Goddess (23 page)

‘The girl’s name is Ana and yes, I trust her with my very soul. Iridor will not betray me. I trust only one of the people I travel with.’

‘Who is the young man in your group?’

‘No-one,’ he said hurriedly. ‘A friend’s son, training to join the Shield.’

‘You don’t trust the older man you’re with. But you aren’t close to him, either. Consider my warning, Lazar, someone close to you will betray you.’

Lazar felt a chill pass through him and was reminded why he never visited seers. ‘Is that all you can tell me?’

‘Ana is definitely in danger. I cannot see her but you and she are connected. I followed that connection and I could sense that the threat against her is very real.’ Ganya hesitated, then pressed on. ‘Did you know she is pregnant?’

Lazar dropped his head. ‘Yes. She is Zaradine Ana. That’s why I can only love her from afar. Her baby is the Zar’s child.’

Ganya didn’t seem at all surprised by his confession. ‘It is an heir.’

‘You’re sure?’

‘Even she knows it is a boy.’

‘What else do you see? Please tell me.’

‘I have told you everything. I can only sense certain things. Besides I only glimpsed her through you and so can only learn essentially what you know or feel—or direct me towards.’

‘The main thing is that she is safe.’

Ganya nodded. ‘For now. Listen, Lazar, there is something else I want to suggest.’

‘Why do I already believe I won’t like it?’

She smiled. ‘Perhaps you will.’

‘Lazar!’ They both started at the sound of the voice calling from the darkness.

‘It’s Garjan,’ Lazar said, annoyed by the interruption.

‘The one you don’t trust?’ she asked, her eyebrow arching.

‘Yes.’

‘I know who he is, Lazar. My father told me that you travel with the Grand Vizier of Percheron.’

‘Does anyone else know?’ She shook her head. ‘Well, as none of the people who were with your father last time are among us now, I would be grateful if we could keep it between us.’

She nodded. ‘He will find us any moment. I want to tell you something. I think I should come with you.’

‘No, absolutely not. Definitely, no!’

‘Listen to me,’ she urged.

He pulled away. ‘No, Ganya! I will not risk your life as well as that of your father. We are all probably walking into Arafanz’s trap, to our deaths. No!’

‘Lazar, I can help you. I can allow you to talk with Iridor. I can protect you both from him.’ She pointed into the darkness in the direction of the Vizier’s voice.

‘You know?’

‘I know only that you fear him. I don’t know why and I don’t care. But my skills kept you safe. Trust them. Trust me.’

‘I shall think about it,’ he agreed, seeing that she had no intention of backing down.

‘Don’t leave it too long to decide, Lazar. My father will send us all away tomorrow morning. Now kiss me, make it look real when he comes upon us.’

Lazar grabbed her and kissed her deeply. A moment later the Grand Vizier hove into view.

‘Ah, there you are, Spur! Did you not hear me?’

Lazar broke the kiss, winked at Ganya and moved into Percherese. ‘I was otherwise occupied, Garjan, can you not see?’

‘You certainly took your time,’ Maliz replied, his tone acid.

‘I never rush a woman. And this one is far too delectable to hurry.’

‘Fayiz needs to ask you something,’ Maliz said, loading the name with ridicule.

Lazar sighed. ‘We’re coming.’

‘I was told to find you and I’m going to escort you.’ Maliz’s tone was officious and presumptuous.

Lazar spun on his heel, his efforts to sound light-hearted in the afterglow of his lover’s embrace vanished. ‘If you ever presume to tell me what to do again, I’ll break your neck in a second and there won’t be any warning.’ It was all bluster, since he had been warned that he couldn’t kill Maliz, and yet he was surprised to see the Grand
Vizier swallow, his lips pursing as he turned and stomped off.

‘Hurry up, Lazar,’ he called over his shoulder.

The Spur’s eyes narrowed in thought and he stared hard at the back of the fleeing man.

‘Lazar?’ Ganya pulled at his arm.

The spell was broken but the niggling notion that he had stumbled upon something stayed with him. ‘Yes,’ he replied. ‘It is time to go.’

Herezah was restless but thoroughly enjoying the new-found freedom of her suite of rooms beyond the harem. An Elim guard moved with her at all times, which heightened her sense of importance. Since her new status had been declared she had ensured that she was veiled, conservative in her dress and guarded in her movements. She would give no-one any ammunition at this point; she would be the model Regent. But she knew her absence from the harem and her superior status would be galling Salmeo, hopefully even frightening him.

