The Dance of Time

'I'm told several of them required medical assistance. Fortunately, there wasn't any. It's all concentrated in this room.'

That was good for a shared belly laugh.

A father and his frets

'I have no objection, personally,' said Dadaji Holkar. 'None at all. There even seems to be a genuine attachment between Dhruva and Valentinian. None, perhaps, between Lata and Anastasius. But my wife tells me Lata is content with the situation. What else does a marriage need, at the beginning? But. .'

He and Belisarius were standing in a small alcove, apart from the throngs. Now that the reception was over, the festivities had spread throughout the palace. Relieved beyond measure, the courtiers had come into their own.

'You are concerned over possible gossip,' Belisarius said. 'Dadaji, I will point out that with husbands like that-not to mention you being the peshwa of Andhra-'

'Yes, yes, yes.' Holkar waved his hand, impatiently. 'We can add the fact that-I have no doubt-you will have your son shower Valentinian and Anastasius with ranks in the Roman nobility and Rana Sanga's clan has already officially adopted them and pronounced them both kshatriya. Give it ten years, and-I have no doubt-someone will discover ancient records that prove both men are descended from the most illustrious lines. Somewhere.'

His face looked weary. 'The fact remains, Belisarius, that people will talk. And I really don't think we need to have the streets of Bharakuccha running with the blood of gossiping merchants. Which-Valentinian?  — will most certainly happen.'

The Roman general scratched his chin. 'But who would start the talk, Dadaji?' He hesitated, for a moment, before deciding that brutal honesty was the only sensible course. 'Look, here's the simple truth. Within a week-a day-a prostitute's customer doesn't even remember what she looked like. He'll remember her name-if he even asked at all-no longer than that. As for the other prostitutes, by now they'd be scattered to the winds. And nobody listens to such women, anyway.'

Holkar didn't flinch from the bluntness. 'Who cares about them? Belisarius, their pimps will remember them. And the line between a pimp and a blackmailer can't be wedged open by a knife. They might even be remembered by the slavers who originally sold them-who are still in business, I remind you, here in Bharakuccha.'

Belisarius kept scratching his chin. 'That's your only concern?'

'Oh, yes. Otherwise, I think the marriages would be splendid. The best things to happen to my daughters since they were taken away, other than being reunited with me and my wife. I like Valentinian and Anastasius, Belisarius. Most men see nothing in them but warriors, and brutal ones at that. But I was with them, you remember, for quite some time.'

'Yes, I remember.' He lowered his hand. 'Will you trust me to handle the matter, if I tell you I can?'

Holkar didn't hesitate for more than an instant. 'Yes, of course.'

'These things can be handled. Leave it to me.'

An emperor and his decision

A week after the reception, Narses was summoned to appear before Emperor Damodara.

To his surprise, however, the meeting was not held in the audience chamber that was part of the huge suite assigned to the Malwa delegation in the former Goptri's palace. It was held in a small private chamber. The only other man in the room, besides the emperor himself and Narses, was Rana Sanga.

When Narses saw that, he tried not to let the relief show in his posture. It was still possible that Sanga was there to escort him, afterward, to the executioners. But he wouldn't do the work himself. So Narses still had some time left.

Apparently, however, his efforts were not entirely successful.

Damodara smiled, thinly. 'Relax, Narses. I decided not to have you assassinated over a month ago. I decided not to have you officially executed even before that.'

'Why?' Narses asked bluntly.

Damodara did not seem to take umbrage at being questioned. 'Hard to explain. Simply accept that I feel it would be a bad start, for a new dynasty, and leave it at that. Whatever else, both Sanga and I are in your debt.'

The Rajput king nodded. Stiffly.

'Then why-oh. You've spent the time figuring out what else to do with me. I take it the answer was not: keep him in my service.'

Damodara's smile widened, considerably. 'That would be foolish, would it not?'

'Yes. It would.'

'So I surmised. As it happens, however, I am-in a way-keeping you in my service.' The emperor pointed to a chest over in a corner. 'Open that.'

Narses went over and did so. Despite himself, he couldn't stifle a little gasp, when he saw the contents.

'A king's ransom, yes. It's yours, Narses. Officially, the funds to set you up and maintain you in your new position. There's a good mixture of coins, jewels, rare spices-other valuables-that you should be able to use anywhere.'

'Anywhere.' Narses considered the word. 'And where would that 'anywhere' be found? If I might ask?'

'Well, of course you can ask!' Damodara actually grinned. 'How could you possibly get there, if you didn't know where you were going? China, Narses. I find myself possessed by a burning desire to establish an embassy in China. And to appoint you as my ambassador.'

'There are sixteen kingdoms in China, the last I heard. Which one?'

Damodara waved his hand. 'I believe the situation has simplified some. It doesn't matter. I leave those decisions to you.'

He leaned forward and planted his hands firmly on the armrests of the big chair he was sitting in. There was neither a smile nor a grin on his face, now.

'Go to China, Narses. I send you with a fortune and with my good wishes. Believe it so. Set yourself up wherever you choose, once you get there. Send me reports, if you would. But whatever else. .'

'Don't come back.'

Damodara nodded. 'Don't come back. Ever. Or the man-men-in the room with me won't be Rana Sanga.'

Narses felt a combination of emotions. Relief, that he would live. Interest, because China would be interesting, for a man of his talents and inclinations. Sorrow, because. .

It dawned on him that Damodara hadn't said anything about that.

'I would miss Ajatasutra,' Narses said quietly. 'The rest is fine.'

'Yes, I know. Sanga already discussed the matter with him, and Ajatasutra says he is willing to accompany you. Probably even willing to stay there, although he insists on reserving his final decision until he reaches China and can assess the situation. He claims to have finicky tastes in wine and women.'

'He's lying through his teeth,' Narses grunted. But he was almost overjoyed to hear it.

'When do we leave?' he asked.

'No great hurry. Can't be, anyway. Ajatasutra will be leaving the city in a few days, and won't be back for a time.'

Narses frowned. The assassin hadn't said anything about leaving, and the eunuch had spoken to him just a few hours earlier.

'Where. .?'

'Don't ask,' said Damodara. 'Ever.'

Sanga was a bit more forthcoming. 'Just a personal errand, for Belisarius.'

'Ah.'