Safar shrugged. It's my country upbringing that saves me, he said. I'm good at ducking for cover and not getting caught."
"And did you? Ersen asked. Get caught, I mean. And what in the hells for?"
"Ersen asked the same thing, Safar said. He seemed as surprised as you to see me here."
"And what did you tell him? Olari asked.
"I lied, Safar answered, and said I was here to help you burn the shitters. And that whatever it was I did to deserve it I'd forgotten because I was drunk."
Olari cocked his head, a small smile playing on his lips, considering what Safar's statement meant. Tall and darkly handsome, with deep brooding eyes offset by a dazzling white smile that charmed all who knew him, he was every inch a patrician, even in work robes and daubed with smoke and filth.
After a moment he nodded in satisfaction, smile spreading wider. Come into my office, and we'll talk."
He gave Safar a follow me gesture and led him to a rubbish heap that hid a small cavelike opening in the wall. Olari dropped to his knees and crawled into it, Safar close behind. After a few feet the hole broadened into a small room. Olari lit a candle, revealing that the room was decorated with old mattresses and blankets. There were makeshift shelves bolted to the wall filled with sealed jars of food.
Olari lit a few more candles and a little smoke pot of incense to cover the sewer smell. Then he sank onto one of the mattresses and laid back, hands behind his head.
"What do you think of my office? he asked.
"Considering the place it's in, Safar said, I'm impressed."
"We take turns hiding out here, Olari said. One group keeps watch while the other sleeps, or eats and even… he reached to a low shelf, grabbed a stoppered jar and tossed it to Safar… drinks."
"This is starting to take on the air of a palace, Safar said as he uncorked the jar. He took a long drink of what turned out to be a fine wine, then passed the jar to Olari.
The youth sat up and raised the jar, saying, Here's to lies. And he drank.
As he passed the jar back to Safar he said, I'm guessing that you're here because you've reconsidered my offer."
"That I have, Safar said. I've decided to take you up on it."
"And why is that, my friend? Olari asked. What has suddenly made you see the light and decide to join our cause?"
"To be absolutely honest, Safar said, I have no intention of joining anyone's cause. Although I'm risking the loss of your good opinion of me, I'll tell you straight out, OlariI have a sudden need for a large sum of money. Call it a family emergency, if you will."
"There's no shame in that, Olari said. Although I'd prefer it was your heart that guided you to me, not your purse."
"Oh, my heart's always been with you, Safar said. You know I agree with most of what you say. I just don't feel involved because this is your home, not mine. If we were in Kyrania you'd feel the same."
"Perhaps I would, Olari said. Perhaps I would."
"When we last spoke, Safar said, you asked me to do a bit of creative sorcery for you."
Olari became as excited as his patrician mask would allow. Which meant his brooding eyes lit up and he crossed his legs. Are you sure you can still do it? he asked. There isn't much time, you know. The Founder's Day festival is only two days off."
"There's time, Safar said.
"Are you certain? We need something really big. Something that will knock them out of their boots. Something that will show everyone what kind of fools we are ruled by."
"I think everyone in Walaria already knows that, Olari, Safar said. They just don't talk about it much. Especially in public."
"Well, they'll talk after Founder's Day, Olari said. If your magical event is big enough and public enough. The timing is crucial."
"I've thought of that, Safar said. The spellcast I have in mind would work best if it came off at the Last Prayer ceremony. Right after the bells and the song when Umurhan does his annual magic trick to impress the masses."
"Where would you do it? Olari asked.
"In the stadium, where else? Safar answered. Right in front of altar where Umurhan and Didima and Kalasariz will be holding court."
Olari whistled. Right under their noses, he said. I like that. And I can follow it up with spontaneous demonstrations and protest parades all over the city. He slapped his thigh. That'll make them sit up and take notice."
Absently, Olari took another drink from the jar. What exactly do you intend to do? he asked.
"If you don't mind, Safar replied, I'd really rather not say. It's a very complicated spell and very very delicate. Just speaking about it could disturb one of its parts and have a disastrous effect on the whole. He was lying. He hadn't had time to come up with the kind of magical disturbance Olari wanted. But I promise you, he continued, that it will be beyond your wildest wishes. This was only a partial lie. Safar did intend to deliver the spellcast, he just didn't know what it would be.
"The word of Safar Timura, Olari said, pricking Safar's conscience, is good enough for me."
Safar hesitated, then took the plunge. About the money, he said.
Olari gave a dismissive wave. Don't worry, he said. I've not forgotten. I promised you fifty gold coins. But I can see now I was being tight-fisted. Make it a hundred."
Safar's heart jumpedso much? That's very generous of you, he said. My, uh, family, will be more than thankful. But there's, uh, one other thing I'd like to ask."
"What's that?"
"Can I get it in advance?"
Olari stared at him long and hard.
"Just so you have all the facts you need to make up your mind, I'll tell you this, he said. I intend to leave Walaria right after I do the casting. I know I'm putting a very large burden of trust on your shoulders, but I assure you I wouldn't ask if it wasn't necessary."
As Safar had hoped, the negative bit of information about his leaving helped sway Olari's decision.
"I think I can manage that load easily enough, the young nobleman said. I'll do as you asked. Meet me at the Foolsmire tonight."
Safar thanked him and they shared a few drinks from the jar.
"I wish I could persuade you to stay, Olari said. Things really will be different when we get rid of this lot."
"I'm sure it will be, Safar said. But I worry about you. You've caused them no end of grief of late. Big demonstrations that have nearly turned into riots. Broadsides condemning them spread all over the city. What if they tire of it? Or worse, what if they suddenly think you are a great danger to them?"
"I want them to, Olari said. That's my intent. How else can we achieve change?"
"I understand that, Safar said. But you know, times really have been troublesome the past two years. And you can't blame it all on the Unholy Trio, as you call them. The weather has become increasingly unpredictable. As have the harvests. And there's been locust swarms and outbreaks of flux and plague. Not just in Walaria, either. It's happening all over Esmir."
Olari shrugged. The gods are in charge of those things, he said. And since it's their responsibility, what can I do? Besides, times will get better. They always do. History tells us that. And things aren't really so bad as you say. Deaths have been few. There's no mass starvation. Actually, many people live in relative plenty. And there's good news in the land as well. What of Iraj Protarus? He's our age. And look at all he's doing to change Esmir for the better."
"I don't call wars and raids on other people's kingdoms change for the better, Safar said.
Olari gave him a puzzled look. I thought you two were friends?"
"We are, Safar said. Or were, anyway. But that doesn't mean I agree with him."
Olari chuckled. It seems Protarus and I have both had the same experience with you, he said. You give us your friendship but not your company in our cause."
"I suppose you're right, Safar said. But I've never been enamored of causes. Politics don't interest me. Only the science and history of magic."
"I suppose you'd like to put that interest to real use someday, Olari said. To help people, for instance. To better their lot, their condition, with your skills."