"Morbid curiosity, dark fascination, macabre entertainment."

"Then I make myself a promise to provide new entertainment for my people. We are a nation that prides itself on culture, Pez, whya"" Boaz cut off his words, gulping air and trying to compose himself.

"Boaz," Pez said firmly, "I applaud your sentiment. But public execution has its place. It is a valuable reminder, if nothing else, that lifea"no matter who you are or what your situation might bea"is precious. Any potential lawbreakers watching will know after today that you will not tolerate anyone who thinks they are above your laws."

Boaz nodded but Pez hadn't finished. "Your subjects will know after today, High One, that whilst you could so easily have covered up the crime within your own palace, you have been ruthless with one of your own. Your point will have been made, and everyone will take note."

Boaz hardly heard his friend's words, so intent was he on holding back his vomit. Pez fixed him with a fierce stare, which somehow gave Boaz strength, and then the dwarf rolled out of the karak squealing.

Boaz fought back his fear and emerged sedately, squinting slightly at the harsh light of the hot morning. The sky was a bright canvas for the sun to splash its golden rays across, interrupted briefly by a few scudding clouds, leftovers from the previous days of overcast skies. Today there would be no rain to wash away the blood or the stench of death.

Boaz was already sweating into his formal robes, and the wrapped silk about his head made him feel even hotter, but this had little to do with the weather. Pez rolled back to him and took his hand, acting like one of the monkeys Boaz used to be so amused by in his father's zoo. Rolling his eyes comically and tugging Boaz toward the steps in an exaggerated manner, the dwarf whispered, "Beware, my Zar. Salmeo has plotted another surprise."

ANA AND A FEW of the girls had been assembled in a large airy chamber that enjoyed a sweet breeze that blew in off the Faranel. Most of the young women were enjoying sitting around the grand stone fountain in the adjoining courtyards. But Ana remained in the chamber itself, admiring the exquisitely pretty tiles depicting the Tree of Life. She was feeling sorry for the youngest odalisque, Eishar, who stood apart from the other girls. She was only nine summers and looked permanently terrifieda"and with good reason, Ana thought, knowing full well that Salmeo would not have spared the youngster his special private exploration of her body.

"Did you sleep well, Eishar?" Ana asked, trying to ease the child's fear.

"No, I'm frightened they'll come for me at any time," the girl half sobbed.

"They?"

"The Zar's people." Eishar's voice was small and frightened.

"You must stop worrying," Ana reassured her. "I've met the Zar and he's really a very gentle man. He's quite youngaabout my age, and he will not be looking to call youa"not yet, not for a while anyway."

She hoped she was telling the truth; she had no real idea about the Zar's tastes or desires, but if her judgment was sound, Boaz was not interested in children. Eishar reminded Ana of her smallest sister and she wondered how her family was getting on. The Samazen could come at any time, and when that happened, her father would have to bring his two small herds closer to their dwelling. He wouldn't have her help this year and that saddened her deeply. She loved to spend time alone with her father, especially when he would relate the tale of how he found hera""the prettiest of babies," he would saya"in the scrub of the farther reaches of the foothills, just before they yielded to the desert proper. A pain knifed through her as she understood that she would never again see her beloved father. That sense of emptiness reminded her of the only other man she'd loved. He too would never look upon her again. At least her father was alive, she comforted herself, but Lazar had died for her, because of her selfishness.

All the girls turned at the sound of the Elim arriving. Most of the older girls were excited at the prospect of being taken to the main bathing pavilion, while Ana suspected Eishar would have liked nothing better than to be allowed to play beneath the cypress trees.

But the two Elim who arrived did not offer the usual greetings, and the subsequent entrance of the Grand Master Eunuch set off a palpable tremor of fear among the girls.

"Sisters," Salmeo lisped.

Everyone watching the huge man became deathly still.

Ana glanced at Eishar. The youngster looked ready to wail.

