Emissary (15 page)

No. She heard a man say ‘Hello, Pez’ as clearly as if he was standing by her side.

‘Well,’ a new voice interrupted her reverie, ‘I think we’re done, Ana. You’re going to look stunning tonight, I promise.’

Ana tried to refocus her gaze on the eyes of the Valide, who was regarding her intently from behind the dark veil.

‘Are you feeling unwell?’ Herezah enquired, staring hard at the glazed confusion of her companion.

Ana felt the Valide touch her arm, she was shaking her shoulder, and at that her thoughts swiftly snapped back to where they needed to be if she was going to survive.

‘What’s wrong?’ Herezah persisted.

‘I think a ghost just passed by me.’

It was an old saying in Percheron. ‘Ooh,’ Herezah shivered, ‘you know a ghost walking by signifies that death is beckoning?’

Ana shook her head. ‘This one meant life.’

Herezah frowned to show that Ana wasn’t making sense. ‘We leave now. I hope you’ve enjoyed your excursion, Ana. It is your last as a virgin but need not be your last time of roaming from the palace. If you stick to your bargain, you can do this again some time.’

‘Thank you, Valide,’ Ana replied politely, hardly listening to the woman, her thoughts already
teasing at the problem of where Lazar was. The thrill of imagining him alive had already passed and was rapidly being replaced by shaking anger that she had been tricked. The man she loved had duped her in the worst possible manner…and just as devastating, her only true friend was in on the duplicity. Pez was involved—he was visiting Lazar now. She felt the sharp sting of betrayal for being so innocent and easily persuaded that Lazar had died. She began to lose herself in a swirl of thoughts. Her naivety had permitted her to believe Lazar could love her back and this had thwarted her ability to see through the ruse—for surely this is what it was. He couldn’t possibly have deliberately set out to hurt her. And not Pez, not after this morning’s conversation. But why? Why would Lazar fake his own death? Why would her uncle admit to the crime? There had to be explanations but Ana could find none, returning with sorrow to the original notion that this was a treachery against her.

Her shaking became visible.

‘Zarab save us! What’s come over you, girl?’ Herezah exclaimed, watching her charge disintegrate before her.

And then Ana knew nothing more. She was not aware of slumping to the floor, her fall only barely broken by Herezah’s quick action. She was heedless of people rushing around her, a strong Elim guard lifting her easily and carrying her all the way back to the palace.

She only knew who she was again when she woke to find herself draped on her own bed, pungent smelling salts erupting through the cloudy fog to bring her back from the darkness.

And she returned to her full senses, enraged.

Eyes normally light in colour, although never a window into his thoughts, were now darkened by news that hurt him to his soul. He worked hard to keep his expression even as the fresh information was delivered but his brow creased and then dipped, hooding his haunted face still further. His lips, rarely smiling, were pressed together as though determined to deny any words escape to thus betray their owner.

Finally Lazar let go of the breath he hadn’t realised he’d held so tightly in his chest it ached. ‘Boaz said it this morning?’ he repeated, demanding confirmation, although not needing it.

‘This is what I have discovered.’

‘From whom? You were not there, I take it?’

‘From a reliable witness.’

‘Why are you being evasive?’

‘To protect you.’

‘From what?’ he sneered, slamming his hand down on the scrubbed table in the cottage.

Pez remained patient. He’d had longer to accept this news. ‘From information that can
incriminate. Trust me, Lazar, you do not want to hear this.’

Lazar did but he didn’t have time to fret over Pez’s secrets right now. Ana’s life was about to change once again. ‘And she’s with Herezah, you say?’

‘Apparently. The Valide has taken her shopping.’

Lazar shook his head. ‘In all my years at the palace Herezah has never gone shopping. She has the sellers drag their goods up to the palace for a private showing.’

Pez nodded. ‘And if she doesn’t like anything, she makes them keep repeating the process until she does.’

‘That’s right, she enjoys their frustration. She can’t have changed her ways.’

