‘Are you suggesting that I abandon my ties to the Empire and serve you?’
‘I will not command you, Samuel, for I respect your individuality and your value for life. It is something that few of my wizards possess. I only hope you will serve the good of the land. You know much about magic and I know you are much stronger than you have yet shown. My spies have reports on you more detailed than you could imagine. A magician of your unique properties can do wondrous things. I can give you your own Order, free to direct as you choose.’
‘And you would free the Empress and her son, and give them homes in your city?’
‘They are already free, although restricted by walls as you are restricted to the palace. They will be as royalty and never want of anything, I promise, but I can never allow them total freedom. Given the choice, I am sure they will not mind choosing a limited freedom to death.’
Samuel considered the proposition. ‘Then I agree. I will stay and assist you however I can. I only have one condition.’
‘What is it?’
‘I need you to free the rest of my friends.’
‘I would like to grant your wish, but I cannot risk having rogue magicians roaming my palace. Om-rah would tear my city apart if he even suspected that I was keeping Balten hidden away from him. That infernal man has an unfortunate history with my people, so I’m afraid he will need to stay where he is for a while longer-at least until he learns his lesson-and he may die before that. I’m actually surprised that he dared to come back here, knowing full well what awaited him. Your injured friend, too, will need to have patience. He is faring much better than poor Balten, but I need him kept where he can’t get up to any mischief. He has been quite vocal in his cell and he is too powerful to be released until he becomes a little more…manageable. Don’t worry, my healers are taking care of him and he is not suffering. The others, however, will be freed as you desire. The one called Ferse and the Koian, Canyon, will be released and restricted to the palace, on similar termsasyou and the Koian woman. I expect you to speak to them and care for them as Utik’cah has for you. I can’t expect him to spend all his time chasing after you all. He has my armies to command and much other business to attend to.’
‘Very well. But if you don’t want magicians causing trouble, why do you let me roam free? Aren’t you afraid of what I might do?’
‘Oh, Samuel,’ she said, amused by his comments, and she leaned over andpattedhis cheek, much to his chagrin. ‘You look so cute when you say such silly things.’
Their barge had now cleared the city and was idling along in the middle of the river at the beckand callof the current. The oarsmen had ceased rowing and stood stiffly in their places, awaiting further command. At this point, the river had grown wide and shallow, so that Samuel could see the bottom not far beneath their vessel.
‘Follow me,’ Alahativa said and stood, offering her hand to Samuel. He took it and she led him to the side of the barge, where she leaned upon the handrail with her slender fingers and looked out upon her fields.
‘This was once a barren land. I brought the river from the stones andmadefields from the sand. I made life where there was none, and from this spring of life came my people, almost as if from my own womb. I have never had children of my own, but I love each and every one of my people, and they love me. How do you think that feels, Samuel, to be the mother of so many? I must care for them always,beeternally worried for them,remainever mindful of their every suffering. I did not go to war wantonly. The desert sands have begun to devour my pastures and there is no force that can prevent that from happening. I have built this Empire from nothing but sand and I will not see it return to that. I sought a treaty with your Emperor long ago, but he treated my diplomats with contempt and refused, instead sending spies into my deserts to find me-but find me he did not. I did not choose war, but it has been forced upon me. Ajaspah is coming and the Star of Osirah has helped fortify my resolve. My people will fight with the strength of lions and only when the lands of theWest are theirs, will they rest. I have only killed when required and there have been many more battles won without a drop of blood being spilt than those that have required a violent resolution. I have never heard of your Empire holdingoutsuch care for life.’
‘Any bloodshed is unacceptable.’
‘That does not reflect reality, Samuel, and you know it. I know that you harboured a desire to ruin the Empire. I would have thought you could share some of my vision. But perhaps you would enjoy proving yourself useful? My warriors are already fierce and loyal and Utik’cah trains them well, but my wizards lack the strength that you and your friends possess.’
She looked at him expectantly and Samuel took the suggestion willingly. ‘Perhaps I can instruct them further. But what of your arch-wizard-Om-rah?’
‘He has become much too focussed on his own experiments and has let the education of the others suffer. I will speak to him about this and see if we cannot find a way to introduce you without upsetting him too much.’
Samuel raised an eyebrow. ‘I didn’t think any of your servants could deny any request you made? Is Om-rah not afraid of your axemen?’
Alahativa feigned offence. ‘Oh, Samuel. What a terrible thing to say. Everyone in myEmpire can speak openly.’
He forced a thoughtful nod of agreement. ‘Forgive me. I have obviously assumed in error.’
She shouted out a command in the Paatin tongue and her oarsmen snapped into life, half-digging their oars in deep while the others reversed their strokes, setting the barge to spin until they were facing back upstream.
‘You know, Samuel, I think your answer to my question was not entirely honest. Perhaps you sought to judge from my reaction?’
‘Oh?’ Samuel responded. ‘What do you mean?’
‘We both know which characteristic you value most. It is inherent in you-as much a part of yourself as your flesh and bones.’
‘And what is that?’
‘Tenacity. The true victor never gives uponanything he begins. I see that in you, Samuel, as I see it in myself. That is what has brought us together.’