"Welcome to your first proper day in the harem of Zar Boaz. It was my intention that you begin your formal training today, but I regret to inform you that those activities will have to be postponed. Something rather important has arisen that involves one of your number." He let that statement sink in, pausing dramatically before he continued. "We've come to collect Odalisque Ana," he finally said softly, sounding almost apologetic. "Where are you, Ana?"

Ana had suspected that Salmeo would call her name, though for once she had no idea why.

"I'm here," she said. "Have you come to collect me for another of your spectacularly unpleasant shows?"

"Careful, Ana," Salmeo warned. "I have been tolerant because these are still early days. But once your formal training begins, I will be forced to employ a more stringent discipline." Raising his voice, he spoke to the wider audience now. "You should all be warned. Odalisque Ana is being shown some leniency today because she must face somethingawell"a"he searched theatrically for the right worda""shall we say unsavory."

A murmur passed through the girls. "Fret not, my lovelies, Ana will be returned to you shortly, unharmed." He smiled, one last time, his tongue flicking briefly through the gap in his teeth. "Come, Ana," he added, firmly this time, and she knew not to disobey.

After being dressed and appropriately hidden behind a long dark veil, Ana was led by the same two Elim beyond the main entrance. They assisted her into a tiny curtained karak and carried her swiftly through the beautiful series of manicured gardens. She chanced pulling back the curtains a mere crack and realized they were taking her toward the Moon Courtyard. It felt as if a lifetime had passed since she had last been here, though it was in fact mere days. In a moment of crystal clarity, it came to her that taking her life might be easier than facing the dullness that stretched out before her: no Lazar, no friendships with the girls who would soon see her as enemy rather than friend as the jostling for the Zar's attention began. Thinking about Boaz gave her some hopea"his intelligence, his youth, his desire not to imprison the girls of the harem but to find new ways to entertain and educate them. And dear Pezaperhaps her lifeline.

The karak was settled on the ground and Ana became aware of a loud murmur of voices outside. One of the Elim opened the curtain. "You must accompany us now."

"Why are we here?" she asked, keeping her voice light and playful, athough she suspected the Elim had seen every approach over the years. This one, however, was young and perhaps not as jaded because he did respond.

"There's to be a public execution today, Miss Ana. You are required to bear witness."

Ana gasped, shrinking back into the karak. She hadn't learned anything from Pez's careful warninga"Salmeo was going to ensure that she paid many times over for her challenge of hima"and she had even baited the fat eunuch again today, impressing the younger girls and enjoying the shocked glances from the older ones. It had been stupid of her and it had served only to intensify Salmeo's power over her. He enjoyed it tooa"enjoyed it especially because he knew she could never win. No amount of defiance would ever diminish his authority over her. She was his to command.

"I can't," she implored the waiting Elim.

Now his companion, an older man, looked in, irritated by the delay. "Hurry," he snapped, "the Grand Master Eunuch awaits."

"You must come now, Miss Ana," the young guard repeated with sympathy.

She shook her head but the older Elim reached in, all but pulling her from the karak. "You will behave, Odalisque Ana. I am answerable to the Grand Master Eunuch, and if you give us any trouble today, I will personally make your life as unpleasant as I can."

And so Ana understood now that the chain of misery passed down the line of command from Salmeo to his Elim. "It can't get any worse," she said.

"Be very sure that it can, Odalisque Ana. Now hold yourself erect and do not let the harem down."

BOAZ FELT HIS THROAT close tighter still at Pez's warning. He looked up at the great wall that surrounded the Stone Palace and its grounds and he instantly recognized the enormous bulk of Salmeo standing next to a petite figure in dark somber robes. The second figure was too small to be his mother, and no servant of hers would be permitted to leave the harem for the purposes of a public execution. There was only one other person who would be forced to witness this eventa"it had to be Odalisque Ana. Salmeo obviously intended to crush Ana's spirit well before she acquired any delusions that she might survive the harem with her integrity and personality intact. Even his mother had learned to play by Salmeo's rules and it would be no different for Anaa"unless he himself made it different.