‘Well, perhaps because she’s getting Ana ready for her son…’ Pez watched Lazar’s scowl intensify ‘…and Ana did say that Herezah had made a bargain and this was the first part of their deal.’

Lazar snorted. ‘And you believe it?’

‘No,’ Pez had to admit.

‘She’s up to something.’

‘Lazar, whatever the Valide’s intentions might be with this trip into the city, they are negated by what Ana faces later.’

The former Spur stomped out of the cottage, his unintelligible grumbling suggesting he didn’t need to be reminded. Pez noted that Lazar walked
freely now. His large, determined stride had returned fully. The stoop had gone, as had the sallow look of a man so sick it seemed kinder to help him to an easy death.

At least this day had brought something positive with it. He caught up with Lazar.

‘Anger is not helpful,’ he counselled.

‘It is to me, Pez. Don’t lecture me.’

The dwarf pulled a contrite expression. ‘I have to tell you something else. Something extraordinary.’ Lazar turned his angry glare on his friend. It was clear he wanted no further surprises. Pez told him anyway. ‘Ana spoke to me even though I was flying and she was in the bazaar. That’s how I know she was shopping.’

‘What do you mean?’ It was a reflex more than a genuine question but still Pez looked exasperated.

‘Don’t be dim, Lazar. She spoke to me. We can talk across distance, using our minds…and our magics.’ This clearly didn’t please Lazar from the grimace on his face now. If anything it seemed to bring more grief, and Pez realised that Lazar learning more about Ana’s potential as something far more than an innocent trapped by circumstances only made it harder for him.

‘I’m sorry,’ he said. ‘I thought it might enlighten you.’

‘Oh, it enlightens me all right, Pez. According to you she’s Lyana, Mother Goddess!’ Lazar
roared, no longer able to contain his fury. ‘But it still doesn’t save her a rutting at the end of Boaz’s newfound manhood, does it?’

Pez stared at Lazar, shocked. He had never seen this man so worked up. In fact he didn’t know Lazar was capable of showing even a tenth of this much emotion. Ana certainly touched a buried nerve in the former Spur. He couldn’t help himself. ‘And can you blame him?’

‘What?’ Fresh fury etched itself even deeper across his face.

‘Can you honestly deny that you harbour similar desires?’

Pez didn’t see it coming. Not even the Lore could save him the frightening effect that a strong backhander has when it connects perfectly with a jaw.

He blinked slowly, dully, realising he was lying on his back, staring up at the bright sky over Star Island. His whole head hurt with a splitting pain. Lazar’s concerned expression suddenly hove into view and Pez felt his face being rather tenderly bathed with a cool, damp linen.

‘What happened?’ he mumbled and then groaned at the pain from his jaw that sent lights sparkling through his mind.

‘I hit you,’ Lazar confessed, a deep sense of shame in his tone. ‘I had no right to,’ he groaned, his anger gone as fast as it had arrived.

‘I deserved it,’ Pez said, holding his jaw and not speaking very clearly. ‘Help me up.’
Lazar gave an anguished moan. ‘No, Pez, don’t forgive me so easily. I deserved your criticism. My saintly attitude is flawed and you’ve seen through it, as did Herezah within moments of meeting Ana.’

Pez tried to shrug but couldn’t. ‘As I say, can you blame him?’ he managed to grind out.

‘No.’

‘Envy is a terrible thing,’ Pez added. ‘I think my jaw’s broken.’

‘I don’t know how to say sorry.’

‘I can fix it. The Lore has many skills and I think healing cracked bones is not beyond it, although your sickness was.’

‘I’m so ashamed, Pez, and yet I pride myself on always being in control of myself and my actions.’

‘The heart is a law unto itself, Lazar. You have no control over it.’

‘Nevetheless, I—’

‘Stop, please. I know you’re sorry—I can see it on your face, hear it in your voice. I too am sorry for goading you in such a ruthless manner. So we’re both sorry and I can fix my jaw, although I refuse to mend your aching hand. Let it hurt for a while,’ he said, his tone kindly now and infused with gentle jest. ‘Let’s get on with the important matter at hand.’

