I certainly did not need a rumor likethat to begin spread- *ing. I set my drink down, and walked over to the legate, my face set hard. He tried to keep his smile, but it slowly vanished the closer I got There was some merit to the reputation Cimabuans have as impetuous brawlers, after all.

My hand shot out, and he flinched, no doubt expecting to be struck. Instead, I plucked the gla.s.s he was holding from his hand, and sniffed at it "Legate, I perceive you have been drinking. Otherwise, I know you would not have slandered one of this city's most reputable families."

This was an angle of attack he was not expecting. "Captain, I-"

"And now you argue with me?" I turned and caught the attention of Nexo's troop commander, Captain of the Lower Half Abercorn, senior to me with more time in grade. "Captain, if I may have a moment of your time?" Abercorn walked over.

"Captain, this legate of yours had the temerity to insult a friend of mine, Countess Agram nte and Lavedan, in the presence of these other officers. He is either a fool or a drunkard. I cannot, of course, call this lower-ranking man to account for his words, nor would I sully my blade with his blood willingly.

"I could call for him to appear before a court of honor. But considering the legate's youth and foolishness, might I suggest you impose a more fitting penalty for a stupid boy?"

Nexo was purple with rage and fright. He knew better than to say anything. I was beginning to enjoy myself. Captain Abercorn, not known for being a swift thinker, stammered, then said, of course, of course, this could not be permitted, and did I have a thought as to what might be appropriate?

"I do indeed, sir. Perhaps you might bar him from the mess for a month, and, since he evidently has a problem with the grape, from drink for a suitably longer time. If nothing else, it will reduce his mess bills."

"So ordered, sir. Legate, you heard what the captain said. Begone with you, and I never wish to hear of another such incident as long as you care to remain with the Helms!"

That took care of Legate Nexo. The rumor might persist, but it would travel well underground.

I still would rather have smashed his face in, but this more subtle army way of punishing Mm would be satisfactory. The only reason it had worked was, of course, because of the fear all these social climbers who called themselves soldiers had of offending a powerful family like the Agramontes or Lavedans. So I was going to play the fool after all. I thought about what sort of costume the fool should wear, and, for the first time in my Me, had to deal with the meaningless but worrisome trivia the very rich fill their lives with.

I could not attend in uniform, of course. I thought of Vachan, but that might trivialize the monkey G.o.d I revered. Legate Yonge had a simple solution: dig out the rags I'd used to disguise myself as a Kaiti and wear them. I considered that, but my skin crawled-they were my enemies, and I would not deign to enn.o.ble them in any way. Lance Karjan, who was definitely rising above himself, suggested I go naked and back into the room.

"What would that represent?' "Why, a breadroll, sir."

I sent him to the stables and went to Tenedos for advice. He was also going, with Rasenna. I'd spent a bit of time around her by then, and, since I never paid much mind to people's reputation in any area other man honesty, was beginningto like her. She had a well-honed wit, and specialized in skewering the pretensions of the n.o.bility who swarmed in the capital.

Tenedos said his outfit had been decided on already by the baroness: They'd be wearing furs and carrying clubs as the First Man and Woman.

"Why don't you wear peasant rags," he said, "with a yellow silk cord around your neck? Then look to see how many people recognize the costume, and you'll know how much of a penetration the Tovieti have made." I'd told imn, of course, about the Marchioness Fenelon and her golden bauble, and he said he wasn't surprised. I thought his suggestion interesting, but no more.

*Other ideas were considered, but discarded as absurd, expensive, or impractical. I guess half of the n.o.bility of Dara was going through the same pangs-the expensive dressmakers' shops were packed, and the carriages of their customers blocked the streets outside.

Finally, I settled on the role of a wandering begger-monk,which required no more costume than a baggy orange robe, a rope around the waist, a hood, and begging bowl with hook to hang on the rope. I added a half-mask and was content Mar&n came down the stairs toward me, and I forgot whatever weak witticism about needing but a bowl of rice before my prayers.

A sea monster's evil visage covered her head, except for nose and lips, and wide, dark lenses hid her eyes. There was a small hole at the back to allow her hair to fall free.

The mask flowed into the rest of her outfit, a shimmering light green fabric that might have been silk but was not that clung to her body from ankle to head. It was slit to her upper thigh, so every step she took showed silken skin.

It hugged her form so closely it was obvious she wore nothing under it. I could see her nipples under the garment, and I felt my blood race. My reaction was obvious, because I saw her nipples firm and rise slightly. I was grateful robes hid my own body's response.

The dress had a subtle pattern that suggested the scales of a serpent. The outfit was magical, and I mean that literally. With each step she took, the colors of the dress moved as a snake slithers, coils running up to her shoulders, then back down.

She stopped a few steps from me.

"Well?"

"Madam the Sea Serpent is the loveliest thing on all the oceans," I said. "Count Lavedan's sailors are very lucky real sea snakes aren't so intoxicating, or he would have a great number of ships drifting on the oceans after their crews jump overboard."

