"Oh?"

"From what I can gather, the tips of the Snake were dipped in the lethal potion. It then entered his body via the wounds from the flogging."

Salmeo's shock appeared complete. "No" was all he could say, vehemently shaking his head, flesh wobbling tremulously beneath the sober-colored robes he had chosen this day.

"Who chose the Viper's Nest if not you, Salmeo?" Boaz urged.

"I can'ta"" Salmeo groaned.

"You must, Grand Master Eunuch, or the full blame of the Spur's death will rest on your shoulders. I will not lie to the people about this. Answers are required. Someone must pay for the murder of this man."

The eunuch wept harder. It was disconcerting enough to watch this normally arrogant man humbled, but to hear him cry was the most uncomfortable moment Boaz had known in his life. "It was Horz, my Zar," the Grand Master Eunuch suddenly blurted out. "Horz, the head of my Elim guard. He said he was going to take revenge on the Spur but I didn't believe it. I kept hoping that in his drunkenness he was just talking rubbish."

"Horz?" Boaz repeated skeptically. The head of the Elim was one of the most trustworthy and sober people he knew.

"Horz had a grudge against Lazar," Salmeo explained.

"What are you talking about? What grudge?"

"Horz is related to Odalisque Ana, Great One. He is brother to her father. He resented that she had been brought into the harem to be made a concubine. Perhaps her father is furiousa"she did say that he did not sanction the sale."

"Ana's uncle?" Boaz's mind was reeling. "She never mentioned it."

"Why would she? Ana is secretive by nature. But I make a point of knowing all I can about our odalisques, Majesty."

"And he used the drezden? Are you sure?"

"Who else could it be, Zar Boaz? Horz has access to it. Only he and I have keys to the dispensary. And once we had heard about Spur Lazar's intentions, it was to Horz I turned to help me set up the flogging. I briefed him and left it to him, my Zar. It was Horz who chose the Viper's Nest. Believe me when I say it was a shock to me too, to see that vicious weapon being brought out. But by then it was too latea"what could I do?"

"Intervene?" Boaz snapped, angry.

"With all due respect, High One, I could not. I have invested my faith in Horz, Great One, as you invest yours in those who serve you well. He has been a model Elim, and has been an exemplary guard. I trust him completely; I would never have compromised his position by undermining his authority at the flogging. As I said, I was surprised, but having been told that Shaz was the best new Inflictor, I felt it would be handled with caution. Furthermore, once you commuted the sentencea""

"Which you didn't seem to agree with," Boaz interrupted.

"That is true, Mighty One. I believe in upholding tradition and forgive me if my expression reflected a reluctance to stray from that path." Salmeo stopped talking, breathing hard from his urgency to explain.

"So Horz had the motive and the opportunity, you say?"

"That's right. I thought it was mere talka"the talk of the liquora"it never entered my mind that he would actually carry out his wish for revenge."

Boaz sighed, deeply disturbed by all that he had heard. "Family honor is a powerful motivation."

Salmeo nodded sadly. "I take full responsibility, my Zar. I appointed Horz. He is my man."

"Don't be ridiculous, Salmeo. You didn't ask him to do such a thing, nor did you guide his hand. This is murdera"a calculated killing, and I will not tolerate it in my palace."

"What will happen to Horz?" Salmeo asked, a new and plaintive tone in his voice.

"He must pay for his crime. I will require a full confession from him by sundown. Bring him to me just before the feast gong. I would prefer not to handle this on a full belly."

"Yes, my Zar."

"Salmeo, for the time being, this is between us. If I discover that anyone has learned of Horz's actionsa"or our discussiona"your head will roll with his. I want to know the truth from his lips before I make my decision."

"I understand, Zar Boaz. I will prepare him."

"Will he be honest?"

"He is an honorable man, Great One."

Boaz nodded. "I wish to be alone now to consider all that I've heard. I shall see you in an hour. Please have Odalisque Ana brought to me then," he said, sadness creeping into his tone.

Salmeo bowed low and turned to leave. The Zar could not see the way the scar on the Grand Master Eunuch's face lifted with the man's sly grin.

24.

The man looked sickened. "Lie to the Zar? Admit to a terrible sin I did not commit?"

"Unless you want your family slain, Horz," Salmeo agreed conversationally. At the Elim's stunned expression, his chief continued slyly: "Or did you think I didn't know about them? I know everything, Horz. I know that you were once married and have three childrena"two boys and a girl, if I recall correctly. I know that your wife dieda"your error in making her travel during an illnessa"and that your brother's family has raised your children whilst you, as a penance of sorts, offered yourself to the Elim."

Horz's face had drained of all color. He stood before the Grand Master Eunuch pale and rigidly still.

