"Good lords, ladies, and worthy friends, I crave your heed!"
The hall was small, though with enough room to hold escore-odd guests who strolled while sipping wine goblets. Burghers robed and turbaned strode beside nobles and knights clad in silk jupons. On their arms hung perfumed noblewomen of faces both dark and fair, though hair dark despite the jewels sparkling therein. Painted silks of blue and rose clung to their curves but did not hide where they plunged between breasts and clung low on hips, revealing taut, pouting bellies.
On a stand at the hall's head, shared with musicians who had paused play, Theophobus spread arms welcomingly: "It is my great honor to return to Yaralet after many years abroad, and again in your excellent company I look forward to providing you such enchantments for your pleasure as I once did, and advising in matters sorcerous.
"For your diversion tonight," he added: "I provide a small challenge." He waved, and a short, nymphlike figure stepped forth from a sidehall. She wore a wispy, sleeveless gown that opened her sides and thighs, girdled at waist. A black scarf whelmed her brow, eyes, and nose. "Let me propose a simple test," explained Theophobus: "My apprentice stands before you blindfolded." He waved at the nymph. "Yet thanks to her powers, I claim she can still witness all that undergoes within this room. I offer this good company the chance to prove so, right or wrong, to your satisfaction!"
"Nay. This is a cunning trick!" cried a silken youth from the fore. "I have seen mummers so perform in the great market of Korshemish!"
"Indeed! Likely the blindfold is holed or sheer enough to let the wench see through," sneered another.
Theophobus bowed to the twain. "You may think so, young masters, but what proof would you need to convince otherwise, that her powers are true?"
While the first youth gawked, his friend doffed cloak from his shoulder. "Here," he bade, grinning: "Drape her head with this. Let's see her see through thick wool!"
At the young man's offer, Theophobus set the cloak over the nymph, hiding not only her head, but most of her body, down to her waist. He settled the folds until the cloak-owner grunted satisfaction, and stepped back.. "Now she is ready," he exclaimed. "Make your tests!"
"What am I wearing?" asked the first youth.
"A red tunic with gold trim, and gold cuffs on your wrists," answered the blind girl beneath the cloak.
"What do I hold in hand?" asked the cloak's owner, who had drawn a glinting poignard from his belt.
"A dagger with crimson gem, which I guess a garnet, she answered.
"Who stands behind me?" asked a third, who had just come up.
"A man wearing black silk, rings on his hand, and black mask," she said.
All gasped and looked at the man who had come up with the speaker, who was indeed arailed just as she told. A small cheer started through the hall.
For the next half-turn of the glass, guests posed their own tests and tricks. Some wadded scarves and threw at her from afar, which she deftly dodged. Some tried to trip her feet, though she sidestepped. Others reset dishes on a table, and whereof she warily told the order.
Last came a man who held a sheet of vellum folded. "What is written hereon?" he demanded.
"Unfold it, that you may read it yourself," she answered. The man did so, though held the written side close to his chest.
"The side toward me is blank," she told; "the side toward you tells a lie."
"And what lie is that?" asked the man, chortling.
"It reads thus: 'She is a fraud.'"
Under the crowd's jeers the man withdrew. Another came up behind her, with hand stretched low. He made to pinch her ripe haunch, when suddenly she whirled. Her hand caught his wrist. "That is not part of the entertainment, good master," she chided sharply.
"I am surprised," the man laughed back. "Such street performers as you can generally be had for a silver." Then his other hand dove at her breast.
The nymph's other hand likewise caught it. "Neither is that, good master. Now if you will be kindly, withdraw."
The man stepped back. He bowed under the party's cheers.
Theophobus stepped forth. He took the nymphlike figure's hand, led her back to the stand, and flourishingly pulled the cloak off her head, and then the scarf from her eyes. There stood Tara; kohl making her gray eyes glitter, and cheeks roughed against creamy skin. She bowed to the throng, who roared approval.
The party broke into chattering knots who laughed and refilled their goblets. Tara strolled through the hall, accompanied by a herd of swains vying for her favor. A dance tune started, and she took turns with each, skipping and whirling over the floor.
Theophobus came to the floor's side and clutched her arm. "Come with me."
Tara shook free of his grasp, but fell in beside him. Together they left by the sidehall, through the kitchens, to a rear door.