"I thank you, sir." Her expression became serious. "How-

ever, one request. I do not care to hear the name of the count my husband for the remainder of the evening." That was certainly acceptable tome. Martin pouted. "This d.a.m.ned business of his in Cicognara.

He could have sent an agent, but he had to go see for himself. I think he didn't want me to be able to go to this ball. "But there is always a way, isn't there?" "As milady has said, we are not discussing a certain shipowner, so I cannot answer."

She laughed, a silver glissade of loveliness. "Your imagination frightens me," I said, once more studying her costume.

"Anyonecan imagine," she said. ' admire the two who were able to build it. First my seamstress, then the seer who put the motion spell on it.

"It will live but the evening," she went on. "Then it shall be nothing but another dress. Not that it'll matter-I'll probably tear the st.i.tches getting out of it anyway."

I'd heard the expression being sewn into a garment, but never imagined it could be real. I did not want to know what that dress cost-no doubt my father could have bought an entire season's seeds for our estate and not spent as much. But the Agramontes could afford any extravagance.

"Shall we go?" I suggested. "You might bring a wrap, although I hate to ruin the effect of your costume.

Since we'll be out of doors it might be chilly."

"Already provided for as part of the spell," she said smugly. "Besides, if I get cold I'm sure there's room for two under those robes of yours, most reverend sir."

In those days the Water Palace belonged to the Rule of Ten, although it was only used for ceremonial occasions. Now I am very familiar with its every garden, pool, and room, since it became mine not long afterward. But this was the first time I'd been there, and so was in awe when we stepped out of Marin's brougham in its courtyard.

It sits on a hill about three miles from the center of Nicias, *in a -acre park. One branch of the Latane River flows close to it, and water is pumped from the river up into an artificial lake above the palace, where it is filtered until it is as clear as a mountain stream. Then it's permitted to run down the hill in over a hundred different stone creeks that feed fountains, purl over small waterfalls or swirl in ponds where multicolored fish swim, and then flow back into the Latane.

Other pools are heated by Nicias's omnipresent gas supply to various temperatures, and are intended for bathing.

The palace is actually a series of buildings cascading down this hill, each appearing separate but all connected through underground pa.s.sageways.

There are open pavilions, gazebos, and hideaways; the palace is perfect for everything from a secret lovers' meeting to a Grand Ball such as the one we attended.

I was right when I thought all of Nicias's upper cla.s.s would attend-they were all there that night, and their costumes dazzled. Maran was watched and commented on more than most, but then, she most likely would have stood out if she'd been wearing my monk's robes.

The affair was held in the palace's main ballroom, a great, gla.s.s-domed structure that could have held twice as many people. There was one orchestra here, and others scattered throughout the grounds.

Either by clever communication or sorcery, all of them played the same tune at the same time, keeping in perfect time with each other.

At the center of the room was Chardin Sher, and a long receiving line snaked toward him. About halfway up it I saw the Seer Tenedos and his baroness. We joined them, after asking permission from those behind. Both Marn and I lifted our masks, as had the others in the line. After meeting Chardin Sher the mysteries could begin.

"What do you think of my ensemble, Damastes?" Tenedos wondered.

"You're quite the First Man, sir," I said. "I didn't know he was supposed to have been that hairy."

"I think my tailor became a bit carried away," Tenedos explained. "Or else he thought I needed far more concealment than I allow for."

If Tenedos's furs were somewhat exaggerated, Baroness Rasenna compensated in quite the opposite direction. Her costume began as a fur collar around her neck that ruffed down just far enough to cover the middle of her b.r.e.a.s.t.s, although when she moved her nipples peeped into sight. Fur went from the back of the collar down her spine, between her legs and then up across her hips to rejoin the spinal covering. She wore a wolf-head for a headdress and short boots.

"I think the costumer believed mat the First Man was set down in the icy south, and First Woman in the tropics, but Laish doesn't like my theory," Rasenna said.

' didn't say that," Tenedos said. "I just said I didn't know how they ever came together if your theory's right" "What Umar willed would happen." "More likely the Man would've settled down with the first friendly sheep he encountered and there never would have been a Second Man," Tenedos said.

I was right-Rasenna was good for the seer. He was quite jovial this evening.

But as we drew closer to Chardin Sher, his cheerfulness vanished and he quit bantering. His gaze was fixed on the Kallian. I followed his example, and let the women talk between themselves.

Chardin Sher was tall, almost as tall as I am. He was thin, his clean-shaven face almost gaunt His eyes were the palest hardest gray I have ever seen. He was flanked by three retainers and a third small man, who whispered in his ear each time a Nician stepped forward to greet him. Two of the others were his bodyguards, men whose eyes never stopped sweeping the room, although their smiles and even laughter came mechanically as required.

The third man made me start It was Elias Malebranche, the Kallian emissary to the court of Achim Baber Fergana, whose presence and even stranger disappearance had never been explained.

