Suddenly he realized that the Spur was glaring at him, still waiting for an answer. The arrogance of the mana"oh, how he longed to make him suffer!

And you will if you say yes, the familiar voice whispered, obviously eavesdropping on his thoughts. I will help you to do just thatabut not yet. Give him what he seeks. I promise you will have the last laugh.

I must capitulate? Tariq answered, aghast. What good is that to me?

Wait and see, Maliz promised, laughing deeply and darkly in his mind.

"I'm waiting, Tariq," Lazar reminded him, tiring of the long time the Vizier was taking to consider his request.

The Spur's voice jolted Tariq from his thoughts. He was torn. Follow his own instincts or follow Maliz's? The demon seemed to know something he did not. If he took Maliz's advice, it would be a signal that he was ready to take the next step. Was he ready to give Maliz what he wanted?

Lazar made a sound of impatience.

"All right, Spur!" Tariq replied, angered. "I shall organize your visit. Wait outside, if you please."

"I don't have time toa""

Perhaps it was Maliz's laugh that gave him spine. "Do as I say. Sit outside and wait until I can contact the Valide Zara and get permission. That is the best I can do." Tariq was even able to hold the Spur's steely gaze without flinching or backing down.

Lazar sighed. "Thank you. You might as well call the Grand Master Eunuch into the meeting. It concerns him too." And he turned away.

TARIQ STOOD BEFORE HEREZAH in one of the palace salons, quietly fuming that Salmeo, who had been summoned by the Vizier's staff, had somehow sidled his huge bulk to stand beside the Valide Zara, giving the impression that they were both in authority and Tariq a mere servant delivering a message. When he bowed to the Valide, it felt as though he was also bowing to the eunuch. This was not lost on Salmeo, of course, who wore a soft smirk along with the voluminous, brightly colored silks today.

"Well, the Grand Master Eunuch is here now. Vizier, what is it that you had to say to us?" Herezah asked from behind her veil, her tone conveying her annoyance at being interrupted.

"I do apologize, Valide Zara, for disrupting your day."

"Tariq," she began again testily, "why am I being disrupted?"

No opportunity to string this conversation out, to make himself feel important. "The Spur is here, Valide. He insists on being permitted an audience with you. I requested that the Chief Master Eunuch be present only because the Spur asked." He allowed a brief smile to touch his own lips, glad that he had made it clear that he did not consider Salmeo important enough to be called into meetings as a matter of course.

He was irritated to see a glance pass between the eunuch and the Valide. They knew something. They knew why Lazar was there!

Of course they do, Maliz breathed into his mind.

"And what does the Spur want, Vizier? Have you established that much?" Salmeo asked, all sweetness.

Tariq felt his gut twist. The eunuch was doing this deliberately to unsettle him. How could the Valide allow him to usurp her authority by speaking for her?

He ignored Salmeo and directed his answer to Herezah. "He asked me to be present too, Valide. This obviously concerns all of us."

"Not really you, Vizier, but I shall hear him out. Send him in."

Normally, Tariq would have bowed and turned to do Herezah's bidding but he had taken the precaution of bringing his secretary with him. Still bristling from her direct insult, he looked toward the man who lurked at the very end of the chamber and gave him a signal, intensely pleased that his foresight allowed him to not bow again.

Maliz's voice broke into his thoughts. Why don't you ask them more about why the Spur is so insistent? As vizier it's important, you know, Maliz suggested. Or perhaps I shall tell you instead. This is about a girl; the one presented by the Spur, the one who caused such a fuss. She went missing last night after Salmeo had left her. It's the Grand Master Eunuch's fault.

Tariq felt a sharp spike of pleasure course through him. Maliz had his advantages. "Valide, may I ask if this has anything to do with the girl Ana? I hear she went missing last night, slipped past the Elim and mocked the Grand Master Eunucha" He watched the rope of a scar twitch on Salmeo's face and his eyes become hooded with suppressed outrage.

Ah, the fat one didn't like that, Maliz cackled. Hurt him more. Go on!

"If the Grand Master Eunuch needs assistance in policing these children, I'm more than happy to organize a higher level of guard around the harem, Valide," Tariq offered, infusing his tone with innocence.

Maliz laughed. Good.

Salmeo didn't wait for the Valide to answer. His voice came sharp, each word a dagger. "That will not be necessary, Vizier. It was a momentary lapse and it will never occur again."

Tariq raised an eyebrow. "If a mere child can slip through your neta""

"Zarab strike youa""

"Stop!" Herezah admonished. "Perhaps it is a good idea to intensify the Elim guard around the harem. The girls these days are far too assured."

Tariq bowed to her authority, feeling smug. Salmeo uttered nothing, but his body language said more than enough.

Oh, he's going to make you pay for that, Maliz observed, full of glee.

He can try, Tariq replied, charged with confidence from the barbed discussion.

That's the spirit, Vizier, and with my help and presence, you will prevail over the fat eunuch. Think about it. I shall expect your answer by this evening. Then, without warning, the voice was gone.

Herezah had moved to sit on a simple bench, her regal bearing suggesting she was on a throne. "Where have you planned the flogging to take place, Salmeo?"

