The kerrosh Pez had sipped spluttered back out of his mouth in shock at Lazar's claim. "How bad was it?"

"About as bad as it could get. She wasn't taking no for an answer and I was cornered and in no fit state to do much about her advances. Worse, I felt sad for her."

"Sad? Herezah?" Pez queried, aghast. "I don't usually put that sentiment together with that woman."

"She has taken very good care of me. Without her efforts and determination I might have taken a lot longer to recover."

"True."

Lazar ran his hands through his hair with frustration, growling as he did so. "It was so humiliating. I can fully understand how Joreb fell under her spell, Pez, that's the truth of it. I was helpless not just because of my condition but simply because I'm a man. That close to such generous invitation, my resistance broke."

"You've managed to resist for so many years," Pez commented, an overlay of disgust in his tone.

"I've never been at her mercy as I was this morning."

Pez blinked slowly. "How far did it go?"

"Far enough."

"And the mortification happened why?" Pez asked, frowning.

"Salmeo walked in on us."

Pez's eyes widened. "I understand now," he finally said. "How was it handled?"

"I have to say the Valide was magnificent in her temper but I don't believe it was anger at being discovered so much as being interrupted," Lazar admitted wryly.

"And you?"

"Sheer relief, if I'm honest. I was a lamb to the slaughter and the blade was poised. It's not as though I can thank the man. I hate him with all my heart. But he saved us a worse misery. He had come to tell us that Boaz was on his way."

Pez made a whistling sound. "So it was going to be bad either way." Lazar nodded. "But whereas Boaz might be shocked or dismayed, Salmeo will simply use the knowledge."

"Of course he will. Salmeo's whole power base revolves around knowledge and disinformation about others. He will make Herezah pay, certainly, but how he plans to use this against me remains to be seen."

"Herezah gets all she deserves, Lazar. I can't feel a moment of pity for that woman. Don't tell me you do?"

Lazar shrugged. "Not pity so much as I realize how magnificent she could be if she were a real queen."

"Like your mother?"

"Yes. She reminds me of her, but Herezah has to use cunning to survive. Her shaky throne extends only around the harem. My mother commands real power from a real throne and over all her subjects. She's terrifying," Lazar said ruefully.

"So what are you going to do?"

"Nothing. We face much bigger trials and tribulations than Boaz worrying about who his mother lies with. I'm ready. Stay out of sight of the palace. We don't want anything getting in the way of your coming with me, especially the Grand Vizier. We'll meet tonight at the rendezvous point."

Pez nodded and Lazar locked hands with his friend in farewell.

"I hear Pez is returned to us, Majesty," Maliz said lightly. "You must be so relieved."

Boaz was signing parchments. "I can't believe how the gods have smiled upon us in returning him to Percheron."

"How extraordinary that he survived the desert." Maliz watched Bin slide another document before the Zar, whispering its contents.

Boaz nodded, signed as he replied. "I don't care how it came about, I'm just glad he lives. I'm not sure he'll thank me when, through his haze of madness, he realizes I'm sending him back."

"Back?"

"He's going with Lazar on the hunt for Ana."

Maliz reined in his natural desire to take Boaz by the throat and shake him. Did the Zar know something about the dwarf that was eluding him? "How come, Majesty?" he asked, his tone nothing but polite.

Boaz scrawled the final signature and handed the paper to his assistant. He stood. "He's company for Lazar, he's amusement, I hope, for anyone who comes across themhe may make a gift for this Arafanz, who knows. He's another pair of eyes, however reliable or not they may be." Boaz shrugged. "He's dispensable, although I hate to admit that. So few can be spared from the city's cause."

Maliz sensed the Zar was feeding him placations. There was something too neat about this. The dwarf, Lazar, Ana...the connections were too strong in mind. He could not probe further, though, at this stage, he decided; that would have to be done more covertly. "Excellent; if there's anything I can do to help regarding this clandestine trip, just ask, Majesty. Now, there is something private I need to discuss with you."

"You can speak freely in front of Bin."

"Er, no, Majesty, I cannot. This is a delicate matter of a personal naturenot to you or me, Highness," he assured, "but to someone close. I would rather you make your decision later about who might be made privy to the information."

"That will be all," Boaz said to his assistant, who glowered at the Grand Vizier. Maliz couldn't care less. He waited for the young man to be gone.

"What is this about, Tariq?"

"The Valide, Your Majesty."

"My mother...what has she been up to now?" the Zar asked wearily.

"Were you aware, Majesty, that the Valide and the Spur have struck up a sexual relationship?" There was no easy way to say what he needed toMaliz knew it would be best to be blunt with the young royal.

"Is this a jest, Tariq? Because"

"No jest, my Zar. I speak the plain truth. The Spur and your mother are lovers. They have been for a short while, since she has been caring for him."

"Lazar?" Boaz asked, choking back amusement. The older man nodded. "I cannot believe it. You've been in the palace all these years, Tariq, you surely appreciate the only barely controlled animosity between those two?"