None of the Kallians wore costume, and Malebranche turned, and saw Tenedos and myself. I saw he still wore the fighting knife in its horizontal sheath. He, too, stiffened, his hand reflexively touching the knife.

At that moment I knew one of us would kill the other. I tapped Tenedos's boot with my foot but he was intent on studying the Kallian prime minister and not to be distracted.

Chardin Sher smiled, and said something to the couple in front of Tenedos that made them laugh as they walked away, then the seer was in front of him. The little man whispered a few words to Kallian.

Tenedos stood motionless for a moment, and I wondered if he thought Chardin Sher should be the first to bow. Then he inclined his head no more than politeness dictated. Chardin Sher did the same, paying no attention to Rasenna.

"So," he said, his tone amused, "you are the wizard who thinks I am such a threat Now you can see I am no more than any other man."

"You have excellent information, sire. Would mat we had the same for all that happens in Kallio."

Chardin Sher frowned. "What would that mean?"

Tenedos smiled and said, his voice an obvious lie, "Why, no more man we do not hear nearly enough of what it must be like to live in your state or in your capital of Polycittara, which I am sure provides a fascinating life."

"Very good, Seer. You use more than magic to turn away a thrust I see. Now, let me ask you, in all honesty, why you have been preaching that I need bringing down?"

"I have never said that sir," Tenedos said. "I have merely offered you as an example of ministers who seem to pay little attention to their rightful masters."

"That is not true," Chardin Sher. "I do everything I am ordered."

"Ordered, yes. But if I had a servant who did no more than just what he was told, ignoring my unspoken policies, I'd have him thrashed and driven from my service."

"So that is what you would have the Rule of Ten do with me?" The smile was gone from Chardin Sher's lips, and his stare was the coldest of rage.

"I will not dare to speak for my leaders. If I could, though, I would require certain things of you before you return to Kallio."

"What wouldyou will?"

"That you formally renounce all of Kallio's claims to the Border States and agree to join with Dara in mounting a punitive expedition into Kait to finally reduce that country to proper obedience."

"That would mean war," he said.

"I do not call suppressing bandits who call themselves a nation war, but if you choose that term, so be it."

"And if I do not call for this crusade? The Rule of Ten haven't suggested that to me at all."

Tenedos looked unblinking into the Kallian's eyes, and said nothing whatsoever. To my surprise, Chardin Sher was the first to look away.

"Yes, well, I'm afraid our chat's holding up the line," he said. "Perhaps we should make arrangements to continue this discussion before I leave Nicias."

"My time is yours," Tenedos bowed and stepped away.

Again, the little man whispered information, and I bowed to the Kallian.

"You are the man who saved Seer Tenedos's life, eh?"

"And he mine."

"Guard him well, soldier," Chardin Sher said. "I have no magic, but I can predict a man such as him will always be courting danger."

"I thank you for that advice, sir," and I stepped away.

Chardin Sher's eyes gleamed as he took in Maran.

"Countess," he greeted after the briefing. "You are the most spectacular thing I've seen in Nicias thus far. Thank you for honoring me with your presence."

Maran curtsied, and we joined Tenedos, who stood a few feet away, waiting. Rasenna was positively glowing, and seemed to care nothing for not being spoken to.

*"You see why I love him," she said, unasked. "My little magician will stand up to anything for what he believes."

Tenedos looked embarra.s.sed at her words. I waited for a comment, but, instead, he stroked his chin thoughtfully. "You know, that small one mat Chardin Sher has with him. A walking file. Interesting. Most valuable at times like this when you're meeting strangers but courtesy suggests you should know them."

"Perhaps you could train Kurulu," I said.

"No," Tenedos said. "He will have other, more important uses. Such a man as Chardin Sher has must have no ident.i.ty, no soul, beyond what his master gives him."

He replaced his mask, and I remembered what he'd told me in Sayana about never finding a man so monstrous that nothing could be learned from him.

"Now the preliminary skirmishing is over," he said, "shall we enjoy ourselves, even though I dance but indifferently? Oh, yes. One thing, Damastes. I'll lay ten gold pieces against one of your collar b.u.t.tons that I never am summoned for a talk with Chardin Sher."

I grinned. "Sir, just because I'm but a captain doesn't mean I'm a fool. No bet."

"Tsk. I do love an easy victory." Tenedos bowed to Maran and led Rasenna toward the dance floor.

I took Maran's arm and followed.

Maran, naturally, danced superbly. I am regarded as a decent stepper, but she knew all of the latest steps, whereas I had only familiarity with older standards. So we sat out some numbers, talking of this and that, thoroughly enjoying each other's company. I thought, wistfully, it was like the beginning of a courtship, when both parties are delighted over their lover-to-be's wit, charm, and beauty.

A simple dance I knew the steps to began, and I took her in my arms and we moved together to the music.

The material of her dress felt like silk, but where silk is cold this was warm, living in the brief spell the magician had given.