Allan COLE - Wizard of the winds

"Oh, my heart's always been with you, Safar said. You know I agree with most of what you say. I just don't feel involved because this is your home, not mine. If we were in Kyrania you'd feel the same."

"Perhaps I would, Olari said. Perhaps I would."

"When we last spoke, Safar said, you asked me to do a bit of creative sorcery for you."

Olari became as excited as his patrician mask would allow. Which meant his brooding eyes lit up and he crossed his legs. Are you sure you can still do it? he asked. There isn't much time, you know. The Founder's Day festival is only two days off."

"There's time, Safar said.

"Are you certain? We need something really big. Something that will knock them out of their boots. Something that will show everyone what kind of fools we are ruled by."

"I think everyone in Walaria already knows that, Olari, Safar said. They just don't talk about it much. Especially in public."

"Well, they'll talk after Founder's Day, Olari said. If your magical event is big enough and public enough. The timing is crucial."

"I've thought of that, Safar said. The spellcast I have in mind would work best if it came off at the Last Prayer ceremony. Right after the bells and the song when Umurhan does his annual magic trick to impress the masses."

"Where would you do it? Olari asked.

"In the stadium, where else? Safar answered. Right in front of altar where Umurhan and Didima and Kalasariz will be holding court."

Olari whistled. Right under their noses, he said. I like that. And I can follow it up with spontaneous demonstrations and protest parades all over the city. He slapped his thigh. That'll make them sit up and take notice."

Absently, Olari took another drink from the jar. What exactly do you intend to do? he asked.

"If you don't mind, Safar replied, I'd really rather not say. It's a very complicated spell and very very delicate. Just speaking about it could disturb one of its parts and have a disastrous effect on the whole. He was lying. He hadn't had time to come up with the kind of magical disturbance Olari wanted. But I promise you, he continued, that it will be beyond your wildest wishes. This was only a partial lie. Safar did intend to deliver the spellcast, he just didn't know what it would be.

"The word of Safar Timura, Olari said, pricking Safar's conscience, is good enough for me."

Safar hesitated, then took the plunge. About the money, he said.

Olari gave a dismissive wave. Don't worry, he said. I've not forgotten. I promised you fifty gold coins. But I can see now I was being tight-fisted. Make it a hundred."

Safar's heart jumpedso much? That's very generous of you, he said. My, uh, family, will be more than thankful. But there's, uh, one other thing I'd like to ask."

"What's that?"

"Can I get it in advance?"

Olari stared at him long and hard.

"Just so you have all the facts you need to make up your mind, I'll tell you this, he said. I intend to leave Walaria right after I do the casting. I know I'm putting a very large burden of trust on your shoulders, but I assure you I wouldn't ask if it wasn't necessary."

As Safar had hoped, the negative bit of information about his leaving helped sway Olari's decision.

"I think I can manage that load easily enough, the young nobleman said. I'll do as you asked. Meet me at the Foolsmire tonight."

Safar thanked him and they shared a few drinks from the jar.

"I wish I could persuade you to stay, Olari said. Things really will be different when we get rid of this lot."

"I'm sure it will be, Safar said. But I worry about you. You've caused them no end of grief of late. Big demonstrations that have nearly turned into riots. Broadsides condemning them spread all over the city. What if they tire of it? Or worse, what if they suddenly think you are a great danger to them?"

"I want them to, Olari said. That's my intent. How else can we achieve change?"

"I understand that, Safar said. But you know, times really have been troublesome the past two years. And you can't blame it all on the Unholy Trio, as you call them. The weather has become increasingly unpredictable. As have the harvests. And there's been locust swarms and outbreaks of flux and plague. Not just in Walaria, either. It's happening all over Esmir."

Olari shrugged. The gods are in charge of those things, he said. And since it's their responsibility, what can I do? Besides, times will get better. They always do. History tells us that. And things aren't really so bad as you say. Deaths have been few. There's no mass starvation. Actually, many people live in relative plenty. And there's good news in the land as well. What of Iraj Protarus? He's our age. And look at all he's doing to change Esmir for the better."

"I don't call wars and raids on other people's kingdoms change for the better, Safar said.

Olari gave him a puzzled look. I thought you two were friends?"

"We are, Safar said. Or were, anyway. But that doesn't mean I agree with him."

Olari chuckled. It seems Protarus and I have both had the same experience with you, he said. You give us your friendship but not your company in our cause."

"I suppose you're right, Safar said. But I've never been enamored of causes. Politics don't interest me. Only the science and history of magic."

"I suppose you'd like to put that interest to real use someday, Olari said. To help people, for instance. To better their lot, their condition, with your skills."

"I'll admit I've thought of such things, Safar said.

"That's a cause isn't it? Olari said. Your cause, of course. But a cause just the same."

"I suppose it is, Safar said.

"So why do you shun my cause, and the cause of your friend Protarus. We're all the same age. We all have similar ideals. It's time for a change, dammit. A massive change. We've lived under the heels of old men for too long."

Safar couldn't say he theorized change might already be occurring. But it was a change on a scale much greater than two young men who wanted to be king.

Instead he said, Allow me my delusions, Olari. I'm sure you and Iraj will soon prove me to be a blind fool. And I hope you forgive me when that time comes."

"You're forgiven already, my friend, Olari said. Just make sure that when the time comes you know which way to jump."

"That's wise advice, Safar said. I'll remember it. But I hope you'll also remember mine. Be careful of Kalasariz. I have a feeling he's becoming anxious."

"What if he does? Olari said. What can he do to me? The brutal truth of the matter is that there are two kinds of people in Walaria. Those who have reason to fear Tulaz blade. And those who do not. And I, my bookish friend, belong in the first category by reason of my birth and my father's fortune."

Just then Gundara whispered in Safar's ear. The spy approaches!"

Safar held up a hand to silence Olari. A heartbeat later they heard Ersen's sarcastic voice. Do I hear sounds of merrymaking within?"

Ersen ducked into the room and saw the wine jar in Olari's hand. What a greedy lot of beggars, he said. Keeping the wine for yourself when your poor friend Ersen is nearly dying of thirst."

Olari laughed and handed the jar over. Ersen took a long drink, then sat on a mattress. What are you fellows up to? he asked. Plotting the overthrow of the world as we know it, is my guess."

Ersen was not a member of Olari's group. He was too much of a jester to be welcomed. Still, Safar was worried that Olari would say too much. He made a hidden gesture of warning, then said to Ersen:

"You found us out, you canny devil. We've been sitting here for hours planning our revolt. We're thinking of starting with Didima. I've got a recipe we can slip into his food that'll make him limp as a wet rag."

"That's a good start, Ersen said. What about Kalasariz? I've heard he doesn't have a tool at all."