She intended to make him pay for his indiscretion and for his quietly spoken but not very well concealed threat. Had he not disturbed them, things might have turned out differently between her and Lazar.

A bell jangled softly. ‘Come,’ she said. Bin entered. ‘Ah, Bin, what news?’

He crossed the floor and bowed. ‘We have heard back from the Isles of Plenty, Crown Valide.’

‘And?’ she asked, impatient.

He took a breath. ‘King Falza of Galinsea is
aboard one of the ships. He has accepted your invitation.’

She clapped her hands together. ‘Thanks to Zarab! When?’

Bin’s expression turned wary. ‘He would not say, Crown Valide. He said he would send a message soon enough.’

‘Soon enough?’ she replied angrily. Then she reined in her critical tone. Bin was her eyes and ears to the world outside the palace. She needed him loyal and keen. And although she was not used to apologising to anyone other than Boaz, she did so now. ‘Forgive me, Bin. That was ungracious of me. I realise you are merely conveying the information you have.’

He looked surprised at her apology, bowing in acknowledgement. ‘I can confirm, Crown Valide, that there are now five more war galleys and we suspect more are on the way.’

‘The Spur warned there would be more and still Falza waits. He must surely know we are no match for their might?’

‘I’m sure he does. Perhaps he is toying with us?’

‘Well, let us face the beast that threatens us, Bin. I shall go mad sitting around in the palace awaiting death.’

‘What do you mean, Crown Valide?’

‘I mean that I shall take control of this situation as best I can and I will present myself to Falza. He can hardly refuse me.’

‘Crown Valide, I must—’

‘Bin, I do hope you don’t plan to contradict me?’ The servant stared at her wide-eyed, before slowly shaking his head. ‘Oh that’s good. You must not worry about me. We are all in this precarious situation together. My role right now is to do everything I can to protect Percheron. If that means throwing myself on the mercy of a foreign king I shall not hesitate. I mean to return this city intact to my son when he emerges from the desert with his heir.’

She watched Bin stand straighter at her rousing words. She was right. Percheron needed a fearless leader right now. ‘Prepare a statement for our people, Bin. Let them know my intentions. Have it ready by the eighth bell for me to approve.’

Bin swallowed. ‘As you wish, Crown Valide. When, er, when do you intend to make this visit?’

‘The day after tomorrow, I think, if we haven’t heard from our Galinsean rival by then. Thank you, Bin. Send in Elza if you see her on your way out. I must make plans with her for this expedition.’

The morning had dawned and brought with it a dry, hot wind. Lazar was eager to depart to get in a few hours travel before it intensified.

Salim approached. ‘I hear you and Ganya enjoyed each other’s company last night.’

Lazar glanced at his Khalid friend. ‘She is very special, your daughter. Who looks after her in your absence?’

Salim shrugged. ‘She belongs to our people. She is our lajka, everyone would fight to protect her.’

‘I see,’ Lazar said, nodding. ‘It is time to send your people on their way, Salim. We must make our own way west.’

‘How do you know which direction we are to travel?’

‘You will have to trust me on this. And I am going to pretend to my companions that you know the way.’

‘I? Lazar—’

‘Please, Salim. Just do as I say.’

The Khalid stared at him through narrowed eyes, their gazes locked momentarily before the desert man nodded. ‘Ready your people.’

Lazar turned immediately to start hurrying along his Zar and the Grand Vizier. ‘Are you set?’ he said to Boaz, although he could see that the young Zar was ready to leave.

‘Yes,’ Boaz replied crisply and Lazar did not miss the chill of his tone.

Lazar called out to the Grand Vizier. ‘Tariq, we’re leaving now. Your camels await.’ He returned his attention to Boaz. ‘I’ll see you over there.’

Boaz did not respond.

‘Highness,’ Lazar said, moving close to the Zar so he could speak quietly. ‘Is anything wrong?’

‘No, why? Should there be?’

Lazar noticed the Zar made no eye contact, busying himself picking up his sleeping roll. ‘You seem a little out of sorts, Majesty.’

‘Do I?’ Boaz asked, fixing him with an imperial gaze.