‘Perhaps you are right,’ Samuel told her. ‘While others begin what they believe in, it is only the stubborn who persevere long enough to reach their goal.’
The Paatin Queen smiled and nodded in agreement. She stepped lightly back to her chair and Samuel followed as the vessel crawled back towards the city of Hol. She had given him a clear message: she would not trust him just yet and she knew he would not give up on his mission quite so easily.
‘What happened?’ the Koian woman asked, waiting impatiently in his room for his return.
‘We have more time,’ he told her. ‘And I know where the Empress is being kept. At least, I know where she is not. I’m sure she is not in the dungeons, and I feel she is not in the city but perhaps in another place nearby. The Queen would not risk me stumbling upon her-not yet.’
‘So what will you do?’
‘I need to find out more about where she could be. But,even so, I can’t go yet. I still need to find a way to get the ring from Alahativa’s finger.’
‘If that ring is truly the source of her power, I can’t imagine her ever taking it off.’
‘We shall see.’
‘Do you have a plan?’ she asked him.
‘Not yet, but I am thinking of something.’
‘You say that a lot, Magician,’ she said sourly, then after a moment she piped up quite suddenly. ‘I spoke to her a few days ago.’
‘To whom?’
‘That witch-the Paatin Queen.’
‘What did she say?’
‘She didn’t say anything. She asked me some questions and I answered them-but that wasn’t what she wanted.’
‘Oh?’
‘She wanted to see me-compare me to herself. That is how she thinks. She is vain. She walked around me and examined me, like a wolf encircling a sheep. It made me shiver, but,as she spoke,I learned something important about her.’
‘Wh
at is that?’
‘Everything she says is a lie. Even when she believes she is speaking the truth, she is only deceiving herself. Her only ambition is to retain her position as their leader,of being adored. Everything she does is to reinforce her own image and to gain even greater power. She is selfish in every way.’
‘Then this may surprise you. She agreed to let Sir Ferse and Ambassador Canyon free.’
At this, the Koian stamped her foot. ‘I don’t want that fiend anywhere near me!’
‘I thought you wanted to kill him?’
‘I do, but not now-when I am ready. He has a way of telling me things and I always end up believing him.’
‘Then just don’t,’ Samuel said.
‘I wish it were that easy, but I cannot help it.’
‘Then suit yourself,’ he told her.
With that, she stormed out from his room and slammed the door behind her once more. He heard her stomp into her own room and slam that door too, before noisily throwing around the furniture, amid wails of dismay from Shara, her old attendant. Samuel smiled at this, for he felt satisfaction at raising the girl’s ire. Every time he broke through her hard exterior and forced her to show some emotion, it felt like a small victory.
The others were freed as promised and Utik’cah described to Samuel where the Emperor and Ambassador Canyon would be roomed. It was one floor above their own, in asuiteof rooms that matched Samuel’s own in size and design. He made his way upstairs and found the two of them standing confounded in the ambassador’s room, with a set of Paatin beauties standing idly nearby, waiting to be told what to do.
‘Samuel!’ the Emperor declared on sight of him. ‘How wonderful to see you! You look as if you’ve been treated well. I see our hosts have taken care of you much better thanthey did of me.’
‘So to speak,’ Samuel replied. ‘You both look well, considering.’
‘I must say the room and meals left much to be desired, but see what enough complaining has brought me? Now we’ve been given the best suites in the palace!’
‘Where did they keep you? In the caverns?’
‘Unfortunately, yes, but we were treated relatively well. I heard several poor sods being tortured and the likes. I can only be thankful we did not receive the same treatment.’
‘Samuel,’ Ambassador Canyon said anxiously. ‘Where is my god? Have you seen her?’
‘She is well; living just below you in fact, in the room beside mine. She is doing well, despite a small mishap.’
‘What happened?’ he asked, sounding panic-stricken.
‘Oh, nothing of great importance. She took a fall and needed a morning in bed. She got over it very quickly.’
The Koian manbreatheda sigh of relief at this. ‘I have been terrified this entire time-not for me, but for her. What a relief to learn she is safe.’
Samuel was not inclined to believe him at all.
‘So what do we do now?’ the Emperor asked. ‘What are we expected to do?’
‘Nothing. Just sit and wait. You can roam the palace as much as you want, but if you attempt to leave,they will probably kill you. The gardens are as far as you can venture.’
‘We’re free to go outside?’ Canyon asked.
‘Yes. The Queen has granted you her hospitality. Just don’t do anything foolish.’
‘What did you have to do to seal that bargain?’ Canyon asked suspiciously.
‘Nothing,’ Samuel replied. ‘Yet.’
‘Have you found the Empress?’ the Emperor asked.
‘Not yet, but I am nearly there. I just need a little more time to narrow down the search.’
Canyon asked to meet his god after that and Samuel became their guide in the palace. He took them to the Koian woman, who showed no emotion on seeing her countryman and he left them alone to talk, hinting to the girl that he would be next door if she needed him, but she only scowled at him and flicked her finger at him to go.
