"That was certainly a wise policy when you started out, Safar said. But if you are to be King of Kings, the true ruler of all Esmir, you must look for loyalty in the hearts of all your subjects, not just in the men of the plains.
"And that, my friend, is the best reason of all to end this policy of slaughter. Besides, you told me yourself you disliked all that bloodshed. Perhaps this reluctance really wasn't due to some weakness you inherited from your father. Perhaps it was in the back of your mind that a new way had to be found to rule the kind of kingdom that was once Alisarrian's.
"And all I've done was to put words to ideas that were there all along."
Iraj thought for a time, then said, I'll do as you suggest, he said. Starting with Sampitay."
He motioned to the maps. It'll make this job much easier, that's for certain. Before winter sets in I'll have the whole south under my rule. And in the spring he traced a line across the God's Divide"we'll take on the north, crossing at Kyrania just as Alisarrian did."
He sagged back in his chair, weary. I'll have to fight my way all the way to the sea, he said. I wonder how many years it will take? And if I'll live long enough to see it."
"You will, Safar said.
Iraj smiled, remembering. That's right. We saw each other in that vision, didn't we? The demons under our boots as we marched on the gates of Zanzair."
"I remember, Safar said.
Iraj was silent for a moment, then he asked, Do you think of the demons often? When we faced them together in the pass?"
"It's my least favorite nightmare, Safar said.
"Do you think Coralean was right? And they were just a group of bandits who strayed into the humanlands?"
"I've seen no evidence pointing either way, Safar said. I combed the libraries in Walaria to find some historical precedence. He shook his head. There wasn't any. However, many strange things have happened since that time. Droughts and plagues and wars."
Iraj made a rueful grin. Well, we know where the wars came from, he said. He tapped his chest to indicate himself. As for the other things, they could be naturally caused."
"I don't think so, Safar said. He told him of his investigations into Hadin. And he told him of the sorcerous worm he encountered in Kyshaat.
When he was done, Iraj said, I've thought of that night on the mountain many times. And of your vision afterwards. I'm no seer like yourself, my friend. But I'll tell you what I think it was all about.
"Perhaps something did happen in far off Hadin. Personally, I think it was a sign from the heavens. A sign that fits perfectly into your other visions about me and Alisarrian.
"I truly believe the world is at a crossroads. In one direction lies disaster, although what that disaster entails I cannot say. In the other, hope and a bright future."
Again he tapped his chest. And I am that hope and future. Once I succeed, all will be set right again."
"I pray you're right, Safar said. I plan to do all in my powers to see you have the chance to prove it."
Iraj laughed. Well said, my brother. Together we will conquer all. Nothing can stand in our way."
Safar's answer was a smile. But he was thinking, there's still the demons, Iraj. There's still the demons.
The following day Safar made his farewells to the circus. He plumped a bag of gold into Biner's hand. It was so heavy it caught the muscular dwarf by surprise and he nearly dropped it.
"What's this? Biner asked.
"The price of a century's worth of tickets, Safar said, smiling. I'm hoping you'll always save a place for me."
"We thirtainly will, Arlain said, dabbing at a tear with a kerchief.
"Won't be much of a circus, Biner said, without Methydia and the Cloudship."
"I wish I could bring them back, Safar said. The gold is all I can do."
"We'll make the best damn circus we can, Biner said. We'll make you proud of us."
"I already am, Safar said. And for the rest of my life I'll remember the months I was with you."
"You're a rich man, now, Biner said. A powerful man. But if you should ever need us… Emotion overcame him and he turned to honk his nose into a rag. When he'd recovered, he said, Hells, you know what I mean!"
"Sure I do, Safar said, wiping at his own tears.
Then he embraced them all one by one.
When he was done he rushed off before he weakened and slipped away with them in the night.
The next time Leiria came to his bed he nearly refused her. In the end it seemed easier to accept her embrace than send her away. She was an ardent lover, a skilled lover. He never again called out Methydia's name, although it was Methydia he thought of. He didn't know what to make of Leiria. Was she truly smitten? Or was she Iraj's spy? She never gave a sign either way. At night she was fire in his arms, by day the cool professional, measuring any man who approached him for signs of ill intent.
Because of his doubts he waited several nights before he delved into a most important task. Then he gave her a difficult errand that would take much time to accomplish.
When she was gone he drew out the stone turtle and summoned Gundara.
The little Favorite was still extremely weak and couldn't take full form. Safar could see the tent walls through his wispy figure.
"I hope you don't have anything hard you want to do, master, Gundara whined. I'm not feeling very well, you know."
"I have a treat for you, Safar said, offering Gundara a sweet he'd saved from the dinner table.
Listlessly, Gundara took it from his hand. He licked at the sugar, then sighed and let the sweet fall to the ground.
"Doesn't taste as good as it used to, he complained.
"I've never had a chance to thank you for the warning that night, Safar said.
Gundara made another deep sigh. I almost couldn't get out of the stone, he said. Gundaree pushed and pushed as hard as he could. It nearly killed us both."
"I'm sorry for that, Safar said. Still, you saved my life."
Gundara shrugged. I just hope I don't have to do it again real soon."
"So do I, Safar said. But what about now? Am I in the presence of enemies?"
"Assuredly, master, Gundara said. There are enemies all around you. So many I can't single anyone out in particular. Right now they seem afraid to do more than hate you. My advice, master, is to be as careful as you can."
"What about Iraj? Safar asked. What about the king? Is he my enemy?"
"No, the Favorite answered. But he's a danger to you. All kings are. Beware of kings, master, is the best advice I can give you."
"And what of the woman Leiria? Safar asked. Does she mean well, or ill?"
"I'm too weak and her thoughts too confusing to say, master, Gundara answered. When she's with you, she adores you. But when she's near the king, she adores him. All I can tell you is don't trust her… and keep her close."
Safar hid his disappointment. He'd hoped to get more from the little Favorite.
"Is there anything I can do for you? he asked. Anything at all to speed your recovery?"
"Rest, master, Gundara said. That's all we need and that's all that can be done. We'll be better by and by."
Safar thought, by and by could mean a hundred years to a Favorite. He hoped that wasn't the case.
He started to make a motion to send Gundara back into the stone.
"Wait, master, Gundara said. I almost forgot something."
The Favorite made a gesture and a small object appeared in his hand. He gestured again and the object plopped into Safar's palm, growing before his eyes.