"Since we agreed to keep it private, I thought it best to conduct Ana's punishment in the Courtyard of Sorrows."

"Very good."

Although Tariq did not understand what they were talking about, he asked for no explanation. He could work this out for himself.

The Spur was shown in. "Valide," he said, bowing briefly. "Thank you for seeing me."

"You are head of Percheron's guard and of her security, Spur. Why should I refuse you?" Herezah smoothly replied, then added: "Ever."

Lazar pretended not to hear her couched invitation. "I am here today about Ana, the girl I brought to Percheron."

"The girl you sold to the harem," Salmeo qualified.

Ignoring the interruption, Lazar continued: "Valide, as you know, I returned her to the harem after her escape last night. Frankly, I'm as horrified as anyone else by the fact of her escape but I'd like to know what terrified her so." He glared at Salmeo.

"Lazar," Herezah began softly, naming him to ensure she gave the impression that they were friends, "Ana may be remarkable in looks and spirit but she cannot be treated any differently from the other odalisques, not until she can claim status as favorite or wife." Then in a more condescending manner, but still laced with gentle concern: "You do understand, don't you, Spur?"

Lazar felt his limbs stiffen at being so belittled but he forced himself to appear at ease. "Of course, Valide. I would not suggest otherwise. It's just thata""

"You see," she interrupted, "the Test of Virtue is never a pleasant event for any girl, but we must all face it during our lives. It was simply Ana's turn last night."

"I am aware of that, Valide. I came here today not to argue that case but to find out what your plan is for Ana."

"My plan?" Herezah repeated, a hint of derision creeping into her voice.

Sensing the turn of her mood, Lazar humbled himself. "Yes, Valide. You see, as I never took any gold in exchange for Ana, I feel I do still have a small claim as her owner."

"Do you indeed?" Herezah was angry now. "Is this correct?" she asked Salmeo.

"Valide, I have no such knowledge. I can check, of course, but even if the Spur did turn down the gold, that hardly required the harem to renege. We offered payment; it is the Spur's decision whether he wants to accept it."

"That's right," Lazar chimed in. "I am not making any claim on Ana; I am simply making an inquiry as to your position on her lack of foresight last night. Her immaturity, the newness of her surroundings, the strangeness of Percherona"and let's not forget the cutting of the slavea"would have heightened her emotions, made her unstable. She is, after all, still young."

"I was far younger than Ana when I had to face the test, Spur, and I did not flee."

"Perhaps it did not occur to you, Valide. Perhaps the opportunity to do such a thing was not available. Presumably the Grand Master Eunuch failed in his supervision of this child. I am assuming she was left alone with access to her disguise?" Lazar watched the huge eunuch bristle. "Perhaps it is the Master of the Eunuchs who deserves the reprimand here, Valide, not the girl."

Herezah did not so much as blink. "You could be right, Spur. And I will consider such a measure, but Ana must bear the consequences of her own actions. As you say, she is young, but of an age when we can all be responsiblea"you might consider that my own son rules Percheron at fifteen. I was already a wife at this same agea"a mother, in fact. It may be a tender age but it is not an immature one, Spur. Ana made a very unwise decision and one, I'm sure, given her intelligence, she understood would have repercussions."

Lazar knew he had lost this argument. He could not talk Ana free of punishment. It was obvious that Herezah and Salmeo intended to press ahead, that they were meeting with him purely for diplomatic reasons. He took a steadying breath, knowing what he was about to put in place would cost him dearly. As Herezah finished her speech, he felt a tingling sensation near his hip. He reached into the pocket of his loose robe and felt the warmth of Iridor. It gave him courage. "May I ask what her punishment is to be?"

"I suppose it is of no consequence to tell you." Herezah looked toward Salmeo to do the honorsa"a small crumb of revenge for him after the Spur's cutting words.

"It is the decision of the harem, which will always mete out punishment to its own, that the odalisque Ana will be floggeda"thirty lashes."

Lazar blanched. "Valide! She is a child, she cannot withstand such a thing." He saw with disgust how his plea sent a shiver of delight through the veiled woman.

"And if she flags during her punishment," Salmeo continued firmly, "she will be permitted a day's recovery before completing the remaining lashes."

Lazar barely heard the eunuch's final words. His gaze was locked on Herezah's. Her dark eyes sparkled with triumph. She knew she had him right where she wanted him.

"In that case, Valide," Lazar said, bowing low, "I must invoke the Right of Protectorship."

The words hung in the air amid a shocked silence. Such a thing had not been claimed in living memory, though they all knew full well what it meant. The rule of protectorship was enmeshed in the tapestry of the harem's existence, even though a lowly odalisque could rarely win the notice of someone powerful enough to offer her protection, which is why the women within the harem schemed and made alliances. In its history, an odalisque had won right of protectorship only twice, and on both occasions the girl had had the backing of a compassionate Zar. To have someone beyond the harem or not of royal stature make such a request was a novelty and something of a challenge to the palace hierarchy.

"I'm sorry, do you know what that involves?" Lazar asked, infusing his tone with condescension.

