CHAPTER SEVEN

The Lair of the Desert Queen


Far ahead, they saw something glittering between the dunes. At first, they thought it was just another mirage but,as they came closer,it became evident that, almost unbelievably, there was watervisibleamongst the sands.

‘Well,look at that!’ the Emperor exclaimed and,as they neared,they could see that it was,indeed,a lake in the middle of the desert.

It was only ankle-deep, but they could scarcely see the other side, and they ran and splashed in its shallows, enjoying the coolness on their skin. Even the Koian woman trod in and pumped her feet up and down in the mud, looking intrigued at the feeling of it between her toes.

The water seemed to pool into a great basin here, running in from the northwest. All around it,the hot sands blew and the dunes clung to its banks.

‘Incredible,’ Canyon said with awe, breaking his long silence. ‘Here, the desert swallows everything. Even rivers disappear into its infinite belly.’

‘You are correct,’ Balten responded. ‘As the rocks are porous, the river drains underground here, and does not emerge until far to the south, nearer Kabush.’

They began following it upstream, letting their feet splash along its edge and,with each step,the river grew deeper and narrower, until they could actually see the water in motion, flowing down towards the vast flat where it spread out and sank into the earth. At the same time, the dunes around it grew firmer and flatter, with the odd clump of yellow reed nestled along the banks.

‘What is this?’ Samuel asked.

‘This is the River Edij,’ Balten revealed. ‘They say the Desert Queen summoned the waters from the barren stone of Mount Karthma and her city was built upon its source. In reality, I doubt the story is true, for it seems the river has been here for all time. She simply may have organised some proper farming and constructed some dams further upstream so that the flow could be managed. It allowed the population to multiply a thousandfold and settle in one place. Still, the river is prone to drought and has been dwindling in recent years. The people are worried that this is the time of Ajaspah, when the sands return to engulf the city.’

‘You seem to know a lot about the Queen’s affairs,’ the Emperor noted.

‘Cang keeps his eye on everyone and everything, especially here, so near to his home. He has often sent me to scout these parts and that is when I first encountered Om-rah, her servant. I suspect Cang may even have had a hand in spinning the rumours of Ajaspah, sowing the seeds of discontent amongst her people to fuel her war. And that blasted comet does not help. It does nothing but further the idea.’

‘Perhaps she is right. It does seem quite a coincidence,’ Canyon said, but Balten only scowled back in response, for he was anything but superstitious.

Wondrously, they soon spied green fields: crops of corn, wheat and vegetables, growing on both sides the river. Workers in wide-brimmed,woven,reed hats-Paatin men with their chests bare and women in rolled-high skirts-were tending them. Others were standinginflat-bottomed boats and scooping into the river with long-handled nets. They passed pastures of grazing animals: goats, cows, pigs,clusters of ducks, chickens and all manner of fowls. Peacocks wandered and called freely, flying up and gathering on the many small pavilions dotting the landscape,which seemed to mark rest areas to escape from the sun.

The river stretched on, with irrigation strips leading off from its sides until the greenerywasspread in every direction for as far as the eye could see and there was no sign of the desert or its blasted sands. There were even orchards and vineyards, row after row, and clumps of tall,wide-leafed trees, sporting strange,enormous fruits.

They followed the river for hours, until Balten led them to a jetty on the riverside. He chatted with the boatmen there and they were soonsailingupstream on a flat-bottomed vessel, leaving their dusty camels behind.

Ahead, a range of great stone hills came into view and,clumped at its base andbuiltall over its sides was a city, large enough to rival any of the great metropolises of the Empire, bar Cintar itself.

‘Hol,’ Balten remarked. ‘City of the Desert Queen.’

The river ran straight on into the city, seemingly devoured by the buildings that crowded out on either side of it. Space was obviously a precious commodity, for the houses were tightly packed and builtuponeach other in a way that seemedat oncehaphazardandyet appealing to the eye. The white-walled houses at the edge of the city gave way tolargerdomed buildings, each coloured blue or green, each one more majestic and more opulent than the last. Sails of coloured cloth and lines of flags hung between every possible building and they undulated slowly in the hot desert breeze. Peacocks sat perched on the rooftops even here, calling out and fanning their feathers, while flocks of tiny birds darted about in erratic clouds. Aqueducts, fountains and cascading water features criss-crossed the streets and there was no lack of greenery, with potted plants and trees sprouting from everypossiblebalcony and rooftop and vacant space. If the intent had been to create an oasis city, it had truly been successful.

The sight was breathtaking. Every mote of space seemed built upon and crafted in a way so as to be aesthetically pleasing. The waterways themselves seemed a part of the architecture, with bridges and crossings spanning them like bangles on the wrists of a many-armed dancer. Finally, crowning the head of the mount around which the city was huddled, was a vast palace, equally as splendid as the city itself, with enormous statues erected around it,chiselled into the stone of the mountain. Columns and towers rose all around the white-walled buildings, wrapped in vines and bristling with vegetation. It was a stark contrast to the naked,red stone of the mounton which they stood.

‘So this is where they come from,’ Eric noted.

‘Only a small number,’ Balten revealed. ‘Most come from the deep desert, but the city acts to unify them into one people of many colours. They come and offer themselves to be trained in war. The city is proof that their queen can perform miracles. While it remains, her position as their god is without question.’

‘Another god?’ Eric groaned.

‘Not in your sense of the word. They know she is flesh and blood, but they respect her power. They still worship a pantheon of old gods, based on the stars and beasts of nature.’

The barge reached the side of the river and they disembarked, continuing into the city on foot. They passed the workers and villagers without incident, tightly wrapped in their desert clothes. Each passer-by nodded to them and clacked at them in their guttural tongue, and Balten replied in the same. The people were varied in the colour of their skin, from lightly tanned to coal-black, and there were not only men, but women and children, all moving about according to their wants; from hurrying labourers to idling merchants and scampering children about their feet.

One of the robed men called out and started towards them. He had a cloth wrapped around his face, but his arms and legs, down to his sandals, were bare. His skin was moderate in tone compared to many of the others around him. He called back to a group of others that he had left standing, and they darted off quickly.

Balten called to the man as he neared, but the fellow would not cease his excited chattering, and he continued motioning for them to come nearer. They did so and he finally pulled his veil aside to reveal his face, and he gave a great broad smile.

‘Thank goodness. I thought they would never leave,’ he said.

Samuel knew the man well. ‘Lomar!’ he said with hushed excitement. ‘I can’t believe we have found you.’

‘Well, more accurately, you have merely arrived, and I have found you. Now come. I sent those agents of the Queen away to fetch us some water and I don’t want to be here when they return and find you are not sons of the leader of the Purple Beetle Tribe.’

He began away and they followed him away through the streets.

‘Don’t speak,’ he whispered to them,’ and keep your faces covered until we get indoors.’

He led them for what seemed like an hour, crossing the frantic squares and streets. Merchants from the far east had never been treated well in Cintar and here, surrounded by so many of the desert people and in constant fear of having their skin colour or habits give them away, the irony was tangible.

Finally, theyslippedindoors into a rather large and surprisingly cool dwelling. The walls were clean, covered with mottled orange clay, while the windows were slatted and drawn shut to keep out the heat of the day. Lomar gave them water in large,glazed mugs and they drew down their veils and pulled off their headscarves before collapsingonto a mound of firm cushions that had been piled on the floor. There was no sign of any chairs in the room at all and it seemed not to be the Paatin custom to use such things.

‘Samuel, I am astounded to see you here,’ Lomar said, smiling with gladness. ‘And Eric, too. What a wonderful moment. I have been waiting here all this time, desperately wondering how I was going to cope all by myself. Who are these others? Where is Master Goodfellow?’

‘Heis dead,’ Samuel explained, at which point Lomar immediately made one of his ritualistic gestures against evil. ‘Grand Master Tudor also. They accompanied us from Cintar, but we have had some terrible setbacks. Many of our starting party did not make it here. Do you know Balten?’ Lomar only shook his head. ‘He is a member of the Circle.’

Lomar eyed the man suspiciously. ‘I have heard rumour of them,Samuel, but I do not think this is such good company to keep.’

Balten only sipped at his cup and ignored the remark.

‘I am not so keen on his company either, but he has proved to be of assistance. We can talk of it later but,as you will learn, we are not really in the position to pick and choose our allies at this point. Master Celios also accompanied us from Cintar, but he stayed behind nearby. Whether by choice or not, he seems to be helping the Circle to keep watch on us.’ To this, Lomar nodded thoughtfully. ‘This is Sir Ferse. He came as an aide for Master Celios, but now is going to help us retrieve the Empress.’ At this, Lomar raised a quizzical eyebrow. ‘Finally, we have some representatives from the nation of Koia: Ambassador Canyon and his god.’ They each nodded their heads on introduction.’

‘I am short of words. What an intriguing assortment to find before me. I am sorry to meet you allundersuch circumstances, but,as much as it is worth, Ibid youwelcome.’

The Emperor in Sir Ferse nodded solemnly, but there was no response from Canyon and the woman, who did not understand his Turian tongue.

‘What news of the Empress? Have you found her?’ the Emperor asked.

‘I believe I know where she is,’ Lomar explained, ‘but she is unreachable. There is a network of tunnels beneath the mountain that holds all the Queen’s captives. The entrances are guarded by soldiers at all times, and Paatin wizards keep constant watch around the palace with a mesh of spells. Worst of all, the stone of the mountain itself is magic resistant. The nearest I have been is within sight of the entrance and I could already feel the magic-quelling power of the stone at work. I cannot think of any way to get in.’

‘You’ve been here all this time and that is all you have come up with? Getting into the dungeons is actually very simple,’ Balten said with a smug smile.

‘How is that?’ Lomar asked him.

‘Surrender, of course. The Queen is only keeping her hostages in hope of luring the Saviour of Cintar to their rescue. Here he is,’ he added, gesturing to the magicians. ‘She asked for him to be sent and he has been delivered. What better way into the palace?’

‘That is madness,’ Lomar responded nervously. ‘The Queen is renowned for torturing and testing her captors. The local people say it is better to die than be dragged into her cells. She pits her prisoners against each other for her general amusement. I think it better to avoid the dungeons at all cost.’

‘It’s true, getting out may be more of a challenge, but this is why we have come, after all. I will take Samuel to hand himself over and ensure that the guards know who he is. The others can wait here, in hiding, and come to our rescue when required. It may take some time, but once Samuel can retrieve the relic, I’m sure we can think of some way to escape the city and makeour wayback to the Valley of the Ancients.’

‘We also need to save the Empress and her son, and then slay the witch,’ Eric said. ‘We will need to tread carefully until we can free them. We cannot risk them getting harmed.’

‘True,’ Baltenagreed. ‘At present, the Queen possesses the greater advantage, but I think we will have littleopportunityto do much from outside the palace. As Lomar has said, sneaking in or out would be nearly impossible, and he is the only one who can move comfortably outside. We would be in constant danger of beingdiscoveredbecause of our looks andourinability to speak their tongue. In truth, I think we have little choice but to begin our task from the inside.’

‘I agree,’ Lomar said. ‘It will be dangerous. But here, everything is dangerous.’

‘Why just take Samuel?’ Eric asked.

‘Firstly, because he is the one she actually wants and,secondly, he also has the uncanny ability to remain completely invisible from magical detection. He can sneak about the palace to his heart’s desire once he is inside. The more of you that go with him, the more danger there is. I can escape at any time once the task has been completed, but I do not want anyone nearby at the time. It would be very dangerous for them.’

‘And what are we to do?’ the Emperor asked. ‘Just wait here?’

‘Yes,’ Balten replied. ‘Keep as quiet as you can and stay out of trouble. Let Lord Lomar take care of you and,whatever you do, never leave this refuge.’

Samuel considered the plan carefully. As long as he had his ring,he would not be worried and,with Balten beside him, the two of them would be more than a match for any witch. ‘Very well. I agree.’

They talked more until the cool evening came andthenthey ate cross-legged on the floor,devouringthe flat bread and tender,seasoned meat that Lomar fetched for them from outside. As darkness fell over the city, coloured lanterns were raised along the streets and music played from all corners-horns and flutes and stringed instruments, all playing their individual melodies, somehow in harmony. Male and female singers alike crooned and warbled aloud until late, when the sounds dimmed and the crowds began returning to their homes. One by one, the rescuers retired to bed, until Samuel was left alone with Lomar, standing atop the roof of their hideaway and looking over the sleeping city.

‘It will not be easy, achieving what we have set out to do,’ Lomar stated.

‘I did not think it would be, but we have little choice,’ Samuel replied.

‘You have always had a choice, Samuel, we all do, yet you have striven on, always doing what you felt as right. I had little idea when I first met you that you would become such a hero.’

‘I have never been a hero. I’ve only ever done what I had to. Few choices I have made have been for valiant reasons.’

‘Ah, but perhaps that’s what makes you stand out, Samuel. You feel you have made no choices, but it is your noble nature that drives you. A coward will always run from the difficult choices, but it is in your heart to run towards them.’

‘You give me too much credit, Lomar. Many others have done as much asI haveand more. In fact, many of those have sacrificed themselves so I can stand here today. All I have that has kept me alive until now is luck-and I hope it stays with me a little longer.’

‘Some would say luck, Samuel; others would say fortuneor fate, or perhaps even destiny.’

‘Don’t start on that,’ Samuel told him. ‘I’m not superstitious.’

Lomar only laughed. ‘Yes, I remember. Still, we all do what we can, don’t we? The mountain and the sky do not notice the affairs of men and to them our lives pass in the blink of an eye. Yet, occasionally, a man comes who can blot out the sky-who can move the very mountains that ignored him.’

‘What are you saying?’

‘We all sometimes do what we must, or avoid doing what we know we should do, but we cannot escape out destinies, Samuel. That is all I am saying. When I saw you becoming the great magician I had always hoped for, I was worried, for in every man is the seed of good and evil. I am glad you have turned out like this, but even a good man can be forced into making bad decisions. I just want to tell you this, because we have few true friends in life and you have become one of the bestin mine. We magicians know that well, always being buried in our studies and duties as we are. I don’t know what will happen in the coming days, but I am glad we met, Samuel. The world will become a better place because of our friendship. That is all I mean to say.’

‘Thank you, Lomar. I feel the same. Do you sense something bad in the air?’

‘Onthe contrary, Samuel. I feel something wonderful. I know that all this will turn out for the best. It is only the enactment that will be difficult for us. If we can get through that, I am sure happy days will be waiting for us. I have been thinking of that moment for a long time and I’m glad our struggle is nearly over.’

‘True. I can’t wait to put all this behind us. Everything has been too complicated for far too long and Icrave for a simple life.’

‘We are like trees, Samuel. We start off small, yet grow into great and splendid things. We can accomplish much in our lives, but even we magicians are still only made of wood. We grow our branches as full as we can, but the fire of our magic consumes them. We must keep growing if we want to feed that fire, but what a terrible equation it is. If our branches grow too heavy, we will crack; if the fire grows too great, we will be consumed. What a sorry life it is to be made of wood.’

‘What are you saying now?’

‘Only that I am tired, Samuel. Our obsession with magic consumes us,andone day, if we are not careful, it will burn us to our core. For once, I would like the chance to sit still and rest,and forget that I am a magician. Our duty has laden us with so many burdens, I feel my boughs are about to break.’

‘You surprise me, Lomar. I never thought I would hear such words from you, although I do not disagree with you. I am not sure if we can give up our ways. Magic is in our nature. It would be hard to separate the fire from the wood once it has begun to burn.’

‘But I feel the day is coming when this particular tree will be shedding its leaves andgettingready for winter. That will be a wonderfully dull time indeed. Our lives as magicians are set. We have access to all manner of powers and abilities, yet we can never share in some of the most precious experiences that the common folk enjoy every day.We cannever enjoy having a babe in our arms and having it look up at us with trusting, loving eyes. We can never experience that child growingupand fulfilling, even exceeding,our hopes. Nay, being a magician is a curse and we are denied the most sacred human act of creating young and prolonging our species. We are just drones to support the nest-watching, not being. What a curse it is.’

‘Your heart weighs heavy tonight, Lomar.’

‘It’s true, Samuel. I have been waiting in this city too long and I’m afraid my spiritisnotitsusual self. I can’t say how glad I am to see you. I don’t look forward to seeing you in danger, but I am ashamed to admit I am glad you are here.’

