"And after?"

"Olinio's agreed to leave the city. After what happened, he thinks we should make ourselves scarce." Bep shifted awkwardly. "It's probably best . . ."

"If I don't come with you? I wasn't planning to."

"No offense. You'd put us in danger. And if you stay, you'll put your boy in danger, too. He seems well enough. Don't start bristling, you know what I mean. For whatever reason, the Zheron has taken him under his wing. Else he'd be with the rest of the slaves."

"Are you suggesting I leave him here?"

"I'm suggesting you watch your step. You stand out in a crowd, Darak. And you don't have the language. How will you manage without . . . on your own?"

"I don't know."

"Well, think about it."

"I just buried my friend. I haven't slept. Can't I just-"

"You've got the rest of your life to mourn Urkiat. And to sleep. If you're not careful, the rest of your life could be awful short."

The brief flare of anger died.

"Do you want my advice?" Bep asked.

"Do I have a choice?"

"Nay. First, put on your clothes."

He rose, obedient as a child, and slapped the sand off his body. He pulled on his tunic and breeches, but when he started to lace his shoes, his hands shook so badly that Bep had to tie them. He stared at his hands, bemused. They had cleaned the blood off Urkiat, carried him to the cart, dug out a grave, and piled stones above it. Throughout it all, they had been utterly steady.

"Get your share of the money from Olinio now. While he's feeling guilty. Trust me, that won't last. Then find a place to hide. Maybe where we camped last night. You'll be harder to find in a crowd than if you're alone."

Darak gazed down the beach. "There's only one flaw in that plan."

"What?"

He nodded at the men marching toward them. "Seems they've already found me."

Chapter 35.

MALAQ WAVED THE SLAVES away and surveyed his chamber critically. Satisfied, he placed the small clay disk on the table and wiped the few specks of red dust off his hands with a napkin. The other two disks remained in his bedchamber; he hoped he would not need them.

When he'd asked for the safe conducts, Vazh had inundated him with questions.

"Don't ask why. Just do this for me. For friendship's sake."

It was the first time in his life he had ever seen fear on Vazh's face.

Perhaps there was no need for fear. But twice, Malaq had gone to the queen's chamber, requesting permission to speak with her, and twice, he had been turned away. She was still recovering from The Shedding. She had a tiring reception this afternoon and the formal banquet this evening. Likely, she was saving her strength. Likely, she was seeing no one. But no matter how many explanations he found, the anxiety remained: what if Xevhan had already given her his version of the events?

He'd been disturbed to learn that the leader of the players would be meeting with Xevhan. In the end, though, he decided it was better to let him keep his appointment. The blind girl would sing. Xevhan would drool over her. And the revolting Olinio would add Xevhan's payment for last night's performance to the fat purse of serpents Malaq had given him to speed him on his way.

Barely midday and he was already weary. And he would need all his energy and concentration for this meeting.

When the guard respectfully requested permission to enter, he took a deep breath. The players were taken care of. Now, he must ensure that Kheridh's father left Pilozhat.

"Enter."

Darak Spirit-Hunter strode through the doorway. His astonishing pale gaze flicked over him in brief a.s.sessment before surveying the room. Searching for Kheridh or examining his escape routes? Both, probably. And looking for Xevhan whom he clearly had expected to find.

Malaq was relieved to discover that Kheridh had gotten his coloring from his mother. Still, a perceptive observer would notice the similarities: the slanting cheekbones, the knife-edged nose, the square chin. The height, too, although Kheridh had yet to fill out his gawky frame. When he did, he would be as imposing as the man before him. If he lived that long.

The guards gripped the Spirit-Hunter's broad shoulders. He made no sound as his knees. .h.i.t the floor, but the frown deepened.

"Enough. Wait outside."

The guards bowed and backed out of the chamber.

"Please. Rise."

If the Spirit-Hunter was surprised by the tribal tongue, he gave no indication. He rose with easy grace, although he must be close to forty summers. G.o.ds, the man was a giant. He kept his hands lightly clasped in front of him. Did he always hide his maimed hands from strangers or did he fear his ident.i.ty had been discovered?

Malaq kept his face impa.s.sive, but excitement made his heart beat faster. Darak Spirit-Hunter. How much of the tale was true? How much the usual exaggeration of the story-tellers?

"Please." Malaq gestured to the table. "Let us sit."

After they were seated, he clapped his hands once. The Spirit-Hunter tensed, then relaxed as the slaves filed in. Malaq had deliberately ordered a lavish meal. Let him see how a priest lives in Pilozhat. Let him note the opulence of the surroundings, the plethora of food. Let him realize that his son had been living like this, not as a prisoner or a slave. And let him wonder how easily a boy-abandoned by his own people-might be seduced by such splendor.

Try as he might to look disinterested, the Spirit-Hunter studied each platter they laid on the table, taking in the roasted squab, the mussels swimming in oil and spices, the steaming slabs of bread, the bowls of jhok and avhash. Expressionless, he examined the thick napkins, the pottery plates painted with brilliant spirals of green and gold.

"I thought you might be hungry," Malaq said with a deprecating shrug.

"I am."

The voice was as he'd imagined, deep and resonant, but the admission surprised him. He would have expected the man to deny it, to proudly refuse any food offered by his enemy. Instead, he tore off a piece of bread.

"Try the jhok," Malaq said, nodding toward the bowl. "It tastes better than it looks."

"I know."

"Would you care for wine?"

"Water, please. If you have it. I'd like to keep a clear head."

He was obviously exhausted, but there was keen awareness in the bloodshot eyes and even dry humor in the voice.

