"Good. Then have the treaty drawn up, Herezah, for Falza and yourself to sign. It will declare you simply 'Crown' from hereon. You will act as regent for Zar Luc until he is of an age to fulfill his formal role."

He saw Herezah barely control the shiver of delight at his words.

"What's to stop her from simply saying yes now and ignoring your terms, Lucien?" his father demanded. "You intimate that she could not be trusted previously."

"Father, Herezah will rise to this office. She will make us all proud. I'm sure of it." He gave her a sideways glance and realized with a certain amount of sadness how much of her life had been wasted in the harem. She should always have been a queen. "Besides, I remain Spur and the army is loyal to my command."

"You should come home sometime, Lucien."

"I am home, Father."

"All right. Let me invite you back to your homeland sometime. Bring your son. I'm sure our people would be thrilled to meet you both."

"I'll bring Herezah. The Galinseans should meet the person grooming their future king."

"As you wish," his father said. "So I presume I can return to my ship?"

"Your galley is untouched. You may return to Romea under your own banner, if you choose, as soon as the treaty is signed. Beloch and Ezram will no doubt agree to transport those who don't wish to remain here back across the desert quickly."

"How quickly?"

Lazar grinned. "Percheron to Romea in the time it might take Herezah to have her hair brushed." His father's complexion blanched. "Another reason not to pick a fight with Percheron again," Lazar added, his smile widening. "And the best reason for us all to join their faith. They are of the Goddess."

"Then she's got my soul," Falza said, irony lacing the King's tone.

"I shall see you before you depart, Father. I need to speak with the giants."

The King gave him a look of disbelief but simply turned to the new head of Percheron and bowed. "Well, you must forgive me my, er, indiscretion of earlier, Crown. Perhaps you would allow me to hold my grandson before I leave."

"Of course, Falza. I'm only devastated that his grandmother could not bear witness to this happy day," Hereza replied diplomatically. She glanced toward Lazar and he gave her what she had so long desired-his approval, with a nod and soft smile.

36.

Outside, whilst the proud "grandparents" admired their new royal, Lazar found Captain Ghassal waiting.

"Spur," he said, hand across his heart.

"Captain," Lazar replied, mirroring the gesture. "Get the Galinseans down to the shore. The King is going to speak with his men."

"It's over?"

"With Beloch and Ezram on our side, not to mention the other creatures, they have no choice."

"Spur, I'm still at a loss-"

"I know. I suspect the giants and their companions will be gone from our midst soon enough. For now do not fear them. Calm everyone down, remove the dead, get help to the wounded. Get food passed out to the hungry. Everyone must be very confused and disoriented."

"Fortunately the majority who stayed are not hurt. They took refuge in the palace."

"Get word out amongst the foothills. Send riders in every direction and let people know it is safe to return to the city. Any news on Salmeo?"

"No, sir. But we can return to the search now that a truce has been achieved."

"Someone knows something somewhere. Find that person. I want to know where he is or at least where the eunuch headed."

"Yes, sir."

"And the woman who was here?"

"Er, she's in the sapphire room, Spur. Shall I fetch her?"

"No, I'll go there. Escort King Falza, with full respect, please, to the foreshore." The captain bowed, made to leave. "And, Captain?"

"Yes, Spur?"

"You take your orders from me and only me but don't be surprised if you find the Crown Valide more assured of her position. The soldiers of Percheron do not answer to her directly but she is now the titular head of our realm. Zar Boaz and Zaradine Ana have welcomed a son and heir, Zar Luc. The infant will take the throne when he is of an age. Until then, Herezah will be known simply as Crown. Please let it be known, although I'm sure she'll organize a ceremony soon enough to formalize the title." He saw the man's expression turn to one of dismay. "Trust me on this, Captain. Herezah's tremendously capable, and Percheron needs a steadying, strong mind at the top. And remember, Captain, Herezah is a grieving mother as much as she is our new Crown. Please tell the men to remember this."

"Yes, Spur."

Lazar nodded and left the man as he strode to find the woman who had brought his child. He found her admiring the Sapphire Pools. She swung around in fright as he entered the chamber.

"Spur Lazar," she said, "you scared me."

"My apologies. Also for keeping you waiting."

"Oh, don't be sorry. I never thought I'd ever see the inside of the palace. I could stay here forever and never want to leave."

"Don't be too sure of that. I'm sorry, I don't remember your name. I was expecting the other woman, the wet nurse."

