was always there, always ready to poison her day, but she chastised herself that she must not let Lazar’s shadow fall too fully across this day. This was one day she was keeping as shiny and free from darkness as she could, no matter how hard it would be to return to the palace at the end.
The voices grew louder and Ana again peeped between the silks to see that they were entering the narrow streets that she knew led down to the bazaar. She heard the Elim giving orders, clearing the crowd from around the karaks, and she imagined the fascinated stares of people curious to know who from the palace had come into their midst.
Suddenly Herezah was leaning into her karak. “Come, Ana,” she said conversationally, and then the Elim were helping Ana to alight. She noticed more Elim had trailed them in order that someone would remain with the transport until the women returned.
Flanked once again by her red-robed guards, but this time with her arm encircled affectionately by Herezah’s, Ana stepped into the slow-moving stream of people and felt the lightness that had imbued her heart instantly turn to a weightlessness. She felt as though her sandals were no longer touching the ground.
“I can hardly breathe for excitement,” she whispered to her companion. “It’s been so long since I was amongst real people.”
Herezah gurgled with seductive laughter. She didn’t seem to take offense at Ana’s innocent gibe. “It always feels like that the first time,” she replied. “Enjoy yourself. I cannot promise when we might do this again, so make the very best of the short time we have.”
“Oh, I will, Valide…and thank you. Thank you for spoiling me. I’m not sure I deserve your faith.”
“I trust you, Ana,” Herezah soothed. “Just don’t get too seduced by freedom,” she cautioned and laughed again as they were swallowed up into the first dome of the great bazaar.
“AH, PEZ,” THE GRAND Vizier said, smiling, but Pez noted not even a tiny flicker of warmth touched those cold, dark eyes.
“I was promised flowers,” he stated angrily.
“Oh, and you shall have them, Pez,” the Vizier said, his smile not faltering.
“And cherry juice.”
“Of course.”
Pez burped and shook himself free from the Elim’s hold.
“You may leave us,” Maliz said to the men in red. At the men’s hesitation, he added, a tinge of impatience in his voice, “Fret not, I shall not harm him.”
Their grave expressions reminded Pez that the Elim had not forgotten Tariq’s behavior at the flogging of Spur Lazar, when he had dared to kick at the dwarf, who had, to all intents, accidentally rolled across the foot of the Vizier during one of his usual acrobatic maneuvers. Pez knew better, of course.
One of the Elim bowed and stepped forward. “Grand Vizier, we are never permitted to leave the dwarf unattended in the company of someone outside of the harem.”
“Is that so?” Maliz replied, sarcastically sneering.
The man nodded solemnly. “He has the full protection of the harem and the Zar, as you know. Forgive us, but we are not allowed to let him out of our sight.”
Pez began to sing, covering the smile he felt tugging at his mouth. Perhaps he would be safe after all. He suddenly worshipped the Elim for being so rigid in adhering to their rules.
“But he comes and goes as he chooses—or so I understand,” Maliz replied, working to hide his irritation, Pez noted.
The man nodded again. “That is true, Grand Vizier. Pez is permitted complete freedom within the harem. Beyond its boundaries he is always escorted—as is anyone from the harem.”
“I’m assured the Zar’s clown travels way beyond the boundaries of the palace and into the city!” Maliz grumbled, no longer able to disguise his discontent.
Now the man shrugged. “He is disobedient,” was the only reply he gave.
Pez began to dance, singing loudly at the top of his voice. It was his intention to frustrate the demon as fast as possible.
“Can you quiet him?” Maliz asked of the guards over the racket.
The Elim leaned forward and touched Pez gently on the shoulder. He
didn’t fall silent but he stopped dancing and murmured softly to himself, picking his nose and wiping whatever he could find in it on the furniture. Stealing a glance at Maliz, he took pride in the disgust he now saw in the Grand Vizier’s expression. He farted for good measure just as the official opened his mouth to speak. It closed again.
“Is this the best we can do with him?” Maliz inquired of the Elim.
The more senior one of the guards gave a soft shrug of helplessness. “He is contrary, Grand Vizier. No one controls him.”
“Pez.” Maliz finally addressed him directly.
Pez stopped all activity and gave the man a beatific smile.
“Good. The Zar is very unhappy with you, Pez.”
Pez gave a sulky look and then bent down to grab the turned up toes of his ridiculous court shoes. Both Zars loved them for their comical effect and had many pairs made up in various fabrics. They were deliberately too large for his feet and Pez had even attached bells to this pair for added humor. He shook them now.
“Look at me, please.”
As Pez complied he felt the first tentative grope of magic pull at the protective shield of the Lore and saw recognition burn in the formerly dead-looking eyes of the Vizier. He had anticipated as much. But finding a shield meant nothing; it could be interpreted many ways. His insanity could be seen as that shield and he used his disguise to full effect now, screaming and screaming straight into the Grand Vizier’s horrified stare.
Emissary Page 13
