matron, babe at breast, watching the proceedings with a look of remarkable serenity. Then, just below him, he saw a young facea girl's face.
It was Nerisa!
She charged out of the crowd and rushed the platform. Soldiers grabbed at her, but she ducked under their outstretched hands. The nails of those grasping hands raked blood streaks on her arms. Fingers tightened on her tunic, but she pulled away with such force that all they captured was torn cloth.
'Here Safar! she shouted. Here!'
She threw something at the platform. It sailed through the air and landed next to the cutting block with a heavy thud. Safar didn't look to see what it was. Instead, he watched in horror as the soldiers reached Nerisa.
A mace crashed down on her headblood spraying everywhere.
Then she was buried under a dozen soldiers.
The crowd roar diminished to puzzled shouts and then a low buzz as people asked each other what had happened.
Tulaz voice rose above the buzz'That's it! I can't work like this. The whole thing's off!'
Safar heard another man speak most urgently'You can't quit now, Tulaz! Think of all the money riding on this, man! They'll skin you alive! It was the trainer, who'd evidently found enough coin to copper his bet.
Then a great voice thundered, Citizens! Friends!'
It was King Didima, who'd come to his feet to address the crowd, his voice magically amplified by Umurhan.
'Today is a great day in Walaria's history, Didima said. It would be wrong of us and an insult to the gods who favor our fair city to allow a malcontent to spoil these holy ceremonies. We have all had a marvelous time this morning. And we owe a debt of gratitude to Lord Kalasariz for his thoughtful efforts to present us with such marvelous entertainment, while at the same time striking a blow for all law-abiding citizens.
'Now, let us resume our entertainment, my good friends and fellow Walarians. Our great executioner, Tulaz, was about to astound us with a feat never before attempted.'
The king turned toward Tulaz, shouting, Let the executions resume!'
Someone grabbed Safar by the hair and forced his head on the block. Under royal command Tulaz stepped forward, slashing the air with his sword to warm up.
'Hold him steady, he shouted.
The hand tightened its grip in Safar's hair.
Just then a small, familiar voice hissed from beside him, Shut up, Gundaree! I don't need your help.'
Tulaz froze, his nightmare coming back to haunt him. Who said that? Who said shut up?'
And Gundara said, Shut up! I'm not listening, Gundaree. Uh, uh. No, no. Don't care what you say. Shut up, shut up, shut up!'
The fingers loosened and Safar jerked free. He glanced down and saw the object Nerisa had thrownit was the turtle idol. He up and saw Tulaz towering over him, scimitar raised high to strike. But the executioner was motionless, stricken with fear.
'The dream! he said. It's coming true!'
'Forget the dream, the trainer cried, pushing at the brawny executioner. Quick! Cut off his head!'
Safar grabbed up the idol. Appear, Favorite! he commanded.
There was a boil of smoke and Gundara leaped out onto the platform.
Tulaz goggled at the little figure. No! he shouted. Get away from me!'
'What's he all excited about? Gundara asked Safar.
'Never mind that, Safar snapped. Do something about the sword before he changes his mind.'
'Okay. If you insist. But it looks like a pretty nice sword.'
'Just do it, Safar said.
Gundara made a lazy gesture, there was a loud crack! and the sword shattered like glass.
Tulaz screamed in horror and leaped off the platform.
Gundara brushed his claws together, as if knocking away dirt. Anything else, Master?'
'The spell, Safar said. Help me cast it now!'
Gundara plucked a tube of paper from his sleeve and tossed it to Safar. It grew to full size as it sailed the short distance and Safar snatched it out of the air.
As he readied himself chaos erupted all around him. The crowd roared in fury at the interruption. Gamblers attacked odds makers and odds makers shouted for their bully boys who waded in. The fights spread like a plainsfire and the stands and arena floor became a swarming mass of struggling bodies. Didima thundered orders and soldiers rushed toward Safar and Gundara.
Safar chanted:
Here are the hypocrites of Walaria,
Cursed be. Cursed be.
King Didima and Umurhan and Kalasariz,
The unholy three. Unholy three.
Devils and felons are welcome in Walaria,
Say the three. Say the three.
The scroll burst into flames and Safar flung it into the faces of the charging soldiers. The fiery bits exploded into a white-hot mass flinging the soldiers back, screaming and twisting in pain.
Safar snatched up the stone idol and Gundara hopped onto his shoulder, crying, Run, Master! Run!'
He leaped off the platform into the madness of the crowd. A soldier slashed with a sword, but Safar dodged the blow and cracked his head with the idol.
Behind him Olari had shouted the other condemned youths into life and they all swarmed off the platform and raced for cover.
Didima's amplified voice thundered, Seize the traitors! Don't let them escape!'
Safar rushed toward the place where he'd last seen Nerisa. Gundara conjured a flaming brand that shot off spears of magical lightning. Holding tight to his master's collar, he waved the brand about, scattering the crowd. Safar came to the spot where Nerisa had been attacked.
There was nothing there but a drying pool of blood.
'She's dead, Master, Gundara shouted. I saw her die!'
Rage gripped Safar and he whirled around to face the royal stage. He saw Didima and Umurhan being rushed away to safety by Kalasariz and his men.
He was helpless in his fury. He could feel great pools of power gathering near him. He only had to reach out and take it and then strike. But his enemies disappeared before he could form the killing spell and then a mass of armed men was charging toward him.
He gestured and a white cloud formed overhead. A deadly hailstorm erupted from that cloud, ripping through the soldiers ranks. Men cried out, falling to the ground, moaning from broken heads and limbs.
Gundara kicked at him with small sharp heels. Run, you fool! he shouted. Quick, before they send more!'
Safar ran.
He bounded up the emptying stands like a mountain goat until he came to the highest wall. On the other side was a broad street leading to the main gatenot more than a hundred yards away. Just beyond was freedom. Safar jumped, tucked and rolled when he hit, and raced for the unguarded gate.
And then he was gone.
Despite the chaos Safar left in his wake, Kalasariz regained order by day's end. He shut down the city at Last Prayer, imposing a dusk-to-dawn curfew. All violators were killed on the spot. Then he sent his men out to seize anyone who might threaten the throne before Didima had a chance to recover the dignity of his office. Only one of Safar's seven companions was recaptured. The rest, including Olari, seemed to have vanished. Kalasariz wasn't concerned about the missing youths. He'd always seen them as more of a symbol to be exploited than a real danger.
He'd once viewed Safar Timura as such a symbol. Now he wasn't so certain. Umurhan certainly viewed Timura
