He held up a single finger. One year! He shook his head, disgusted. One year… and the world will be well again.'
'That's a good number, Iraj said, If people believe things will be better in a year, they won't be so tight-fisted with tax money. Hells, I can even raise the taxes. An emergency measure, like you suggested.'
'But on the poor, Safar said, not the rich.'
Protarus sighed. It was a good idea, Safar. Not enough money to be gained, but a sound idea just the same.
'Unfortunately it wasn't something I could ever do.'
'Why not?'
Another sigh. These are the beings I eat dinner with, Safar. When I entertain, they are my guests. When I hunt, I hunt with them. They're my friends, after all. I don't want to sit around the table with everyone mad at me because I slapped a fat tax on them.'
Safar didn't answer.
Protarus looked at him, then nodded, saying, I suppose you're thinking if there are some things I won't do, then I should understand when you have similar reservations.'
'Something like that, Safar said.
Actually he'd been thinking how revealing Protarus statement had been. He'd rather starve the starving because he didn't want his wealthy friends mad at him.
'And if we did have a big public casting ceremony, Iraj said, and you saw many difficult years aheadrather than only oneyou'd feel honor bound to report it. Is that right?'
Safar tried to lighten the situation with a smile. Only some of it would be due to honor, Iraj, he said.
'After all, I've got my wizardly reputation at stake. When a year passed and the troubles continued no one would trust me again.'
Protarus studied him for a long moment. Then he returned the smile, but his eyes were shielded.
'I can see how you might consider it too great a sacrifice to make, he said.
The meeting ended on that dissatisfying note.
Just before Safar left, the king said, Oh, I almost forgot.'
Safar was at the door. What was that?'
'The captain of my guard says it's time for Leiria to drop by the palace for a little brush up on her training.'
'I'll be sure to tell her, Safar said.
As soon as the door closed behind him Kalasariz came out of a side room. Behind him were Luka and Fari.
'I'm glad you signaled for us to linger within hearing, Majesty, Kalasariz said. That was a most revealing conversation.
'And I must say you handled him quite smoothly, Majesty. Quite.'
It was night when Safar's carriage made the approach to the grand mansion. It was raining so heavily even the Demon Moon was obscured from view.
'Who is this Lady Fatinah, Safar? Leiria asked.
'I'm not quite sure, he answered. Other than she may or may not be a notorious woman.'
'She must be more than that, Leiria said, to get the Grand Wazier himself to show up at her welcoming banquet.'
Safar peered through the curtains, but the night was so black all he could see was his own reflection in the glass.
'It's that chief clerk of mine, Safar said. He can't resist a bribe. I'd get rid of him, but the extra money he earns dishonestly makes him so efficient I have the best kept schedule of any administrator in Esmir.'
'You could have refused, Leiria said. She gave him a teasing smile. But I suppose you're as curious to see her as every man in the city. It's said she's quite beautiful.'
'I never know when the event is the result of bribery, or duty, Safar said. It's easier just to go to all of them. Linger an hour or so for appearances sake, then slip off.'
'And it doesn't hurt that she's beautiful, Leiria said.
Safar laughed. And notorious, he said. Don't forget that.'
Leiria laughed with him, a lovely and exotic woman in her own right in her best dress uniform.
But Safar took note she was unusually inquisitive that night.
And her training session at the palace had been that same morning.
Interesting.
Nerisa saw him come in.
The rain had made the guests tardy but after a time she'd despaired Safar would be among the later arrivals. It had been a difficult evening, doing her best to be a charming and witty hostess to a group of strangers, while at the same time preparing herself for the moment when he arrived.
She didn't want to him think she'd come all this way because she required something. The Lady Fatinah was quite capable of taking care of herself and didn't need a maneven though he might be the Grand Wazierto fend for her. No, she had a duty to perform. A too long delayed duty.
As for her girlish crush on Safar, it was years ago and was, after all, just thatgirlish. Safar was kindly enough at the time to see it and not humiliate her.
She determined when they met she'd be as calm and cool as everyone expected the Lady Fatinah to be.
Then she saw him at the door. One minute the entryway was empty, the next a liveried servant was leading him in.
Someone pointed her out to him and he raised his head and he smiled as their eyes met.
Nerisa was lost.
His eyes were just as blue as she remembered.
Safar was stunned when he saw the woman approach. The Lady Fatinah was every bit as beautiful as people had said. Perhaps even more so in her stunning black gown, cut low to reveal a pearly bosom. The dress clung to her, showing off her long slender figure.
But her face was a cold shield when she came close, hand outstretched to welcome him. The coldness put Safar off, as did her thin smile. This was clearly a woman out for the main advantage, he thought. His clerk had taken a bribe and that was that.
Then their fingers touched and Safar felt her shiver. He looked into her eyessaw the dancing flecks of gold. He saw her lips turn up in a familiar crooked smiled.
'It's Nerisa, Master! Gundara hissed from his breast pocket. Nerisa!'
But Safar had already seen and known. He was in shock, seeing little Nerisa raised from the dead to come back as the beauteous Lady Fatinah.
Nerisa gave his hand a warm, firm squeeze.
She whispered, Don't give me away. Then, loud enough for all to hear, How kind of you to visit my humble home, Lord Timura.'
Safar murmured a suitably polite reply.
'I fear we've started without you, My Lord, Nerisa said, pointing at the tables of food. Why don't we dispense with formalities and join the others before you starve to death?
'Perhaps, if you are still in a generous mood, we can have a little chat later and get to know one another.'
Safar came unstuck enough to make an awkward bow. In a daze he let a servant lead him over to the banquet area.
Only when he sat down did he realize he'd left Leiria in the entryway without orders. He turned his head and
