by Allan Cole
"Vast amounts, Your Majesty. Vast."
"That's theft! Protarus said, angered by the sudden vision of mean-spirited citizens burying huge chests of gold in their cellars.
"Exactly, Your Majesty, Kalasariz said. Theft. No kinder word to put on it. And I propose we end it at once!"
"How would you do this? Protarus asked.
Kalasariz looked around at the huge assembly, then back at the king.
"I think it would be best discussed in private, Majesty, he said.
****
"I won't do it, Iraj, Safar said. It may be in Kalasariz nature to make such a great lie, but it's not in mine."
"How do you know it will be a lie? Protarus said.
The two men were alone in the king's quarters. Less than an hour before Kalasariz, vigorously supported by Luka and Fari, had outlined his plan. Safar's opposition had been so heated Iraj had sent the three away so he could reason with him in private.
"Kalasariz had a good point about the effect all the negative news is having on the stability of the kingdom, Iraj continued.
"Lies won't make things better, Safar said.
"Again, Iraj said, I don't see where anyone was proposing to lie. Kalasariz merely suggested we declare a national feastday. A feastday that would point up the positive, rather than the negative."
"And what of the casting? Safar asked. The casting that I, as your Grand Wazier, am supposed to oversee?"
"What's wrong with asking the gods when this long crisis will end? Iraj said.
"A great deal, Safar replied, considering that Kalasariz already had the answer he wanted me to report to all Esmir."
He held up a single finger. One year! He shook his head, disgusted. One year… and the world will be well again."
"That's a good number, Iraj said, If people believe things will be better in a year, they won't be so tight-fisted with tax money. Hells, I can even raise the taxes. An emergency measure, like you suggested."
"But on the poor, Safar said, not the rich."
Protarus sighed. It was a good idea, Safar. Not enough money to be gained, but a sound idea just the same.
"Unfortunately it wasn't something I could ever do."
"Why not?"
Another sigh. These are the beings I eat dinner with, Safar. When I entertain, they are my guests. When I hunt, I hunt with them. They're my friends, after all. I don't want to sit around the table with everyone mad at me because I slapped a fat tax on them."
Safar didn't answer.
Protarus looked at him, then nodded, saying, I suppose you're thinking if there are some things I won't do, then I should understand when you have similar reservations."
"Something like that, Safar said.
Actually he'd been thinking how revealing Protarus statement had been. He'd rather starve the starving because he didn't want his wealthy friends mad at him.
"And if we did have a big public casting ceremony, Iraj said, and you saw many difficult years aheadrather than only oneyou'd feel honor bound to report it. Is that right?"
Safar tried to lighten the situation with a smile. Only some of it would be due to honor, Iraj, he said.
"After all, I've got my wizardly reputation at stake. When a year passed and the troubles continued no one would trust me again."
Protarus studied him for a long moment. Then he returned the smile, but his eyes were shielded.
"I can see how you might consider it too great a sacrifice to make, he said.
The meeting ended on that dissatisfying note.
Just before Safar left, the king said, Oh, I almost forgot."
Safar was at the door. What was that?"
"The captain of my guard says it's time for Leiria to drop by the palace for a little brush up on her training."
"I'll be sure to tell her, Safar said.
As soon as the door closed behind him Kalasariz came out of a side room. Behind him were Luka and Fari.
"I'm glad you signaled for us to linger within hearing, Majesty, Kalasariz said. That was a most revealing conversation.
"And I must say you handled him quite smoothly, Majesty. Quite."
****
It was night when Safar's carriage made the approach to the grand mansion. It was raining so heavily even the Demon Moon was obscured from view.
"Who is this Lady Fatinah, Safar? Leiria asked.
"I'm not quite sure, he answered. Other than she may or may not be a notorious woman."
"She must be more than that, Leiria said, to get the Grand Wazier himself to show up at her welcoming banquet."
Safar peered through the curtains, but the night was so black all he could see was his own reflection in the glass.
"It's that chief clerk of mine, Safar said. He can't resist a bribe. I'd get rid of him, but the extra money he earns dishonestly makes him so efficient I have the best kept schedule of any administrator in Esmir."
"You could have refused, Leiria said. She gave him a teasing smile. But I suppose you're as curious to see her as every man in the city. It's said she's quite beautiful."
"I never know when the event is the result of bribery, or duty, Safar said. It's easier just to go to all of them. Linger an hour or so for appearances sake, then slip off."
"And it doesn't hurt that she's beautiful, Leiria said.
Safar laughed. And notorious, he said. Don't forget that."
Leiria laughed with him, a lovely and exotic woman in her own right in her best dress uniform.
But Safar took note she was unusually inquisitive that night.
And her training session at the palace had been that same morning.
Interesting.
****
Nerisa saw him come in.
The rain had made the guests tardy but after a time she'd despaired Safar would be among the later arrivals. It had been a difficult evening, doing her best to be a charming and witty hostess to a group of strangers, while at the same time preparing herself for the moment when he arrived.