‘This business will all be done soon. Come-let us rest. Tomorrow will be a busy day.’

Lomar agreed and they returned inside to find their beds.


Morning came and Balten led Samuel through the crowded streets, climbing steadily until they neared the foot of the palace, built into the side of Mount Karthma. Just as Balten had warned, as soon as they nearedthe entrance, the guards came running with their spears lowered, and Balten had to jabber at them feverishly until they believed him. He had to draw off his headscarf to prove his point and desperately motioned for Samuel to do the same. The men seemed hesitant and looked as if they would skewer the pair anyway, but another quick burst of gibberish from Balten had them leading the two magicians into the open maw of the great palace entrance.

‘Well, it looks like your plan has worked,’ Samuel said.

Balten replied hesitantly. ‘So far. Let’s see what happens after this.’

Their escorts marched them into the cavernous palace. Thebuildingwas open and airy, filled with water features and decorations;rich tapestries and translucent,billowing curtains. At first, it seemed as if they were heading upwards and Samuel thought they may be going to have their audience with the Queen already, but they took an abrupt turn into a corridor that led them through a layer of spells and into the side of the mountain. Dark tunnels led away from the main passage and each looked ancient and foreboding, dark and uninviting. Already, Samuel could feel the magic-muting properties of the mountain at work around him. The sensationwas dim, but seemed to grow stronger with each stephe tookalong the corridor.

‘I can feel the stones at work already,’ Samuel said.

‘This mountain is where they sourced the stones for your School of Magic,’ Balten stated, ‘and the stones of the Mage Cell in the palace.’

‘All the way from here? How did the mountain possibly get such power?’

‘No one knows-not even Cang. These rocks are older than anything else upon the earth. Their creation is a mystery.’ He was then quiet as he listened to the guards’ banter. ‘It looks like we will not be meeting the Queen just yet,’ Balten muttered.

The guards argued somewhat as they escorted the two and Balten only had a moment’s notice to warn Samuel, before the two were split up.

‘It sounds like they were expecting us. The Queen is going to test our mettle. She could make us wait quite some time down here. Don’t do anything foolish.’

‘I won’t.’

‘And one more thing. Give me your ring.’

‘What? Of course not.’

‘If you don’t, they will take it anyway and everything will be lost. Give it to me and I will return it when I can. Quickly!’

Samuel had no choice but to obey the insistent magician for,either way,he would lose it. He secreted the thing to Balten and the man tossed it into his mouth and swallowed it with a gulp.

‘What are you doing?’Samuelasked Balten with alarm.

‘Don’t worry,’ Balten appeased him. ‘I can get it back later. I’ve swallowed much larger things before. Your ring will be a simple matter to retrieve.’

‘I’m not sure I will want it back,’ he said, but Balten was too busy to reply.

The guards him gave him a rough jab with the points of their spears and Samuel was parted from Balten; the guardsturnedhimaway and into a dim side path.

Another group of guards was waiting at a branch and the first lot handed Samuel over to them. These guards were shirtless and brutish-looking,as if they had spent years under the earth. They were lucky if they had five teeth between them, and they gawked at Samuel with bloodshot, puffy eyes. They lacked spears, but each held a jagged-toothed dagger with loosely veiled desire to use it. One of them grabbed a length of rope and bound Samuel roughly around the wrists and turned his pockets inside out, searching him roughly. They pulled him through a further series of dank passages. It was cold and damp here and already the stifling sense of the mountain above had Samuel feeling halfsuffocated. He could feel the effect of the mountain, but that did not worry him so much as he had feared; he had long grown accustomed to being separated from his magic. It was more the enclosed space that had him worrying and the terrible feeling of an empty pocket without something jiggling within it.

Eventually, they came to a length of rough-hewn passage that had four iron doors along one side. One of the escorts rushed ahead and, throwing his lantern aside, drew three great sets of locks open on one door and laboured topullit open. They pulled Samuel towards the gaping doorway and he only had a moment to see that there was pitchblack awaiting inside, before they pushed him in and through, slamming the door shut behind him. Three rattling clanks sounded as they bolted the door behind him. They left him in complete darkness, chattering awhile amongst themselves, before he heard them sidle back away along the passageway from whence they had come.

Samuel stood perfectly still for the first few moments, controlling his breath and scouring the darkness with his magician’s senses. Anyone else would have been completely blind, but as hissightsprung into clarity, he could make out the faint energy that seeped from the very stone. It took some time to make out his surroundingsandfound that he was in a small and empty cell that had been hacked from the bare stone without precision, leaving the sides rough and uneven. The ceiling was a cluster of smooth stalactites that hung to various lengths. Slowly, as he focussed his senses around the cell part by part, he gained a greater idea of the walls surrounding him. There were some torn rags strewn on the floor and so Samuel collected these together then sat himself upon them, opposite the door,to wait.

He had no idea how much time had passed before the door opened again, except that he had waited many hours, then slept, and then waited again. And he had repeated that cycle at least twenty times without interruption. In that time, he had eaten nothing and had drunk only the drops that formed on the tips of the stalactites above him. He could only reach two of the spikes flat-footed, and one more by standing on his tiptoes and reaching up as far as he could with his tongue. In this way, he had persisted. Without such sustenance, he had no idea how he was supposed to have survived.

He had sensed figures come creeping down the corridor at times, stopping outside his door in complete silence before padding away hurriedly. He had sat still and ignored them all. He supposed it must have perplexed them that he made no sound, but not enough to have them open his door to see what had become of him.

When the door did open, it was with a bright and blinding light. He stood and shielded his eyes but,as something came bounding in upon him, howling and snarling, he leapt aside, almost cracking his skull against the wall. The door shut again, leaving him once more in darkness, but with something angry and growling sharing the cell with him. He could not tell immediately what it was, but its life shone brightly in the cavern against the dull stones. As he made out its shape from the pattern around it, he realised it was a dog of some kind, and it stood in the dark, growling savagely. It could smell him and probably hear him, despite how hard he tried to stand perfectly still. With a snarl,it leapt and Samuel stepped aside, grabbing it around the neck with one deft movement. He was weakened from lack of food, but it was not a large animal and he dropped his weight upon it and drove the beast into the ground. With a yelp, it was dead. He felt little remorse, for he had been allowednochoice but to defend himself.

Moving his hands over its body, he found it to be,indeed,some manner of muscled and ferocious dog, but it had been wounded and tortured only recently to make it all the more savage. Looking closer, he sensed it to be full of slow-acting poisons. Curious, he thought, for the poison had not had time to affect the animal. Then perhaps it was a test for him: starve him, test him, give him meat-and if he ate it,he would perish in turn. It seemed his captors were playing games with him and he started to wonder if the Desert Queen even knew he was here.

Time crawled by and Samuel began to wonder if he should take action to free himself. Balten had told him to have patience, but howlongwould he need to wait? Then again, without his ring he had no idea how he could possibly do anything at all. Instead, he practised all his old lessons from his days in the School of Magic: the mantras and words of power, the stances of summoning and expending power (as much as the space would allow) and the complex hand matrices-all designed to align him as closely as possible with the weaves and flows of the infinite pattern of existence.

Still, that felt hollow and so he turned his time towards other pursuits. He practised squeezing his fists at the end of his stances, transforming the movements of summoning and casting into strikes and evasions, just as he imagined Horse doing them. With each repetition, he felt satisfaction,for he could feel his blows developing-becomingtighter, faster, more efficient. He could hear his sleeves rippling and whipping in the darkness as he locked his attacks into place and,as the noise became sharper and more violent, he knew he was improving.

He experimented with kicking, based on what he had seen the Koian do, but these felt somehow awkward and he was not sure if they would be effective at all. Still, he had little else tooccupyhis time and he continued practising whatever he could, moving around his tiny chamber in the blackness until he knew its every inch by heart.

When the physical practice exhausted him, he would sit and focus his mind. He sent his senses deep into the stone and found only more stone all around. Looking further, he detected some narrow passages far away and other living things-perhaps other captives-deep within the rock. Occasionally, his visitors would come and check on him, and occasionally, spells would be sent to search for him-powerful spells originating from far outside the mountain-but little else happened in his timeless world of dark and quiet.

Footsteps pounding along the passageway alerted Samuel long before they arrived, and Samuel had time to stand and ready himself when the guards next opened his door. They held torches and called to him,gesturingfor him to come out,and he did so warily, eyeing their daggers with concern, ready to leap aside if required.

Once again, the men bound his wrists and dragged him through an unendinglabyrinthof passageways and tunnels. Quite suddenly, he found himself in sunlit halls, passing women and servants, all of whom seemed revolted by him and did their best to keep their distance. He was not at all surprised and guessed that he must have looked and smelled quite terrible after his stint in captivity. The rotting dog carcass beside him had not helped, as all he could do at the time was wrap it in the rags that had been his bed and stuff it in the corner.

His escort led him down a short flight of stairs and thenopened a large set of double doors. They cut his ropes and pushed him through and it was there that Samuel found himselfinsidea great arena, with perhaps tens of thousands gathered in the seats around him. The sand was stained with several patches of dark blood and so Samuel trod slowly to the centre of the area, still wincing at the brightness of the sun and looking at the crowd all around himinconfusion. The wait seemed painfully long, but it was obvious what would happen next. Surely enough, another door opened and out came trotting six masked and armed desert-men, each bearing a different form of weapon.

He was without his power, and suffering from lack of decent food and sleep, but he hoped he would be able to manage these men with his physical skills alone. The isolation of his cell seemed to have protected him from the thought of having no magic, but now, out in the open and requiring spells, he began to panic. He patted his pockets desperately, hoping for his ring to reappear, but it was a vain hope.

He just had time to thank the fact that he had been practising his attacks in his cell, when another door burst open and a huge lizard came bounding in. It was the same kind of creature that had attacked them outside of Rampeny, but he could see this one clearly and it was enormous. It locked its eyes upon him and came scampering toward him at full speed.

He flexed and tested his muscles andmentally prepared himselfas the thing bore down on him-he had no idea if he was capable of defending himself at all. It hissed, flapping its blue tongue, and snapped at him. Samuel moved aside, surprising himself at how much distance he covered in one spry step, but the thing continued after him like fluid lightning. He leapt high-higher than he intended-but the lizard was also agile and arched its head up, snapping after him. He cleared its mouth by inches and scampered down its scaly back and behind it.

The armed men were waiting and he dashed amongst them, hoping to confuse the great lizard. It had already turned and was after him in a frenzy, and the men fled from its path. Samuel ran at them, for they seemed equally disturbed by the presence of such a monstrosity. They scrambled to be away, but he slid into theshin of theclosest man and kicked up into the front of his knee. The man cried out as his leg bent backwards and Samuel leapt over him, crushing his throat as he passed.

The ease of doing so was a surprise to him, for in his mind he had superimposed the movements of Horse upon himself, and he seemed to be able to match them almost perfectly. He had the man’s spear in his hand and threw it at the furthest fighter, where it buried itself deep into his chest. The desert-man only gasped and fell to his knees, propped up by the shaft of the weapon with his lifeblood gushing out onto the sand. The heavy hammer in his hand dropped to the sand beside him.

The lizard was again upon him and the other four men had scuttled out of its way, so Samuelfound himselfback-stepping to be away from it. He danced behind the speared man and the lizard trampled over the corpse togat at him. He ran for the wall and the thing followed, hissing closely behind with rancid breath. He reachedthe wall and took two steps up it, vaulting back as the lizard crashed into the stone below him, cracking the great stones. Again, he raced down its back and was away while the thing writhed in pain.

The fighters had spread out and Samuel raced past the pulverised and speared body, scooping up the heavy hammer as he passed. The nearest fighter had a spiked shield and net and he threw the latter at Samuel as he approached, hoping to ensnare him. Samuelnowthrew his hammer with his full force, swinging it by the end of the handle for momentum; it carried the net back with it, crashing into the man’s shield and toppling him backwards. Samuel stepped on the shield and kicked the man in the teeth as hard as he could. Three desert fighters remained.

Samuel was off again, pulling the shield with him, feeling his heart now thudding wildly in his chest and labouring for breath, but he could not stop until they were all dead, or it would be his end. The lizard had recovered and was again galloping for him, so Samuel bolted towards the next warrior and manoeuvred behind the man. It took a moment for the desert-man to realise what was happening, but too late for,as he watched Samuel scoot past him, it was already too late for him to run from the thundering lizard’s path. He disappeared beneath it and Samuel was off again, towards the next fighter.

This man held two swords and he stood carefully, keeping Samuel between himself and the creature. Samuel raised his shield andsprangupon the man. One sword bit into the shield and the other swept at Samuel’s legs, but Samuel was airborne and fell upon the warrior with his full weight, spearing him to the ground with the sharpened tips of the shield.

One fighter remained and Samuel picked up both swords from themanhe had just defeated. Thislast fighterwas wielding a heavy axe and Samuel knew he would have no trouble dispatching the man, so he returned his attention to the lizard.

It boundedtoward him and Samuel speared one sword into its eye at the last instant, rolling aside to be out of its path. The thing squirmed and kicked its front legs as it tried to scratch out the deep sword. Samuel darted around and deftly buried the second weapon in its other eye, right up to the hilt. The lizard thrashed and threw Samuel aside with a flick of its head.

He damned himself for being caught, for the blow was solid and left him breathless on the sand. The remaining warrior took his opportunity and came rushing over with his weapon raised high. He brought it down, burying his axe head into the sand as Samuel evadedthe blow. The man was still struggling to recover his weapon as Samuel rolled and regained his feet, and this seemed too much for the axeman. He took one look at Samuelstandingbefore him and gave up, dropping his weapon and fleeing. Samuel considered chasing him, but the masked fighter was no threat and made to the nearest door, thumping on it desperately with his fists.

It seemed as if the doors were going to open and let the man escape, but a long spear darted out from between the slats and punctured his body three times in rapid succession. The axeman dropped back, dead.

The crowd was roaring with appreciation by this stage and,although the lizard was not dead, it was incapacitated and continued writhing in pain as it scratched at its eyes with its forelimbs. A team of sandalled spear-men came trotting out of one of the doors and began stabbing the thing from all sides, while it thrashed in agony.

Samuel sat on his haunches to regain his breath while one well-muscled man, dressed in flowing,white desert robes, came over to him and gestured with his finger to follow.

Samuel struggled back to his feet, for he felt utterly drained, and followed the man. There did not seem to be any choice.

Thankfully, they did notmake thetrek back the same way to the dungeons, but insteadwentup some stairs to a windowed room where a bath had been prepared. A table next to the window was covered in breads and fruits and meats, and Samuel’s stomach almost had a fit at the sight.

‘Alahativa will meet you soon,’ his guide announced. ‘Wash and prepare. Enjoy some food. Be thankful that you have been deemed worthy of embracing her presence.’

‘You speak Turian?’ Samuel asked, for hearing one of the men speaking in his own language was certainly surprising.

‘I have spent some time in the west,’ he explained. ‘But I have not spoken Turian aloud for some time, so please excuse me if I make some mistakes. It is not intentional and I do not intend to offend you. I know the language and the ways of your people and,for this reason,I have been asked to serve you. I am Utik’cah, humble servant of our Queen. She has asked me to provide for you as best I can, and what Alahativa asks of me, I do. Now, I will leave you for a time to rest.’ And with a solemn nod he backed out the door and left Samuel to his food and bath.

Champing enthusiastically upon his meal, but careful not to overload his shrivelled belly, Samuel peered out the window. He was several storeys above a courtyard, overlooking the palace grounds, with the city of Hol spread out below. Without his magic, it was much too high to risk jumping and he leaned out the window to see if there were any ledges or railing that he could shimmy along if required. Disappointed, he resigned himself to enjoying his food and newfound freedom and he pulled off the rags that now seemed part of his body and sank into his steaming bath.

He scrubbed at his skin until it was almost raw, for the blotches and grime that he found were stubborn to remove, and he washed his scalp until his hair felt as clean as he could make it. A razor left nearby allowed him to trim the stubble that had appeared on his chin and he wondered how long he had been a captive, for his beard was notoriouslyslow-growing, as with all magicians, yet he had the beginnings of a hairy face well under way.