Lazar nodded, contrite. He rubbed the back of his hand that had connected with Pez’s large jaw. ‘What do you suggest?’

Pez spoke awkwardly. ‘Get to the temple. I need you in the city faster than we planned. Perhaps with Zafira we can think this through.’

‘But Ana?’

It hurt Pez to talk but he ignored the screaming pain from his jaw momentarily to say what needed to be said to Lazar. ‘Ana is not yours, Lazar. She belongs to the Zar. She is only a vessel for something far more important to all of us. Ana is nearing sixteen. She is a woman and ready to face the hurdles of her sex. Harem women pleasure the Zar. It is his right and we must not try anything stupid to unsettle the balance of the palace, Lazar. We have far higher things at stake.’

‘What about what Ana wants?’

Cruelty was needed then, Pez decided. ‘It doesn’t matter what Ana wants. You bought her as a slave. She is expendable in all of this. This is about destroying Maliz—that’s what we’re here for.’ He coughed, the pain too great to go on.

Lazar’s expression grew stormy again. ‘That might be what you’re here for, Pez or Iridor, whatever you prefer to be called these days—but I am not a slave of Lyana. I will not be manipulated. I accept that Ana has a role—one I purchased her for…something I have to live with—but I don’t have to forget who I am and what I feel simply because some age-old crone demands it. You dance to Ellyana’s tune too readily, dwarf.’

Pez shook his head sadly. ‘You are fooling yourself, Lazar. You’re in this struggle up to your neck, as I am. We may not know why but your role will become clearer.’

‘So be it,’ Lazar said with resignation and then his tone softened. ‘Again, forgive my assault. I will find a way to repay the debt I now feel I owe you.’

Pez sighed. ‘As you wish.’

‘I shall see you in the city,’ Lazar said as farewell.

He watched the snow-white owl take off gingerly from the cliff edge. Then he returned to the hut to pack a small sack of items, none of which, save a small bottle of liquid, were important to him. His mind was filled with how to get himself off the island quickly and back onto the mainland, as well as a disguise and devising a method for achieving entry into the palace. It felt empowering—after such a long sense of impotence—to be making plans and taking positive action. More than anything, the activity kept his thoughts occupied and did not permit him to dwell on the final imprisonment—being Chosen—of the woman who owned his heart.

Salmeo had been summoned to Herezah’s salon and, now seated, he was delighted at being served the bright red pomegranate tea by her own hand. ‘Did your excursion go well, Valide?’ he lisped as she settled herself back into a divan plumped with thickly feathered cushions.

‘Oh, very well,’ she answered, amusement in her voice. ‘Ana fainted.’

‘At the news?’

Herezah smiled. ‘It was a slow build-up. She thought she had her emotions under control but it was rather fascinating to watch her gradually disintegrating over our shopping expedition. Rather naive of her to think Boaz at almost seventeen isn’t going to want to bed her or indeed a dozen women.’

‘She’s a strange one. Sometimes when I observe Ana it’s as though she is beyond the other girls.’

‘What do you mean, Salmeo?’ Herezah queried, interested but baffled.

‘Oh, it’s fanciful, Valide, I know, but it’s as if she knows something important the rest of us don’t. And that gives her this immense aloofness and the courage she has demonstrated.’

‘Not so courageous today,’ Herezah remarked with a sneer. ‘But I take your point. She certainly doesn’t lack for spine. In fact she doesn’t stop surprising me with her insight and forthright attitude.’

‘Presumably that will be her undoing, Valide,’ Salmeo said, daintily replacing his teacup on the table between them. ‘It’s that sense of herself that will push her over the edge into taking risks.’

Herezah nodded. ‘Precisely, and I’ll walk naked through the bazaar if I’m wrong that she doesn’t take that risk tonight.’