Boaz turned to face the special steps cut into the wall. Every Zar had mounted them at one time or another, whether it be to make some proclamation or simply to observe his people going about their daily lives. Today these steps would afford him the best possible view of suffering. He wished with all of his heart he didn't have to be there, but he knew there would be no escaping his duty today. He could see Pez waiting at the top for him, going about his silly antics and raising guffaws from the crowd.

The Zar of Percheron took a deep breath and began the long climb, his steps matching the rhythm of the single haunting drum that announced his impending arrival.

IN THE THRONG awaiting the two barbaric executions stood a person in a dark gray jamoosh, holding the hand of a lad no more than ten. The youngster looked fearful, glancing up every few moments toward his companion, who had eyes only for the top of the palace walls and the various figures that stood upon them.

"That's her, that's Odalisque Ana, standing next to the Grand Master Eunuch," whispered the boy.

"So I gathered," came the reply.

"And the Valide Zara is here today as well. She stands near the Vizier. Can you see him?"

"I can, although I would not have recognized him without his garish silks and showy beard."

"That drum is sounding the arrival of the Zar."

"Thank you, Teril," the man said, and in the tone was a gentle admonishment that suggested this was not news.

The youngster was not deterred. "Should we get closer?"

"No. I think you'll regret being here soon."

"I've attended many floggings," the boy boasted unconvincingly.

"I know," his companion said a little sadly. "But this time you know the prisoner. Have you ever seen someone die slowly in excruciating pain?"

The boy shook his head.

"Well, that's what's ahead for young Shaz. Perhaps we shouldn't stay."

"But you asked me to bring you," the boy protested, confused.

"I did. But I have entirely different reasons for being here, which have nothing to do with an execution."

"Because of her?" the boy asked, nodding at Ana.

"Yes."

"You cannot speak to an odalisque. That privilege belongs to the Zar alone."

"I don't intend to speak to her. I simply needed to see her for myself. Do you see the dwarf prancing around?"

"Yes. That's Pez."

"I want you to get a note to him from me. It's very important, very urgent. Can you do that? I will pay you."

"I will not accept money. I owe you this." The person nodded and the boy read thanks in the intense look from beneath the jamoosh. "Where is the note?"

"Here." The figure pressed a small folded parchment into the boy's hand.

"Now?"

"As soon as you can, Teril."

"I may have to wait until the dwarf comes back down those stairs."

"I can never thank you enough for helping me in this way."

"Then our debt is settled, Spur Lazar?" the boy asked in a whisper.

"Fully," Lazar replied, his voice scratchy from the bitter tea concoction that Ellyana and Zafira had been forcing down his throat every hour but mostly from the drop of drezden that had numbed him. "And now I must leave." He placed a hand on the youngster's head, ruffled the boy's curly hair. "Be careful. No one must read this but the Zar's jester."

"I understand. But how will you walk? You needed my help before."

"I shall manage" came the brusque reply.

The lad nodded unhappily. He gave a brief farewell wave before melting into the crowd.

Lazar pulled the jamoosh hood farther over his face before glancing up at Ana, trying to imprint her features onto his mind. Finally he turned unsteadily, the pain of his exertion hidden beneath the veiling garments, and then hobbled away on two gnarled walking sticks. Lazar knew he should not have come today, knew it would cost him dearly in terms of his health. The two priestesses had saved his life, that much was sure, but oh, how Zafira had railed at him when he had begun this slow, debilitating journey down from the hut on Star Island into the boat, where Teril awaited him. Was it fate that the same child who had attended Shaz at Lazar's flogging also had a father with leprosyaor was this Lyana's work? He would never know. All he knew was the intense burst of joy he'd felt at seeing the familiar face of Teril when the boy had come running by the hut. Lazar asked himself again as he slowly limped away from the mob whether it was by chance or design that he happened to be rugged up, sitting outside on the clifftop, taking some air, when Teril had come skipping by. They had recognized each other instantly.