It was well into evening before Samuel was called for, and the same man, Utik’cah, summoned him to meet the Queen. Samuel had done his best to dress in the thin white clothes left for him, although Utik’cah shook his head at the results and pulled the cloth into various positions until he was happy that Samuel was fit tobepresented.

The Queen was seated at the end of a long,columned hall, hung with bright and glittering cloths. Male and female attendants lounged on either side,anda row of muscled guards stoodfiercely behind them with their arms folded above their curved swords. There were no wizards to be seen, but Samuel could feel spells at hand, ready to leap into play.

The Queen was waiting upon a raised platformthat had severalsteps leading up to it. She sat reclined on a long cane chair,which wascovered with cushions and,with the casualness of a cat watching a mouse come scampering across the floor, she watched him approach. Samuel was given an enormous pillow on which to sit and did so,cross-legged. He waited for the Queen to address him, while Utik’cahstoodattentively to the side. The Queen turned to observe Samuel and, as she looked down on him, he knew at once that everything he had heard about her was true.

She was utterly beautiful, golden of skin, with her long,dark hair combed carefully back, braided and adorned with a jewelled hairpiece that was magnificent, yet subtle enough not to distract attention from her face. She was dressed in several layers of palegarments,greens and yellows, but it was immediately apparent that the look was crafted to give the onlooker a clear view of her figure, outlined like a shadow beneath the fabric. It was entirely unlike any dress that aWestern queen-or anyWestern woman for that matter-would consider tasteful. Her age wasindefinable, but her expression spoke of experience and maturity. Beyond all this, however, was the inescapable feeling that she lacked all compassion, for she looked upon Samuel as if he were an ant that had been caught wandering across her blanket.

She had no aura beyond that of any commoner, but there was something about her that felt unusual. She reminded him greatly of the Emperor-or perhaps that was just her upright posture and her regal demeanour.

‘Samuel,’ she said, speaking perfect Turian,and her lips crept into a smile that was not so much welcoming as self-satisfied. ‘I’m so glad to finally meet you. I must say I was underwhelmed by your appearance at first, but you have proven hardier than I would have guessed. You survived the little test in my dungeon and then you were victorious in my arena. The crowd was greatly amused by such frivolous antics. Perhaps you will live up to the stories I have heard, after all.’

‘How is it that everyone in this land speaks the Emperor’s tongue?’ he asked her.

‘My, you do jump to conclusions, don’t you? I am not used to answering the demands of my guests, but I will grant you the boonon this occasion-as a welcoming gesture. Utik’cah may already have explained that he was a spy for me in his youth, sent to theWest to learn the ways of war. Long before that, before I had taken my place as queen of this land, I also lived in theWest. That story, however, is too long and tiresome,and I will not bore you with its details just yet. Needless to say, I can speak Turian at least as well, if not better, than you.’

She unclasped her hands and Samuel’s mouth nearly dropped open upon sight of her finger, for a familiar ring glinted upon it. For a moment, he thought that Balten must have given her his ring, but then he realised it was a twin: the Queen’s own Argum Stone.

In that instant, and taking her commoner’s aura into account, he realised she was not truly a witch as the Order had feared, but was as much dependent on the ring for magic as he.

‘What’s this?’ she said and held her hand out for him to inspect. ‘You’ve only been here a moment and already you gawk at my finger like a lustful thief. From this, I must presume you know the secrets of my ring already. You’re not a very good spy at all, Samuel, if that is what you are supposed to be.’

‘I’m no spy and,yes, I know about your ring. It grants you magic abilities,’ he stated. ‘Without it, you cannot use any magic at all.’

She hesitated, then smiled again and sat up, leaning forward and putting her elbows on her knees to speak with him. ‘So you know more than I would have guessed. Perhaps I should have had you killed before you can cause any mischief. Tell me, Samuel-Saviour of Cintar-why have you come here to my city? What brings you across the great continent to meet me?’

‘You demanded it in a letter. I have come in exchange for two people: a woman and a child, stolen and brought here to your city. One is the Empress of Turia,the other is her son, Emperor-to-be Leopold Calais.’

‘Oh,’ she said with disappointment. ‘No games? No lies? No misdirection? What kind of magician are you? If you keep this up, you will ruin the reputation of your kind.’

‘You know why I am here. Why would I pretend any different?’

She laughed at this. ‘You would be surprised, Samuel. Perhaps this will be interesting after all.’

‘So?’ he prompted her.

So?’ she repeated. ‘What do you mean by that?’

‘Will you release them to me?’

Again she laughed, but it was a hollow and mean-spirited laugh meant to demean him. ‘Oh no, not yet;notby any measure. They were gifted to me and I know nothing about the letter of which you speak. What I do know is that if I let them go, how would I keep you here? No, I have much planned for you yet and my war with theWest is yet to be won. Nowthatmy plans are known, Turia has rallied its defences, but it is only a matter of time before I take Cintar. The cities of theWest shall fall one by one until its capital becomes mine.’

‘Why have you attacked us?’

‘It was not my decision, Samuel. It is the time of Ajaspah, when the desert people return to the fertile lands beyond the desert to retake their homelands.’

‘Turia was never their homeland,’ he said adamantly.

‘Perhaps not,’ shereturnedwith a knowing smile, ‘but that is what my people believe and they expect me to lead them to victory. The heavens have spoken. The Star of Osirah has marked our destiny and grows brighter with each of our triumphs.’ She noticed his doubtful look. ‘Have you not seen it? I thought you magicians were scholars? My astronomers found it many years ago when it was only the faintest of dots in the night sky, and it has since carved a path across Rom’s Belt as they foretold. Now, it has settled in the eye of Rah, where it will remain until it fills the entire night sky. At that time,we will have our victory. These things were spoken of in texts more ancient than time. Our victory is assured. We will burn the infidelsintheir homes and pour from the desert into theWest, as countless as the grains of sand.’

‘I am not sure I can allow that,’ he told her plainly, but she remained cool despite his efforts to test her.

‘You are in no position to make such bold statements, Magician. Perhaps I will play with you some more to test your resilience and then we shall see if I cannot dampen some of that fiery spirit. I was personally quite disappointed with your effort in the arena today. I hope next time you will display some of your fabled magic, rather than running around like a witless fool. Your friends have put on a much better show than you.’

‘What do you mean?’ he asked with concern.

She smiled as if she had just eaten a gloriously delicious sweet. ‘Your other friends from theWest, Samuel of Cintar. You didn’t think I would let them sit idle in my city did you? They have been entertaining my people much more splendidly than you, although they have started to look a little worse for wear.’

‘Where are they?’

‘Would you like to see them? Very well. I will arrange it. Go now and leave me be.’

She looked at her attendants and a trio of bare-chested guards stepped from the shadows with their curved swords at the ready and escorted Samuel back to his new room.

He slept uneasily and woke when the unusual presence of sunlight came streaming in through his window. After spending so long in his prison, the diurnal cycle of light and dark felt entirely foreign to him, but it was a welcome sight nonetheless.

Dressing himself in his Paatin robes as best he could, he readied himself for what the day would bring.


Utik’cah brought him a set of magicians’ robes shortly after breakfast and explained that he would be expected to perform in the arena once more. The clothes were expertly made and seemed more than just a copy. He suspected they had been stolen from the Order and brought all the way from Turia, appearing to be authentic in make and brand new.

‘How many will I be expected to kill today?’ he asked the man. After having some decent meals and a good night’s rest,he felt a different man to yesterday.

‘I do not know and cannot say,’ was Utik’cah’s reply.

‘I will kill as many more of your people as you set against me.’

Utik’cah gave a hint of a smile, not out of cruelty, but of one who has received an unusual surprise. ‘They were not desert people that you killed, Lord Samuel. They were captives, like yourself,from the land of Avalia. We would not make our own kind fight for amusement. We are not animals. In fact, we had assumed you would ally yourself with the Avalians for your first battle, weakened as you were, but you seemed intent on killing them. I was surprised by your ferocity.’

Samuel had no reply, for he was taken aback by the revelation. At that point, he wished he had some tiny mote of his power, for it seemed that Utik’cah was one of the Paatin Queen’s most trusted servants. If he could reach inside the man’s mind he could learn everything he wished to know about her and her war, or perhaps even force the man to be more open to suggestion.

Frustrated, he had only a question for the Paatin. ‘What was that creature I fought? Will there be more of them?’

‘That was ajidanti-a lizard of the desert. I cannot say what you will face today.’

‘I can’t imagine such beasts are natural. They could not grow to such dimensions without magical intervention.’

‘As you presume, Lord Samuel, our wizards have gained great insight into many aspects of nature.’

‘And in the desert I saw another large creature. I could not see it clearly, but it had a great hardened shell upon its back.’

Sitt’i,’ Utik’cah stated. ‘A powerful creature, but unreasonably slow. They are immeasurably strong and resilient. They can demolish the strongest of fortifications quite easily. I am not fond of such beasts, but they have their uses.’

‘Are these what you have in mind for Cintar?’ Samuel asked, but Utik’cah replied with a look that meant there would be no response to a question such as that.

‘Let us go,’ he stated instead and waved his hand towards the door.

Samuel followed the Queen’s loyal servant towards the arena, and this time he had regained his senses enough to memorise much of the route and what he saw around him.

Reaching the same double doors, Utik’cah merely stepped aside and waited as the guards open the portals wide and shunted Samuel through.

The blazing sun and the noise of the crowd fell upon him at once and he took a few shuffling steps into the open. Standing in the middle of the arena was another black-robed magician and Samuel immediately recognised the energies of Eric.

‘Eric!’ he called, and scampered over as quicklyas he could, feeling the hot sand getting into his sandals and between his toes. As he arrived beside his friend, he was shockedatthe sight of him. Eric was gaunt and haggard, and his aura was thin and wan, but he smiled as well as he could when he saw it was Samuel approaching him.

‘Samuel. Where have you been? I thought you were dead.’

‘No. Not quite yet. What happened? Why are you here?’

‘The Queen caught us as soon as you left. She took us to her dungeons and they have been making me fight here ever since.’

‘Where are the others?’

‘I haven’t seen anyone since they caught us. They beat me and starved me and then brought me out to duel in this barbaric spectacle. Only Lomar escaped, for he was out in the city when they came for us.’

‘And the Koians?’

Eric shook his head. ‘I don’t know. I haven’t seen anyone. They could all be dead for all I know.’

The crowd hushed and the two of them readied themselves.One of the many doors that marked the arenawallsopened and figurescould be seen moving about within.

‘No matter who or what comes out, Samuel, we must kill them,’ Eric said determinedly. ‘If we don’t, they will kill us all. They don’t allow surrender.’

Samuel peered up into the crowd, hoping to find the seat of the Queen. There were many lavish viewing boxes around the arena, most adorned with feathers and curtains and such, and he could not see into most of them at all.

Movement caught his eye and their opponents entered the arena.

‘I have no magic,’ Samuel stated.

‘What!’ Eric said with disbelief. ‘Where is your ring?’

‘Balten has it.’

‘Why does Balten have it? Where is he?’

‘He is hiding it for me or the Paatin would have it.I don’t know where he is. I need to find him before I can do anything.’

Two magicians came out opposite them, wearing thick furs and armoured helms.

‘Gartens!’ Eric said.

‘Why are they dressed in furs here in the desert? Not even the Gartens are so foolish.’

‘It’s part of the entertainment,’ Eric said. ‘They want us to look the part.’ And he gestured to the black Order robes he, too, had been given.

‘We can’t kill them.’

‘We must! I’ve seen what happens to those who try to parley.’

‘They are fresh, Eric. I cannot call my magic and you look about ready to fall over. It’s foolish to fight.’

‘It is them or us.’

Samuel nodded finally. ‘If they have just arrived, they will not know the rules of the arena. Then let me take care of them. Stay here.’

He started off towards the other pair, who stood ready as he approached, gathering their magic. They were not overly powerful mages, but powerful enough to beat Eric and Samuel in their current decrepit states.

Samuel raised his hands and showed them his empty palms.

‘Parley!’ he called over in the Old Tongue, but the two remained defensive.

Tay panna!’ Eric called from behind.

‘Tay panna, tay panna,’ Samuel called, moving in closer.

‘Hold there, Turian,’ one of theNorth-men replied in the language of magicians. He was a portly and elderly man with a red,scruffy beard. ‘No need to go butchering our language. We understand the Old Tongue as well as you. What do you want? Quickly, before you die.’

‘A truce,’ Samuel called, edging closer.

‘Hold there!’ the magician’s mate called, summoning an inferno of magic around himself, and Samuel stopped dead in his tracks. ‘We can make no truce. It’s clear these desert pigs want us to kill each other. And we’re not going back into those accursed cells.’

‘We can bargain with them,’ Samuel continued. ‘The four of us against ten of their warriors. They expect entertainment, but if my friend and I fight you two, it will be a slaughter. We are clearly outclassed. He is a poor magician to begin with and I am no magician at all, as you can surely tell. If we cannot entertain them, they will simply increase the odds until we are dead.’

‘That’s your trouble. The sooner we kill you the sooner we can be free.’

Samuel saunteredcloser tothem, looking as helpless as he could. ‘They will never free you. We have been here many weeks and they expect us to fight until we are dead. However, if we can take on greater odds and give them a good show,we have the chance of freedom.’

The two seemed hesitant. ‘I don’t trust you, Turian.’

The crowd was unsettled and taunts began to fly. A row of spear-men stood from their seats at the top of the wall, and three hundred sharpened missiles came to the ready, bristling towards them like a row of spines along the wall. The spear-men began to draw back their arms. Somewhere from up above came the smell of magic. Wizards were also preparing their spells.

‘Do you at least want to ask them or not? There is nothing lost, but make your mind up before they spear us all.’

‘How will you speak with them?’ the red-bearded man asked.

Samuel was almost close enough-just about three steps away. Their power was at hand, but they had prepared themselves for the magic-to-magic warfare of magicians, not for close-ranged physical attacks from a man with no power. His goal was not to convince them of anything, but just to keep them occupied while he closed the gap. He hoped to position himself so that, when it was time to act, he could have Red Beard between himself and the other one who had readied his spells-and he had done nicely. ‘We can talk to that one, up there,’ he said and pointed high up into the stands. The position of his arm was just right, so that his elbow was aimed directly into Red Beard’s face. Their heads turned to follow his finger and,in that instant,Samuel leapt.

He shot out with his elbow, springing across the final distance between them and he put his body into the blow with everything he could. The point of his elbow struck the North-man square to the cheek. Red Beard’s head spun like a top, almost to the rear,before his body gained the sense to begin spinning and follow it. As his fellow returned his gaze from the crowd and had just begun to open his mouth with surprise, Samuel turned about and brought his other elbow over and down onto the nape of his neck, driving down with all his force. The second Garten’s eyes rolled back into his head and he crumpled like a swooning lady. His magic vanished as he dropped, but the firstNorth-man was still gasping and staggering about.

Samuel swept the man from his feet with a kick across the back of his knees and finished with a kick to his ribs that left the man gasping for air like a fish out of water. The Gartens were still very much alive, but in no state to do anything but writhe in pain.

Some in the crowd continued jeering, but a few did stand to their feet to cheer and whoop. Slowly, the spear-men lowered their weapons and sat backontheir seats. The threat of magic receded.

Samuel turned from the pair ofNorth-men and started back towards Eric. He heard the nearest door behind him open up and the sound of feet on sand, as Paatin spear-men trotted out and circled the defeated Gartens. He tried not to listen as he heard them thrusting their spears into theNorth-men over and over. He had hoped it would not come to that, butwhat wasdone was done; there was nothing he could doto save themnow.

‘We live another day,’ Eric stated flatly.

‘We do,’ Samuel said.

‘But it’s only a matter of time until we meet our end here, Samuel. I am sure.’

‘I will think of something. The Queen wants a show of magic. We cannot give it to her if we are dead.’


Eric was quickly dragged away, but Samuel was again taken before the Paatin Queen.

‘Are you actually trying to disappoint me, Samuel?’ she asked forlornly. ‘How can I believe all the wonderful things I have heard about you if all you do is brawl like a street-thug? You act more like a drunkard than a magician,and I have any number of those to throw to their deaths. Unless you are of some worth to me, Samuel, I think you know what will happen to you.’

‘Give me some time,’ Samuel said. ‘If you let my friendsoutfrom the dungeons and give them time to recover their strength, we will fight together and give you a spectacle the likesof whichyou have never seen before.’