She didn't want to him think she'd come all this way because she required something. The Lady Fatinah was quite capable of taking care of herself and didn't need a maneven though he might be the Grand Wazierto fend for her. No, she had a duty to perform. A too long delayed duty.
As for her girlish crush on Safar, it was years ago and was, after all, just thatgirlish. Safar was kindly enough at the time to see it and not humiliate her.
She determined when they met she'd be as calm and cool as everyone expected the Lady Fatinah to be.
Then she saw him at the door. One minute the entryway was empty, the next a liveried servant was leading him in.
Someone pointed her out to him and he raised his head and he smiled as their eyes met.
Nerisa was lost.
His eyes were just as blue as she remembered.
****
Safar was stunned when he saw the woman approach. The Lady Fatinah was every bit as beautiful as people had said. Perhaps even more so in her stunning black gown, cut low to reveal a pearly bosom. The dress clung to her, showing off her long slender figure.
But her face was a cold shield when she came close, hand outstretched to welcome him. The coldness put Safar off, as did her thin smile. This was clearly a woman out for the main advantage, he thought. His clerk had taken a bribe and that was that.
Then their fingers touched and Safar felt her shiver. He looked into her eyessaw the dancing flecks of gold. He saw her lips turn up in a familiar crooked smiled.
"It's Nerisa, Master! Gundara hissed from his breast pocket. Nerisa!"
But Safar had already seen and known. He was in shock, seeing little Nerisa raised from the dead to come back as the beauteous Lady Fatinah.
Nerisa gave his hand a warm, firm squeeze.
She whispered, Don't give me away. Then, loud enough for all to hear, How kind of you to visit my humble home, Lord Timura."
Safar murmured a suitably polite reply.
"I fear we've started without you, My Lord, Nerisa said, poin
ting at the tables of food. Why don't we dispense with formalities and join the others before you starve to death?
"Perhaps, if you are still in a generous mood, we can have a little chat later and get to know one another."
Safar came unstuck enough to make an awkward bow. In a daze he let a servant lead him over to the banquet area.
Only when he sat down did he realize he'd left Leiria in the entryway without orders. He turned his head and saw her looking in his direction, her face like stone. He whispered a message for a servant to carry to her, saying she could join the other bodyguards in the pantry. But when the message was delivered he saw Leiria give a furious shake of her head, hiss something back, then exit into the storm.
When the servant returned Safar wasn't surprised at her reply: Please tell his Lordship thank you, but I shall wait in his carriage."
This was not good.
Then he heard Nerisa laughthat natural earthy laugh breaking through her facadeand he forgot all about Leiria.
****
The rain had made the banquet late, but it also caused it to break up early. The guests streamed out, saying they had a lovely time but Her Ladyship would understand that with the storm they had to hurry home.
Nerisa murmured polite good-byes, but the whole time her attention was fixed on Safar, tarrying in an out-of-the-way corner near the verandah. It was as if all the years between them had collapsed into but a few days or weeks. Old emotions were new again, swift torrents hammering against her mature resolve.
She called herself a fool, thinking it was only the stress of the meeting churning up silly emotions. And even if she did still have tender feelings for him, Safar had never shared those feelings. He'd only been kind to an orphan waif. Kindness did not equal love.
Once again she steeled herself and when the last guest was gone she strolled over as casually and easily as any great lady going to greet an old, dear friend.
But when she reached him he leaped to his feet, saying, By the gods, Nerisa, I thought you were dead!"
And he crushed her into his arms.
****
Outside, Leiria huddled in the carriage, peering through the curtains. Even in the downpour she could make out Safar's familiar figure pacing in front of the wide glass verandah doors.
She saw another figure approacha woman's slender figure.
Lightning crashed, momentarily blinding her.
When her vision returned she saw Safar and the woman embracing.
****
The last vestiges of Methydia's gentle spell of forgetfulness vanished when Nerisa came into his arms.
A thousand and one thoughts and emotions burst forward, while another thousand and one crowded behind, demanding to be heard.
But all he could say was, Nerisa, my little Nerisa."
He kissed her hair, her cheeks, the tears flowing from her eyes, crushing her against him as if the tightness of his embrace would keep her from turning into a ghost and wisping away.
Then their lips met and the embrace become something else altogether.
It happened so abruptly there was no time for questioning, much less surprise.
****
Nerisa melted against him, weeping and murmuring his name. She was in a dream, an old sweet dream, and her Safar was holding her close, kissing her, whispering endearments. Passion firing them both beyond control.
She opened her eyes and saw her major domo's shocked face reflected in the glass of verandah doors. But she didn't care and she waved a curt dismissal just as Safar swept her off the floor.
And she said, Yes, yes, please, yes, and somehow she directed him to her rooms.
Then they were in the big soft bed, tearing at each other's clothes.
****
"After I fled Walaria, Nerisa said much later, I became a caravan lad."
She smiled at the memory, nestling deeper into Safar's arms. I always did play a good boy."
Safar gently caressed her. You wouldn't have such an easy time of it now, he said.
