This mystery was only one of several reasons Fari believed Safar must go.
Iraj's mood lightened. He clapped, saying, Oh, very good, Safar. Very good!'
This was followed by a small patter of applause from the court. Luka grimly rattled his talons in false appreciation.
He thought, why all the flourishes and dramatic gestures? You would think this was entertainment instead of the serious business of administration. He's playing up to us, especially to Protarus.
Luka bitterly resented Safar's influence over Protarus. As Prince of Zanzair, Luka considered himself the second most important potentate in Esmir. He should be advising Protarus, not that commoner Safar Timura.
'Here are the locations of our most troubled regions, Majesty, Safar said.
He made another gesture and small flames flickered through the haze. There were at least two score spread out all over the kingdom. The flames were of different sizes, some minor glows where trouble was only starting, to larger spears of fire where things were nearly out of control.
'So many, Protarus murmured.
He shot a sharp glare at Kalasariz, saying, You never told me there were so many!'
'Ah, yes, ah, I can explain, Your Majesty, Kalasariz fumbled. Delayed reports… because of the… ah… difficulties.'
Iraj gave him a cold nod and turned back to the map.
'This is the very latest information I have from our temples, Safar said. And for the first time I think we can see just how widespread our problems are.'
Kalasariz seethed anger for being upstaged by the Grand Wazier. The spy master preferred to show the king what he wanted him to know so he could control events. That damnable Timura, with his damnable network of priests, was stabbing him in the back.
Not for the first time, Kalasariz swore that some day he'd rid himself of Timura.
'The greatest problem seems to be in Caspan, Majesty, Safar said, pointing at the leaping flames near the edge of the western sea.
'Yes, yes, Protarus said. That's why the subject of money came up. We need to send troops there and put down the rebellion. But I was informed by my treasurer I didn't have the money to pay for it. The coffers, it seems, are empty.'
His gaze flickered over the map, once again noting the number. Finally he eyes came to rest on Caspan, nearly ringed with fire.
'Money must be found for Caspan, he said. The question is where to get it.'
'Taxes, Your Majesty, Luka broke in. That's the answer. More taxes must be gathered. As you said, your subjects are enjoying prosperity because of your efforts. They should be willing to pay a fair price for that prosperity.'
'I must disagree, Majesty, Safar said. There is no general prosperity. A few areas, perhaps, but only those untouched by drought and plague. And, I might remind my noble friend, King Luka, these conditions have not only prevailed, but become worse over the past ten years.'
Fari snorted. Hadin, again! he muttered.
Safar whirled on the old demon. I've shown you the evidence, he said. How can you deny the truth?'
'I'm not denying anything, Fari said. Certainly there are problems. And possibly they were caused by some magical calamity in Hadin.
'What I disagree with most strongly is that these problems are necessarily long lasting. There have been calamities before. Droughts come. Droughts go. Plagues come. Plagues go. It's the gods natural cycle. So only the best and most devout will live on to enjoy their well-deserved rewards.'
'I won't quarrel with my esteemed colleague, Majesty, Safar said. You want to hear solutions, not debate.
'I have one such solution to propose.'
Protarus stirred. Do you now?'
'I find myself agreeing with King Luka, Majesty, Safar said.
Luka frowned. Where was this going?
'Taxes are the answer, Majesty, Safar said. Only, don't tax those who already pay. Tax those who don't.'
Kalasariz eyes narrowed. So that's his game, he thought.
'Tax me, Majesty, Safar said. I not only benefited from your gifts, but I pay no taxes on them.'
Safar pointed to Luka, then Fari, then Kalasariz, and all around the room, pointing at each nobleman in turn.
'We have all prospered, Majesty, he said. But we pay nothing for it.'
Protarus was interested. I've often commented that generosity is my greatest virtue and flaw, he said. Apparently I've forgiven more taxes than is good for me.'
'Exactly, Majesty, Safar said. I'm sure all of my colleagues would be delighted to share your heavy burden during this emergency.'
'Ah, an emergency tax, Protarus said. Maybe calling it that would wipe off some of the sour looks in this group. He smiled at Luka and Fari. Both forced smiles in return. He went back to Safar'A temporary tax, lasting only through the emergency. That might go down better, politically speaking.'
'I for one do not fear sacrifice, Luka said. But I must point out that the money wouldn't be enough. It would pay for Caspan, perhaps. He pointed at the array of trouble spots on the bas relief. But what of the rest?'
'King Luka is quite right, Your Majesty, Kalasariz said. And I also join him in my willingness to sacrifice and share your burden.
'I also question the nature of the emergency.'
He pointed at the bas relief. This is very kind of negativism that is at the root of our problems, Your Majesty!'
Protarus lifted his head, interested.
'We are terrorizing your subjects, Majesty, Kalasariz continued, with all this bad news. It feeds rumor that things are worse. It makes rebels out of weak men. It makes good honest subjects lie to your tax gatherers when they come to collect. And hold back vast amounts of money that rightfully belong to you.
'Vast amounts, Your Majesty. Vast.'
'That's theft! Protarus said, angered by the sudden vision of mean-spirited citizens burying huge chests of gold in their cellars.
'Exactly, Your Majesty, Kalasariz said. Theft. No kinder word to put on it. And I propose we end it at once!'
'How would you do this? Protarus asked.
Kalasariz looked around at the huge assembly, then back at the king.
'I think it would be best discussed in private, Majesty, he said.
'I won't do it, Iraj, Safar said. It may be in Kalasariz nature to make such a great lie, but it's not in mine.'
'How do you know it will be a lie? Protarus said.
The two men were alone in the king's quarters. Less than an hour before Kalasariz, vigorously supported by Luka and Fari, had outlined his plan. Safar's opposition had been so heated Iraj had sent the three away so he could reason with him in private.
'Kalasariz had a good point about the effect all the negative news is having on the stability of the kingdom, Iraj continued.
'Lies won't make things better, Safar said.
'Again, Iraj said, I don't see where anyone was proposing to lie. Kalasariz merely suggested we declare a national feastday. A feastday that would point up the positive, rather than the negative.'
'And what of the casting? Safar asked. The casting that I, as your Grand Wazier, am supposed to oversee?'
'What's wrong with asking the gods when this long crisis will end? Iraj said.
'A great deal, Safar replied, considering that Kalasariz already had the answer he wanted me to report to all Esmir.'