‘A spectacle? I did hear that the destruction of Ghant was a marvel to behold,terrible and beautiful. None of my wizards could achieve such utter devastation, yet I would not like something like that happening in my city. I am not altogether foolish, my dear. Your friends will stay in their cells. I will keep them safe and wellcaredfor and under watch in my dungeons-away from harm’s way. Do not think you can do anything, Samuel. My Paatin wizards are ever close at hand and here in my city, I am akin to a god.’

‘Then I will need something else if I am to give you a show.’

‘Something else?’ she enquired with a smile. It seemed as though she actually enjoyed his brazenness. ‘What is it?’

‘Your ring.’ He folded his arms and waited patiently, noting the moment of comprehension on her face that followed.

‘So this is why you refuse to use your powers, Samuel? Why,you don’t have any! How delicious. The Saviour of Cintar is no magician at all, but a common man, stealing his power from the gods.’

‘Oh, I am a magician,’ he corrected, ‘but my power was lost. Lend me your ring, and I will show you what can be done with it.’

She looked truly amused by his suggestion. ‘I am not so foolish, Samuel. This ring never leaves my finger. You will have to find your power or die. I will grantyou three days.’

She gave a flick of her wrist and turned her bare back to him, leaving Samuel to be escorted back to his room.


Three days to find a plan or die. Three days to free the others, steal the ring, kill the Queen and escape to freedom. It seemed quite a challenge. If he did not meet it, he would be forced into the arena again, and he doubted his luck could hold for anotherchallenge.

Samuel stalked about his room, eating from the bowl of apples and drinking water from his porcelain jug, knowing that the others were still starving in their cells, buried under a mountain of stone. Lomar was their only hope, for he was still free and in the city, yet he had no idea if the man even knew they were alive. With his magic, Samuel was sure he could accomplish anything, but that damned Balten had taken his ring and,without it, he was helpless. He spent the morning feeling skittish and lost, desperate for some solution to pop into his head.

‘Need to stretch your legs?’ came a voice from the door and Samuel turned about, startled. It was Utik’cah, standing in the open doorway.

‘You surprised me,’ Samuel said. Then he had time to absorb the desert-man’s words. ‘What do you mean? I can leave?’

‘Of course,’ the dark man returned solemnly, bowing his head. ‘Alahativa grants you her courtesy. You may roam the palace and grounds to your leisure.’

‘Do you trust me?’

‘That is not important, Lord Samuel. We have been commanded not to stop you, but we will keep your friends. You know the consequences if you do not return to your room.’

Samuel understood. ‘Very well. It will do me good to get out of this room and clear my head. Will you walk with me?’

The Paatin man seemed genuinely surprised by Samuel’s offer, but it took him only a moment to return to his sober state. ‘If you wish.’

Samuel stepped out past him, half-expecting a hoard of bare-chested warriors to fall upon him with their swords, but the corridor was empty and welcoming. ‘Lead me then. Take me somewhere you would go in my place.’

Utik’cah smiled somewhat. ‘I am not in your place, but I understand. Follow me.’

The white-robed Paatin led Samuel through the halls of the splendid palace. Every mote of space was somehow lavish, beyond even the splendid decor of the palace in Cintar.

‘How did the Queen assemble such riches?’ Samuel asked of his guide. ‘I have never seen such wealth in one place.’

‘What you see around the palace are gifts from her people and the wealthy leaders of the clans. Everything she receives belongs to the people, so she has no need ofcoffersor troves in which to secret away her gold. Everything is laid out to be seen and appreciated.’

‘Isn’t she worried the servants will steal something?’

‘Why would they steal what is already theirs?’ Utik’cah replied,with genuine curiosity.

They came shortly to an open courtyard. There were several young ladies sitting around a pond that wasteemingwith golden fish but,when they saw the two men approach,they deftly shuffled away, keeping their eyes to the ground.

Utik’cah settled himself on a stone banister and pulled one booted foot up beside his rump to be comfortable, so he was hugging his knee. ‘So what do you want to ask me, Lord Samuel of Cintar?’

Samuel sat on the same length of stone, curved around the pond. ‘I am curious more than anything, about your Queen. Did she really create this city?’

‘So they say. No one alive now was alive then to see it, save for her.’

‘How can it be that she is so old? She looks only several years younger than you.’

‘I do not question such things, Lord Samuel. This is one of the mysteries that we do not question. We are only thankful to have her.’

‘But she seems to relish the misery of others? How can your people love her when she is such a tyrant?’

‘Strong leaders are appreciated in the desert. If she were any less, she would never have survived; she would never have the respect of the people. She rules with an iron fist but she also has infinite compassion. Perhaps it is because she is a woman that you question her actions? I have heard your Emperor was an ever greater tyrant and his slaughter knew no bounds.’

‘Perhaps that is true,’ Samuel mused. ‘Then I killed him.’

‘You seem a reckless people. We are much more resilient than you.’

‘Perhaps that is so. I want to ask you one more thing. Do you know where the Queen found her ring?’

‘I do not,’ came the answer. ‘She has many jewels and trinkets and I am not interested in such things.’

‘Have you ever seen her use her magic?’

‘Her magic is vast and wonderful, but I think we delve into questions I would rather not answer, Lord Samuel. Alahativa has not told me to hide anything from you, but I fear my answers would not be the ones you seek. I will go now. I have our armies to tend to. Enjoy your walk. I will arrange for your meals to be brought to your room.’

With that, he stood and strode away around past the pond. Samuel sat in silence for several minutes, before calling out to the magician hiding in the shadows. ‘Come out. I am alone.’

A tall figure, draped in black, stepped from amongst the leafy plants in the corner of the courtyard. He came over briskly and pulled the cloth from his hidden face. Spells of concealment dropped away as he came.

‘Samuel,’ he greeted, for it was Lomar who had been hiding amongst the bushes, ‘how did you know it was me? Oh, I forget. How foolish of me to underestimate you.’

‘Should we go somewhere else?’ Samuel asked, looking nervously to the arched entrances around them.

‘Not necessary. In these clothes, with my face partially covered, I look just like one of them. I can get past the odd servant or two. It is only if we meet any wizards that I will need to scurry. I have found a hole in their defences, so I was able to enter the palace this time. I am not sure how long it will remain, for the wizards keep watch on the walls and sentry-towers around the palace day and night.’

‘We need to find the others and free them, but I must find Balten first. He has my ring.’

‘I know where he will be, but that will not help much. You are a curiosity to the Queen, but I doubt they will risk anything with him. They will have Balten in the deepest,darkest part of the mountain they can find. I’ve heard he is well-known to the Paatin and they will not risk letting him escape. The problem is, once inside the mountain no spells can be cast. If we want to go in, we will need to cast our spells first and carry them in with us. Then, we will need to makeitpast the guards and search for him. Rumour has it the mountain is riddled with holes;it isa maze of endless tunnels, all designed to lose any strangers to its depths. It could take a long time to find him.’

‘So what can we do?’

‘Delveinto the mountain and search for him. I will leave now, before I give myself away. If they find me once, they will hunt for me relentlessly and you will lose any privileges you seem to have acquired. You may be able to sneak into the catacombs for a short time each day and search for him. I have heard there are many smaller hidden entrances. You will need to find the others, as well. We cannot act until they are free, or we risk having them executed.’

‘But I have no spells.’

‘You don’t need them, Samuel. Remember, none of the wizards can sense you. You are as good as invisible to them. There are also spells of detection that cover the entrances. Only you can slip through them unnoticed. Now, I must go. I don’t know when I can return again. Find the others. Find Balten.’

‘I will do my best.’

‘Samuel, there is one more thing. I don’t know if it is worth raising, but perhaps it is worth you knowing.’

‘What is it?’

‘They say there is something that lives under the mountain.’

‘What kind of something?’ Samuel asked.

‘I don’t know, but all the Paatin are terrified of it. No one has seen it, but they all fear it. Some think it is a ghost,others a beast. They only find the remains of its victims. They say it patrols the deepest and darkest of tunnels and that it takes anyone it stumbles across who is alone. The guards are afraid, but they have found a way to make use of the thing. Any prisoner they wish to remove, they just extinguish the lights, and when they come back, there is not much left.’

‘Are you trying to scare me?’

‘No, but I just advise you to take care. Whatever haunts those tunnels, keeps the Paatin who know about it terrified. You may even be able to use that fear against them.’

‘Very well.’

With that, he dashed away and darted over the wall in a single,lithe motion. It was only a few moments later that Samuel felt a Paatin spell slipping over him, scanning the courtyard. Perhaps the wizards had felt something unusual and had come to investigate, for the spell continued intensely. When it was done, and without finding anything, the spell moved away, leaving Samuel with nothing to do but return to his room.


As the sun melted into the west, casting shadows across the distant pasture lands, Utik’cah once again came to Samuel’s door.

‘Alahativa has reconsidered your request to release your friends.’ At this, Samuel’s heart leapt. ‘As a measure of her goodwill to you, and in hope that you will do your best to entertain her in the arena, she has released one of them. You will find your friend next door. If you like, your dinners can be served together. I will arrange for both meals to be brought there.’

Samuel agreed and,as soon as Utik’cah was gone,he stepped out into the corridor and turned to his right. There was only one other door in this stretch of hall and so he hurried over to it expectantly. He could hear the excited voices of Paatin women inside and wondered what could be happening. Opening the door, he hoped to find Eric or Balten or perhaps even the Emperor waiting inside, but when he saw it was the Koian woman who had been released, he could not help but feel bitterly disappointed.

She was wrapped in a thick blanket and she held it about her tightly. Three dark-skinned Paatin women stood around her and she was swatting at them as they laughed and tried to pluck the blanket from her shoulders. They wore thin, revealing clothes of pink, blue and violet and seemed to be enjoying whatever game they were playing with their guest.

‘You scared me!’ the Koian woman called out on noticing Samuel hovering in the doorway. ‘What are you doing in here, Magician? No one has called for you.’

He tried to hide his dashed hopes and walked nearer, causing the attendant girls to scatter aside. ‘I see you are well. It’s good the Queen has released you.’

‘Released! How is this released? Even my cell was preferable to this. At least there, I was dark and invisible. Now I am in the open for all to stare at and ridicule.’ She briefly opened her blanket, revealing her clothes underneath, a red version of the same scanty apparel as her attendants, baring more skin than Samuel had ever seen from the irate woman. ‘How can I go out like this? I am not some whore for these filthy brutes to ogle! I demanded appropriate clothes, but these fiends only laugh at me! I will kill them!’

‘You will get used to it,’ Samuel said, trying to placate her.

‘I don’twantto get used to it! I am a god!’

Samuel was fed up with her pretentious attitude already. ‘Then perhaps it’s time you realised that you are not a god. Gods do not exist. This is a world of logic and reason. Even magicians are governed by such laws. You are nothing but a spoilt and unreasonable child.’

The three girls, each gloriously beautiful, lowered their faces at the tone of his voice and the Koian woman stood stunned. He thought she would shout or retort, but she did not. She hopped down from the bed and started for the door, gripping her blanket around her tightly. When Samuel realised she was heading for the exit,he dashed in front of her to bar her way.

‘Where are you going?’ he demanded. Again, she would not answer. She reached out one arm and attempted to pull him away, but he shrugged off her efforts easily. She tried several times, becoming more and more infuriated.

‘Get out of my way!’ she commanded, but Samuel stood resolute.

‘Whether you like it or not, you are here to stay until we find the others. It was your decision to come with us, so until we all leave together, none of us leave.’

‘I willnotstay here,’ she stated.

‘If you leave, they will kill the others.’

‘That’s not my concern. Turians and Paatin all deserve to die. I hate everyone in this stupid land.’

‘You really are a heartless witch,’ Samuel told her.

‘And your mother was a whore!’ she said, spitting the words into his face.

Samuel’s hand had struck out before the words had finished leaving her lips and she crumpled to the floor. Samuel could feel his hot blood in his cheeks. It had felt wonderful to hit her and he momentarily visualised blasting her to dust with one of his spells-if only he had magic to use. The three attendants stood like statues, refusing to look at the scene.

The Koian woman sat still, with her hair fallen around her face. It would have been some satisfaction for Samuel if she had started whimpering, but her emotionless voice returned, breaking into crackles of the old hag she had been once before.

‘My land is lost and broken,all my people are dead and I have been dragged to this hellish place by a traitor; yet, of all people,he is the only thing I have left of my home. What a sorry life this is. I will be glad when this Demon King returns and turns this whole world to ashes. Then…I will be laughing at you all.’

The malignantsound of her voice made his hair stand up on the back of his neck, and Samuel could not remain in the room with her lest he lost his temper once again. He slammed the door shut behind him and swore aloud. He hoped shewouldnot leave the palace, but he had no way to prevent it. If he was lucky, perhaps the guards would spear her on sight.

‘Utik’cah!’ he yelled along the empty hall, stomping up and down impatiently. ‘Bring me Utik’cah!’

He only had to wait a few minutes, until the white-robed man came hurrying along towards him.

‘Take me to the Queen,’ Samuel commanded, and Utik’cah took notice of Samuel’s enraged expression.

‘Follow me,’ he stated and led the way, while Samuel stalked behind.

The Desert Queen was reclined in her cushioned chair as usual, and beckoned for Samuel to come nearer after he had swept into her room. He refused her request to sit at the base of her stairs and instead stood with arms folded.

‘Why did you release that Koian woman?’ he demanded from her, but her lips only curved into a precious smile.

She continued toreclineandevenarched her back as if stretching, recently awoken. Even in his enraged state, he had to admit to himself that the Paatin woman was incredibly beguiling. He had never seen or even imagined such a seductive beauty. Her flesh was visible through the material of her flimsy clothes as she stretched her arms and pointed her toes. When she was done, she rolled her head to face him and granted him an alluring smile.

‘How intriguing. I have never seen a magician so upset. My wizards certainly cannot muster the effort. What has you in such a state, Samuel of Cintar? You asked me to release your companions and I have done it-as much as I can allow. Why does this now disturb you so?’

‘This woman is intolerable. She does not care about anything. She is probably on her way out of the palace already and we should not be held accountable for her foolishness.’

The Paatin Queen lost her capricious smile and regarded Samuel grimly. ‘I am not interested in your arguments, boy.’ And,with the words, Samuel’s rage fell away, for he could feelheryears of experience bearing down on him. ‘Your companions are your own business. I am a Queen with anEmpire to rule. My orders stand. If any one of your party leaves the palace, the others will be punished. I will not capitulate or make concessions. I understand this nameless woman claims to be a god, so let her help you if she can; although, I have looked upon her and I find her attributes…lacking. She is plain in every way. Now, I think my patience in this matter has been considerable, but I recommend you leave before it is tested any further.’

With that, her tempestuous look dropped away and she sighed and looked up to the ceiling. A great fan waswaftingto and fro, maintained by her servants beside the wall, and it drenched her in a cooling breeze.

Samuel had no choice but to concede, backing away from her with his tail between his legs.

On the way back to his room, Utik’cah spoke softly. ‘A word of warning, Lord Samuel. I have served my Queen all my life and I like to think, of all our people, I know her idiosyncrasies well. While you amuse her, she will continue to tolerate you, but she loses interest in small things quickly. The next time you demand to be taken to her, or the next time you stand in her presence in anger or even speak impolitely, or for any reason at all, you may find yourself lacking your head.’ Samuel threw the desert-man a questioning look. ‘This is only to warn you. I have no interest in whether you live or die at all, but I would not like to see anyone suffer from their own foolishness.’

Shouts and screams from the Koian woman’s room had Samuel running ahead of his escort and he entered her room to find her standing defiantly on her bed, clutching a jug and a bowl. At first, he thought she may have somehow come through with her promise to kill her attendants, but he saw she was the only one doing the screaming. A floor of broken, scattered debris lay between her and the other side of the room, where the three Paatin women were hiding behind three straight-backed chairs.

She looked at Samuel with rage and sent the jug flying towards him, crashing into the wall beside him. She had lost her blanket and was standing in her revealing Paatin clothes, spread-legged with her toes dug into the bed to keep her balance, making her look ridiculous.

‘They won’t leave me!’ she screamed. ‘How can I make them go?’

‘They don’t understand your language,’ he told her. ‘Calm now and I will ask Utik’cah to instruct them for you.’