There in a small court lane waited the masked man in black silks. Theophobus halted before and bowed. "My lord," greeted.
"An impressive performance," commended the masked lord, who crossed his feet and nodded. "Yet I must agree with the others. I too have seen this trick in the market of Korshemish."
"If mummers have shown a trick, my lord, it is indeed just a trick," answered Theophobus. "Tonight we have seen true power of extra-perception."
"So you say," begrudged the mask-wearer, "and of anyone else I would swiftly yell fraud. Yet your name is known to me, Theophobus, once of mighty Korshemish and lately of Ianthe in Ophir, for I heard it whispered from my own father's lips ere he died. He imparted you did him certain service, though he withheld any details."
Theophobus bowed head, and then looked around, lest anyone was overhearing. "Your father was wise in many things, oh Prince, and singularly in withholding these secrets, for they touch o fell matters, which only princes truly understand, and lesser men may ignorantly mistake. It was my honor to serve him. His death was untimely, though I am glad you are come of age to succeed him."
"Yes. my uncle King Strabonus has appointed me governor of Yaralet as reward for securing the city's surrender," said the masked lord. "It's a curious price: power and glory set in the city that lies farthest from Koth's heart. I could think of no better place to put a kinsman I forwished. Furthermore, it is rebellion if I set one foot beyond my province without leave." He scowled. "Yet when I heard of your return, good Theophobus, I was intrigued. Tell me: would you serve me as you served my father?"
"Gladly will I offer my service, good Prince," answered the old man, "And not only my own, but also my apprentice and daughter's."
"Your daughter?" he eyed Tara again. "I am more used to sorcerers as men shriveled under their studies' years, such as yourself. Tell me," he licked his lips and eyed her: "what have you to offer, other than comeliness?"
"Many things," answered Tara, "but among them I shall lay open your enemies' secrets and teach them true terror, Prince Thanocles."
"You speak my name!" hissed the nobleman, and wildly looked about. "On your lives, be silent! I dare not let be known that I am here!"
"Peace, my lord," soothed Theophobus. "My daughter is indeed young, and not above showing off her powers. We are well alone, and your secrecy safe. I have seen to it. You shall have her talent, which someday will outshine my own, and my years' knowledge as well. Now how may we serve?"
The prince resettled his mask and glared between them. "I heard word of laying open my enemies' secrets," he replied. "Let us start with that."
"What enemies, my Prince?"
"I have a spy within my court, for the king would not send me here without wise to watch my every word and deed. Find out who it is, and what they have been telling my uncle."
"It shall be so, oh prince." Theophobus bowed. "Yet outfinding such were much easier if we could do so from within your court."
"Vey well," said Prince Thanocles. "You shall be invited to the Librarium. Now I must go, lest I be missed." He turned and swept out while the two sorcerers bowed.
After he left, Theophobus turned: "You upstarted to call him out by name," he chided, beard wagging.
"Just so," said Tara. "Now he will not forget me.
* * *
Tara stepped unseen among the courtiers. Under fluted columns and arching, sky-painted ceilings, full threescore revelers and more danced and laughed within the Palace of Yaralet. Zithers, flutes, and drum played a rolling, hypnotic tune while dancing girls, nude but for scarves clung to round hips and bangles on wrist and breast, who writhed and whirled bonelessly. Slaves oiled and shaven bore silver platters full of sweetmeats, or ewers of thick ruby wine among the guests: silken-draped ministers and barons, chiseled knights with hard arms in sleeveless tunics, and noble ladies in gossamer gowns that hinted wickedness half-concealed.
Tara studied the panorama, of bodies strutting amid the candles and blazes, figures flitting among the shadows, pairs twisting on each other, and those seeking solace among the hall's nooks or benighted spaces, where the portico opened unto the palace gardens. She watched their stirrings away from the light, from the broad banquet tables strewn with half eaten viands, bread crusts, and fat fish-eggs brought from the far Vilayet. She stepped through a knot upmade of a matronly noblewoman who let two knights lick and suckle on her naked breasts while she laughed and cooed, then among grinning, wolflike youths who hounded and slapped the flanks of a cowering slavegirl. She halted by a wall, wherealong a brace of gowned and gold-chained ministers spoke in voices low. She stood by one's elbow, whereof he took no heed.
"...So what know we of this new Theophobus, who is whispered as a sorcerer is granted a chair in the Librarium?" asked one.
