"Hello, Kett," Boaz said good-naturedly, recovering with effort from the shock of discovery. "I'm escaping my tutors and keepers, guardians and mother. Everyone, in fact. Do you know Pez, my jester?"

Pez began to pick his nose, rendering a small jig.

Kett, a servant to the eunuchs, shook his head dumbly, looking from the Zar to the clown, who was now examining the contents from his nostrils.

Boaz winced. "He has some awful habits. Don't mind him. I haven't seen you in ages."

"Forgive me, High One. Since turning fourteen, they think I'm ready to take on more duties. They keep me busy, Majesty." The boy bobbed another bow. "But I miss our fun."

"Kett was a playmate of mine for a while," the Zar explained to Pez, who pretended to pay no attention to anything but digging at his ear. "His mother served my mother when she first came to the palace. Kett was allowed to join in some of my games until my mother felt we were becoming too close. She separated us." He looked back to the boy, whose dark face had not lost its expressiveness with the added years. "How many years ago was that, Kett?"

"Four, Majesty. My humble prayers for your father but I admit I rejoiced to hear that you were to be our next Zar."

"Thanks, Kett. Soawhat are you doing?" Boaz was keen to lose the royal tag for just one evening. He pulled the dwarf 's hand away from his nose. Pez began to sing, loudly.

"Is he always like this, High One?" Kett asked.

"I'm afraid so. He can be very amusing, though."

Kett looked dubious but remembered his manners. "I've finished for the night, Majesty. I was on my way back to my quarters. I'm not allowed anywhere near the harem, of course, but some of us use this corridor as a shortcut to our dormitories."

"Oh, of course. I guess you would get into trouble if you were seen in the harem."

Kett grinned. "I don't want to follow in my superiors' footsteps and be a eunucha"I think I like girls too much. I want to be one of the Spur's men if they'll let me. My mother's connection to yours might help, now that your mother is Valide Zara."

"Good for you, Kett. I hope you get what you want."

The boy nodded. "Is there anything I can do for you, High One?" he asked. "I hope you don't mind me mentioning that you shouldn't be here either."

"No, you're right. We were just larking around. Pez's silly singing and dancing led us here."

"Let me guide you from here, Majesty," Kett offered.

"Do you like to see naked girls?" Pez asked, a question that brought polite conversation to a halt. The two boys stared at each other, both stifling embarrassed laughter. "Because I know a hiding spot where we can see them, tra-la-la." He began to dance again, a dullard's grin on his face.

"Is he mad?" Kett asked.

"Completely," Boaz confirmed.

The dwarf slid through a doorway hung with black velvet.

"What's he doing?" Kett asked, alarmed. "That's forbidden!"

"Not to him. Pez has royal permission to go wherever he likes, including the harem's hallways and chambers."

Pez stuck his head out of the curtains. "And so do you, Zar Boaz. You are the royal authority. There is no higher authority in the land than yours."

"What's he talking about?"

Boaz sighed. "He's daring me to go into the forbidden halls of the harem."

"No, High One. You cannot," Kett begged. "Come, I shall take you from here."

Boaz looked between the two, but the challenge in Pez's expression won out. This was the way of the Zars of Percherona"strength and discipline were the foundation of the rule. He must dig deep and turn quickly into the man his father had chosen him to bea"firm, decisive, ruthlessaand not afraid of breaking a few rules.

"Come, Boaz," Pez urged in a whisper. "You must see what your mother is planning for you."

"Come with us, Kett," Boaz offered, on a whim.

"Cannot protect the servant boy," Pez muttered in a singsong voice, but Boaz ignored him.

"You said you liked girls," he challenged.

"I do. But not enough to be beheaded for them."

"I won't allow that. You forget that I am Zar," Boaz answered haughtily. Surprised at his own courage, he grabbed Kett's arm and dragged him between the curtains.

Kett yelled but Boaz pushed a hand across the boy's mouth. "Hush now!"

"Can't protect him," Pez sang softly as he waddled deeper into the dark corridor.

"You hush too," Boaz growled to Pez. "This is your fault. Now lead on!"

The three adventurers moved in silence. This particular passageway remained black, draped with fabric. Finally they emerged into a dimly lit opening from which several corridors led.

Pez put his finger to his lips and Boaz felt a tingling fear crawl up his spine. Zar or not, this act they were committing was fraught with a danger he didn't want to meet.

"Where we need to be is still on the fringe of the harem," Pez whispered. "Follow me," and the boys dutifully followed the little man, hoping to the gods that no one was coming the other way.

Pez appeared to read their thoughts. "Everyone will have been banished from these hallways for the duration of the Choosing Ceremony. Fret not, we are alone. But from now on we must remain silent as mice."

They nodded, spectral in the murkiness of the corridor, where tiny flames in hanging lanterns cast a thin, ghostly light.

They twisted and turned down various other corridors until finally Pez slowed and gave them a look of dire warning. Boaz could see a new intensity of light ahead and nodded to his friend. They had arrived.

Moving forward tentatively, they held their collective breath until they reached some latticework, which offered thin protection between themselves and a gathering of men in a decorative chamber. They were drinking, socializinga"their noise drowned out any noise from the three interlopers.