Utik’cah came in, gawking timorously at the mess, but no matter how Samuel asked him,he would not tell the women to leave. ‘She must have her attendants,’ he informed Samuel. ‘It is not acceptable for a guest to be without them.’

Samuel thought for a moment. ‘You never offered me servants like this,’ he stated.

‘You are a magician, Lord Samuel. We would not insult your dignity with the presence of such women. I have studied the ways of magicians well, and I know that such things are not of interest to you.’

Samuel sighed. ‘Perhaps in this case, she can also be allowed to remain alone,’ Samuel told the man.

But Utik’cah only shrugged. ‘She is our guest now and must be cared for as is fit. A lady of merit will not sleep in her room alone. It would be an insult to us andtoher. That is our way.’

The man was adamant and Samuel could only try to explain to the Koian woman as best he could.

‘Tell them to get out!’ she screeched, hoarse of voice, but Samuel’s explanations only fuelled her anger. He thought he would have been glad to see her shed her emotionless shell and show some feeling, but he now realised that he much preferred her subdued self to this.

‘Just calm down,’ Samuel told her, in an effort to placate.

She leapt past him, down from the bed and to the window. ‘To hell with you all!’ she cursed at them. ‘Let’s see how well these savages treat me when I am dead,’ and,without a pause,she leaned her waist out the window and toppled over the handrail. The trio of Paatin women screamed in unison and ran from their hiding spot to stop her. Even the level-headed Utik’cah made a sudden,lurching attempt to reach her, vaulting from his place with his hands outstretched; but Samuel, closest to her of all, was left dumbfounded and flat-footed as she disappeared out the window.

Finally, shaken from his stupor, he pushed his way to the front as one of the attendants sobbed and turned away from the scene. Looking down,he sawthe Koian god-woman sprawled outon the stony courtyard far below, with scarlet rivulets running out from beneath her, each following the tessellated tracts between the paving stones. One arm and one leg were twisted into unnatural positions and her hair was a mattedandbloody mess.

‘I did not expect that,’ Samuel stated, as Utik’cah stepped away from the window and back into the room.

The Paatin’s face had drained pale white. ‘My Queen will be very disappointed,’ he said, taking hollow steps towards the bed. ‘I have never failed her like this. She was not supposed to die.’

A shout of excitement brought their attention, and one of the attendant women started calling excitedly for Utik’cah, pointing down towards the fallen woman. Utik’cah rushed over and Samuel again pressed his head out to see. He was astounded, for one of the Koian woman’s legs was moving, flopping from side to side as if it was trying to plop itself back into place.

‘How can she be alive?’ Samuel asked, but Utik’cah was too busy calling out from the window to reply. White-clothed guards came bounding into the courtyard below and they in turn began calling others in their desert tongue, on sight of the broken woman. Some knelt at her side and one shouted up towards the expectant Utik’cah.

‘She is alive!’ Utik’cah said exuberantly.

‘But how?’ Samuel asked. ‘No one could survive such a fall.’

‘Just luck, my friend. I have called for the healers. If she lives, it will save all our heads.’ And the hopeful man turned once more from the window and began hurrying out the door. It was the first time Samuel had seen his Paatin host so animated, and he boundedafter the man, struggling to keep up.

The god-woman’s body had been turned over and her limbs put into place, by the time Samuel and Utik’cah arrived. A cushion had been placed under her head, but her face was an unrecognisable red mess. Samuel had no way to tell if she was alive or dead, for she had no energy at all for him to perceive; although he noted her chest rising in rapid, although shallow movements, and,when she coughed several times, sending up sprays of blood, he knew she was truly alive.

‘The heavens bless us!’ Utik’cah stated.

Three brown-cloaked figures came scampering in and set immediately to work with their spells. They were magicians of a sort, and their healing spells were wellformed. They chattered back and forth to Utik’cah as they worked, each looking worried.

Unbelievably, one of them seemed to be a woman and Samuel’s eyes widened with dismay as she summoned and cast magic to match her fellows.

‘They are having difficulty,’ Utik’cah stated, mistaking Samuel’s expression. ‘For some reason they cannot feel the woman’s life and must work unguided.’

Samuel recovered his wits and nodded dumbly. ‘She is a rarity. She has no magical presence for your magicians to focus upon. All things have an energy that can be seen, or felt by other magicians, but occasionally, for some reason we cannot fathom, some are born without it. It will be difficult work for your wizards.’ And Samuel could imagine what it had been like for Grand Master Anthem and the others when they had been trying to heal him in the past. They could delve their senses into the meat and bone, but actual life energies were vital signs as to the nature and seriousness of any injury.

Utik’cah shook his head. ‘These are not wizards. They are only healers. They only learn the ways of healing and complement their spells with herbs and medicines. Our wizards deal with warexclusively.’

Samuel gestured towards the female healer. ‘And that one, the woman-is she normal?’

‘What do you mean? She is a healer, like the others.’

‘I cannot understand it. Women cannot use magic. At least, that is what we have believed until now. But I am seeing this with my own eyes. I would be interested to learn how your people have accomplished this. It seems beyond belief.’

‘I have no knowledge of such things, Lord Samuel. As far as I know, wizards and healers can be of either gender. Traditionally, they are sterilised once they begin studying their art and that has long been a custom of the Paatin; although, I understand you are not.’

Samuel found the thought disturbing. ‘We are not.’

The Koian woman coughed and then she made a gurgling scream and Samuel and Utik’cah leapt back in surprise as the healers rushed about her. She dug at the stones beneath her and hammered out with her hands as the healers attempted to hold her down. The female healer then cast a calming spell and the Koian fell limp again and did not move any more. After some time, the healers slowed their work and spoke again to Utik’cah.

‘She can be moved,’ Utik’cah revealed. ‘We will take her to her room. The healers believe she will live, although why she did such a thing, I cannot guess. Such madness! I will arrange for the window to be closed and a guard put on the door for now.’

They carried her on a stretcher held between four of the stout guards and Samuel followed them back to her room. He left them to their work, frustrated that he could do nothing to help without his magic, and returned to his room to rest and deliberateonthe day’s events.

Late into the night, one of the healers came knocking at his door, gesturing that he was needed.

The Koian woman had now been cleaned and was awake when he came to her side, but her face was black and swollen almost beyond recognition. She was in pain, and could barely move her eyes to look at him, peering out from her puffy sockets.

‘Damn you, Magician,’ she croaked. She was not so much using her hag voice as struggling to speak.

He had come prepared to forgive her for her outrageous actions, but even now she was intolerable. ‘Don’t blame me for your failed effort,’ he told her grimly.

She looked away. ‘That’s not what I meant. I damn you for not even trying. Why didn’t you stop me?’

‘How could I? You leapt away so quickly.’

She turned her bloodfilled eyes back towards him. ‘Are you not a magician? Are you not even a man? What kind of fool allows a woman to fall to her death?’

Samuel did not answer. He could not begin to fathom how she could dive from such a height and then dare to blame him for it. Instead, he turned to view the room, where the three Paatin women were just finishing re-arranging the pots and furniture. Everything broken had been cleaned and replaced.

‘You nearly died,’ he told her. ‘I’ve never seen such a stupid act. Haven’t you been paying attention? Without my ring I don’t have any magic.’

‘How was I to know? I don’t listen to your tired conversations and no one tells me anything. Anyway, I told you, Magician,I am not easily killed. It was a much further drop than I thought, but it would take more than that to kill me. I am a god, remember?’

That only incensed him more. ‘You did this on purpose? For what? To gain our sympathy? I really cannot understand you. Here we are, trying to save our friends and the very world, and you are only concerned with yourself. I’ve never met such a selfish soul.’

‘This is what I am,’ she responded. Then she turned her eyes to the attendants as best she could. ‘One of them can understand us,’ she said. The thought had never entered his mind, but he looked at the women, moving things ever so slightly and adjusting the wall hangings and decorations, and he supposed it was not a surprise. ‘I am used to being watched,’ she added.

‘That is not our concern for now. I have to fight in the arena very soon and I will very likely be killed. The last thing I need is you to worry about.’

It was impossible to read her expressions with her face so ruined, but her tone was clearly irritable. ‘Do not waste your precious time worrying about me. I will be much better without your help. Go out now. Get out. I want to rest.’

Samuelhumphed. ‘I’m glad you have faith in their healers. God or not, it’s going to take you a long time to recover from this. I hope they can fix your manners while they’re at it.’

And with that he stalked away.


He awoke late in the morning with Utik’cah tapping on the end of his bed with a look of concern.

‘What’s the matter?’ Samuel asked the man, shaking the sleep from his mind.

‘It’s your companion,’ he stated and Samuel swung himself out of bed and began to draw on his magician’s clothes.

‘Is there something wrong?’

‘Precisely the opposite,’ the desert-man said, observing Samuel with his dark, solemn face. ‘That is why I am worried. Come see.’

They edged open the door to the god-woman’s door, where they could see her sitting up in her bed, looking out through the window. She turned towards them momentarily and gave a contented smile, before returning her gaze to the blue sky outside. Samuel could see that her battered face had regained its shape and the black and purple bruises and gashes were now almost gone.

‘She is much better,’ Utik’cah stated. ‘Surprisingly so.’

‘So what is the problem?’ Samuel asked him.

‘The healers stated that even with their spells and potions, it would be several days before they knew if she would even live for certain, so horrendous were her injuries. Then, it would take several weeks for her bones to heal and perhaps several months for her to walk well-even with the aid of their magic to help her all the while. She has healed much faster than I was led to believe was even possible. Also, there is one other problem. The three attendants were left to watch over her while the healers went to rest. When the healers returned, the attendants had vanished. We cannot find them.’

‘Where have they gone?’ Samuel asked the man, as they edged back out of her room together and Utik’cah pulled shut the door.

‘I was hoping you could tell me. No one leaves the palace without being seen, and servants of Alahativa do not simply leave their tasks without good reason. Still, they are gone.’

‘I’m sorry,’ was all Samuel could say, ‘but I have no idea where they are.’

Utik’cah regarded Samuel soberly, as if waiting for any more information to reveal itself. When he was content that Samuel would say no more,he nodded and turned away in silence, leaving Samuel to return to his room and his breakfast.


The Paatin healers had little else to do for the Koian god-woman, as a few days rest and a few minor spells would cure the remainder of her ailments. An older, more matronly Paatin woman, quite modestly dressed, was allotted to care for her and the two of them seemed to get along much better, as the old woman had no qualms about allowing her to dress to the Paatin equivalence of an old maid. Shara was her name, and the Koian god-woman seemed happy enough with the arrangement, and did not attempt to assault the old woman with any of the furniture.

That day, Samuel spent every hour attempting to muster his power. He sat on the end of his bed and called for magic. As usual, nothing came in response. He tried again several times but to no avail. He shifted and fidgeted and tried every trick inthebook to calm himself and reach his power but,every time he tried, he felt himself wishing to have his ring and was unable to focus himself.

It was his turn to be surprised when he heard a cough and opened his eyes to find the Koian woman standing in his doorway, observing him.

‘A magician without magic is like a cow without udders, Magician. What good are you now?’

Samuel grunted, irritated that she could sneak up on him so easily. He damned her for lacking all magical presence and damned her again for even existing. It annoyed him to no end that he was no longer unique in that way. ‘What good are you, woman? One day, I will restore my magic, but you will always be you.’

‘Perhaps instead of insulting me,you could ask for my opinion?’ she said smugly from the doorway.

‘I think there is no need for that. You seem to give it without hesitation. And besides, what would you-a woman-know about magic?’

She walked in and stood facing him with her arms folded. It was amazing that she now stood, when hours before she had been on the edge of death.

‘I don’t see that you have anything to lose by trying,’ she told him. ‘And I know many things you cannot begin to guess.’

Samuel considered a number of responses that seemed suitable, but he managed to bite his lip, imagining the retaliatory onslaught of abuse he would then have to persevere.

She carried on despite his scowling glances. ‘If you ask me-and I know you won’t-I’d say you seem to be trying too hard. If you approach any task as a chore, how can you possibly find success?’

‘Don’t you think I’ve tried!’ he shouted out, as he lost his temper. She jumped at the sound of his voice and he felt guilty at the sight. As much as he disliked her, he felt ashamed for being so short-tempered. He stood from his bed and turned away. ‘I’ve tried everything,’ he said, calming himself, but he would not turn back to face her.

‘Then I don’t know how to help you,’ she said flatly, behind him.

He heard her move towards the door, and he turned back tofaceher. ‘Wait,’ he called and she stopped short of the entrance, turning her face towards him. He had thought he would find some emotion on her face, but she looked unnerved by his temper. ‘I want to ask you about what happened after your fall. What happened to those women? How is it that you have healed so quickly?’

‘Why should I answer, Magician, when you have judged me already?’

‘What did you do to them?’

‘What do you think I did? You are ever so quick to point the finger of accusation towards me,OSaviour of Cintar, but we are more alike than you would care to guess.’

‘I am nothing like you,’ he said, again annoyed. She seemed ever intent on infuriating him-and it was working.

She turned her back to him without any hint of response and left, shutting the door softly. If only she had slammed the door, he would have felt better.


Attempting to clear his mind was pointless after that and he spent the following hours pacing nervously. Utik’cah was soon calling at his door, which meant it was time for the battle and Samuel followed the man in abject silence.

‘You will need to meet Alahativa’s expectations this time, Lord Samuel,’ he said as they waited at the arena gates. ‘She has organised a rare event: Paatin wizards to face you. She has ordered your death and they will try their best tofulfilher command.’

‘I thought she didn’t kill her own people?’

‘These wizards have disappointed our Queen and have asked for the chance to redeem themselves. The decision was theirs.’

The gates swung wide and the light was momentarily blinding. As his eyes adjusted to the glare, Samuel stepped out into the arena. Again, he spied Eric waiting in his Order blacks at the centre of the ring and he padded over as quickly as he could to meet his friend.

Eric seemed in good health,well fed and refreshed.

‘You look better,’ Samuel stated.

‘I think they want a better show this time. My cell is not nearly so dismal any more. I even have a bucket. What about you? Have you found the Empress?’

‘No, but I am learning more, slowly.’

‘We cannot wait forever, Samuel. We need to act.’

There was a commotion from the crowd as two Paatin wizards emerged from the opposing gates. The crowd did not cheer, but a murmur ran amongst them. These wizards donned grey,wrap-around cloaks of light material, in the Paatin-style. They seemed powerful and the two of them immediately began gathering power from the pattern around them.

‘Trouble,’ Eric noted.

‘I still don’t have my ring, Eric. Can you handle them?’

Eric was worried, but he made his best attempt to hide the fact. ‘Without a doubt,’ he lied, and he, too, began filling himself with magic.

Samuel felt his heart racing and forced his eyes shut, even reducing his magician’s senses to nothing in attempt to shut out the presence of the two readying wizards. His lips trembled as he recited his mantras of centring. He tried all the mind-calming exercises he knew, but still his power was distant and feeble,too pathetic to even reach.

‘Samuel,’ he heard Eric say beside him, but he did his best to ignore his friend. ‘Samuel!’ Eric called again, with more urgency. ‘I hope you’re ready. They’re coming!’

Samuel opening his eyes to see the two wizards working at their spells. They had already made their shields and were now readying their offensive magic, moving their arms in gestures of casting.

‘Are you ready, Samuel?’ Eric said, having thrown his defences in place.

Two blasts of magic shot out towards them and Samuel dived for cover. The Paatin magic thundered into Eric’s shields. Both spells were heavy, but Eric skilfully deflected each of them aside.

‘No, I’m not ready!’ Samuel called out, quickly picking himself up from the sand.

‘Then leave it to me,’ Eric said. ‘I will try to end this quickly, before they have a chance to learn our weakness.’

Eric gathered magic from his own pool and worked it into a spell. The two Paatin stood patiently and awaited its completion, hoping to measure his strength in return.

‘Make it count, Eric. We don’t want to give them a chance to retaliate.’

With that, Eric unleashed his magic and the spell shot forth with fury. It was a beam of fire wrapped in lightning, and it surged from his hands teeming with wrath. It careened wildly into the ground like a writhing serpent and sent up a great spray of sand as Eric struggled to direct it. It struck the Paatin defences with a roar and the wizards reacted in turn. Their shields squealed, but the brunt of Eric’s spell was turned aside, churning up more sand and scorching the walls.

