handsome. And his eyes! I've never seen a man with blue eyes before. It's like looking into the sky.'
Iraj slapped her well-rounded haunch. What? he shouted, but it was a shout of pleasure, not anger. You lust for another?'
Leiria tangled her hand in king's golden beard. Maybe just a little bit, Majesty, she pouted. But only so I can learn more and return to you with greater pleasures.'
Iraj kissed her, long and deep, then pulled away and looked at Safar, eyes filled with amusement.
'You see how it is, my brother? he said. It will always be a problem between us. The same women want us. What shall we do about it?'
Safar instantly felt he was walking on dangerous ground. Thankful as I am at the flattery, Majesty, he said, Leiria was only being kind, I'm sure.'
'Nonsense, Iraj said. She wants you. Very well, you shall have her.'
He untangled himself from Leiria and pushed her into Safar's lap. Leiria went willingly, cooing and snuggling and tracing patterns on his chest with her fingers. Safar shifted his positionher dagger was digging into his side.
'I only ask that you be kind to her, Iraj said. And send her back in good condition. She's known no man but me. He waved at the others. None of them have. I am not in the habit of making my women a gift to other men.'
He smiled. In fact, it has only happened one time before. Do you remember when that was, Safar?'
Safar remembered very well indeed. Astarias, he said. How could I possibly forget?'
'And what was the oath we swore then? Iraj asked.
'That all I had was yours, Safar answered, and all that was yours was mine.'
'Freely given and with no ill will, correct? Iraj pressed.
'Yes, Majesty, Safar said. Freely given. And with no ill will.'
'Good, Iraj said. I'm glad you remember.'
For reasons Safar couldn't determine, what had just occurred had been very important to Iraj.
'Another thing, Safar, Iraj said. When we're in private, don't call me majesty or your highness or other such silliness.'
'That's certainly a relief, Safar laughed. The first time I said itwhen we were with your officersI kept thinking, this is the same fellow my mother scolded for tromping over her clean floors with muddy boots.'
Iraj grinned, remembering. I thought she'd kill me, he said. She made me get down on my hands and knees and clean the mess up. A humbling experience for a future king, that's for certain.'
He turned suddenly serious, eyes taking on a far-away cast. But here I am, a king, he said, just as you predicted in Alisarrian's cave.'
Safar nodded, remembering.
'And you predicted other things, greater things, Iraj went on.
'Yes, Safar said.
'Tell me, brother, Iraj went on, do you still see those things? Do you still see me as King of Kings, monarch of all Esmir?'
The answer leaped up unbiddena vision of Iraj sitting a golden throne. I do, Safar said softly.
Iraj was quiet for a moment, toying with his cup. Then suddenly he clapped his hands. Leave us! he ordered the women. I want to be alone with my friend.'
Leiria scrambled out of Safar's lap and exited the room with her sister warriors. After they'd gone, Iraj remained silent for a time, thinking.
When he finally spoke, there was an edge to his voice'Why didn't you come when I sent for you? I practically begged, which is something I'm not in the habit of doing.'
Safar was confused. You sent for me? When?'
'When you were in Walaria, Iraj said. I sent a letter. And a large purse of gold, as well, to pay for your expenses.'
'I received neither, Safar said. And if I had, I certainly would have come. He grimaced. Things didn't go well in Walaria.'
Iraj searched his face, then relaxed, satisfied Safar had spoken the truth.
'I heard something of your difficulties, he said.
'That's how you came to find me with the circus, Safar said. There are some very dangerous men in Walaria who want my head.'
'You needn't concern yourself with them any longer, Iraj said. Walaria paid most dearly for troubling you.'
Safar's heart trip-hammered against his chest. What do you mean? he asked.
'Walaria is no more, Iraj answered. I turned it back into a cattle station. He casually refilled his goblet with wine, then poured some into Safar's cup. It wasn't entirely for you, he said. They were fools. They defied me, like these people here in Sampitay. It was necessary to make an example of them.
'Although in Walaria's case, I took some pleasure in dispensing justice. I thought you were dead and I was avenging you.'
Safar was horrified that such a thing had been done in his name.
Iraj noted the expression on his face. His face became mournful. I'm normally a soft-hearted fellow who doesn't like to cause pain, he said. It's my father's weakness in me and I have to guard against it. You have to be stern to rule. And much blood must be shed to make a kingdom.'
Safar saw moisture well in Iraj's eyes and was surprised at the depth of the emotion.
'But I never knew I'd have to shed so much of it, Iraj said, voice thick.
Then he shook himself and wiped his eyes. He forced a smile on his face.
'You saw that too when we were in the cave, didn't you, Safar? he said. When you foretold my future you seemed sad for me.'
'Yes, Safar saidalmost a whisper.
'But it's my fate, so there's nothing to be done about it, Iraj said. This is a terrible world we live in. And I am the only one who make it right. If only people could see into my heart and know my true intent they wouldn't resist me. I will bring peace to this land. I will bring greatness.
'I only wish so many didn't have to suffer first.'
Passion burned in Iraj's eyes and for a moment Safar could see his boyhood friend staring out at him through those eyes.
'Will you help me, Safar? Iraj pleaded. I'm not sure I can do this on my own.'
Safar hesitated, a thousand thoughts crowding into his mind, competing with one another to be heard. Then, in the middle of his mental chaos, there came a scratching at the door.
Iraj looked up, irritated. In! he commanded.
Two of his guardswomen entered, an old frightened man in healer's garb between them.
'What is it! Iraj barked.
'Forgive me O Gracious Majesty, the healer burbled, this poor worm of a healer trembles in Your Highness presence. He abases himself for daring to'
Iraj waved, cutting him off. Stop driveling, man, he said. What is it?'
The healer bobbed his head, saying, I've come about the woman who was placed in my care.'
'Methydia! Safar cried, leaping to his feet. What's wrong with her?'
'I fear she is dying, my lord, he said to Safar, so frightened his legs were about to give way. She calls for you, my lord. You must come quickly before it is too late!'
Iraj saw the torment in Safar's face. Go to her, he said. We'll talk later.'
Safar bolted away like an arrow loosed from its bow, the healer tottering behind him as fast as he could.
When he saw her lying on the camp bed, eyes closed, face pale as bleached parchment, the troupe gathered about her weeping silent tears, he thought he was too late. And she looked old, so old he almost didn't recognize her. But as he approached her eyes came open and she was once again his beautiful Methydia.
'Safar, she said, voice faint as a specter's.
He knelt by her side and took her hand, fighting back tears.
'I must look a sight, she said, voice a bit firmer. What an awful way for a woman to greet her young
