issues of the day, fueled by copious quantities of strong spirits. They deplored the oppression of the common man, which Safar thought humorous since the only common men Olari and his rich friends knew were the slaves who waited on them and the tradesmen who catered to their exclusive tastes. Olari and the others roundly denounced the heavy taxes Didima demanded and the corruption of a system where bribery was the rule, not the exception. They condemned the city's leaders as old men, cowardly men, greedy men, who lacked all capacity to understand the new ideas and grand reforms offered by their far-seeing children.
Olari and his companions had tried to recruit Safar into their company. He was popular with all the other acolytes and if he joined them it would do much to strengthen their appeal with the university's intellectuals. Safar had always diplomatically refused, saying he wasn't a citizen of Walaria, nor did he intend to remain here when his studies were completed. He had no stake in Walaria, he said, and it would be wrong of him to take sides. Actually Safar considered the young rebels ideals empty. Except for Olari, he thought their protests and petty conspiracies nothing more than spoiled children defying their parents. He excepted Olari because he thought it entirely possible the young nobleman was mapping out a shortcut to power. But the main reason he refused was that Olari and the other ringleaders were protected by their noble births. They were coddled by their families, who correctly said they'd soon grow out of this hot-headed stage. So it took no courage at all for them to express their views at the top of their lungs. Someone like Safar, however, would quickly find himself being hauled before Kalasariz as a traitor. In the past that fate had been only a strong probability. But now that Safar had actually met Kalasariz he knew it as a fact.
Another blast of fire and smoke thundered from a sewer pit, adding an odd drum beat of drama to the moment when Safar and Olari took the last few steps that closed the gap between them.
'I won't offer you a glad cry of welcome, Timura, he said, because you'd curse me for it.'
'And no one would blame me if I beat you about the head and shoulders as well, Safar laughed.
'Soon as I saw you, Olari said, I thoughtI'll be poached in shit sauce, if it isn't Safar Timura! The only time he's put on a work detail is when the whole class is being punished.'
Safar shrugged. It's my country upbringing that saves me, he said. I'm good at ducking for cover and not getting caught.'
'And did you? Ersen asked. Get caught, I mean. And what in the hells for?'
'Ersen asked the same thing, Safar said. He seemed as surprised as you to see me here.'
'And what did you tell him? Olari asked.
'I lied, Safar answered, and said I was here to help you burn the shitters. And that whatever it was I did to deserve it I'd forgotten because I was drunk.'
Olari cocked his head, a small smile playing on his lips, considering what Safar's statement meant. Tall and darkly handsome, with deep brooding eyes offset by a dazzling white smile that charmed all who knew him, he was every inch a patrician, even in work robes and daubed with smoke and filth.
After a moment he nodded in satisfaction, smile spreading wider. Come into my office, and we'll talk.'
He gave Safar a follow me gesture and led him to a rubbish heap that hid a small cavelike opening in the wall. Olari dropped to his knees and crawled into it, Safar close behind. After a few feet the hole broadened into a small room. Olari lit a candle, revealing that the room was decorated with old mattresses and blankets. There were makeshift shelves bolted to the wall filled with sealed jars of food.
Olari lit a few more candles and a little smoke pot of incense to cover the sewer smell. Then he sank onto one of the mattresses and laid back, hands behind his head.
'What do you think of my office? he asked.
'Considering the place it's in, Safar said, I'm impressed.'
'We take turns hiding out here, Olari said. One group keeps watch while the other sleeps, or eats and even… he reached to a low shelf, grabbed a stoppered jar and tossed it to Safar… drinks.'
'This is starting to take on the air of a palace, Safar said as he uncorked the jar. He took a long drink of what turned out to be a fine wine, then passed the jar to Olari.
The youth sat up and raised the jar, saying, Here's to lies. And he drank.
As he passed the jar back to Safar he said, I'm guessing that you're here because you've reconsidered my offer.'
'That I have, Safar said. I've decided to take you up on it.'
'And why is that, my friend? Olari asked. What has suddenly made you see the light and decide to join our cause?'
'To be absolutely honest, Safar said, I have no intention of joining anyone's cause. Although I'm risking the loss of your good opinion of me, I'll tell you straight out, OlariI have a sudden need for a large sum of money. Call it a family emergency, if you will.'
'There's no shame in that, Olari said. Although I'd prefer it was your heart that guided you to me, not your purse.'
'Oh, my heart's always been with you, Safar said. You know I agree with most of what you say. I just don't feel involved because this is your home, not mine. If we were in Kyrania you'd feel the same.'
'Perhaps I would, Olari said. Perhaps I would.'
'When we last spoke, Safar said, you asked me to do a bit of creative sorcery for you.'
Olari became as excited as his patrician mask would allow. Which meant his brooding eyes lit up and he crossed his legs. Are you sure you can still do it? he asked. There isn't much time, you know. The Founder's Day festival is only two days off.'
'There's time, Safar said.
'Are you certain? We need something really big. Something that will knock them out of their boots. Something that will show everyone what kind of fools we are ruled by.'
'I think everyone in Walaria already knows that, Olari, Safar said. They just don't talk about it much. Especially in public.'
'Well, they'll talk after Founder's Day, Olari said. If your magical event is big enough and public enough. The timing is crucial.'
'I've thought of that, Safar said. The spellcast I have in mind would work best if it came off at the Last Prayer ceremony. Right after the bells and the song when Umurhan does his annual magic trick to impress the masses.'
'Where would you do it? Olari asked.
'In the stadium, where else? Safar answered. Right in front of altar where Umurhan and Didima and Kalasariz will be holding court.'
Olari whistled. Right under their noses, he said. I like that. And I can follow it up with spontaneous demonstrations and protest parades all over the city. He slapped his thigh. That'll make them sit up and take notice.'
Absently, Olari took another drink from the jar. What exactly do you intend to do? he asked.
'If you don't mind, Safar replied, I'd really rather not say. It's a very complicated spell and very very delicate. Just speaking about it could disturb one of its parts and have a disastrous effect on the whole. He was lying. He hadn't had time to come up with the kind of magical disturbance Olari wanted. But I promise you, he continued, that it will be beyond your wildest wishes. This was only a partial lie. Safar did intend to deliver the spellcast, he just didn't know what it would be.
'The word of Safar Timura, Olari said, pricking Safar's conscience, is good enough for me.'
Safar hesitated, then took the plunge. About the money, he said.
Olari gave a dismissive wave. Don't worry, he said. I've not forgotten. I promised you fifty gold coins. But I can see now I was being tight-fisted. Make it a hundred.'
Safar's heart jumpedso much? That's very generous of you, he said. My, uh, family, will be more than thankful. But there's, uh, one other thing I'd like to ask.'
'What's that?'
'Can I get it in advance?'
Olari stared at him long and hard.
'Just so you have all the facts you need to make up your mind, I'll tell you this, he said. I intend to leave Walaria right after I do the casting. I know I'm putting a very large burden of trust on your shoulders, but I assure you I wouldn't ask if it wasn't necessary.'