Salmeo looked at his nails, made a mental note to have a slave neaten them again this evening. "I know that your children live with your eldest brother. Your other brother is a goatherd in the foothills. His marriage is less than perfect but he has five childrena"one of them not his. The middle girl is an orphan, adopted by your brother. Her name is Ana and she was found by Spur Lazar, purchased fairly and brought to the palace. Except the negotiations were with the shrewish wife, not your brother, and he is hurting and you are angry that one of your own has been given to the harem. Odalisque Ana recognized you but did not give you awaya"she's a clever girl. She'll cost me more grief than I deserve, I'm sure, but she protected you, Horz. It was you who gave yourself away. I knew nothing about your brother in the foothills until I began to make inquiries after your reaction at the presentation of the girls. You were protective toward her, and I became suspicious. And now it's simple, Horz. I need a scapegoat and you're the perfect solution. I can't possibly take the blame myself."

The Elim said nothing, presumably understanding all too clearly now that he was staring into two pitsa"both dark, both horrible. One meant death to the family he loved; the other meant death to him. There was no choice, really.

"Now, if you go along with my suggestion," Salmeo said softly, his lisp more noticeable as a result, "I will give you my assurancea"a blood assurance, if you insista"that I will take care of your children. Your sons will have money and some land or a shop if they wish and a house each of their own in the city. You may choose. Your daughter I will help find a good man forasomeone she likes, I promise, someone who will treat her kindly. A rich man. She will want for nothing. Your brothers and their families will receive an annuity each year in gold and camels. Even in your most vivid dreams, you couldn't have hoped for this much."

Horz shook his head sadly but said nothing.

"It's how much I value what you will do for me. I pledge it. All this will occur if you'll lie for meaand die for me. You are Elim, after all."

Still the man stayed silent.

"And if you will not lie, Horz, then your family will die. Not just your children but both of your brothers, their wives, and all their children between them. I hear the youngest is just a summer old. Pity. There is nothing you can do, there is nowhere they can hide. You should know," Salmeo said to the proud man who now gazed fearfully at the ground, trembling, "that I have already sent men to encircle your people."

Horz looked up sharply, hate radiating from his dark eyes.

"Oh, come now, did you expect anything less? Of course I've already dispatched mena"killers tooa"but they will not act until they've heard from me. Does your family live or die, Horz?"

ANA WAS LED IN by two senior eunuchs and she immediately sensed that the Zar was not in the playful, chatty mood of the previous day. When she stood before him, he signaled the escort to remain. This was a formal meeting, then.

She eyed him through the slit of the charcoal veil she wore tonight over creamy loose pantaloons and a billowing chemise. Ana was glad that the veil hid her fear. The Zar's grave countenance could mean only one thing: he had bad news for her. It was obvious Lazar was not coming back in a hurry.

Why she had held such hope that he would be striding through the marble corridors within days was beyond her. One didn't have to be wise to see that Lazar's injuries were so horrific that he would need months to recover. And this was all her fault. Her selfish attitude had brought about his suffering. Remembering how he had looked at her before the flogging, she knew in her heart that Lazar had already forgiven her. But could she ever forgive herself? She doubted it.

Ana swallowed hard and reminded herself that this soul-searching was yet more self-centeredness. She was already wondering how she would cope without a glimpse of Lazar or a chance to hear his voice. She loved him, and wanted to tell him that she had mouthed the words behind her veil, but of course he would not have understood; she could only hope her eyes had conveyed her feelings truly. She knew she was a child in his eyes, but he had sold her into the harem for an adult's role. If she could make love to the Zar, she could make love to the Spur.

Oh shame on you, Ana, she chided silently. Your wicked thoughts will dismantle you. Ana watched Boaz approach and then fell to her knees, flattening herself as she had been taught, arms spread wide in supplication.

"Please stand, Ana," Boaz commanded graciously.

She did so, straightening her robes but not offering him eye contact until she was given permission. From now on, she would do everything the right way, and then she would earn the palace's affection and hopefully Lazar's respect.

"I wish to talk with you privately but I've asked the Elim to remain. Let us move here so we may not be overheard."

She nodded, wondering both at the secretiveness and at the reason Boaz had requested the Elim's presence.

"You may look at me, Ana. It would please me."

She heard the struggle in his voice and decided to help him. "My Zar, I believe that you have called me here this afternoon to give me news of the man who so generously offered his own skin to save mine. Thank you for keeping your promise."

To her surprise, Boaz didn't look any happier for the aid. "Your intuition serves you well, Odalisque Ana. Yes, this is about Spur Lazar, but first I must ask you something."

"I'll answer whatever you wish to ask, Highness."

"I want your truth," he counseled seriously. "The man called Horz, do you know him?"

"He is the head of the Elim, Highness," she answered immediately but carefully.

Boaz's serious expression did not waver. "I know. I want to know if you know him outside of that role."

Ana blinked. "He is my uncle," she said softly. "I hardly know him but I have seen him once prior to the palace, when he came to visit my father and our family. It was a long time ago but I don't forget faces, Highness."