Stray fragments of magic flew towards the crowds, but the Paatin observers were not caught unprepared. Wizards were sitting in the front row of the crowd and they already had a net of spells in place to protect the audience.

‘You need to do better than that,’ Samuel said, but Eric was not deterred.

‘I’m not finished yet,’ he said and released a second knot of magic that he had readied behind the first.

The beam of fire bloomed to twice its size and beat at the Paatin shield with twice its vigour. The two wizards were barely visible amongst the sparks and fire, but Samuel could see that they were standing calmly as they defended themselves, unfazed by Eric’s effort.

He was disappointed, but Eric was still not finished. With determination,he unleashed another spell, low in power but complex in crafting. It shot out laterally, striking the arena wall at their side and then raced around like a scampering monkey upon the wall, following it towards the wizards. When itwasbehind the men, it sprang out towards their backs, ready to grip hold of them.

‘Yes!’ Samuel declared, a moment too soon, for they had been ready for just such an attack. With a flick of his wrist, one of the wizards easily dispelled Eric’s attempt to catch them unawares.

Eric ceased his efforts and the roar and noise of his spells immediately ceased. ‘I think we’re in trouble,’ he noted. His forehead was glistening with sweat. ‘These two are strong.’

The two wizards left the spot where they had made their stand, and moved in opposite directions. They circled around the wall of the arena, sidestepping and keeping their dark faces to the two magicians.

‘What now?’ Eric asked.

‘They’re flanking us. Let them. Eric, gather more power. You must do all the offensive work while I try to distract their attention.’

‘How are you planning to do that?’

‘Just do it, Eric. I will take care of my part and you take care of yours. I know you still have much more power inside you. This is no time to be coy. We need it now, or we’re dead.’

Eric nodded solemnly and set himself to the task, dropping into Fathoming Stance with his fingers to his temples. The sand shuddered as he pooled more power, but the Paatin wizards leapt into action before he could complete his work. Spells shot out from both of them and Samuel’sheartwas in his mouth. Eric was busy and he knew it was up to him to defend themboth. He heard himself scream with effort as he spread out his arms to each side and called for a spell. The Paatin magic fell upon them from both sides and, incredibly, was stopped short by a barrier of magic. Samuel was astounded and was wondering why his magic had chosen that moment to return, when he realised it had not,for it was Eric who had saved them.

Eric had broken from hisSummoning stance to save them and was now standing defensively, surrounding them in protective barriers.

‘Damn it, Samuel!’ he swore. ‘Do I have to do everything?’

Samuel brought his empty hands back before his chest and looked into them. His magic had failed again. He had hoped that sheer need and desperation would be enough to lure his power from its slumber, but he was not so fortunate.

More spells shot out from the Paatin wizards: quick probing spells that harassed Eric’s shields and tested them for openings. One Paatin then eased back, saving his power,while the other continued to attack them, hoping to wear the Imperial magicians down.

‘Very well,’ Samuel said. ‘Perhaps I can do something else that may be of some use.’

He vaulted past Eric and left their bubble of protection. He began sprinting towards the wizard who had eased his spells, running at the man full pace. The wizard was surprised and cast out his magic, but Samuel had already turned aside and began darting away with the spells at his heels. He heard the wizard curse after him and he only hoped that Eric would act quickly. He had only scant moments left before the Paatin wizard would second-guess his evasive movements and then his luck would run out.

The second wizard ceased his attacks upon Eric and he, too, took up the opportunity to attack Samuel. It was a critical mistake for them and a stroke of luck for the Order magicians for,in the time it took for the man to redirect his spells, Eric had sprung into action.

As the Paatin magic raced out towards Samuel, Eric pulled down his shields and tossed all his power at the distracted wizard. The spell shattered the man’s defences and slammed into him. The impact threw the wizard against the arena wall and left him hanging at the centre of a deep depression on its cracked face. The force of the spell must have been considerable, for a length of seating above that spot fell in and the audience scrambled as their chairs caved into the hole beneath them.

As the force of the spell subsided, the Paatin wizard fell from the wall and crashed limply onto the sand, perished.

Samuel continued his frantic steps until he realised that the other wizard’s spells had ceased behind him. The remaining wizard was now directing his spells at Eric, whom he took to be the greater threat, and who now had no shields in place. Eric saw it coming, but he had precious little time to assemble more defences. His first hastily rebuilt shields tumbled beneath the wizard’s onslaught.

‘Eric!’ Samuel called in alarm. He was powerless to help, so he did all he could do, and began running at the Paatin wizard with all the strength and speed he could muster.

Eric’s spells collapsed before Samuel could get anywhere near the wizard and Eric disappeared amidst a fountain of sand as the Paatin spell exploded in upon him. Samuel continued running, painfully aware that his steps were just too slow and the distance was just too great to do him any good.

The wizard turned towards him and their gazes locked. The Paatin pushed his fists forwards toward Samuel and the same offensive spell burst forth. Samuel had little choice but to maintain his current path and he met the attack at full stride.

Strangely enough, and luckily enough, his magic chose that moment to return and it sprang from him almost instinctively, sounding a familiar click in his head as it erupted from his skin. Magical weaves intercepted the Paatin spell, shunting it aside. The floor to his right, where the wayward spell struck, gushed upwards like a geyser and Samuel had to raise his hand to keep the sand from his eyes.

The world seemedto havegreater detail-not the time-slowing effect that he had sometimes felt in moments of true affinity with his magic-but,as his magic saturated his senses, he could feel everything around him with more clarity and in greater detail. He could see the tiny,irregular spikes on individual grains of sand as they each rained back down to earth. He could see the pock-marked and sweat-beaded skin on the Paatin wizard’s face fold and gather together as the man narrowed his eyes, looking to Samuel with discontent. As individual droplets were brought together, rivuletsrandown his face.

Another spell of sparks and fire came from the wizard and Samuel skidded to a halt. The torrent enveloped him, but his own magic was now at hand, and he grasped the Paatin spell and took it for his own. The flames and lightning encircled him furiously, roaring and flashing, and Samuel turned the spell around and sent it back from where it had come, peeling it from his body and sending it towards the Paatin. The wizard, in turn, strengthened his protective spells to take the blow and disappeared amongst the maelstrom as it surrounded him.

Samuel began summoning some power for his own offence, and it came to him without delay, naturally and vibrantly. It seemed as if all was going well and he was confident of destroying the man before him, when a pop sounded in his ear and his connection with the ether vanished, taking all the magic he had gathered with it. As quick as the moment had come, it had gone,and Samuel was once again left standing powerless.

Not content to hope his luck would return, Samuel leapt into action and boundedforwards once more. The Paatin spell had ended andwith his hand,the man was swatting away the smoke that hugged him. When he saw Samuel closing in, he summoned another spell; but Samuel was now only four strides away and already leaping with all his might.

They collided at full speed, knocking the wind out of them both. The wizard fell beneath him and Samuel recovered first, landing blows to the desert-man’s face as hard as he could. He could now hear Eric yelling out in pain behind him, but Samuel continued pummelling the man beneath him, slamming his fists into the bloodied face over and over. He clawed his fingers around the man’s neck and squeezed tightly, until the wizard’s face turned blue and his tongue came lolling out of his frothing mouth. Only when he was sure the man was dead, did Samuel get up and stumble back towards his stricken friend.

Eric lay alive, but bloodied and half-buried in sand.

‘Here we are again, Samuel,’ Eric groaned. ‘Me, down and injured, and you winning the day. I’m really getting tired of this.’

‘I didn’t win the day, Eric. You did. You evened the odds and all I did was take the honours. I wouldn’t have stood a chance by myself.’

Many of Eric’s bones were broken and the internal damage was terrible. Samuel knelt beside his friend and tried to call more power, desperate for spells of healing, but once again his magic had subsided and would not come.

‘Well?’ Samuel yelled up to the crowd, where he assumed the Desert Queen would be, lurking amongst the sea of on-lookers. ‘Were you entertained? We won! Now get down here and save him!’

He was surprised when a flurry of magic arced down from the stands and Alahativa sailed down beside him, supported on a bed of spells. The crowd began singing and calling out her praises. It was the first time he had seen her use her power and he could see the magic springing from the ring on her finger and flooding within her. Unlike his own experiences, the magic was well regulated and she obviously was having no difficulty in summoning exactly the amount of power she desired.

‘Very well, Samuel,’ she said, looking pleased. ‘You have earned a stay of execution for now. I am disappointed that you still defy my will to see your full power, but you have met my request to see some magic, so I must admit that you havesatisfiedour agreement. Perhaps it is my fault for not arranging a suitable challenge. Still, you will live. Don’t worry about your friend. We will care for him,’ and she threw a spell onto Eric that immediately eased his pain. Already, healers-male and female-had burst from the doors and hustled over to carry him away.

With that, Alahativa sailed back up to her seat on effortless spells, leaving Samuel alone, looking towards the beckoning figure of Utik’cah in the distant doorway. Eric was injured, but he would live. It was not so bad, for he believed the Queen’s healers would care for Eric as she had promised and that meant he was free of participating in these accursed tests for now. Also, Samuel had watched the witch’s spells and he smiled as he recited them back in his mind, heading for the dim doorway beneath the crowds. In its stubborn way, his magic had returned, and that was enough to complete his feeling of victory. If it could be done once, it could be done again.


Samuel was left to rest after the battle, but late in the afternoon Utik’cah arrived, bearing news that he had again been summoned into the presence of his Queen. Wordlessly, he led Samuel through the palace, but this time they followed a new route that lead down through the peacock-inhabited and meticulously pruned gardens.

‘Where are we going?’ Samuel asked.

‘I will show you,’ was the response.

Wishing to test his recovered powers, Samuel hoped he would be able to enter the man’s mind and glean some indication of Utik’cah’s intentions, but it seemed his magic was still being evasive. As he followed his dark-skinned Paatin guide, he found his mind unsettled, more focussed on their destination and he was forced to give up, admitting to himself that he had already achieved enough of a milestone for today.

Skipping down a long set of steep, white-stone, squared stairs, they made their way down to where the river coursed down from the mountain. A large barge lay waiting there, docked beside an ornate stone jetty.Serving girls waited, throwing petals as they arrived, and burly guards stood watching, with their mighty blades hefted upon their shoulders. The barge itself was more like a floating room from the palace than a ship, covered in rugs and furnishings and with attentive servantsclustering around.

Alahativa sat inside the raised pavilion and she beckoned for Samuel to sit in a chair beside her. He did so reluctantly, for their seats were arranged side by side, as equals, and he knew the decision to place the seating like this had been purposeful. It was an intimidating proposal, but he took it willingly, keen to see what kind of invitation she would extend to him.

She smiled at him welcomingly as her servants pushed the vessel away from the dock and began driving the barge forward with synchronised strokes of their long,dipping oars.

‘I still don’t quite know what to think of you, Samuel,’ Alahativa said as they passed through her city. Throngs of her people rushed to the raised riversides and packed onto the bridges at her approach, dropping their bundles and throwing themselves onto their knees in worship. She seemed oblivious to the spectacle and continued chatting to Samuel as they passed. ‘I see your magic was not as elusive as you thought. Your reputation tells of a great magician yet,even when faced with the possible death of your closest friend, you use just a trifling power and kill your enemy with your bare hands. None of my wizards would behave like this. You use the strangest methods, Samuel. Is this, perhaps, what is responsible for your string of successes? Is it possible that you are not the strongest,but insteadthe most cunning,the most resourceful…the most unusual? Tell me your secret, Samuel.’

Samuel listened to her words, but his eyes were now on her finger and the ring upon it. ‘Strength alone will never succeed,’ he said, hoping to throw her off with any words that would distract her.

‘Oh? Then what will? Speed? Cunning? Determination? Which do you consider to be the most vital trait of the victor? Tell me, Samuel,I am curious to have some insight into your inner workings.’

‘There is no single characteristicthat isbest all situations,’ he told her. ‘Likewise, there is no single answer to your question.’

‘Surely you can choose one thing over another? What is it? What does your wisdom tell you?’

‘Is it really an answer you seek, or is it only the way I answer that interests you?’ he asked her levelly.

She smiled knowingly. ‘Aren’t they one and the same, Samuel? Come-entertain me with your wit.’

‘Intent,’ Samuel replied after a moment’s deliberation. ‘An opponent can have every overwhelming advantage, but if they have no desire to win, they are useless.’

‘Intent?’ the woman said with disbelief. ‘How can you choose such a lowly thing? My scholars and philosophisers would laugh. More harm is done in the name of good intent than good.’

‘All the other attributes you care to mention can be made redundant by another. With ultimate speed or strength or another such physical attribute, one could perhaps be the victor, but what would be achieved withoutthewisdom to direct such power? With ultimate wisdom or knowledge alone, one would never act, for suchattributesare useless without direction. Victory is meaningless to true scholars and they would not bother with such hollow pursuits, knowing its pointlessness over time.

‘Intent is pure,for it is without magnitude. There is no greater or lesser intent, only intent in some particular act and,if one can truly perform in unity with his intent, then anything can be accomplished, even with a little of those other traits.’

‘But what if that intent is wrong or simply misplaced?’

‘What is right or wrong, Your Highness? A desire can be a blessing for one and a curse for another, but it can still be achieved by both.’

‘So you say that my war against theWest is wellfounded, even if my armies slaughter your own?’

‘If your intent is pure, then it is wellfounded for you, Your Majesty. Is it really your intent to create a paradise for your people in theWest?’

‘Of course,’ she said.

‘Then if you know your own mind so clearly, you are already halfway to victory.’

‘You magicians speak in the same riddles and nonsense as my confounded wizards. Tell me then, Samuel, what is your intent?’

‘I have already told you, Your Highness. I have come to save a child.’

‘Such a pure ambition! Then one more question for you, Magician. If you believe our reasons are so important, what about those great things we achieve via mishap or circumstance? How do these things fit into your plan?’

‘Don’t you know?’ Samuel said with feigned exaggeration. ‘Nothing happens by accident. Victories such as these are the intent of the gods.’

‘Now I know you are fooling me, Samuel. We both know gods are only the dreams of common people.’

‘I beg to differ,’ said Samuel with a mischievous smile. ‘Common people are only the dreams of gods.’

‘So you invest your values in intent, meaning and reason, Samuel, over other things. It shows you are a man of morals over outcomes-an idealist-and such people can be unpredictable and dangerous. I must say, I cannot agree with your philosophy. We have very different ideas.’

‘Perhaps that is why you are the Queen and I am the prisoner.’

She smiled at this, and he marvelled at the perfect dimensions of her features. Men would probably throw themselves to their deaths just to catch a glimpse of such beauty.

‘You know, Samuel, the war is as good as over. Your quest to return the Empress and her child are pointless. Even if I released them to you now, the Empire would already be fallen by the time you return. Nearly every one of the Turian cities has surrendered in peace. Only Cintar stubbornly remains, bristling with weapons to defy me, and my soldiers will wipe that city from the earth within months. Your little success at Ghant delayed my forces, but they will reach your city eventually. It cannot be any other way.’

‘Even if Cintar falls, the Empire will live through the young Emperor.’

‘Of course. Then I see you realise I can never allowhimto live.’

‘I do,’ Samuel told her.

‘So why, then, do you continue your infernal charade to have me releasehim and his mother?’

‘Because I live in hope. If I can convince you to give up on this war, you will have no reason to kill them and I will have no reason to kill you.’

The Paatin Queen laughed aloud. ‘Oh, you are amusing, Samuel. Am I really forging such a place in your heart that you can speak so openly? Is it love or hate that drives your words? I sometimes get the two confused. But you really are naive, Samuel, and perhaps that’s why I find you so intriguing. Why do you think I would want to end this war when I already have it won? Soon, there will be no Empire to remember and everyone in Amandia will be nurtured beneath my bosom. After a few generations, there will be no memories of the Empire and no one will be interested in the descendants of a long dead Emperor.’

‘True,’ Samuel admitted. ‘But I still cannot condone the death of an innocent woman and child when I have vowed to return them to safety.’

‘Then I will keep them safely, Samuel. How does that sound? I will let them live out their days in luxury in my city and they will not suffer or miss their old lives. The war is over and I have won. Taking Cintar is only a matter of time. I have heard much about the virtues of your Order and I know your duty as a magician is to all the people of Amandia, Samuel, no matter which flag or banner may be raised at the time.’

