more amazing than the last.
Arlain was every bit as good as Biner had said. She not only juggled fiery objects, she proved to be a fantastic acrobat who could swing from her tail wrapped around a trapeze while tossing flaming swords.
Besides his high wire act Kairo played catcher to Arlain, hurling her high into the air to another trapeze. When she swung back he'd pretend to drop his head, fumble getting it back onthen suddenly remember Arlain and catch her just in time.
Talented as everyone was, however, Methydia was clearly the star attraction. She appeared in her role as Methydia The Magnificent four times during the show. Dressed in her filmy red witch's robes, she made each entrance a treat in itself to the growing delight of the crowd. Multi-colored smoke would suddenly erupt, or there'd be a crash of forked-lighting, or a great wall of fire. Then she'd swing through the fire on a flaming rope. Or float above the boiling smoke. Or seem to dive out of the lightning, to be caught in Biner's powerful arms.
She bade objects both large and small to appear and disappear, always accompanied by some kind of dramatic pyrotechnics. She called volunteers from the audience and caused them to float above the ground. With Biner to aid her she put on magical skits, all with romantic themes that didn't leave a dry eye in the house. She sawed Arlain in half, then put her back together again.
To Safar the most amazing thing about Methydia's performance was that although he could feel a faint of buzz of real magic emanating from her, there didn't appear to be any sorcery behind the feats themselves. Some were so difficult he should have been hit by the sear of a powerful spellcast. Instead, he felt nothing but that faint buzz. A few of her feats, like the sawing in half business, were just plain impossible. No wizard could do that! The more Safar watched, the more mystified he became. How did she make magic without using magic?
Then there was a great fanfare announcing the show's end. As the lights came up Safar found himself whistling and cheering along with the rest of the audience.
As the people filed out, chatting excitedly about their experiences and carrying sleeping children over their shoulders, The crew started cleaning the stands and getting ready for the evening performance. Safar went to work with a will, sweeping where he was told to sweep, lifting what he was told to lift.
He was whistling a merry tune when Biner strolled up, wiping the last vestiges of clown makeup from his face.
'So, what did you think, lad? Biner asked.
'I've never seen anything like it in my life, Safar said. Especially Methydia. Oh, don't get me wrong. You were grand! Everyone was grand!'
Biner laughed. But Methydia was just a little grander than the rest of us, right?'
'A lot grander, Safar said. No offense.'
'None taken, lad, Biner said. It isn't just because she owns the circus that she gets top billing. She's the real star.'
He gave Safar a hand with the heavy trunk, lifting his end with remarkable ease. Suppose you might elect to stay on awhile, then, lad? he asked casually. Pay's not much, but we eat regular.'
Safar laughed. As long as you don't charge me admission, he joked. Then, seriously, I'd just as soon take a rest from the outside world for awhile. Not much in it is all that worthwhile, from what I've seen.'
'That's the spirit, lad! Biner cried. To the Hells with them all!
'And damn everything but the Circus.'
That night after the final show, the troupe ate and retired to tents set up on the ground. The Cloudship, Safar discovered, couldn't be used for that purpose when a show was going on. He'd been so overwhelmed by all the new experiences he hadn't noticed a good portion of the Cloudship's body was disassembled and turned into parts for the circus, such as the stands the audiences sat in.
He was heading off to sleep in the roustabout's tent when Methydia emerged from a small, gaily-decorated pavilion and beckoned him.
'I think we need to have a little talk, my sweet, she said, gesturing for him to enter.
The pavilion, lit by oil lamps, was spread with thick carpets. Pillows were piled onto trunks to make comfortable chairs. A curtained hammock was strung at the back for a bed.
Methydia bade Safar to sit and poured him a little wine. She raised her glass in a toast, intoning, May the winds be gentle, the stars be bright. May the crew be skilled, the landing light. And they drank.
After a moment, Methydia said, I heard about your little trick with the lucky coin. Apparently you made a little girl and her mother very happy.'
Safar became uneasy. Although Methydia was smiling and her words were gentle, he could see from the look in her eye the purpose of this visit had nothing to do with compliments. It was time to bare his soul.
'I haven't told you everything about me, Safar confessed.
'If you mean that you left out the small part about being a wizard, Methydia said with exaggerated mildness, I expect you're right.'
'Only a student wizard, Safar hastened to add.
Methydia curled a lip. I see. Only a student. Well, that certainly makes me feel much better.'
'I'm sorry, Safar said, feeling as socially clumsy as Arlain. I didn't mean to deceive you.'
'Oh, you didn't deceive me, Methydia said. I sensed you had certain powers right off. And after your little confession about being hunted by powerful men, I just wanted to see how long it would take for you to tell me the rest. But I've never been known for my patience. So I'm asking you to tell me now.'
'I was really deceiving myself, more than anything, Safar said. Magic has brought me nothing but grief. And after what happened in WalariaI suppose I just wanted a rest. To live normally for a while.'
'There was a girl, Methydia said. Nerisa, I believe? She saw Safar's look of surprise and explained, You babbled quite a bit while you were unconscious. Her name was mentioned more than most. A young lover, I presume?'
Safar shook his head. No, she was just a child. A street urchin who became my friend. She died saving my life.'
Methydia drank a little of her wine, eyeing him across the rim. Then, From the way you railed in your sleep, I thought something tragic had happened to her.'
'I only wish it could have been Nerisa instead of me you found in the desert, Safar said.
'Some would say you ought to take comfort in the gods, Methydia said. Pray that they had their reasons for choosing one over the other. Personally, I've never found that sort of thing much help. But you might.'
Safar shook his head. No.'
Methydia drew a small vial out of her sleeve. Give me your wine, she said.
Puzzled, he complied. She poured the contents of the vial into his glass and stirred it with a long, graceful finger.
She handed him the glass. Drink it, she commanded.
'What is it? Safar asked.
'Oh, just a little potion my old granny taught me how to make, she said. It will help heal the wounds caused by your friend's death.'
Safar hesitated. Methydia pushed the glass to his lips. It won't make you forget Nerisa, my sweet, she said softly. It will just make everything seem long ago. And therefore easier to bear.'
Safar drank. The potion was tasteless, but when it hit his belly it frothed up into heady fumes that seemed to rise along the back of his spine. He felt his muscles relax, then his tight-strung nerves.
He closed his eyes and saw Nerisa's face with its twisted little grin.
The face filled his mind's eye for a moment, then recededfloating away, deep into darkness, until it was a small image.
Then he put her away in a special chest of memories where the sweet mingled with the bitter.
CHAPTER SEVENTEEN