"Apparently not so hostile after all, Majesty. The ins and outs of it are irrelevant, my Zar. I'm telling you this for a completely separate reason and not for shock value or titillation. Who your mother spends her private hours with and shares her body with is of no concern to me, so long as it doesn't spill into the realm's business."

Boaz straightened his expression. "Quite right. And?"

"Well, it seems they were disturbed in their...well, shall we say disturbed from their privacy earlier today."

"By whom were they discovered?"

"The Grand Master Eunuch, my Zar." Maliz watched the royal's top lip all but curl into a sneer.

"I see."

"Your mother, who has been discreet to date, and mindful of not wishing to offend your sensibilities, my Zar, is now extremely fearful that the head of the harem will use this information to either blackmail her or leak it to you in a manner that has serious ramifications."

"He is certainly an opportunist," Boaz responded in a rare show of naked thought.

Maliz kept his tone even. "I cannot agree with you more, my Zar."

"Did my mother ask you to speak with me, Tariq?"

Maliz adopted a tone of indignation. "Of course not, Highness. She would probably howl for my punishment if she knew I was so much as breathing a word of it to you. But my role is to be your ears and eyes around the palace. It occurred to me this union would only really offend you if you happened upon the information by chance and were in some way embarrassed by it."

"Yes, indeed. But I really can't put the Valide and the Spur together. This is a shock."

"A shock, yes, but perhaps not an unwelcome one, Highness."

"What do you mean?"

Maliz shrugged softly. "I shouldn't be presumptuous."

"Tariq, you have promised me honesty. That is why I have permitted you far more access to the Zar and his thoughts than my father ever allowed. I'd suggest you don't become coy with me now."

"Forgive me, Highness. That is not my intention but I wonder sometimes whether my candor is too forward."

"Not at all. Say what is on your mind."

Maliz nodded. "I'm sure I'm not the only person in the palace to privately believe that the Spur has held a deep admiration for Zaradine Ana." He saw Boaz open his mouth but hurried on, determined now to craft this delicate path he had promised the Valide he would lead her son down. "And I am the first to lay my hand against my heart and assure you that the Spur acted with only the greatest courtesy and duty toward your wife on our ill-fated trip. He kept a distance from all in the royal party but fought so courageously for us all when it mattered that I am surprised he lives to fight another day."

"I'm sure you are," Boaz commented.

"Indeed, Highness. And his very choice when a terrible scenario was laid out before him was the choice of a man utterly loyal to his duty. In this the Spur was above any criticism. And so, as much as anyone believes he holds a bright torch for the young woman who is now your Absolute Favorite and Zaradine, I also believe it is based on a loyalty. He discovered her, he purchased her, he brought her to the palace and even took her punishment rather than see the young woman flogged for her indiscretion." The Zar nodded but was frowning, obviously unsure where Maliz was heading. "The point is, Highness, it seems the Spur's ardor has always been directed elsewhere and yet his dutiful behavior toward your new wife has often been misconstrued. Perhaps in an effort to conceal his true feelings toward your mother, he has allowed others to continue believing he has feelings for the Zaradine."

"I'm fairly certain Lazar doesn't care what others think."

Maliz smirked behind his beard. "Every man has his level, my Zar. Some, like the Spur, have a greater tolerance for gossip and innuendo."

"And all of this boils down to the fact that you believe I should be quietly grateful that the head soldier of our realm is secretly making love to the Valide, and when this secret finds its way out via the Grand Master Eunuchas it surely will-that I place no importance on it and thus give him no weapon to use against myself, my mother, or the Spur."

Maliz realized that once again he had underestimated the young man who ruled Percheron. "Precisely, my Zar. If we are to curb Salmeo's influence, we must do so using his own cunning ways."

Boaz sighed. "I can't imagine why we've wasted so much time discussing this. I have crucial state business on my mind, Tariq, and this sort of petty palace stuff holds no interest."

"I understand, Majesty, but again it is my role to keep you fully informed. I could not know that you would take such a pragmatic viewthe Valide is your mother, after all."

"She has no reprisals to fear from me."

"That's excellent, Highness. I believe she wishes to speak with you today. She asked me if you were available for a meeting. Perhaps Bin could set it up, although I understand that you must be very busy with your preparations and it may be easier after the Spur and the dwarf have left. When do they leave, incidentally?"

"Later today."

Time was short. "I shall take up no more of your time, Highness. Thank you for allowing me to have this private conversation."

Maliz quickly sent a handwritten message to the Valide informing her that he had kept his side of the bargain and that her son had barely twitched an eyebrow during their discussion. He suggested that she be humble but not too prickly about the liaison. Be forthright, Majesty, he wrote. He will be surprised by this approach and realize that you are not asking his permission so much as treating him with the respect he deserves. The Grand Vizier ended his communication with a warning that the Spur and the dwarf were leaving after midday and that she should meet with the Zar immediately.

After the Elim runner had been sent to the harem, Maliz went in search of the dwarf. He found him in his chambers, humming to himself. Maliz knew he had arrived silently but still Pez had spun around, shocked. Could the dwarf sense people?

"The donkeys are flying high today," Pez wailed, jumping up and down.