"I see," Boaz replied, and she could sense a swell of disappointment overcome him. Why was he upset? Was he angry with her for not saying something sooner?

"My Zar," she began, leaping to the wrong conclusion, "he has shown me no special treatment. I have hardly seen him since my arrival, other than in the Choosing Room when I was to be presented with the other odalisques. He also was in charge of me at the flogging but we did not exchange so much as a word. He pretends not to know me and I him."

Boaz sighed. "I thank you for your honesty."

"You look so unhappy, my Zar. Please unburden yourself and give me the tidings of the Spura"the pain is mine, for the fault is mine. I know he was badly hurt and I suspect you are disappointed that he will be out of service for a long while."

She saw Boaz's eyes widen slightly. There was deep grief hidden in that startled expression and there was pain in the way his mouth twisted, urged itself to say the words. "Ana, it is my sad duty to tell you that Spur Lazar will not be returning to the service of Percheron."

She heard him clearly but the words made no sense to her. "Has he gone away?" she asked, feeling injured that Lazar had not sent word of farewell.

"He has gone away for good, you could say," Boaz said gently. "He has gone to his gods, Ana."

She cocked her head slightly as if listening to an inner voice. She couldn't seem to grasp his meaning.

"Spur Lazar died in the early hours of this morning, Ana. It was confirmed by an old priestess from the Sea Temple."

"Zafira?" she whispered, hardly knowing she uttered it.

"Yes. He died in her arms. She has disposed of his body as he requested."

Ana was trembling. Boaz signaled to the Elim, who were at her side in moments, preventing her from falling.

"He died from his wounds?" She began to wail softly. "How can this be?"

"I'm afraid I know nothing further," Boaz lied.

"He can't be dead," she groaned. "He can't. Have you checked with Jumo, my Zar?"

"Jumo was here with me this morning, Ana. He is as upset as you and has agreed to find Lazar's family and pass on the news with my deepest regrets."

"Jumo's gone to Merlinea?" she stammered, no longer thinking straight, just talking, saying anything to keep the horror at bay.

"Yes. Ana, you need to lie down. You are in shock. The Elim will take you back to your chambers and will give you something to help you sleep. We shall talk again soon."

"Boaz, no!" she shrieked, ignoring all protocol. The Elim gripped her hard, angry at her manner with their Zar.

"Stop," he ordered them. "Be gentle with her. Carry her back to the harem, and if I hear of a strand of her hair so much as pulled from her head, you will both regret it. Ana," he said, gently, wishing he could cup her face or hold her hand but unwilling to touch her in front of the Elim, "go now. We will know more soon. Be brave; Lazar would want you to be as brave as he was." Looking to one of the men, he ordered, "Ask her maid to give her a soporific immediately. She must sleep off her shock and someone must be with her the whole time. Pez will do." He saw their puzzlement. "He's mad, yes, but he's also company and he can soon alert the harem when she wakes or if she needs anything. Do as I command. Find him and tell him I said he's to stay with her."

He looked away as the baffled men, unsure of how to order Pez to do anything, ushered the silent, grief-stricken figure away.

PEZ TOOK ONE LOOK at the tearstained face and understood immediately that Ana had learned the shocking news.

"aand you're to remain here with her, dwarf, do you understand, you fool? Zar's orders," an Elim was saying.

He ignored the man, humming to himself, but as the Elim bent down to make his point, he sneezed into the man's face. And then kept sneezing, much to the man's horror and disgust. Pez could see the man's fingers twitching into a fist, desperate to make the dwarf pay for such insult.

"Don't," the Elim's mate cautioned. "It's not worth your own skin. He's mad, you know."

"Sometimes I feel as though he knows exactly what he's doing," the first man grumbled, wiping his face. "Come on, let's go."

Mercifully, they left and Pez was finally able to turn and lay his hand on the slightly feverish forehead of the restless young woman. Ana moaned softly, caught in a drug-induced sleep. As before, as soon as he touched her, Pez felt a strange sensation tingling through his palm and traveling up his arm until it entered his body proper and warmed him throughout. It was unsettlinga"as though her fever had passed into his bodya"and yet it was also somehow comforting. As long as he kept his hand on her body, the sense of glowing within remained.

She stirred. Her eyelids fluttered open but her eyes remained unfocused, her pupils dilated. The warmth running through Pez intensified. He half expected Ana to sit up and then walk in her sleeping statea"he had seen others do thisa"but she began to murmur instead, incoherently. He leaned in close to hear better and realized that she was speaking a language he did not understand but recognized as an ancient one.

Suddenly she gripped his hand with such force he winced. Her body had become rigid although her eyes continue to stare blankly. "Pez."

Her voice sounded distant, odd. A trickle of fear crawled up his spine. "I'm here, Ana."

"Tell Lazar I'm sorry."

He did not want to lie but did anyway. "I will, although he needs no apology."

Seemingly at his words, the warmth through his body increased.

"The owl is yours."