‘You slept well?’

‘I got more sleep than you, Lazar,’ Boaz fired back. There was none of the usual amusement in his tone.

‘I hope you understood that I was with that woman because I was given no choice. It was expected.’

‘Yes, I worked that out for myself.’

‘But you’re upset about it?’

‘No, Lazar, you’re the one who thinks I’m upset. I feel perfectly calm.’

‘Forgive me, Highness. It’s just that you don’t seem nearly as happy as you were yesterday.’

‘Perhaps the gravity of our journey and what must be achieved has fully registered with me,’ Boaz said. Still Lazar detected a note in his Zar’s voice that he had never before heard.

‘Fair enough,’ he said. He would have to work out the hard way what was prompting this suddenly odd behaviour in the Zar. ‘I shall meet you at the camels.’

As Lazar walked towards the beasts he could see an argument in full swing between Salim and his daughter. He wished he could avoid being pulled into it, but he could see they were both waiting for him to arrive. Salim shrugged helplessly, embarrassed, as the Spur drew close to them.

‘Lazar!’ Ganya began, her eyes filled with anger.
‘I’ve told my father that I will be joining this caravan and that—’

‘No, Ganya, you will not,’ Lazar interrupted. ‘It’s too dangerous.’

‘But last night—’

‘Last night was last night. I will not risk your life. I explained that.’

‘It is my life to risk!’

‘Risk it somewhere else, Ganya. Right now you are too precious to your people for me to allow you to come.’

She looked at him, the hurt in her expression obvious. But the fight went out of her stance and he could see that she had heard the tenderness in his voice.

‘My love,’ her father began, ‘what we do is more than dangerous. It’s suicide.’ He gave a short, humourless laugh.

‘And yet you and Lazar press ahead!’

‘Lazar must find this woman who belongs to his Zar. I must find your brother. You have nothing to find.’

‘Father, this should be my decision, not yours. And not his,’ Ganya argued, pointing at Lazar.

‘Is there a problem?’ Maliz’s voice broke into the debate.

Once again Lazar was irritated by the manner in which the demon crept up on him. ‘Just a difference of opinion,’ Lazar said, hoping the Grand Vizier would move on.

‘Oh? Can I help?’

‘I don’t think so,’ Lazar replied, glancing across the sand towards Boaz, hoping the Zar would understand the look for help and find a way to distract his Grand Vizier without it appearing odd. Instead, Boaz looked away, moving towards his camel.

‘Yes, you can help,’ Ganya began breathlessly, ignoring Lazar. ‘Lazar, translate my words or I will somehow communicate to him, and your younger friend who is fiddling with his camel’s straps, that you raped me. Somehow I sense you would mind the boy knowing this, no?’

Lazar stared at her, incredulous. ‘You cannot mean that. No-one would believe you.’

‘And you could lie in the translation anyway,’ she said.

They stared at each other, neither angry nor amused by each other. The stand-off lengthened.

‘You know I can help you with your friend,’ Ganya pressed, careful not to mention the owl or his name. ‘You both need protection. And your cause is more important than any of us.’

Lazar nodded, although his expression told her he didn’t fully agree with her final statement.

‘Spur, I really must insist you explain what’s happening,’ the Grand Vizier said, his exasperation spilling over.

‘Tell the Vizier what I say,’ Ganya urged. ‘And trust me as I now trust you.’

Lazar was hopelessly cornered and could see he
would get no help from Salim who was gently shaking his head.

She began, looking at the Grand Vizier. ‘Tell this man that I am not allowing my father to walk into danger without receiving all the help we can possibly give him.’

Lazar reluctantly turned to the Grand Vizier and gave a quick version of what Ganya expressed.

‘Ask her to explain that, please,’ Maliz asked, more politely now.

‘What did he say?’ Ganya demanded and Lazar translated through gritted teeth. She nodded. ‘Tell him I am this tribe’s lajka and my father is the elder of our desert people and we are risking his life for the benefit of your Zar’s wife.’

‘This man has no authority out here,’ Lazar said to her.

‘Tell him all the same. Let him think that I consider him important.’

Lazar did so and the Grand Vizier nodded. ‘I understand. How can we further minimise danger, then?’ He glared at Lazar who, frustrated, continued to act as interpreter.