"I am Harras, Spur. The woman who fed your baby was not feeling terribly well. She asked me to bring him to you."

"I'm very grateful for the hospice's swift help and I would like to make a donation. Will you tell the senior woman in charge that I will organize that soon?"

"Of course."

"I also wanted to thank you in person. Is there anything else that the palace can do for the hospice? You have, after all, just assisted the new Zar of Percheron."

She giggled coquettishly, and then suddenly appeared coy, as if embarrassed by his personal attention. He'd seen that expression and heard that girlish laughter many times and sighed softly to himself that he was unlikely to ever respond to a woman again. The two women he had loved had both died. There was no room in his shattered heart for a third love.

"No, Spur, the palace provides kindly for us, although if you'd bring your donation in person, I know your presence would brighten many of the grieving mothers."

"I'll do that once we have settled Percheron back into some sense of normality. The wet nurse-is she going to be all right? What does she do for a living? Perhaps I can find her a position."

"Again, that's most generous. I shall find out. She looked very poor. The child she lost last night was her first son, so perhaps she would appreciate a chance to start afresh."

"Please make sure to let me know. I won't forget her name-Alzaria."

"Actually, Spur Lazar, I should tell you, for she made it rather clear to me to advise you-Alzaria is not her real name."

"Oh?"

"I think she was mindful of repercussions. The child was conceived outside of a marriage."

"I understand. What is her real name, so I can commit it to memory?"

"She asked me to tell you that her name is Garjan."

Lazar felt his blood turn to ice.

"Spur Lazar, are you all right, sir?"

He grabbed her by the shoulders, unable to stop himself. "Harras, tell me exactly what Alzaria said to you."

She looked at his fingers digging into her flesh, terrified, but repeated word for word, her eyes scared by the intense way he regarded her. "Is something wrong, Spur Lazar? The child is fine, isn't he?"

He let her go, smoothed the fabric of her robe. "Please forgive me. I'm so sorry for scaring you...again." He seemed very calm. "Did you leave him alone with her?"

"Only briefly, Spur. Barely moments."

"That's all it takes," he murmured, frowning.

"Pardon, sir?"

"Nothing, Harras. I'm sorry to have startled you. The name she used came as a shock."

"That's all right, Spur. Garjan? I don't know it. May not be from these parts."

"It isn't. It's Galinsean."

"Oh? Is that bad?"

"It's neither here not there," Lazar answered, distracted. "Is she still at the hospice?"

"That's where I left her, Spur Lazar. She said she needed to rest."

"All right. Thank you again, Harras," he said, his mind spinning toward his son's safety. "One of my men will escort you out." He showed her to the door, signaled to one of the guards, and mustered a distracted smile for her in farewell. He closed the door to think.

Maliz was already here in Percheron. How could that be?

He needed advice. Beloch?

Yes?

Maliz is here!

I've just learned that Ezram felt him.

What? I thought you were not connected to the demon?

We're not. But your magic that released us from his spell also made us sensitive to his presence...Ezram more so than me, it seems.

So, where is he?

We believe he has entered the city.

How can that happen? He was traveling across the desert. I thought I had time to prepare for him.

Lyana rose. When he is fully empowered, he has new magics at his fingetips.

He held my son.

There was a terrible silence across their link.

Beloch!

What happened? Lazar could hear the trepidation in the giant's voice.

He posed as a wet nurse.

And Luc?

Well, I'm going to check him again but he seems fine. He was delivered to the palace, gurgling happily enough, then sleeping, as babies do, through his finest hour.

Lazar, you know that cannot be right.

I do. I'm thankful he's safe, relieved beyond belief, but also utterly confused.

Me, too. Wait, let me bring Ezram into this. Ezram, tell Lazar what you sense about Maliz. I feel nothing.

I can't feel him anymore, Ezram answered. It was an initial sense of nausea and it got worse for a while. I told Beloch after you'd arrived that it might mean Maliz had entered the city. I can't know for sure-I was assuming.

No, you were right. He was here. He held my son.

Then your son-if he is concealing Lyana-should be dead, Beloch interjected.

I know. It doesn't make sense, does it? Why would he leave him untouched?

Ezram sighed. Because your son is obviously not shielding the Goddess.

Lazar paced, frustrated. Where is she, then? Ana died for this! Who else is going to be hiding the Goddess if not Luc? Who?

Be calm, Lazar, Ezram soothed. I cannot feel Maliz any longer. It is as if he is no longer here. Perhaps the threat has passed?