‘Are you suggesting that I abandon my ties to the Empire and serve you?’

‘I will not command you, Samuel, for I respect your individuality and your value for life. It is something that few of my wizards possess. I only hope you will serve the good of the land. You know much about magic and I know you are much stronger than you have yet shown. My spies have reports on you more detailed than you could imagine. A magician of your unique properties can do wondrous things. I can give you your own Order, free to direct as you choose.’

‘And you would free the Empress and her son, and give them homes in your city?’

‘They are already free, although restricted by walls as you are restricted to the palace. They will be as royalty and never want of anything, I promise, but I can never allow them total freedom. Given the choice, I am sure they will not mind choosing a limited freedom to death.’

Samuel considered the proposition. ‘Then I agree. I will stay and assist you however I can. I only have one condition.’

‘What is it?’

‘I need you to free the rest of my friends.’

‘I would like to grant your wish, but I cannot risk having rogue magicians roaming my palace. Om-rah would tear my city apart if he even suspected that I was keeping Balten hidden away from him. That infernal man has an unfortunate history with my people, so I’m afraid he will need to stay where he is for a while longer-at least until he learns his lesson-and he may die before that. I’m actually surprised that he dared to come back here, knowing full well what awaited him. Your injured friend, too, will need to have patience. He is faring much better than poor Balten, but I need him kept where he can’t get up to any mischief. He has been quite vocal in his cell and he is too powerful to be released until he becomes a little more…manageable. Don’t worry, my healers are taking care of him and he is not suffering. The others, however, will be freed as you desire. The one called Ferse and the Koian, Canyon, will be released and restricted to the palace, on similar termsasyou and the Koian woman. I expect you to speak to them and care for them as Utik’cah has for you. I can’t expect him to spend all his time chasing after you all. He has my armies to command and much other business to attend to.’

‘Very well. But if you don’t want magicians causing trouble, why do you let me roam free? Aren’t you afraid of what I might do?’

‘Oh, Samuel,’ she said, amused by his comments, and she leaned over andpattedhis cheek, much to his chagrin. ‘You look so cute when you say such silly things.’

Their barge had now cleared the city and was idling along in the middle of the river at the beckand callof the current. The oarsmen had ceased rowing and stood stiffly in their places, awaiting further command. At this point, the river had grown wide and shallow, so that Samuel could see the bottom not far beneath their vessel.

‘Follow me,’ Alahativa said and stood, offering her hand to Samuel. He took it and she led him to the side of the barge, where she leaned upon the handrail with her slender fingers and looked out upon her fields.

‘This was once a barren land. I brought the river from the stones andmadefields from the sand. I made life where there was none, and from this spring of life came my people, almost as if from my own womb. I have never had children of my own, but I love each and every one of my people, and they love me. How do you think that feels, Samuel, to be the mother of so many? I must care for them always,beeternally worried for them,remainever mindful of their every suffering. I did not go to war wantonly. The desert sands have begun to devour my pastures and there is no force that can prevent that from happening. I have built this Empire from nothing but sand and I will not see it return to that. I sought a treaty with your Emperor long ago, but he treated my diplomats with contempt and refused, instead sending spies into my deserts to find me-but find me he did not. I did not choose war, but it has been forced upon me. Ajaspah is coming and the Star of Osirah has helped fortify my resolve. My people will fight with the strength of lions and only when the lands of theWest are theirs, will they rest. I have only killed when required and there have been many more battles won without a drop of blood being spilt than those that have required a violent resolution. I have never heard of your Empire holdingoutsuch care for life.’

‘Any bloodshed is unacceptable.’

‘That does not reflect reality, Samuel, and you know it. I know that you harboured a desire to ruin the Empire. I would have thought you could share some of my vision. But perhaps you would enjoy proving yourself useful? My warriors are already fierce and loyal and Utik’cah trains them well, but my wizards lack the strength that you and your friends possess.’

She looked at him expectantly and Samuel took the suggestion willingly. ‘Perhaps I can instruct them further. But what of your arch-wizard-Om-rah?’

‘He has become much too focussed on his own experiments and has let the education of the others suffer. I will speak to him about this and see if we cannot find a way to introduce you without upsetting him too much.’

Samuel raised an eyebrow. ‘I didn’t think any of your servants could deny any request you made? Is Om-rah not afraid of your axemen?’

Alahativa feigned offence. ‘Oh, Samuel. What a terrible thing to say. Everyone in myEmpire can speak openly.’

He forced a thoughtful nod of agreement. ‘Forgive me. I have obviously assumed in error.’

She shouted out a command in the Paatin tongue and her oarsmen snapped into life, half-digging their oars in deep while the others reversed their strokes, setting the barge to spin until they were facing back upstream.

‘You know, Samuel, I think your answer to my question was not entirely honest. Perhaps you sought to judge from my reaction?’

‘Oh?’ Samuel responded. ‘What do you mean?’

‘We both know which characteristic you value most. It is inherent in you-as much a part of yourself as your flesh and bones.’

‘And what is that?’

‘Tenacity. The true victor never gives uponanything he begins. I see that in you, Samuel, as I see it in myself. That is what has brought us together.’

‘Perhaps you are right,’ Samuel told her. ‘While others begin what they believe in, it is only the stubborn who persevere long enough to reach their goal.’

The Paatin Queen smiled and nodded in agreement. She stepped lightly back to her chair and Samuel followed as the vessel crawled back towards the city of Hol. She had given him a clear message: she would not trust him just yet and she knew he would not give up on his mission quite so easily.


‘What happened?’ the Koian woman asked, waiting impatiently in his room for his return.

‘We have more time,’ he told her. ‘And I know where the Empress is being kept. At least, I know where she is not. I’m sure she is not in the dungeons, and I feel she is not in the city but perhaps in another place nearby. The Queen would not risk me stumbling upon her-not yet.’

‘So what will you do?’

‘I need to find out more about where she could be. But,even so, I can’t go yet. I still need to find a way to get the ring from Alahativa’s finger.’

‘If that ring is truly the source of her power, I can’t imagine her ever taking it off.’

‘We shall see.’

‘Do you have a plan?’ she asked him.

‘Not yet, but I am thinking of something.’

‘You say that a lot, Magician,’ she said sourly, then after a moment she piped up quite suddenly. ‘I spoke to her a few days ago.’

‘To whom?’

‘That witch-the Paatin Queen.’

‘What did she say?’

‘She didn’t say anything. She asked me some questions and I answered them-but that wasn’t what she wanted.’

‘Oh?’

‘She wanted to see me-compare me to herself. That is how she thinks. She is vain. She walked around me and examined me, like a wolf encircling a sheep. It made me shiver, but,as she spoke,I learned something important about her.’

‘What is that?’

‘Everything she says is a lie. Even when she believes she is speaking the truth, she is only deceiving herself. Her only ambition is to retain her position as their leader,of being adored. Everything she does is to reinforce her own image and to gain even greater power. She is selfish in every way.’

‘Then this may surprise you. She agreed to let Sir Ferse and Ambassador Canyon free.’

At this, the Koian stamped her foot. ‘I don’t want that fiend anywhere near me!’

‘I thought you wanted to kill him?’

‘I do, but not now-when I am ready. He has a way of telling me things and I always end up believing him.’

‘Then just don’t,’ Samuel said.

‘I wish it were that easy, but I cannot help it.’

‘Then suit yourself,’ he told her.

With that, she stormed out from his room and slammed the door behind her once more. He heard her stomp into her own room and slam that door too, before noisily throwing around the furniture, amid wails of dismay from Shara, her old attendant. Samuel smiled at this, for he felt satisfaction at raising the girl’s ire. Every time he broke through her hard exterior and forced her to show some emotion, it felt like a small victory.


The others were freed as promised and Utik’cah described to Samuel where the Emperor and Ambassador Canyon would be roomed. It was one floor above their own, in asuiteof rooms that matched Samuel’s own in size and design. He made his way upstairs and found the two of them standing confounded in the ambassador’s room, with a set of Paatin beauties standing idly nearby, waiting to be told what to do.

‘Samuel!’ the Emperor declared on sight of him. ‘How wonderful to see you! You look as if you’ve been treated well. I see our hosts have taken care of you much better thanthey did of me.’

‘So to speak,’ Samuel replied. ‘You both look well, considering.’

‘I must say the room and meals left much to be desired, but see what enough complaining has brought me? Now we’ve been given the best suites in the palace!’

‘Where did they keep you? In the caverns?’

‘Unfortunately, yes, but we were treated relatively well. I heard several poor sods being tortured and the likes. I can only be thankful we did not receive the same treatment.’

‘Samuel,’ Ambassador Canyon said anxiously. ‘Where is my god? Have you seen her?’

‘She is well; living just below you in fact, in the room beside mine. She is doing well, despite a small mishap.’

‘What happened?’ he asked, sounding panic-stricken.

‘Oh, nothing of great importance. She took a fall and needed a morning in bed. She got over it very quickly.’

The Koian manbreatheda sigh of relief at this. ‘I have been terrified this entire time-not for me, but for her. What a relief to learn she is safe.’

Samuel was not inclined to believe him at all.

‘So what do we do now?’ the Emperor asked. ‘What are we expected to do?’

‘Nothing. Just sit and wait. You can roam the palace as much as you want, but if you attempt to leave,they will probably kill you. The gardens are as far as you can venture.’

‘We’re free to go outside?’ Canyon asked.

‘Yes. The Queen has granted you her hospitality. Just don’t do anything foolish.’

‘What did you have to do to seal that bargain?’ Canyon asked suspiciously.

‘Nothing,’ Samuel replied. ‘Yet.’

‘Have you found the Empress?’ the Emperor asked.

‘Not yet, but I am nearly there. I just need a little more time to narrow down the search.’

Canyon asked to meet his god after that and Samuel became their guide in the palace. He took them to the Koian woman, who showed no emotion on seeing her countryman and he left them alone to talk, hinting to the girl that he would be next door if she needed him, but she only scowled at him and flicked her finger at him to go.


Samuel called for Utik’cah and the man seemed unhappy that he had been summoned, as if he had been dragged from some important task

‘Alahativa has told me you are free now to do as you please. There is no need to call for me any longer. You know your way around the palace and any of the palace servants will see to your needs, if you can make your intent known.’

‘I would like to see your Queen.’

‘As I have mentioned before, Lord Samuel, one can only go before Alahativa when one is summoned, unless it is truly important.’

‘Then take me to her. It is important.’

Utik’cah sighed and led Samuel away, but this time they climbed into a higher section of the palace that they had not visited before. They passed through a series of narrow, rounded passageways, each decorated with translucent curtains of varying colours that they had to push aside.

‘How many cities are there hidden in the desert?’ Samuel asked as they walked.

‘Nothing is hidden. We all know where our settlements lie. It is only that you don’t. But,to answer your question,this is the only city. Alahativa allows this place to exist, but the desert will not normally support such great populations. We have a few small towns, but most Paatin are wanderers.’

‘I understand there is onesmall townnearby.’

‘Yes-Yi’sit. That is perhaps the next largest settlement after Hol, but it is minuscule in comparison. Its life springs from a small well.’

‘I have not seen many wizards here. Is that where they all live and study?’

‘You are perceptive, Lord Samuel.’

‘And what else is there?’

‘I think it is better you ask Alahativa such questions.’

At that, Samuel smiled, for he was getting to know his Paatin mentor well, and they hadapproacheda topic that the man could notdiscuss. It bode well, from Samuel’s point of view.

Veiled serving girls drew back lush,velvet curtains as they neared their destination. Utik’cah stopped with Samuel at the entrance, and left him to continue in on his own.

Some of the servants had apparently made the Paatin Queen aware of his presence, as she presently called for him from the rear of the room. Samuel ventured in, under the long-lashed gazes of the many waiting girls and women. He had no idea what all of them could possibly be busying themselves with, for their only duties seemed to involve their presence, but he had little time to continue such thoughts.

‘Come, Samuel,’ called the Desert Queen.

Samuel hesitated before another curtained section of the room, but one of the servants whispered to him in the Paatin tongue and motioned for him to continue, so he found the point where the curtains overlapped, and he slipped inside.

He found himself in a small area of cushions, surrounded with candles on stands. Alahativa was sitting amongst the rugs and pillows.

‘Come, sit beside me,’ she urged and Samuel again found himself feeling uncomfortable beneath her hungry gaze.

He went to tread on her cushions but she raised a warning finger and pointed to his sandals, which he deftly slipped off before sitting beside her.

‘I am glad you have come, Samuel,’ she said. ‘I was only just thinking of you. I have something to ask.’

‘Tell me. What is it?’

‘I was not going to demand this of you so quickly, but your appearance tonight is fortuitous, for I have received worrying news. I hear your friends are enjoying my hospitality. Now I have something to ask of you. You are familiar with my arch-wizard-Om-rah?’

‘Yes. Of course.’

‘Then you know that he has become something unnatural. He was once a man, but he has delved too deep into his magics, and they have changed him. Until now, I looked upon him as a resource and a blessing. He has always been loyal to me, but his mind is becoming less and less rational. He is becoming a danger to me and to those around him.’

‘And now that you have me, he is no longer required.’

‘That it perhaps an interesting way of wording it, but yes. As I said, Samuel, the war is all but won. Beasts like him will not be required in my new world. He has grown so powerful that I am not sure I could stop him if I wished. Can you do it? If you live, you will be my new arch-wizard-if that is what interests you.’ She leaned forward and stroked his stubbled chin with her finger. ‘But I forget; you are not compelled by such propositions of power. Be that as it may, you can take the title or not. It will be yours if you choose, but Om-rah is a threat to me. Will you kill him for me? Can you do it?’

Samuel let himself appear thoughtful for a few moments. ‘I can. I will. But as you know, my full power has not yet returned. I will need your help.’

‘I will not assist you in this, Samuel. I am a Queen and I cannot be seen to oppose him-not after all I have done to raise him to the state of a demigod. And he is immune to the poisons and potions I could normally use for this kind of purpose. A scuffle with Om-rah could become quite messy if not ended quickly. And I know what you are about to ask. My ring never leaves my finger, Samuel. I will not let you use it, even for this.’

‘Then it poses quite a problem. I’m not sure if I can do it. He is very powerful.’

‘Then let me think about it, also. In the meantime, there are other matters which we can discuss.’ She leaned even closer and whispered in his ear. ‘I know you are unlike my wizards, Samuel. You have not been“ unmanned”and you still possess the spark of youth, unlike your fellow magicians. Magic has not sapped your strength and I must admit this has been one of the things that has intrigued me most about you.’ Samuel leaned away, but she smiled demurely and sat up beside him. As the fabric of her gown slid, he realised it was altogether transparent, revealing her perfect body underneath. He turned his head instinctively, but she grasped his chin and pulled him back towards her, stifling her amusement at his embarrassment.

‘Why do you laugh at me?’ he asked.

‘For a young man, you are so prudish, Samuel. I don’t mean to offend you, but you are such a source of entertainment to me. I lay myself before you and you sit tightly, as if we were discussing trade or politics or something equally bland.’

‘I am a magician.’

At the word,she began to scoff, but stopped herself short upon noticing his further annoyance. ‘You are a man, Samuel, and I am a woman. It is no more complicated than that. Every day we play our roles and wear our costumes and disguises, but that has little to do with who we truly are. We coat ourselves in the things we wish others to see, one upon another, layer upon layer,burying ourselves like fragile caterpillars within cocoons of deception. We spend our lives building up these facades and decorating them, pretending they are what we want to be but,in truth,they only serve as paper barriers to protect us from fears we have not dared to face. The more of these lies we can discard, the more we can find our true selves underneath. But such a thing is not easy, is it? To face our fears? To lay ourselves bare andbevulnerable? I have always believed that our true strengths lie within our skins, not upon them. I lie before you naked, Samuel-nothing more than what you see. I am offering you myself, and nothing else, wrapped only in truth.’

She smiled-an open and honest smile-and,for the first time, Samuel caught a glimpse of a woman looking back at him, rather than a queen or a witch or a captor.

