Allan COLE: Wizard of the winds

Badawi, who could be agile when called upon, rolled about beneath them, shouting for his maddened animals to stop. Then the rope parted and the mare and camel raced off toward the familiar foothills and the safety of home.

Badawi leaped to his feet crying, Come back my Sava! Come back, my sweet!"

But his pleas went unheeded and soon both the camel and the mare vanished over a hill.

Badawi cursed the fates. Then he sighed, resigned to the long walk home. It was the gray's fault, he reassured himself. He swore that low creature would suffer miserably for causing him such trouble.

Then a sudden chill gripped him. Danger wormed about in his belly and his hackles rose, stiff and bristly as a desert hedgehog's spines. Instinct made him turn to look out across the Forbidden Desert.

He shaded his eyes but nothing was immediately apparent. Then he saw a dust cloud churning up and wondered if it might be an approaching storm. His wonder turned to dismay as the dusty veil parted and a long column of dark figures emerged.

They were coming toward him fast and he tried to turn and run. But fear turned his feet to stone and he found himself standing there gaping at the approaching figures, trying to make out who they might be.

Then the figures took form so swiftly and with such startling clarity Badawi's bowels broke.

Demons!

Monsters in battle harness, with broad snouts and mottled green skin. The steeds they rode were more horrible than their mastersnot horses, but creatures vaguely looking like horseswith long curved fangs to tear flesh and great cat's claws instead of hooves.

Badawi came unstuck and whirled, stubby legs carrying him forward. He'd taken no more than a few steps when his spurs tangled and he pitched face forward to the ground.

Then the monsters were all around him, howling spine-chilling cries. Weeping and crying to the gods, Badawi curled into a ball, trying to avoid the snapping fangs and slashing claws of the demons mounts. Spear points jabbed at him and he screamed like a pig and jumped each time they pierced his skin.

He thought he heard shouted orders and suddenly there was silence and the torment stopped.

A voice said, Get up, human. I wish to look upon you. The voice was cold and harsh and quite alien.

Badawi remained curled, but whined, Please, master. Don't hurt me. I am only a poor horse merchant who means no harm to anyone."

Then he heard another inhuman voice say, Let's just kill him and cook him, Sarn. I'm hungry! We're all hungry!"

The remark brought growls of agreement from the other demons and chants of, Eat, Eat, Eat!"

Fear sparked inspiration. Badawi uncurled, scrambling to his knees, arms raised to plead for his life.

Sarn, the demon who'd spoken first, and another smaller monster stared down at him from their steeds, drooling amusement.

"Please, master, Badawi wailed. Spare the life of this undeserving insect. I have daughters, master. I have sons. I have a wife. Take pity, master! Spare old Badawi!"

His pleas brought howls of laughter from all but Sarn. He peered at Badawi with immense yellow eyes. Then he raised a taloned claw for silence, which he got.

"You ask pity of me? Sarn said, scornful. Sarn pities no one. Much less a human."

"You misunderstand, master, Badawi babbled. I don't want you to spare me for my own sake. But yours."

"My sake? Sarn said. What can you possibly do for Sarn, human?"

"Why, ease your hunger, master, Badawi answered. If that is what pleases you. However, if I may be so bold as to point out… there's only one of me. And many of you. It grieves me to say that ample as I am some will still suffer the pangs of hunger when there's no more of me left. However, master, at my homewhich isn't far awaythere's more than enough to satisfy every single one of you."

"The daughters and sons you mentioned? Sarn asked, scaly lips curling back.

"Yes, master, Badawi replied. And my wife as well. A tender morsel, if I do say so myself. Fed her only the best since she's come to live under my roof."

Giff, the other demon, snarled disgust. You're offering your family, human? To save your own life? What manner of creature are you?"

Sarn made an ugly noisea chuckle to demon ears; a horror to humans. He said he was a horse merchant, Giff, he said. That should explain everything."

Badawi ignored this, saying to Sarn, Let me lead you to my home, master. You'll see that all I claim is true."

Sarn stared long at the ugly mound of flesh that was Badawi.

Any other time he'd have quickly dispatched this cowardly human to the cooking pot. They could find Badawi's household on their own. Sarn and his band were one of many bandit clans who stalked the lawless regions in the demon lands. Until recently he had no more ambition than to raid and kill at will. Then King Manacia had sent an emissary to offer a bargain. Sarn would be granted royal permission to strike across the Forbidden Desert, seeking human riches and prey. The King wanted nothing in return but information. Sarn was to sweep west along the Gods Divide, mapping all major byways. Manacia was particularly interested in a particular placea route that legend said would lead over the mountain range. Sarn didn't ask why King Manacia wanted such information. Whatever the reason, Sarn was certain it'd be soldier's workdangerous, with little hope of bootyand therefore of no concern to Sarn and the other bandits. When he was done Sarn would return across the desert, saddlebags and pack animals laden with treasure.

As he weighed Badawi's fate it occurred to him his foray might be made easier if he had a willing human guide. And Badawi certainly appeared willing.

"Tell me, human, he said, Do you know of a place called Kyrania?"

"Kyrania? Badawi cried. Kyrania? Why, Master, there isn't another man within a hundred leagues who knows the way to Kyrania better than this, your most desolate slave."

Sarn nodded in satisfaction. He turned to Giff. Let him live for now, he said. It seems this human swine may be of use to us."

Badawi wept in relief. He came to his feet, bowing and blubbering. Oh, thank you, kind master, he wailed. May the gods smile on all your efforts."

But even thenlife still hanging in the balanceBadawi's greed reared up.

He dried his eyes, saying, I'm, uh, reluctant to bring up a small matter, master. A boon, if you please, for serving you. When we arrive at my farm do what you like. He waved his arms. All that's mine is yours, master, he said. Except… well, there's this white camel, you see. It isn't much, master. No breeding at all. Worthless to anyone. But I've grown fond of her, master. And if you'd only"

Sarn's claw shot forward and Badawi's jaws snapped shut, cutting off the rest. The demon beckoned and Badawi's mouth became a parched desert when he saw the length of the demon's razor talons. He took an obedient step forward, then was rocked as a great smothering force enveloped him. It fell over him like a fisherman's net, dragging him toward the demon chieftain. His throat clogged in fear and he couldn't speak, much less breathe. He staggered forward, drawn by the demon's spell.

Badawi trembled as his chest touched the longest talon, jutting like a curved blade. And still he couldn't stop. The spell made him press forward until the talon pierced first his robe, then his flesh. Blood flowed, staining his robes. The pain was unbearable but no matter how hard his mind struggled he couldn't regain his will. He felt the talon cutting deeper. Then he heard Sarn laugh and suddenly the spell was gone and he was free.

Badawi fell to the ground clutching his wound, too frightened to do more than groan.

"If you want to live, human, Sarn said, you will do all I command. Without question. And you will never ask anything in return."