"This is called the Choosing Room. It's where a selection of girls will be presented to the Valide Zara. It is from this range of lovelies that you will eventually choose your wives, Boaz," Pez whispered.

"Do I get any say in the matter?" the young Zar asked.

Pez grinned. "Of course. But your mother makes the initial selection. She is seeing forty-two girls today."

"Where is she?"

"Arriving any moment now, I'd suggest." Pez glanced at Kett, could see the strain of terror on his face, wished deeply that Boaz had not invited this boy along. He was a danger to all of them and yet, that thought aside, there was something else about Kett that nagged at Pez. Something important. He didn't know the boy but he felt as if he shoulda"felt, in fact, a sudden sorrow for the child.

But it was too late to turn back. Guards would have been posted now that the Valide Zara was on her way. They were trapped and would have to remain here, silent, until Herezah had left the chamber and returned to her own rooms.

This was madnessa"for all he had urged Boaz on, Pez knew that himself. And yet he had felt compelled to see the Choosing. He came out of his worried thoughts to concentrate on peering through the latticework, feeling his heart hammering with anticipation.

A HERALD SOUNDED LOUDLY from the surrounding balustrade, calling everyone to order. The men hushed. The Valide Zara was announced and Herezah swept into the chamber from a secret entrance that connected to the harem proper. Lazar noted she was following strict protocol in being covered head to foot but there was nothing modest about the way she presented herself. Dressed as she was in brilliant emerald silks, only her eyes showed, and they were dark and dangerous. She had expressive eyes and even from this distance Lazar could read the excitement in them.

She shimmered as she moved, the lantern light catching the tones woven into the silk, one moment violet, the next deep emerald. Even veiled, she commanded attention.

Everyone bowed low to acknowledge the Valide's arrival. Then Tariq and Salmeo moved forward to join her on the special plinth erected for this evening's proceedings. Both seemed to be basking in her bright glory. Oh yes, Lazar thought, Herezah would find willing servants in these two. And again a gloom settled about him as he considered just how Ana would fare among these cruel, ambitious people who would be controlling her life.

"Hail, Valide Zara," Salmeo called, and everyone responded.

"Thank you, brothers, for your rousing welcome." There was a playfulness in Herezah's tone tonight. She was enjoying herself; had surely dreamed about this moment.

Herezah continued. "We are gathered this night for you to present suitable girls for inclusion in Zar Boaz's harem. I thank you for helping us to find the raw material from which he will select his wives and thus the future heirs for Percheron, and we will be glad to pay handsomely for each of the girls deemed suitable." She nodded toward Salmeo, who beamed in response and stepped forward as she moved to sit on her throne.

The chief eunuch cleared his throat. "I would like to clarify on behalf of the palace how the choosing of the Zar's harem works. Firstly, you have brought among you forty or so girls aged between ten and fifteen. We thank you for this. As agreed, we will pay twenty-five karels per child, no matter whether they are chosen or not. The girls we accept will attract a further fifty karels paid to you as your finding fee. Those we do not select you may sell in the market for your personal gain or keep to do with as you wish." His tongue flicked between his teeth and his lips shone with the moistening. All but Lazar laughed at his innuendo.

Salmeo was still speaking. "aVizier Tariq will see to payment, yes," he answered in response to a question. "Which brings me to the point that the entire fee will not be settled for the girls chosen this evening until they have completed the Test of Virtue." He allowed this seemingly innocuous statement to hang for a moment. "I'm sure you understand, brothers," he added lasciviously.

If he had not heard his name called first, Lazar was sure he would have found a reason to leave the chamber.

"Spur Lazar kindly agreed to help us fill the quota of girls and I'm sure none of you will mind if he presents his selection first. He's a busy man, as you know, and no doubt is eager to return to his duties, having been away. Spur?"

Lazar ignored Salmeo and cleared his throat. "Valide Zara, please forgive my dusty appearance. I have not had time since returning from the foothills to change into something more appropriate for your company," he said as he approached the plinth. In truth he could not have cared less about his appearance, especially where she was concerned, but he knew he must play to her vanity.

Herezah nodded. "Worry not, Spur. I'm sure most men would give an eye to look as good as you do even in dirty garments."

The men around him sniggered, mostly out of jealousy, but Lazar deliberately kept his expression blank, his eyes firmly fixed on the Valide. Herezah always tried to provoke a reaction from him. So far she'd never provoked the anger she so craved. He would not give it now even though it simmered inside.

"Thank you, Valide, for your generosity." Lazar moved quickly to business. He wanted to be gone as soon as possible. "I present six applicants for your consideration."

A bell sounded, another set of curtains was pulled back, and a line of girls was led in, all naked but for a gauzy sheath that gave them a sense of modesty although it hid nothing. Lazar ignored all the others and looked only at Ana. He hated that the other men in the room were enjoying the sight of her body, just ripening into womanhood.

