Allan COLE - Wizard of the winds

"Well, let's not have one, then, Iraj said. He'd calmed himself. He flashed his most winning smile. Just do as I ask, Safar. A favor for a friend."

"Don't stake our friendship on this, Safar warned. It would be a grave error to let it come to that."

Iraj trembled in fury. For a moment Safar thought he would lose his temper.

Suddenly, Protarus relaxed. He sighed deeply, emptied his cup, then sighed again.

"What a difficult man you are, Safar Timura, he said. As immovable as the mountains themselves."

"I take no pride in it, Safar said. It's only how I was raised."

"Then thank the gods, Iraj laughed, that I only made one friend in Kyrania. Otherwise I would have been driven quite mad by now."

"There can only be one explanation for it, Majesty, Lord Fari said. The Grand Wazier has clearly gone mad."

Protarus looked surprised. Safar mad? he said. Why, he's always been the most stable of individuals. Oh, he has some silly flaws, of course, like that Hadin obsession of his. But madness?"

The king, led by Fari, Luka and Kalasariz, was moving along a narrow corridor toward the chambers containing what had once been King Manacia's Necromancium. The atmosphere was dank, the air smelled of embalming fluids and their bootsteps sounded unnaturally loud as they approached, making all seem very surreal.

"If I may say so, Majesty, Fari said, madness is an affliction all wizards should guard against constantly. I am very old and know of what I speak. I've seen many a young mage overcome by the powerful forces he must reckon with. He forgets all true power resides with the king and he merely manipulates the spirit world for his monarch's benefit. After all, the king rules by Divine Decree. That is the nature of things, as the gods revealed to us long ago."

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.