"We know," Tariq said brusquely. "You will take the punishment on behalf of the girl."

"That's right. Valide, the law saysa""

"I know what the law states, Spur," Herezah snapped. "But you forget that you need the sanction of the Zar first."

"He has it," Boaz announced, entering the room theatrically. Lazar felt his insides loosen with relief as he dropped a bow to their ruler along with everyone else in the chamber.

"Mother, quite frankly, I cannot condone the lashing of one so young. I find it, welladistasteful, to say the least."

"Mighty One," Salmeo began, bowing again for good measure, "the harem has a right to punish its own without the Zar'sainterceding."

"I understand that, Grand Master Eunuch." Boaz's tone was measured. "But the Spur here has the right to make the claim. The girl was his find. This is also the law of the harem, is it not?"

"It is, Zar," Salmeo admitted grudgingly.

"And I for one would rather a man be flogged than a young woman. I'm sure Lazar can handle thirty lashes of the Sparrow's Tongue."

Herezah smirked coldly behind her veil. "Except, my son, the method of flogging is purely the choice of the harem." Her tone was so icy the very atmosphere in the chamber became brittle.

"What do you mean?" Boaz queried, faltering for the first time.

"She means that the Elim will choose what to whip me with," Lazar said, a bitter smile turning up the corners of his mouth. His eyes were locked with Herezah's, both dueling, both determined to hurt the other.

"Is this right?" Boaz demanded, looking at the Vizier.

Tariq replied, "Yes. The Elim alone make the choice of weapon."

Boaz's face fell. Lazar felt a rush of sympathy for the youngster. He shouldn't have been crushed like this, not when he was just beginning to flex his authoritative muscle.

"Your High One," he said, bowing, "I accept. Thank you for giving me your sanction to claim the Right of Protectorship."

"Zarab be merciful upon you," Boaz replied, knowing it was the best he could do. "Where is this Ana? I would speak with her."

"She is not yet ready, son," Herezah said.

"She's ready enough to take your punishments, Mother," Boaz said firmly, knowing she would despise being spoken to with such disdain in front of these men, particularly Lazar. "She's therefore more than ready enough to meet her Zar. Have her readied for a meeting with me, Salmeo." When Salmeo looked toward Herezah, Boaz snapped, "Is there a problem, Grand Master Eunuch, in taking an order from your Zar? Do you need sanction from the Valide as well?"

"Of course not, High One," the huge man replied, admonished. "I shall see to it immediately. What about the Spur?"

"I'm not going anywhere." Lazar's voice was caustic. "Just tell me where you want me to be."

"The Courtyard of Sorrows," Herezah said, wresting back some authority as Boaz stalked away. "And Ana must be present. She must understand what her actions have caused. "She nodded to Salmeo. "See to it."

THE ELIM HAD BEEN given strict instructions. Ana was to be bathed and dressed in a particular white robe that could be slipped off her shoulders to reveal her back for the flogging, but new orders arrived as the slaves were hurriedly tying up her hair. She could not hear what was being said but she could tell that the eunuch in charge of proceedings was filled with consternation. Stepping into the small bathing chamber after the Elim had left, he whispered to the senior slave. Then he too departed, leaving Ana alone with the two women who were preparing her.

"What's happening?" Ana asked.

"You are to be dressed in a different robe. Step out of that one, please, Miss Ana."

"Why?"

"You are not to be flogged."

Relief flooded through her, although she couldn't imagine why the harem had changed its usual course of punishment. "Tell me, please, what has occurred?" she begged the middle-aged slave who was pulling the white gown from her shoulders.

"I have no information, Miss Ana, other than to dress you in more formal clothes."

She got nothing further from the woman. Ana cooperated meekly, climbing into soft silk trousers and allowing a long silk jamoosh of pale blue to be draped over her until only her eyes showed.

"You must wait now, my lady, in the adjoining chamber. The Elim will come for you."

The slave led Ana next door. And then departed. She had not been in the same room twice since arriving at the palace and could only wonder at how many hallways and palatial rooms the harem contained. She sat alone on a divan, her head bowed and the doors guarded. Ana felt alone and confused. The notion of what had occurred to prevent her punishment kept nagging; something or someone important must have interfered, for she felt sure neither Herezah nor Salmeo would permit her to escape the harem's disciplinary action. There was no one those two schemers answered to save the Zar himself. Did this mean Zar Boaz had stepped in? It seemed impossible. He didn't even know her, had not laid eyes upon her. Suddenly the comfort of escaping retribution for her daring actions turned sour, crytallizing into something more sinister. Although frightening, the thought of the flogging was preferable to the unknown. Butterflies fluttered in her belly, and as if on cue, there was a sudden activity at the main doors and the dwarf came bounding through.

"Pez!" she cried, never so relieved to see anyone in her life.

He was pulling silk handkerchiefs from his sleeves, his nose, his mouth, and his ears. "I wish I were a fish who could fly through the ocean," he cackled, jumping and singing his nonsense tune. Suddenly he threw himself to the floor and stared up at the painted ceiling. "Are they watching?" he whispered.