‘I know my body attracts you, Samuel. I will grant you such pleasures, and in the morning,you need say nothing of it. It is my gift to you,’ and her breath was hot against his neck. Slowly, she began placing her lips against his skin and planting hot kisses. ‘Will you lie with me, Samuel?’ she whispered, kissing him softly. He could hear her breath in his ear and feel it on his skin. ‘Will you serve me?’ He resisted, but his mind started offering him an assortment of reasons as to why this could help to further his purposes. ‘Stay with me, Samuel. I will keep you warm, this cold desert night.’

‘Very well,’ he stammered foolishly in reply,his head buzzing and light.

‘Do you want me, Samuel?’ she said into his ear.

‘Yes,’ he heard himself say and she pulled him down with her amongst the soft rugs and pillows.


When he returned to his room in the morning, the Koian woman was awaiting him, arms folded and looking tempestuous. The old Paatin woman, Shara, was standing patiently, just out of striking distance from the girl.

‘Now I see what has been affecting all your plans!’ she declared. ‘What business with the Paatin witch has kept you with her all night?’

Samuel began to think of excuses, before realising he should not need to defend himself from her. He lashed out with his response. ‘That has nothing to do with anything. Our plans are still the same.’

‘Oh really? First,you come to kill her and now you sleep with her. It sounds like things have changed a great deal. What kind of assassin are you?’

‘I’m not any kind of assassin,’ he said in his defence.

‘Obviously! You seem to be doing it all wrong!’

‘Quieten down,’ he told her. ‘It’s all part of the plan.’

‘Oh? Perhaps you could enlighten me, or is this one of your secrets? Are you even trying to save your Empress any more?’

‘I was trying to get her to give me her ring, but that now seems impossible. She never takes it off.’

‘I’m surethatwas the only thingyou wanted!’

‘She wants me to kill her arch-wizard.’

The Koian stopped at that, and considered the implications. ‘Will you?’

‘I can’t. Not now. I wouldn’t stand a chance. My magic is too unreliable. I need to find Balten. I need to return to the catacombs and retrieve the Argum Stone.’

This seemed to interest her greatly. ‘When will you go?’

He had not really thought of it until that point. ‘Now.’

‘I will come with you.’

‘No, you will not,’ Samuel stated definitively. The suggestion was ridiculous. ‘You can’t go anywhere without your attendant following and you would get us caught the moment you opened your mouth and said something stupid.’

‘I would not!’ she declared, insulted. ‘I can lose that old woman easily and I am used to sneaking around. Any chance I could get, I would sneak out of my temple and slip out into the city to learn what it was that the people did all day.’

‘And look how much that helped you.’

‘Damn you!’ she said and spat on the floor beside his boots. Once again, she stormed out of the room, leaving the little,old woman padding softly behind her.

Samuel waited a few minutes until the shouting next door had receded and he then left his room. He walked casually, heading in the direction he knew the dungeons to be. He had spoken with the Emperor and Canyon about their time in the dungeon, but they were of no assistance with directions.

He made for one of the hallway entrances, hoping they would be less guarded than the main cavern opening. Guards were there and Samuel waited just out of view with his back hard up against the wall.

A spell!he thought to himself and began desperately trying to clear his mind. He fumbled desperately within himself for a spell of sleeping. That would require the least energy and he did not want to kill anyone or cause any alarm that would see him locked in his room. He thought he heard someone approaching and that broke his concentration, but then, calming himself again, he fell into the required state of mind and felt a tingle of energy quivering delectably before him. He caught onto it and slowly began drawing the power into himself, channelling it and melding it, finally casting it out as magic-thin and ungainly as it was.

When he felt the spell had been given time enough to do its work, he peeped out carefully from his hiding spot along the corridor. Three slumped guards upon the floor signalled that he had been successful and he stepped from his hiding spot, almost dancing up to the sleeping trio with glee. Regaining his composure, he noted that there was a Paatin spell set across the entrance, designed to detect the passage of magicians. Fortunately, he had no need to fear it, for his lack of magical presence meant such spells were useless towards him.

Slipping through the magical barrier without event, he peered into the darker, rougher corridor that signalled the start of the mountain and beganto movecautiously inside.

He wandered around fruitlessly for some time and was soon damning himself for forgetting the way, for the catacombs were labyrinthine in complexity. He had to double back on himself many times to regain his bearings, ever worried that he would lose his way and become stuck in the caves. The oppressive sense of the mountain weighed down on him in the darkness and he was thankful for his magician’ssightto guide his way. Several times a sense of panic almost overcame him, and he would hurry back to the closest point of light to recover his wits. There was the odd lantern set here and there, but most of the passages were kept in darkness.

It took him some time to realise that most of the main passages that joined different sections of the subterranean chambers were the lit ones, while the dark tunnels tended to curl around and lead back onto themselves, or finish in drops or dead ends. He doubted the guards ever used them and he suspected that many of them would be unknown, even to the guards, for they would have no reason to venture down such useless passages.

Tiptoeing around, he thought he heard footsteps echoing along the passage behind him. Standing utterly still, he sent his senses back from where he had come, but no one was there. Several times,he needed to dart away from patrols of muscled Paatin guards, but it seemed now his imagination had the better of him. For a moment,he considered the story that Lomar had told him, of something that lurked in the tunnels, devouring those who strayed too far from the lit paths, and he had to shake the disturbing thought from his mind.

He found several doors roughly hewn into the stone during his travels, but he could sense they did not contain Balten. Eventually, he judged he had been gone for long enough and decided it would be wise to go back and return another time, before he was missed. He turned about and made to retrace his steps when he bumped into something in the darkness and it squealed loudly, echoing all through the caverns, with refractions of the noise bouncing back at him from several directions.

After the moment of panic had subsided and he realised noghoul was about to devour him, hescanned the passage with his magicalsight. Strangely, it seemed thathe was alone. Even so,a footstepsounded frombeside him and so he snapped out with his hand,latchingonto a thin arm.

‘What are you doing here!’ he hissed.

‘I was trying to follow you,’ the Koian woman responded, sounding sheepish in the dark.

‘What a stupid thing to do! You’ll give us away. Quickly, let’s go!’

He kept hold of her hand and started dragging her roughly along with him.

‘It’s not my fault,’ she complained. ‘I didn’t realise you would be so hard to follow. Why were you running about so much, back and forth? It looked like you’d lost your way.’

‘Shut up!’ he told her.

‘You’re going the wrong way,’ she said from behind him. ‘It’s that way.’

It was utterly dark and he could not tell to which direction she was referring, but stopping, he scanned the branching passageway with hissight. Finally, he had to admit to himself that she was right.

‘I know where I’m going,’ he said.

‘Then I’ll just shut up and let you get us lost,’ she responded.

‘Good!’

He pulled her all the way back to the main lit corridor, where she broke from his grip and followed him with her arms folded crossly. They tiptoed to the point where they could see the three guards standing outside the narrow palace entrance: each looking nervous and peering into the tunnel towards them, into the impenetrable darkness.

‘Damn. They’re awake. How did you get past them?’ Samuel asked.

‘They were asleep before. It was easy.’

Samuel nodded to himself. ‘Then how do we get out? I can’t use any magic in here.’

‘So you have some magic now? That’s some good news, at least. You’re not as useless as I thought.’

Samuel ignored her remark.

‘I’ll show you how I did it before,’ she said.

‘Before?’ Samuel asked.

‘Of course. I’ve been in here many times now, trying to find the others while you were doing who-knows-what. I would have thought they would have started catching onto me by now, but those three seem impressively stupid-even for men.’

She cupped her hands to her mouth to shout.

‘No! Don’t-’ Samuel began, but she moaned out something to them in the Paatin tongue, using a long and wilting voice. At once, the three men glared into the tunnel with fear and fled.

She chuckled softly and started at once down the passage towards them, with Samuel now following behind.

‘What did you say?’ he asked her.

‘I’ve been coaxing a few words out of Shara. It took some imagination, but I finally got the word forghostout of her. At least, I think it’s something like that. It doesn’t really matter. The effect is the same. Those three must be so afraid of the dungeons now; I’m surprised they still come back. Having you send them to sleep must have really put the fear into them. Also, I know the guards are afraid of the dungeons. They think something lives in here.’

‘And how would you know that?’

‘I’m clever,’ she told him smugly.

‘I have heard that something does live in here.’

‘You are as bad as them, Magician, but perhaps that would explain the body I found-half a body, at least.’

‘What!’ Samuel stated in disbelief, but she started away before he could question her further.

Samuel was trying to slow her down, but she marched straight out into the light of the palace, smiling happily at theabsenceof anyonewho might be waiting tocatch them. He almost choked in fear as she stepped straight through the magical membrane that covered the entrance, but she, too, passed through it without effect.

‘Quickly,’ she said. ‘Let’s go before they get the nerve to return. It’s almost time for them to be replaced, so they will have to come back or lose their heads if they are found absent.’

‘How do you know so much about all this?’ he asked her as they hurried back towards the main corridors of the palace.

‘I’m a god. I told you. My dreams are the hopes and fears of those around me. I may not speak their language, and even their thoughts are unintelligible to me, but I see the activities of this palace played out before me every night in my dreams.’

‘Are you telling me the truth? You must see some interesting things.’

She gave him a knowing smile. ‘Oh, I do! Unfortunately, I have no control over what I see, or whose thoughts they are, or I would have learnt much more.’

They had now reached the populated halls, and the palace staff each stopped their duties and bowed their heads as the two passed. A call of joy sounded far behind and Shara came rushing up to them with relief painted on her face. She had obviously been looking for them all this time and now seemed happy to follow along quietly as she regained her breath.

Finally reaching their rooms, Samuel stopped at the Koian woman’s door and faced her.

‘I don’t want you going in there any more. I will do any searching that needs to be done.’

‘As you wish,’ she told him and promptly disappeared inside, followed by her Paatin shadow. Somehow, Samuel doubted she would listen to him.


‘Don’t you ever send your servants out so you can be alone?’ Samuel asked of the Paatin Queen, for he was ever mindful of the array of guards and servants standing just on the other side of the thin veils that surrounded her bed.

‘What are you afraid they might hear, Samuel? I’m sure they know what we are doing here. There is nothing to be ashamed of.’

‘It just seems a little strange to me.’

‘I thought magicians embraced the strange? Is that not what you do?’

‘Not like this.’ He ran a finger down her smooth back and she wiggled in his arms.

‘They, too, find you interesting, Samuel. I hear my servants giggle and talk about you, but I don’t mind. I like to hear what they say.’

‘What do they say?’ he asked, alarmed by the prospect.

‘They talk about your skin, mostly. None of the Paatin are as pale as you. They find it amusing.’

‘What about you? You are very light in comparison to most Paatin.’

‘My parents were of mixed blood, Samuel. I was born in the lands you called the Eastern Reaches, long ago when the world was quite different. It makes an attractive blend, don’t you think?’ He had to admit she was right, and smiled in agreement. ‘Normally the Paatin despise those who result from mixed parentage, but they do not consider mein that light. I am their queen, worshipped as a god, and nothing else matters, except that I care for them.’

‘I’ve never seen people so dedicated to what they believe. Before this, I thought the Turians wereobsessive, but,as stubborn as they are, few Turians would have sacrificed themselvesneedlesslyfor the Emperor.’

‘It is one of the necessities of their harsh life, Samuel. They are accustomed to doing everything in extremes.’

Another bout of giggling sounded from outside before the serving girls hushed themselves up.

‘What are they talking about now?’

‘They are wondering why I have invited you into my chamber so many times. I rarely welcome any man into my bed more than once. They are making suggestions about your abilities.’ Samuel went red. ‘Oh, I’m sorry. Does that embarrass you? I can have them executed if you like.’

‘No!’ Samuel said with a start.

‘Did you think I would do it? How terrible of you. I was only playing. My servants have the sense to know when to giggle and when to be silent. They know me wellenough.’

‘Then tell me, why have you invited me here so many times?’

‘I want your child, Samuel,’ she told him and he immediately drew away from her. ‘What’s wrong?’

‘That’s quite a surprise. You haven’t mentioned that until now.’

Again, she looked as if he should know these things. ‘Why else would we do this, Samuel? Men and woman lie together for love, or pleasure, or to make children. Did you think something else?’

He was not sure what to say. ‘I am quite…surprised.’

‘You are not like other magicians, so I am curious to know if you can sire children or not. Until now, I have not been able to find a man who can father my child. I am hoping that you possess something that the others did not.’

‘I cannot father any children,’ Samuel told her. ‘Magicians cannot. Even if I am different in other ways, I am the same in that. I had a lover for some time and we never had children. I am sure it is not possible.’

‘What about that Koian woman? Have you bedded her?’

‘Of course not!’ Samuel said, insulted by the mention.

Alahativa laughed. ‘You sound so indignant. Are you not attracted to her?’

‘No. She is a childish and spoilt brat. I have never seen anyone so intolerable and rude.’

‘Shehasobviously worked her way under your skin.How intriguing. It is strange that the woman seemsto have no name at all-don’t you think? She claims to have many titles, as would a king or queen, yet she lacks all the civilities and mannerisms of a ruler. And she is such a strange-looking thing-as is her kinsman-yet she is not unattractive in her own way.’

‘Must you continue to talk about her?’ Samuel said quite irritably.

‘There,there. No need to get into a fluster,’ Alahativa responded. She still smiled,as if Samuel’s every reaction was to her delight. ‘We Paatin are much more open about these things than your people are. I have never understood why you of theWest are so guarded about such natural things.’

‘It is just our manner, I suppose. It does not seem right to talk about such things. Still, I am sure I am not capable of fathering young.’

‘Then you should have nothing to fear,’ she told him.

She could sense his reluctance, and she began to stroke his neck gently with her finger and returned to kissing his ear. ‘Then one more time, Samuel. Let me see if you can give me a gift worthy of a queen.’

She entwined herself with him and he quickly forgot whatever they had been discussing, seduced entirely by her embrace. They kissed each other and Samuel was thankful for the large fans that moved back and forwards on the roof, manned day and night by Alahativa’s tireless manservants, moving cool air onto their hot skin. She touched him in ways that had colours exploding in his mind and,each time she stopped, he begged her to continue. She seemed to like that most and she teased him constantly, making him want her all the more.

‘Tell me what you want, Samuel?’ she whispered into his ear.

‘I want you,’ he replied.

‘Is that so?’ she said and he could feel that she was doing something behind his back.

He could not see what she was doing, but when she brought her top arm before him, she was holding her magical ring between her fingers. She placed it onto one of the pillows not far from him and then returned her arms around his neck. ‘There. The ring is yours if you want it. It is within your reach, if you were just to release me and take it. You can have it…or me. The choice is yours to make, my darling.’

Samuel looked at the ring-a band of glinting silver on her pillow-but somehow it was hard to ignore what she was doing to him. His body reacted so much to her touch it was difficult to keep his mind on anything else. He closed his eyes as a wave of pleasure overwhelmed him but then opened them again as she paused and prised herself away so a tiny space appeared between them, letting cool air rush in and between their heated bodies.

‘What is your intent now, Magician? Do you really want me?’

A tiny voice of reason called out to him that he should grab the ring and kill the Paatin Queen as quickly as he could, but it was a soft and feeble sound, so dim and far away that he could barely hear it. All he had to do was listen to it and their mission would be accomplished.

The warmth of her svelte body radiated upon him and she looked at him hungrily and with total confidence that she was irresistible. And she was right.

‘Yes,’ he said. He pulled her back against him and they locked tightly together.

The little voice damned him and he knew it was right, but it was quickly pushed aside and forgotten. As they rolled about on her expanse of cushions and sheets, she smiled to herself knowingly, like the cat thathad wonthe cream.


He awoke with bright sunlight streaming in, for the veils had been drawn aside and Alahativa wasbeingwashedin the great,steaming bath that was set into the floor of the room. Her servants were washing her as she stood waist-deep in the soapy, petal-strewn water.

‘I have a gift for you, Samuel,’ she called to him, ‘to thank you for your efforts.’ Samuel sat up and looked out at the blazing,blue sky outside. ‘I will send you to meet your Empress,’ she told him and he looked at her with interest. ‘Go now. I have business to attend to after my bath. Utik’cah will arrange for everything.’

With that, Samuel clambereddownfrom the bed and drew on the Paatin-style clothes that had been left for him. Somehow, he did not notice or care that he was naked, as he dressed in front of a score or more of Alahativa’s servants. Eager to be away, he rushed from her chambers, intent on telling the others.

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