'Don't worry, my friend, Iraj said. Manacia won't kill you. We'll make it look good. You can claim you escaped. You have an agile mind. And I'm sure you can make it a very brave escape. What really happened will be our little secret.
'Make of it what you will. Gamble that I'll lose and join them. Gamble that I'll win and keep your faith with me. You can do either, or both at the same time. Just choose well. Act well. And if you see me again in person you'll know what to expect.'
'I have every faith in your eventual victory, Majesty, Kalasariz said. I'll do anything you instruct me to.'
'I have only one instruction, Iraj said. I want you to deliver a message. And this is what I want you to say…'
The Demon Moon was rising when Kalasariz put spurs to horse and thundered across the desert.
It hovered just above the night plain, red as new death. The landscape had an orange tint to it and was pocked with inky shadows. Kalasariz steered his horse around the shadows, praying to the gods he was correct each time he changed course, digging in his heels to make the horse run faster still.
Low as it was, the Demon Moon captured the whole northern sky, wiping out any sign of the star houses that reigned there. Just above the Demon Moon was a comet so bright it was the only other light that bleared through.
It's the Sign of Alisarrian, Kalasariz thought.
Manacia claimed it was meant for him. Protarus believed the same. Kalasariz had no idea which way to jump.
In his madness he cursed the gods for not allowing him spies on the court of the Demon Moon.
Luka stared at Kalasariz in amazement.
'This is insane, the demon prince said. How dare you approach me in such secrecy? If my father hears about it he'll have us killed!'
'If you'll forgive me for pointing this out, Highness, Fari said, I think this human expected us to understand that… and therefore say nothing.'
He looked at Kalasariz, yellow eyes glowing. His tones, however, were mild when he said, Either by foolish design, or cleverness, it seems you have made us all conspirators.'
Kalasariz kept his features blank. This was no time for arrogance to creep through. I'm hoping it was by clever design, Exalted One, he said. Clever for all of us, that is.'
The Crown Prince was not mollified. What angers me most, he said, is for some reason this Protarus, this upstart king, believes I am such a traitorous son that I'd not immediately speak out.'
'And me as well, Highness, Fari murmured. I'm here beside you.'
Again he glared at Kalasariz. But again his tones were mild. I suppose you told him about the habits of our court, he said. Filled him in on our personalities.'
'I said as little as I could… under the circumstances, Kalasariz replied.
Fari's talon shot out. A burning light speared into Kalasariz who shrieked in pain.
'You really should learn to scream with less vigor, Fari said, letting the talon drop. Someone might hear us and the conspiracy would be exposed.'
'I told them everything, Kalasariz gritted. Anything they asked.'
Fari turned to Luka. I think from here on he'll be more careful with the truth, Highness, he said.
Luka nodded. He'd become calm. More measuring. I suppose Protarus knows that you and I are not the fondest of friends, he said to Fari.
'I expect so, Highness, Fari answered.
Luka looked at Kalasariz. Why does Protarus believe we'd choose each other to help hatch a plot? he asked.
'I don't know, Your Highness, Kalasariz said. He simply gave me the message and ordered me to deliver it. In private.'
'And that message is?'
Kalasariz took a deep breath, then plunged into it. King Protarus sends his greetings, warm wishes for your health and said he hopes all will go well with you in the coming battle.'
'He does intend to fight, then, Fari said.
'Never doubt that, Exalted One, Kalasariz said. Protarus will fight.'
'But the odds against him are impossible, Luka said.
'King Protarus guessed you would say that, Your Highness, Kalasariz said. And he told me in reply that it was not unknown for the impossible to become possible during the Demon Moon.'
Fari chuckled. A lovely myth, he said. I've heard it before, although it is very old.'
'When the battle comes, Your Highness, Kalasariz continued, he asked that you watch carefully. And if something should happen which gives you pause, to think on his offer.
'If you give him Manacia, he will give you his throne. He said he believed you would be an able administrator of the demonlandsunder his direction, of course.'
'I think we should just kill this worm, Luka said to Fari. Kill him quick. And go about our business as if nothing happened.'
'Don't be so hasty, Highness, Fari advised. You will note the message is addressed to both of us. He requires agreement from two traitors, it seems, or his plan won't work. Curious, isn't it, that he also believes we both hate your father more than we dislike one another.'
There was an uncomfortable silence.
'That's it? Luka said to Kalasariz. He only asks that we watch, and if the course of the battle goes badlyfrom our point of viewthat we consider changing our alliance?'
'Yes, Highness, Kalasariz said.
Another long silence. Broken by a dry chuckle from Luka.
'Ridiculous, he laughed.
Fari also laughed. Ridiculous in the extreme.'
'One other thing, O Great Ones, Kalasariz said. Safar Timurahis Grand Waziercommanded me to give you this.'
He handed Lord Fari a scroll. The old demon unrolled it and examined the contents. After a time he lifted his head, troubled.
'It's a formula for a spell, Highness, he said to Luka. A formula that breaks the curse of the Forbidden Desert.'
'Meaning the humans can cross as easily as we can, Luka said. What of it?'
'It pains me to admit this, Highness, Fari said, but I've never seen a spell so granda spell we worked years to perfectdone so simply. It's really quite elegant. And it has the feel of something that came through inspiration, rather than from years of tedious experiment.'
'Quick or labored, Luka said. Why should it matter?'
'Oh, it probably doesn't matter at all, Highness, Fari said. Although I'd be derelict in my duties if I didn't point out that only a master wizard could have done such a thing. A master wizard as great, or greater than your father.'
Luka peered into the old demon's eyes. Then he turned away. There was another long and uncomfortable pause.
'We probably shouldn't bother the king with this, Luka said at last.
'I absolutely agree, Highness, Fari replied with barely disguised relief. There's no need to burden him with such foolishness.'
'What about me? Kalasariz blurted, not certain which way things were going.
'Oh, I'd sugg est you watch the battle, Fari said. He turned to Luka, Isn't that right, Highness?'