Nerisa giggled. Actually, it became a problem fairly quickly, she said. I suddenly bloomed, as the old grannies gently put it. One day my breeches didn't fit over my hips. The next, I was bursting the seams of my lad's shirt. I had to bind myself down and get looser clothes."
"Did no one ever suspect? Safar asked.
She shook her head. Never. Oh, I got a few odd looks once in awhile. But that was the extent of it. Second glances, nothing more."
Safar said, That leaves a great leap from caravan lad to the rich Lady Fatinah."
"I suppose it does, Nerisa answered. Although it didn't seem like it at the time. I had some money. The gold you gave me. I invested a little of it in some of the caravan goods, made a good profit and invested more."
Nerisa laughed. I found I had a talent for merchanting. All those years as a little thief served me well when it came to picking out bargains and quality goods.
"After a time I had enough to become a minor partner of a very wealthy caravan master."
"Lord Fatinah, by any chance? Safar asked.
Nerisa made a face. It's true he was named Fatinah, she said. But he was no lord. He was a merchant, nothing more. Old, fat and kindly. At least I thought he was being kindly. He treated me like a son."
Another laugh. As it turned out, he merely had a weakness for handsome boys."
Safar stirred. You mean, he…?"
"He… nothing, Nerisa said. Fatinah was an honorable old man. He believed it unseemly to take advantage. I never even knew his feelings toward me… or the boy he thought I was… until just before he died. Then he confessed all. Swore he loved me. And handed me a will, saying I was to inherit all."
"That's when I became a woman… and his widow. The will would never have stood, otherwise. No one would understand, much less believe, that he'd give such a fortune to a mere boy. So I invented our marriage. Paid certain sums to certain people to draw up the necessary documents. No one ever questioned an old man would be fool enough to give his money away to a grasping young woman.
"Even so, the rumors started that I'd killed him. Especially after I purchased the necessary background to make him a nobleman."
"No one ever questioned that? Safar asked.
Nerisa came up on an elbow, that crooked grin of hers playing on her face. A smile that brought a pang of love to Safar's heart, rather than its lesser cousin, Fondness.
"If you play the royal, she said, and you play it well, no one questions anything. Especially if you have money.
"Besides, in these times there's so much chaos all of Esmir is turned upside down. I took advantage of that chaos, running caravans into places no one else dared go. I suppose I made a profit on the troubles of others. But I brought them what they needed. Bought what they no longer had use for. And consoled myself with the thought that I'm Misery's child.
"I believed I had a right."
"I suppose you do, Safar said. Once I'd have said otherwise. She smiled at this. But there are so many greater thieves in this world, thieves who will steal dreams. Thieves who break you. Thieves who would kill all you love, require you to watch, then kill you as well.
"And then steal your heart out of your body to make a sorcerer's meal."
Nerisa embraced himtwining arms and legs about him. Made her body as soft as she could for a shield that would protect him and comfort him from all the devils tormenting him.
She was Nerisa, the thief of Walaria, and she would allow no man she loved to come to harm.
****
Later she took him into the nursery to meet Palimak. The child was awake, hazel eyes reflecting the candle she carried.
Nerisa picked the child up, wrapping his favorite crib blanket close around him. He was a tubby little thing with dark hair, olive skin and pearly milk teeth.
"This is Safar, she said to the child. The one I've been telling you about all these months."
She made a nervous smile at Safar. This is Palimak, she said.
&nbs
p; "My son."
Palimak turned his chubby little face to look at Safar. He kicked his feet in delight and smiled.
His eyes lit up and with a shock Safar saw the hazel turn to a glowing yellow.
Demon yellow!
Nerisa's heart plummeted when she the look on her lover's face.
Safar managed a faint smile and held out a hand. Palimak grabbed his foremost finger and squeezed.
"He's strong! Safar said, dredging a compliment from the depths of his confusion.
Nerisa turned her face to Palimak, hiding her feelings. Of course he's strong, she said. Aren't you strong, my Palimak? The strongest little boy in the world!"
The child gurgled pleasure. Then he threw up, soiling himself and Nerisa's sleeping gown.
"Oh, you bad boy, you! Nerisa scolded. Here I'm trying to show you off and you play the little pig."
Then she burst into tears.
Safar sat beside her, putting his arms around both of them.
"Why are you crying? he asked. Children make messes. That's what they do! Besides making you love them, of course.
"Ask my sisters what a mess I was! No. Come to think of it, don't. They will tell you in excruciating detail what a dirty little boy I was."
Instead of calming her, the words infuriated Nerisa.
"That's not why I'm crying! she said. As you know very well!"
She reached into her gown, drew out an object and threw it on the bed.
"Here! she said. Here's your damned old knife."
Safar stared at it. It was the silver dagger Coralean had given him long ago.
Nerisa wiped her eyes, pulling herself together. That's why I came here, she said. To return the dagger. It's yours. It was wrong of me to keep it. And I was a fool, a stupid, weak fool, to deliver it to you myself instead of sending a messenger."
Palimak stared to cry, which made Nerisa angrier. There, you see what you've done!"
Safar was confused. What have I done?"