"Spur Lazar?" Teril had choked. "Zarab save me, I thought we'd killed you."

"Zarab himself tried," Lazar had croaked, not expecting the boy to understand. "But I defied him."

"The whip was poisoned," the wide-eyed boy had beseeched, no preamble required.

Lazar had given a growl. "This has nothing to do with Shaz. He made a mess of my bodya"that's all he is guilty of."

"He had no choice, Spur. Rah made him do the whipping."

"I gathered as much. Tell me about yourself?"

"I am called Teril. My mother begged the palace to take me when my father became a leper. She had no income to take care of us children and she died not long after. I suspect she killed herself from a broken heart, Spur. She loved my father and all of us."

Lazar had nodded. "Who took you in?"

"Horz. He felt sorry for my family. He took my two brothers too but they work in the kitchens."

"He is the finest of the Elim."

"He will die shortly, alongside Shaz."

"Die today? What?" Lazar had roared, shocked, although his voice no longer had the power he was used to. The youngster had nodded, terrified. "What do you know?" The child's words had come out in a big rush. Lazar's fury had intensified as Teril had recounted how two men had been expertly framed for his deatha"all lies, he assumed. It had to be Salmeo behind the poisoning. "The odalisqueaAna?"

"I don't know, Spur. The business of the palace harem is not for the likes of me."

Lazar hadn't needed confirmation from the lad to know that Salmeo would insist upon Ana being in attendance for the execution. It was just another way to humiliate her, unravel the few threads of herselfa"pride, courage, determinationa"that she kept tightly bound. Lazar knew at that moment that he had to see her and he had to find a way to contact Pez. No longer would this charade be allowed to continue. "Help me up."

"Spur Lazar, if you'll forgive me, you don't look as though you can stand."

"With your help, Teril, I intend to stand, to walk somehow, and to get across to the palace before the execution."

Teril had shaken his head, looking worried. "I have to tell you, Spur, I'm not sure we can make it back in time." He had looked up toward the sun and marked the time of day. "They could already be dead," he had said sadly.

Before Lazar could respond, a cry had interrupted him. "What are you doing?" Zafira had called, limping out of the cottage, her expression one of intense worry. "Lazar! What is this?" She had looked at the boy who had lifted Lazar unsteadily to his feet. "Who are you?"

"This is Teril, Zafira. He was present at the flogging. He tells me that Horz of the Elim and Shaz, the junior Inflictor, will die today as a result of my sentence."

Zafira's worry had turned to fear. It had ghosted across her face, making her seem all the more frail. It had seemed to him she'd already heard the news. "Lazar, my son, you cannot go, you cannot help those two men. This is not your doing. This is the palace tying up loose endsasurely you know this?" She had looked at the scared boy standing next to Lazar, who was nodding without knowing it. "All the more reason to keep your life a secret."

He had looked at her, pained, knowing she spoke the truth. "Not from everyone, Zafira. Not from Pez, not from Jumo."

"And Ana? You cannot inflict any more suffering onto that girl. She has to learn to survive in the palaceawithout you, Lazar."

He had looked momentarily beaten, swaying on his legs. "I know," he had croaked. "I am not going to make contact with Ana. I already know I probably cannot save Horz, although nothing would give me greater pleasure than to declare myself alive, show them."

"You cannot!" she had spat, angry. "Someone wants you dead, Lazar, and they almost got their wish. I beg you, do not reveal yourself yet."

"Innocent people will die," he had persisted.

"They always do," she had countered. "In any struggle, the innocent perish. We fight for something far bigger than two lives, Lazar. I beg you, Lazar, you must let your body heal."

Lazar had been torn but he had to do something. "I must get word to Pez," he had groaned. "I need him to do some things for me."

"I can do that for you," she had insisted. "Stay here whilsta""

"No! I trust only myself," he had lied. He knew he probably couldn't get close to Pez without revealing himself to others. And he simply had to lay eyes on Ana once more. Just one more time and then he would let her go.