After listening, Ganya replied, ‘By allowing me to join this party!’

Maliz heard her demand through Lazar and to his credit looked thoughtful. ‘Forgive me, but last night you danced for and lay with the Spur. I don’t see how your presence adds anything more than…er, shall we say
entertainment
for him.’

Her eyes narrowed as she regarded the Grand Vizier. ‘That may be, sir, but do you know what being a lajka means?’

Maliz shrugged at the question when Lazar posed it. ‘A fortune-teller, isn’t it?’

Lazar told her the Grand Vizier’s response. Father and Spur looked down as Ganya straightened, her expression instantly indignant. ‘It seems you need enlightening, sir. A lajka is a seer. A tribe is fortunate to find one of their own with the sight.’

‘Forgive me,’ Maliz said, a new respect in his tone that Lazar communicated. ‘Make sure she understands,’ he said to the Spur before adding for her benefit, ‘I am indeed ignorant. And have you seen something?’

‘Yes,’ she said, turning a fresh glare on Lazar. He could see where Ganya was taking this and much as he didn’t want another life to defend, especially one so precious as this one, he also knew that this woman was likely the only real protection that he and Pez had against the demon.

‘Last night as I “lay” with the Spur,’ she began, loading the word with the same derision the Grand Vizier had, ‘I saw the way forward for you.’

‘What?’ This had Maliz’s attention. ‘What does she mean, Lazar?’

‘I believe she’s about to explain,’ Lazar replied.

She nodded. The man’s reaction needed no interpretation. ‘Ask your Spur; it’s easier than asking my father.’

The Grand Vizier’s gaze moved between the two men. ‘What does she mean?’ he demanded.

Boaz sidled up to join the small group.

Lazar sighed. ‘She means that last night in touching me she “connected”, for want of a better word, with our mission. She knows what we seek and she can sense the direction we need to follow.’

‘But don’t you know where we are going?’

‘I know only that Ana was stolen and taken in a westerly direction,’ Lazar lied. Ganya was right. Warming to his task, he decided that if Salim was comfortable with Ganya’s risk, then who was he to tell her how to live her life.

‘And she knows differently?’ Maliz queried.

Lazar nodded. ‘I’m slightly in awe of her, in fact. She gave me very clear directions for us to follow.’

‘She sees this?’ Maliz spluttered, unable to hide his scepticism. ‘What sort of magic is this, Lazar? Do you expect us to believe it? Or is this some excuse you and she have cooked up so that you have a warm body next to you during the cold desert nights?’

‘Garjan,’ Boaz spoke up. ‘It is fortunate that these people do not understand us, although I wouldn’t hesitate to admonish you in front of them, whether it gave away our secret or not. Do not ever again let me hear you speak with such disdain to my Spur. He is my chosen guide and leader. In him I place all my faith. I place my life. You can neither protect me, fight for me, nor guide me to my wife. Lazar can. I demand that you show
him respect.’ He said this all in a friendly way, taking such a subordinate tone that Lazar felt a whole new surge of admiration for his Zar. The young man was a born politician. If Joreb could see him now, he would smile from his tomb.

Boaz didn’t wait for his Grand Vizier to respond. He turned directly to Lazar. ‘Can she help us find Ana?’

‘Yes. But she is one more mouth to feed, one more life to protect.’

‘Then don’t protect it,’ Boaz said more heartlessly than Lazar thought he was capable of. Neverthless the Spur kept his expression impassive as the Zar continued. ‘Tell her she is welcome to come with us and we will pay her people handsomely for the use of her skills. I presume you will have the dubious chore of a nightly meeting with her, Lazar, and you have my permission for that and the privacy it would require. As long as she takes us closer each day to the Zaradine, she can have whatever she wants. Come with me, Garjan.’

‘Thank you,’ Lazar replied softly, angered by Boaz’s lack of care for Ganya, but still impressed that Boaz managed to say all that he did without his tone ever changing beyond being respectful to his Spur. He ignored the Grand Vizier’s scowl, and turned to the patient Khalid pair. ‘We have discussed it and if you insist on coming along, it must be your decision alone. I can offer no special protection.’

‘I didn’t ask for it,’ Ganya replied curtly, flouncing away to fetch her few belongings.

Salim looked wryly at the Spur. ‘It seems my daughter is more fond of you than she cares to admit.’