"Come, girls." Salmeo shooed them into position in front of Herezah and began the introductions. "This is Fajel, she is ten, and as you can see is straight-limbed with a tendency toward being tall, I would suggesta" Lazar forced his mind to drift. He did not want to listen to this.

He fixed his own stare on Herezah to give the impression that he was paying close attention. He knew she watched him more closely than she watched the child and he deliberately blanked his face, knowing how much it irritated her. She soon grew bored with trying to win any flicker of interest from him and returned to the job at hand.

"Can you sing something for us, Fajel?" she asked, and the girl nodded. "Go ahead, then."

A sweet sound broke across the mainly silent room, interrupted only by shuffles or coughs. There was no more socializing now. Each man wanted his six chosen above all the others.

The girl finished her song. "That was very nice," Herezah said condescendingly. "Turn around for me, child."

Salmeo aided the girl as she slowly spun around so the Valide could see her from all angles. "This one will stay slim, Valide Zara," he hazarded.

"Yes, we'll take her," Herezah said, sounding slightly bored. "Next."

It continued. Lazar was not involved in any of the choosing but he was required to stand alongside the line of girls and he was pleased that Ana was last and he was able to be next to her as the line dwindled. He could feel the heat from her body radiating to the back of his hand, which barely touched the thin gauze that separated his skin from hers. He wished he could offer reassurance. It would be hollow, thougha"it would be a lie and Ana would know it.

Finally it was her turn and he took a deep, steadying breath, hoping nothing of the turmoil he was feeling would be given away on his face.

Salmeo continued. "Valide Zara, this is Ana, found in Shanar. She is almost fourteen and already a dazzling beauty, if I might say so. I would urge that this girl is the pick of the forty-two on offer this evening. I understand the Spur paid a premium for her."

"Indeed, Salmeo, and rightly so." Herezah stood. Lazar knew her interest had been piqued. It was everything he had hoped would not happen. "She's from the foothills, you say?"

Lazar took a moment to realize Herezah was addressing him. "Er, yes, Valide, from the west. She belongs to a goatherd's family, but she was originally an orphan, adopted by them."

"That hair!" Herezah said, unable to hide her excitement. "Where does one find a child of this coloring in the foothills?"

Lazar shrugged, feigning boredom. "I'm told by the stepmother that she was found as a newborn after the Samazen had passed through. Presumably her family perished. As for the color, I suspect she is from the far, far west, probably merchants."

"Oh yes, yes." Herezah smiled, pleased. "Spin, child, let me feast my eyes upon you."

Ana obeyed and for the first time Lazar looked too. She was perfect. He had been wrong to think her coltish; he had been fooled by the baggy clothing her stepmother had forced on her and by her square shoulders. Beneath Ana's transparent shift was a nubile body rounding into the fullness of womanhood. Her belly was taut, flat; her curves still gentle but filled with promise. Her breasts were already full and high.

Herezah stepped down from the plinth and shocked everyone by reaching out and pinching one of Ana's nipples. To her credit, Ana did not flinch.

Herezah laughed with pleasure. "Oh yes, watch them rise strong and ready to the touch. This one is more than wanted; this one is desired. Boaz will love her. Congratulations, Lazar." Herezah looked directly at Ana now. "You're very beautiful, my dear. Do you know it? Will you use it in the right way, I wonder?"

"I am how I am, Valide," Ana said levelly, taking everyone by surprise. Herezah's question had been rhetorical and no one had anticipated a response. When it came, it silenced those gathered, including the Valide. Salmeo glared at the child.

"And headstrong too, I see," Herezah continued. "That we shall need to work upon." She looked toward the chief eunuch. "Salmeo."

"Yes, Valide," he lisped enthusiastically.

"I may even take this one on myself."

Lazar's heart sank.

"Who better to prepare her for Boaz than the person who knows him best?" the Valide asked, laughing beneath her veils.

"That is a high compliment to the girl, Valide," Salmeo admitted. "You are fortunate, child," he said to Ana, though he still glowered from the audacity of her earlier comment.

"Ana, you are now odalisque of the harem of Zar Boaz, King of Kings, Mightiest of the Mighties." Then Herezah smiled. "And I am your mistress."

Ana said nothing, though everyone was anticipating some response.

Lazar felt frantic. He had to do something. "Valide?"

"Oh yes, Spur, you will be paid handsomely for this find."

"That is not my query, Valide Zara. Ana's purchase came with certain conditions." He wondered whether he could pull this off.

"Conditions?" she said in the quiet voice he knew well. Herezah had learned long ago not to fall into the trap of screeching as other women might do, or raising her voice when she disagreed. She had taught herself to harness the emotion into a deadly calm.

Lazar, however, was ready for her. "Yes, that's right. It's unusual, I agree." He contrived a tone of embarrassment. "Valide, this girl was too special to pass up. I thought you might be prepared to make an exception. But I understand if you'd take umbrage at being dictated to by a mere peasant." He did his best to insult her politely, hoping against hope that she'd rise to his bait and banish both him and the girl. "In fact, if you are offendeda"and I would not blame you if you werea"I shall stand by the rules you have made."

"Which are?" she asked.

"That the money I spent on her is my loss and I must make it up as best I can."