Allan COLE - Wizard of the winds

A voice broke in: Shut up, shut up, shuutt uppp!"

Safar swatted his tunic pocket. Just stop it, he said. I'm not in the mood to hear you argue with Gundaree."

The little Favorite leaped out of his pocket onto the bed. He put his hands on his narrow hips.

"I am not telling Gundaree to shut up, he said.

His eyes swept over Safar, then Nerisa, then Palimak. Back to Safar again.

"I am telling you to shut up, Master, he said. And you too, Nerisa."

He sighed. You were the first one to give me sweets in a thousand years, he said to Nerisa. And you, he said to Safar, have been a decent master, as masters go. Otherwise I wouldn't say a thing.

"If you both insist on making stupid human mistakes, why should I care? But I guess I do. So I'm saying, Shut up!"

"What mistakes? Nerisa asked.

"He thought you had a husband, he said to Nerisa. A demon husband."

"She thought you didn't want a little monster on your hands, much less a woman who would sleep with a demon."

"I don't have a husband, Nerisa said. Demon or otherwise. Palimak is a foundling. An orphan. Like me."

"And I don't care who you slept with, or didn't sleep with. Safar said. It's none of my business. As for me thinking Palimak is a monster because he's part demon, why nothing could be further from the truth.

"He's a child. I like children. Ask my mother. Ask my father."

"There, you see? Gundara said. Wasn't that easy?"

He hopped onto the bed, growing larger. He chucked Palimak under the chin. The child gurgled in pleasure.

"Why don't you leave him here with me? Gundara said. Go back to the bedroom and do whatever you think is necessary to apologize to each other."

The little Favorite paid no attention to the murmurs between the two lovers. Nor did he turn to watch them slip out of the room. His entire focus was on the child with the glowing yellow eyes.

"What a handsome little thing, he said. Eyes just like mine. Do you know how to talk yet?"

Palimak burbled and wriggled his little arms and legs.

"I guess not, Gundara said.

He made himself smaller and hopped onto the child's chest. He made funny toad faces and Palimak laughed, eyes glowing brighter.

"Do you know how to say, shut up? Gundara said. Go ahead. Try it. SayShut up. Shut up. Shuutt uuppp!"

And Palimak spoke his first words, Shut up!"

"That's my boy, Gundara said. Won't your mother be surprised in the morning?"

"Shut up, shut up! the baby cried, Shut up, shuuut uuppp!"

"It's my understanding, Kalasariz said, that Lord Timura and this Fatinah woman have been in each other's company for weeks."

"That is so, My Lord, Leiria said. She turned to Protarus. Lord Kalasariz understanding comes from my daily reports to him, Your Highness, she said. Reports you ordered, Sire."

Protarus smiled. I wanted to hear it from your own lips, Leiria, he said.

"Then you have heard it, Majesty, she said. Other than for the hours of the business day, Lord Timura and Lady Fatinah have not been apart since the night they met."

"Doesn't that trouble you, Leiria? Kalasariz asked. It was my impression that you and Lord Timura have been lovers for some years."

Leiria shrugged. It was my duty, she said. The king knows that."

Protarus chuckled. And an unlovely duty it was, he said to Kalasariz. My friend Safar may be Grand Wazier of Esmir, but he is not so grand in bed. Then, to Leiria, Isn't that true, my dear?"

"I have little experience with men, Majesty, she said. But you are such a lion, sire, I was spoiled for any other."

Protarus roared laughter. You see how it is? he said to Kalasariz. He wiped his eyes. When I bed a woman, she stays bedded, dammit! You should hear the weeping in my harem when I choose who is to enjoy my royal embrace and who must wait until another night."

Kalasariz grinned. All of Esmir knows of your prowess, Majesty, he said.

He regarded Leiria. The moment he'd first seen her cast adoring eyes on Safar he'd known he could make use of her one day. It was his fine fortune Safar had betrayed her, giving Leiria good reason to seek revenge. Otherwise, kingly orders or not, he wouldn't have trusted her reports about Safar's activities.

"I don't think we have any further need for you at this moment, Leiria, he said, dismissing her. You may report to me at the same time tomorrow."

Leiria touched hand to sword hilt and bowed in the military manner.

"Very good, My Lord, she said, and exited.

Protarus stared after her, thinking. Then he said, This Fatinah must be an amazing creature to have Safar so spellbound."

"She is quite beautiful, Majesty, Kalasariz said. I wouldn't mind giving her a tumble myself."

"I doubt if you'll have the opportunity, Protarus said. Lord Timura has asked me for permission to wed her."

Kalasariz eyebrows rose. Will you give it, Majesty?"

"I don't see how I can deny him, Protarus answered. It's a routine request my courtiers are required to make by law. I've never said no to anyone yet."

"But we know nothing about this woman, Majesty, Kalasariz said. This fact alone should make us be wary. My spies have sought information about her all over Esmir. To no avail. Apparently she just suddenly appeared one day. A rich noblewoman no one ever heard of before."

"And she has a child, Protarus said.

"Yes, but whose child is it, Majesty? That too is a mystery."

"I can't imagine any man wanting to wed a woman who was bred to another, the king said. Beautiful though she may be."

"My sentiments exactly, Majesty, Kalasariz said. Considering everything else, it tends to add to my suspicions."

"You think she is dangerous?"

"I know of no other woman like her in Esmir, Kalasariz said. Somehow she's made herself extremely rich. From all reports she becomes richer by the day through shrewd business dealings. She answered to no man, at least until she entered Lord Timura's life. And it's my guess she doesn't answer to him either."

"Do you think she advises him?"

"That would be a safe assumption, Majesty. She's certainly a strong willed woman. And ambitious."

Protarus stirred, rapping his rings against the throne.

Then, Yes, she would be, wouldn't she? She has my Grand Wazier in her thrall. What next?"

"Yes, Majesty, Kalasariz said. What next?"

The Grand Palace of Zanzair was a place of haunted chambers, cries in the night and conspiratorial whispers blowing like dry winds down the dark corridors. It reeked of centuries of intrigue and betrayal. Much blood had been shed over the years and there were places where the stone floors still bore murder's black stain.

Many kings had risen and many had fallen in that palace, but there were no noble monuments to mark their passing. Assassins were the dark messengers of each reign's end. A royal head posted at the main gates marked each beginning. And the first to praise the new monarch's name were feasting ravens.

Now Iraj Protarus was king and the intrigue and betrayal continued as before. Safar could smell the danger when he walked through the big main doors, sentries coming to attention and saluting the Grand Wazier. There was a sulfurous stink of dark magic in the air and under his formal tunic the stone idol sparked warning.

There was nothing unusual about Safar being summoned to a meeting with King Protarus, but as he strode through the palaceLeiria a few paces behindmany eyes turned his way. Some looked speculative, some glinted hatred, and somethe largest number, he hopedappeared sympathetic.

As he approached the door of Iraj's private quarters it came open and three beings, their backs to him, bowing and humbly excusing themselves to His Gracious Majesty made their way out.