Samuel called for Utik’cah and the man seemed unhappy that he had been summoned, as if he had been dragged from some important task
‘Alahativa has told me you are free now to do as you please. There is no need to call for me any longer. You know your way around the palace and any of the palace servants will see to your needs, if you can make your intent known.’
‘I would like to see your Queen.’
‘As I have mentioned before, Lord Samuel, one can only go before Alahativa when one is summoned, unless it is truly important.’
‘Then take me to her. It is important.’
Utik’cah sighed and led Samuel away, but this time they climbed into a higher section of the palace that they had not visited before. They passed through a series of narrow, rounded passageways, each decorated with translucent curtains of varying colours that they had to push aside.
‘How many cities are there hidden in the desert?’ Samuel asked as they walked.
‘Nothing is hidden. We all know where our settlements lie. It is only that you don’t. But,to answer your question,this is the only city. Alahativa allows this place to exist, but the desert will not normally support such great populations. We have a few small towns, but most Paatin are wanderers.’
‘I understand there is onesmall townnearby.’
‘Yes-Yi’sit. That is perhaps the next largest settlement after Hol, but it is minuscule in comparison. Its life springs from a small well.’
‘I have not seen many wizards here. Is that where they all live and study?’
‘You are perceptive, Lord Samuel.’
‘And what else is there?’
‘I think it is better you ask Alahativa such questions.’
At that, Samuel smiled, for he was getting to know his Paatin mentor well, and they hadapproacheda topic that the man could notdiscuss. It bode well, from Samuel’s point of view.
Veiled serving girls drew back lush,velvet curtains as they neared their destination. Utik’cah stopped with Samuel at the entrance, and left him to continue in on his own.
Some of the servants had apparently made the Paatin Queen aware of his presence, as she presently called for him from the rear of the room. Samuel ventured in, under the long-lashed gazes of the many waiting girls and women. He had no idea what all of them could possibly be busying themselves with, for their only duties seemed to involve their presence, but he had little time to continue such thoughts.
‘Come, Samuel,’ called the Desert Queen.
Samuel hesitated before another curtained section of the room, but one of the servants whispered to him in the Paatin tongue and motioned for him to continue, so he found the point where the curtains overlapped, and he slipped inside.
He found himself in a small area of cushions, surrounded with candles on stands. Alahativa was sitting amongst the rugs and pillows.
‘Come, sit beside me,’ she urged and Samuel again found himself feeling uncomfortable beneath her hungry gaze.
He went to tread on her cushions but she raised a warning finger and pointed to his sandals, which he deftly slipped off before sitting beside her.
‘I am glad you have come, Samuel,’ she said. ‘I was only just thinking of you. I have something to ask.’
‘Tell me. What is it?’
‘I was not going to demand this of you so quickly, but your appearance tonight is fortuitous, for I have received worrying news. I hear your friends are enjoying my hospitality. Now I have something to ask of you. You are familiar with my arch-wizard-Om-rah?’
‘Yes. Of course.’
‘Then you know that he has become something unnatural. He was once a man, but he has delved too deep into his magics, and they have changed him. Until now, I looked upon him as a resource and a blessing. He has always been loyal to me, but his mind is becoming less and less rational. He is becoming a danger to me and to those around him.’
‘And now that you have me, he is no longer required.’
‘That it perhaps an interesting way of wording it, but yes. As I said, Samuel, the war is all
but won. Beasts like him will not be required in my new world. He has grown so powerful that I am not sure I could stop him if I wished. Can you do it? If you live, you will be my new arch-wizard-if that is what interests you.’ She leaned forward and stroked his stubbled chin with her finger. ‘But I forget; you are not compelled by such propositions of power. Be that as it may, you can take the title or not. It will be yours if you choose, but Om-rah is a threat to me. Will you kill him for me? Can you do it?’
Samuel let himself appear thoughtful for a few moments. ‘I can. I will. But as you know, my full power has not yet returned. I will need your help.’
‘I will not assist you in this, Samuel. I am a Queen and I cannot be seen to oppose him-not after all I have done to raise him to the state of a demigod. And he is immune to the poisons and potions I could normally use for this kind of purpose. A scuffle with Om-rah could become quite messy if not ended quickly. And I know what you are about to ask. My ring never leaves my finger, Samuel. I will not let you use it, even for this.’
‘Then it poses quite a problem. I’m not sure if I can do it. He is very powerful.’
‘Then let me think about it, also. In the meantime, there are other matters which we can discuss.’ She leaned even closer and whispered in his ear. ‘I know you are unlike my wizards, Samuel. You have not been“ unmanned”and you still possess the spark of youth, unlike your fellow magicians. Magic has not sapped your strength and I must admit this has been one of the things that has intrigued me most about you.’ Samuel leaned away, but she smiled demurely and sat up beside him. As the fabric of her gown slid, he realised it was altogether transparent, revealing her perfect body underneath. He turned his head instinctively, but she grasped his chin and pulled him back towards her, stifling her amusement at his embarrassment.
‘Why do you laugh at me?’ he asked.
‘For a young man, you are so prudish, Samuel. I don’t mean to offend you, but you are such a source of entertainment to me. I lay myself before you and you sit tightly, as if we were discussing trade or politics or something equally bland.’
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