"You know very well who I mean, Acolyte Timura, Kalasariz said.
Safar nodded. I do now, Lord, he said. But I don't know where she is. Except… have you checked at the Foolsmire? She sleeps there sometimes."
"I know that, Kalasariz gritted out.
"I suppose you would, Safar said. Being chief spI mean Guardian of Walaria and all."
"Do you deny you were in her company today? Kalasariz demanded.
"No, I… uh… suppose I don't deny it, Safar said. But I can't confirm it either. He gave a sheepish grin. I was taken drunk most of the day, you see. I don't remember much about it. Maybe I saw Nerisa. Maybe I didn't. Sorry I can't be of more help."
"I dislike your manner, Safar Timura, Kalasariz said. Perhaps you think you're safe from me because you are under the protection of Lord Umurhan. That I have no sway over University affairs."
"Forgive my rough mountain manners, Lord, Safar said. Sometimes I unintentionally give city people offense. I know quite well that you are charged with seeing the law is kept in Walaria. Quite naturally those duties would include the temple and university."
Kalasariz ignored him, peering about Safar's room, long nose twitching like a hunting ferret's.
To draw away suspicion, Safar plunged onward. Pardon my foolishness, Lord, he said, but why would someone of your eminence be looking for a common thief? And a child thief, at that?"
Kalasariz eyes swept and Safar suddenly felt very cold as he was confronted by the spymaster's glittering eyes. I was told you were the brightest student at the university, the spymaster said. Too bright for your own good, perhaps. And disdainful of rules and authority."
He paused, waiting to see if Safar would be foolish enough to answer. At last he nodded in satisfaction. At least you're bright enough to know when to keep your tongue still, he said. I'll answer your question two ways, Acolyte Timura. If you're so intelligent you'll know which one to choose for a correct answer.
"The first is this: I'm looking for the girl because an informant has reported that she is a vital messenger for a group of traitorous students."
Safar needed no acting help to make his eyes widen. Nerisa? he said, amazed.
Kalasariz eyes gleamed with renewed suspicion. Are you claiming you know nothing of these students?"
Safar knew better than to lie about something that was common knowledge in Walaria. I've heard, Lord, he said, that there are certain students at the University who are misguided enough to question the policies of the good King Didima. Then seeing that this bit of truth had been swallowed without difficulty he chanced a lie. I have no personal experience or knowledge about those foolish ones, he said. Just as I had no idea who you were when you came into my room. I have no interest in politics, My Lord. Nor have I ever displayed any."
Kalasariz looked Safar up and down, studying every crease in his costume, every twitch in his face. Then he said, The second answer is that the girl, Nerisa, is only an excuse. And that I'm here for an entirely different reason."
Kalasariz paused, fixing Safar with a stare. Then he said, I understand you are a close friend of Iraj Protarus."
Safar was too startled to hide his surprise. Why, yes, I am, he said. Or I was some time ago. I haven't seen him or heard from him in years."
"What if I told you I had different reports, Acolyte Timura? Kalasariz said. What if I told you that I have a reliable informant will to testify that you are communication with Protarus regularly?"
"I'd say your informant was a liar, My Lord, Safar replied, quite firmly. And I'd also say, who cares? Iraj Protarus has nothing to do with Walaria."
Kalasariz curled a lip. Are you claiming ignorance of Protarus activities? he asked. Are you saying you know nothing of his many conquests?"
Safar shrugged. I've heard the market gossip, Lord, he said. Some of it might even be true. When I knew Iraj he was determined to become leader of his clan. And I understand he's achieved this. That he's undisputed ruler of the Southern Plains."
"Oh, his claims are disputed, all right, Kalasariz said.
"You mean by his uncle, Lord Fulain, Safar said. And his uncle's allyKoralia Kan. Iraj told me about them years ago. He hated them with good reason, it seemed to me. The last bit of market gossip I heard was that Fulain and Kan were routed and have fled to Lord Kan's kingdom."
"You know much, Kalasariz said, for one who pretends no interest in politics."
"Iraj was my friend, Lord, Safar said. It's only natural I'd take an interest in any news I heard."
"Then how did you miss the news, Acolyte Timura, Kalasariz said with a sneer, that Iraj Protarus has been proclaimed an enemy of Walaria?"
Safar reacted, shocked. When? he said. I've heard nothing of this."
Kalasariz smiled. Actually, he said, it hasn't been announced yet. The king has entered into an alliance with the Lords Fulain and Kan. He suspects Iraj will not be satisfied with his southern holdings and will soon seek to extend his borders. This alliance will be announced tomorrow."
Safar had every reason believe everything Kalasariz said was true. He remembered quite clearly Iraj's dreams of grand conquestas clearly as he recalled his own vision of Iraj leading a great army.
Kalasariz harsh voice broke through his thoughts. Do you still claim, Acolyte Timura, that you have had no communication with the barbarian who now claims a royal title? He spit on the floor. King Protarus, he sneered. Such savage pretensions."
Safar took a deep breath. I have not spoken with him, or corresponded with him, My Lord, he said, quite truthfully, since I left my home in the mountains. I doubt if Iraj even remembers me. Why should he? I'm no one of importance. We were just boys thrown together by circumstance."
Kalasariz gave him another long, probing look. Then he nodded, as if satisfied. You will send word to me, Acolyte, he said, if you hear from your old friend."
Safar bobbed his head, relieved. Certainly, Lord, he said. Without fail."
It was a lie, but one Safar thought was unlikely to be tested. What reason would Iraj have to seek him out after all this time? Like he told Kalasariz, it had been a boyhood friendshiplong forgotten.
Then the spy master suddenly turned on his heel, signaling his men he was ready to depart. Safar sagged as Kalasariz stepped through the door. But any relief he felt was short-lived. Just as Kalasariz reached the door he swung back.
"You may or may not be the fool you claim, Acolyte Timura, he said. Be advised that I will make it my personal business to find out."
And he was gone.
Safar heard a dry chuckle coming from the inside pocket of his robe. It was Gundara.
He heard him say: Nice friends you have, Master. And good fortune for me. When they kill you I'll be in much better company."
Then, to his twin, Shut up, brother! Save it for the demons. You'll have your turn soon enough."
Safar swatted the bulge in his pocket and heard Gundara give a satisfying Ouch!"
"Don't trifle with me, Safar warned. I may only be a student, but the handling of Favorites is a first year course. And the number one rule, according to my master, the Lord Umurhan, is never to trust a Favorite. The second is to use a heavy hand. I don't agree with Umurhan about a lot of things, but from your behavior so far I intend to take his teaching to heart."
He swatted the bulge again. Do I make myself clear?"
"Okay, okay, Gundara said from his pocket. What ever you say, Master."
Then to his twin: Shut up, Gundaree! Shut up! Shut up! Shut up!"
The letter, although written on expensive paper, was smudged from camp smoke and battered from being passed through many hands.
Kalasariz smoothed it out on the table and moved an oil lamp closer so the two other men could see.
This is what the letter said:
My Dear Safar
All you predicted has been coming true and at a faster pace than even I expected. Even as I write my whole camp is drunk with wine and joy at yet another grand victory. Once again our losses were few, while our enemy suffered greatly. My army grows larger and more able each day. But I'll tell you this, my friend. I've learned that success can be more dangerous than failure. Every city I capture, every border I cross, increases the pressure to achieve more. For if I stop my enemies will have time to join forces against me. The greatest problem I face, however, is that I'm surrounded by self-serving advisors whose words and loyalty I'd be a fool to trust.