‘She’ll take the bait, you think?’

‘I have no doubt in my mind. You’re ready?’

‘Completely. We’ll let her think she’s got away with it for a while.’

‘Which will make the hunting down and ultimate capture all the more sweet.’

‘Actually, my Valide, I think the Zar’s decision does work in our favour.’

‘It’s not like you to take so long,’ Herezah teased. ‘Boaz did us a favour. His announcement forces her hand but it makes her now answerable to him, rather than the harem.’

‘Yes, his punishment rather than ours.’

‘And he will be worked up, I’m sure. I know Boaz and how high his passions can run. He is such an intense boy, really. Ana’s actions will provoke a violent response for his disappointment, I imagine.’

‘I think we can count on it, Valide.’

Ana was led to the magnificent domed building, attached to the harem through a tiled walkway, that housed the bathing chambers.

As all members of the harem were currently enjoying their boating picnic, Ana was the only odalisque present. Everyone else was a servant or attendant and each charged with the information that this girl had been formally chosen by the Zar.

Each new young woman to be called to the Zar’s bedroom to relinquish her maidenhood held
special significance. But the First Chosen for a new Zar, also to present him with her virginity, was symbolic for the success of this man’s rule and for his harem.

In this instance it was even more dramatic for all involved. This was a virginal Zar choosing his first virgin. Ana’s head attendant, Elza, was impressing upon the silent Ana the enormous responsibility she now carried.

‘Everyone will be looking to you to make this go smoothly. You must please the Zar more than any other who might follow in your footsteps. And you must remember, this is also his first time. You will be guiding each other. His pleasure is paramount. Yours is a gift from him if he so chooses.’

‘And if he chooses to hurt me?’

Elza did not hesitate. ‘That’s his wish,’ she replied firmly as she slipped the robe off Ana’s naked shoulders.

Kett was kneeling, gently helping her to pull her feet from the tall wooden pattens that the girls wore into the bathing chamber to lift them away from the constant water that flowed across the marble.

‘A soak first,’ Elza said, guiding Ana into the vast pool. ‘Then we begin,’ she added ominously.

Ana had not yet experienced the full bathing process. It hadn’t been necessary until now for any of the girls to do much more than mere bathing, although they had been learning about the long and tedious hours that they would spend in
preparation each day for the Zar once he became sexually active with the members of his harem.

Kett walked her into the pool and she noticed that, undressed, his body and face had lost the pudginess of childhood. His cheeks were lean and his big dark eyes regarded her with concern. He was naked save a linen around his waist that protected his modesty.

‘Relax, Miss Ana, the warmth will soothe,’ he comforted.

Ana slid into the pool, allowing the water to cover her head. When she emerged, Kett was still standing chest-deep watching her.

She decided to be candid. ‘I feel very awkward about you seeing me naked.’

‘I’ve seen you before in this state and it was my undoing,’ he said gravely. ‘Please don’t be embarrassed on my behalf. All that makes me a man has gone, Miss Ana.’

She didn’t believe him. ‘No…um?’ she struggled to find the right words.

He understood. Shook his shaved head. ‘No feelings at all,’ he lied. ‘I’m told they got me early enough to take away the manly urges.’

She swam over and touched his hand beneath the fizzing waters. Both knew his longing to be a normal man would never dissipate but Ana had no idea of where that longing directed itself.

He shrugged gently to cover the thrill of her touch. ‘I have been rewarded by being made your servant.’

‘My servant?’

‘You have not been told? The Grand Master Eunuch Salmeo himself has appointed me to you.’

Ana was instantly suspicious. ‘But why?’

‘A special gift for today, I gather, although it sounds as though it may be more permanent.’

Elza bustled back with pots of various description. ‘No more time wasting now, Kett,’ but it was an empty request. She knew that talking whilst bathing was all part of the relaxation ritual. It was good for the girl to be conversing; took her mind off the fear. She was pleased that Kett had been sent to them today. He would be very good for young Ana.