Malaq poured the water into a cup rather than a long-stemmed goblet. The Spirit-Hunter took it between both hands and drained it in a few thirsty gulps. Malaq refilled his cup and set the pitcher down. "If it's all the same to you, I prefer not to test your patience-or mine-by prolonging this exchange of pleasantries."

He actually smiled. "I would prefer that as-" He broke off, his expression suddenly wary. "Is it possible that . . . a wildcat could have gotten in here?"

Malaq laughed and swiveled around. "Yes. But she's quite tame." He sliced off a strip of squab and held it out. Niqia pulled it daintily from his fingers and dropped it onto the floor.

The Spirit-Hunter half-rose from his place, leaning on the table to watch her.

Dear G.o.ds.

He'd seen the same boyish wonder on Kheridh's face when they studied magic together, the same delighted smile when they were successful.

"She's small for a wildcat."

Still dazed from the revelation, Malaq struggled to gather his thoughts. "You mean you've seen one? In the wild?"

"Only once. And only for a moment."

"Niqia is a mixed breed. Very beautiful, but-" Failing to receive another treat, Niqia leaped onto the table, prepared to help herself. Malaq pulled the platter away. "But very spoiled."

"Or hungry."

The Spirit-Hunter reached for the knife resting on the platter of squab. Malaq tensed. The maimed hand hovered above the knife. The smile vanished. The pale eyes met his. "I'm not that foolish."

He was surprisingly deft with the knife; remember that, Malaq cautioned himself. After he sliced off a sliver of meat, he grasped it between his thumb and little fingers and held it out. Niqia picked her way through the platters, ostentatiously ignoring the outstretched fingers, then stalked back. Malaq watched the interplay of the two hunters, the one patient, the other wary. Finally, Niqia deigned to accept his offering. The Spirit-Hunter let his upturned hand rest on the table. When Niqia was finished, she sniffed his fingers cautiously and proceeded to lick them.

"She's taken a liking to you. She's fond of Kheridh as well."

The fingers twitched once and went still. Malaq scooped up Niqia and deposited her on the floor, deliberately prolonging the moment. "That's what we call your son. You, I believe, are called Spirit-Hunter by some, although your tribal t.i.tle is Memory-Keeper. You came to Pilozhat in search of Kheridh. Last night, you found him."

Other than the muscle twitching in his jaw, his face remained impa.s.sive. "You know a lot about me. May I ask who you are?"

"Forgive me. I am Malaq, the Pajhit-priest-of Heart of Sky. Kheridh has been under my protection since he arrived here. This morning, after-"

"Why?"

"I beg your pardon?"

"Why is he under your protection?"

"Because of his gift."

"His gift?"

Malaq pushed his wine goblet aside and leaned forward. "There is a prophecy among our people. That a boy will come to us. A boy with hair the color of the setting sun and the gift of speaking with our sacred adders. And he will lead our people into a new age. For generations, we have awaited the coming of the Son of Zhe."

The Spirit-Hunter's features relaxed. "You think Keirith is the son of your G.o.d?"

"No. Any doubts I might have had on that subject vanished when I saw you."

The frown returned. Was he unaware of the resemblance? Or was he worried that others might notice it as well?

"Perhaps I see what others do not. But your behavior-and his-during the Zheron's entertainment aroused . . . speculation. I can protect Kheridh. But I cannot protect you. You must leave Pilozhat today."

"Not without Keirith."

He put the slightest emphasis on his son's name. Malaq made a mental note to use his Zherosi name more frequently.

"You have come many miles to rescue Kheridh. And if he were in danger, I would send him away with you. Believe it or not, I want what is best for him."

"You have no idea what's best for Keirith."

"And you do?"

"Aye. He belongs at home. With his people."

"The same people who regard him as an abomination?"

Did the fingers tighten on the cup or was that wishful thinking?

"What future does Kheridh have in your village? At worst, he will be sacrificed for using his gift. At best, he will have to hide it the rest of his life."

"He'll learn to control it."

"And who will teach him that? You? Forgive me, but you don't understand it. Your Tree-Father? He was the first to compare Kheridh to the shaman who mutilated you."

"You know nothing about . . ."

In a quiet voice, Malaq finished the sentence. "Morgath."

"I know his name." The Spirit-Hunter had banished the savage edge from his voice, but for the first time, the effort at control showed.

"And I know this man also possessed an extraordinary ability to touch the spirits of others. That he used his power for evil. With my help, Kheridh will learn to understand his gift, to use it wisely. Here it will be revered. In your village . . ." Malaq shrugged. "He has some ability to shield himself from other spirits, but how long do you think it would be before he's provoked? Or succ.u.mbs to temptation? A wounded creature, screaming in pain. An eagle, begging him to fly once more. A tribe mate, threatening him or his family. Kheridh will will use the gift, Memory-Keeper. Just as-in a moment of fear and anger-he used it against you." use the gift, Memory-Keeper. Just as-in a moment of fear and anger-he used it against you."

That shook him. It had shaken Malaq when Kheridh revealed it to him earlier while they formulated their strategy for this meeting.

"I may not understand this power," the Spirit-Hunter said, "but I know my son. He would never choose to live among the murderers of his people."

"Our land is as harsh as our G.o.ds. To ensure its fertility, we offer the ultimate gift of human life."

"And what about the thousands of our people who weren't offered up as sacrifices but slaughtered by your raiders or carried off into slavery?"

Malaq adjusted the folds of his napkin. "These are difficult times in Zheros. Pestilence has decimated the ranks of our workers-"

"Slaves."

"-and drought has destroyed our crops. We require wood for our ships, land to feed our people. Your forests are rich, your soil fertile. In the past, we have offered . . . accommodations."