"I also question the nature of the emergency."

He pointed at the bas relief. This is very kind of negativism that is at the root of our problems, Your Majesty!"

Protarus lifted his head, interested.

"We are terrorizing your subjects, Majesty, Kalasariz continued, with all this bad news. It feeds rumor that things are worse. It makes rebels out of weak men. It makes good honest subjects lie to your tax gatherers when they come to collect. And hold back vast amounts of money that rightfully belong to you.

"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.