"Calm down, Pez. How are you?"

"My nose hurts. I feel sick. I want to be sick," he groaned, and began to retch.

"Ah, not on me, I hope. Stay calm, dwarf," Maliz said, wondering if Pez, whose eyes were rolling back in his head, could hear him.

But apparently he could. "Don't touch me!" the dwarf began shrieking repeatedly.

Maliz ignored the dwarf, looked behind him to ensure they were alone and quickly covered the distance between himself and Pez. The dwarf was cornered, but he opened up his lungs and began unashamedly screaming. Maliz knew the Elim would be here in moments. He just had to lay a hand against the dwarf. He reached forward and Pez grabbed his hand and bit it hard. Maliz squealed and withdrew hurriedly, but the next moment he pretended with one hand to reach for the dwarf 's shoulder, and whilst Pez swatted and kicked and prepared to bite again, Maliz used his other hand to swiftly grab the little man's neck...and squeeze.

Pez screamed louder than Maliz thought possible; he felt sure his ears would be left bleeding and his hearing impaired by the shrill sound. As he had anticipated, the strong arms of two recently arrived Elim were suddenly pulling him back.

"Grand Vizier!" one exclaimed. "What has happened?"

The other was bent, soothing Pez, who refused to stop his caterwauling.

Maliz shook his head, hoping to rid himself of the terrible ringing in his ears, before indignantly shaking himself free of the Elim's grip. "He collapsed, you fool. I was seeing if there was anything I could do."

"He hurt me!" Pez wailed. "He keeps trying to hurt me."

"Is there any truth to what Pez claims, Grand Vizier?"

"Don't be ridiculous! I take offense at that question!" Maliz pointed at Pez. "I was passing by when I saw him lying on the ground."

"Passing?"

"What is your name?"

"Amooz, Grand Vizier."

"Well, Amooz..." Maliz bristled. "I'm not in the habit of explaining my movements to the palace servants."

"I understand, Grand Vizier, please forgive me. Pez takes some time to calm when he becomes worked up like this. Perhaps you would be kind enough to let us handle him now. Thank you for trying to help. He is contrary at the best of times and only newly returned to the palace; we fully expect him to be disoriented for a number of weeks to come."

Maliz straighted his robe in a further show of ire at being manhandled. "Next time I see him writhing in agony, I'll leave him to his struggles, shall I?" He did not give the Elim an opportunity to respond, but turned on his heel and stormed out, his mind reeling at the magic he had felt simmering in the palace's jester. Whether he was Iridor or not, Maliz had not had time to test. But it mattered not. Pezmad or notwas dangerous and Maliz would no longer take any chances about whether or not the dwarf was Lyana's messenger. The dwarf had to be dealt with swiftly.

Pez allowed himself to be gradually soothed and taken to one of the Zar's private gardens. The Elim left him there, unsure of what else to do for the dwarf, although Pez heard Amooz say as they left that he would be sending a message through the palace hierarchy about today's incident.

Whatever recriminations might come, they would come too late, Pez knew. The Grand Vizier had taken him by surprise and seized his chance; he had laid his hand on Pez and the little man couldn't be sure what conclusions had been drawn. He had done his utmost to cloak his powers whilst trickling some shepherding magic directly at Maliz in the hope that the counterattack might unexpectedly sidetrack the demon. Pez could not fully conceal his magicnot from the touch of the demonbut he hoped something he'd done had baffled Maliz. It's all that he had standing between him and death, for he could outwit Zarab's disciple for only so long. If the Grand Vizier finally decided that Pez was Iridor, he could have the dwarf killed in a multitude of ways, from a seeming accident around the palace to shameless murder at the hands of an accomplice.

Pez wept at his own stupidity for leaving himself vulnerable. How could he have left himself so open, especially now, when the hour of their greatest battle was virtually upon them? Naturally news of his safe return would grab attention from those who had a vested interest in his well-beingeither positive or negative. He should have known Maliz would come looking, unable to believe the dwarf could survive the ferocity of the desert. Pez was furious with himself. Had he endangered them all? Was it too late to find Ana, to secure Lyana's rising? He dearly wished that Ellyana would pay a visit, but she was more elusive than ever.

He thought about how Ellyana had manipulated him. From the moment they had met, she had seduced him with her words, cajoled him into doing precisely what she needed. She had still been controlling him as recently as the disastrous trip into the desert. That awful demandhe had never understood its cruelty and knew now he was never meant to. And where was Lyana? She had not even told him who Lyana was for this battle and Pez admitted openly to himself now, for the first time, how much that hurt him. They had always traveled so closely, he and Lyana could tap into each other's thoughts, but in this cycle Lyana was keeping him in the dark, keeping them all guessing about one another. He was convinced that the new Zaradine had her part to play; he just wasn't sure what her part was, and sadly, as much as he wanted to believe that Ana was the Goddess, too many signs were saying she was not. He bent forward, cupped his head with his hands, and let the tears flow freely. They couldn't lose. Not again. Not this time. He had never felt this lonely or abandoned in all of his memories either as the dwarf or as Iridor.