In one of the tall spires that rose high above the white walls of Lodar, one man watched the comings and goings of warriors, priests, beggars and merchants with more than average interest. Each day that he watched, he became more puzzled, and as he did so, he became more frustrated and annoyed. Those who knew him well knew that this was the best time to avoid the greatest general of the Lodaran Empire, Magar Balder Khan.

Balder Khan was a large man, towering almost seven feet. Yet so heavily muscled was he that from a distance he appeared almost average in stature. But there was little that was average about him.

He wore his jet black hair shoulder-length and straight. His beard was well trimmed. His dark eyes were set deep in his skull, yet they appeared to regard everything with a cold intensity. His nose, once long and straight, had been broken in an early battle. Now it represented the only flaw in his strong, firm features.

Balder Khan wore the red tunic of the Tiger Lakari, the most famous division in the Lodaran Imperial Army. While he could wear the trappings and tunic of the Magar, he shunned those in favor of the garb of the Lakari he had made infamous throughout Tandaria. His clothing was thus in keeping with his unostentatious manner: sandals of heavy leather, the tunic, a leather belt simply adorned with steel ornaments. From his weapon belt hung a plain scabbard, in which he carried his much-used sword, affectionately named "Death's Fang."

His build, his walk and bearing, even his speech, gave one the impression of a low-class warrior. Indeed, Magar Balder Khan, Imperial Minister of War to His Imperial Majesty Mith Cor II, had been no more than a peasant warrior most of his life. That he had been able to climb up the ranks, from Soldar to Hazar, to Zindar, to Lakar, and finally to Magar, was a tribute to the determination and intelligence of the man who was known, to friends and foes alike, as the Conqueror of Lodar.

Balder Khan's thoughts were interrupted by the faint rustle of the curtains at the doorway. He heard someone enter, the soft cloth shoes making a swishing sound on the stone floor. From the uneven gait, Balder Khan knew at once that the man was Jab Khan, the fat, lame courtier to the Emperor. Many claimed that Jab was the single most influential individual in Mith Cor's court. Some even went so far as to claim that it was Jab who raised Mith Cor out of the realm of mediocre rulers to the level of potentially great rulers. Balder Khan waited for the man to enter.

"Has there been any news of our spy returning from Mazidar, Jab?"

Jab stooped his large body into an awkward bow. "No, my lord. The roads from Mazidar remain empty. The only traffic has been the party of the Emissary from Mazidar which arrived last week."

Balder Khan nodded grimly. "Yes, the Emissary. No one else, then?"

"No, my lord. No one."

The Minister of War stared intently at Jab. "Does it not strike you as odd, Jab, that our spy does not return from Mazidar, just when the Emissary from Mazidar is in Lodar?"

Jab bowed again before answering. "My lord, forgive me for pointing out that which you already know. Let me remind you that our spies have never shown themselves particularly competent to spy successfully on our neighbor to the south. Perhaps this only reflects favorably on our Lodaran personality, my lord, since spying requires a form of deceit that is repugnant to our people. In the current instance, we are merely maintaining our already lackluster record."

Balder Khan's laughter filled the room. "You have a unique way of telling me that our spies are incompetent fools, Jab. Surely you think there is more to it than that. Speak up, man, what is the cause of our `lackluster record'?"

Jab shrugged, then seemed to reconsider. "My lord, you know my habit of speaking my mind. A detestable habit, which shall surely be the cause of the sudden separation of my head from this fat ugly body. I will speak now, since I am certain that you are at least competent enough with your sword to make my demise as painless as possible.

"Consider this, then, my lord. We have sent dozens of spies into Mazidar. How many of these have ever returned to us having completed their mission? Few enough to count on one hand. And when they do turn up, it is on the auction block at Chag, sold into slavery by our own subjects. On the other hand, how many Mazidaran spies have we ever captured? Are we to believe that Mazidar sends so few into our territory? Or is there a reason for this vast discrepancy? I would offer one possible answer, but it's taste is so bitter in my mouth that I dread to utter it."

Balder Khan gestured impatiently. "Don't play your verbal games with me, Jab, or you'll find that a bitter taste is the least of your worries."

Jab smiled. "Yes, my lord. Again, I find your persuasiveness more than compelling. The difference is due to the fact that Lodar protects Mazidaran spies, while Mazidar thwarts Lodaran spies."

"Jab, you speak in riddles like a priest," complained the Conqueror. "What do you mean? Tell me so that my simple warrior's mind will understand it."

"The meaning is simple, my lord. The people of Lodar are dissatisfied with their condition, perhaps even with the Empire. To a people with such a dissatisfaction, perhaps aiding the enemies of the Empire is no great sin. But in Mazidar, the people are of the belief that their kingdom is worthy of any sacrifice. Amongst them, a spy is as a fish on the land -- totally alone and defenseless. When one of our spies enters Mazidar, he faces a thousand and one enemies. When a Mazidaran spy enters Lodar, my lord, he faces a thousand and one friends."

Balder Khan stared at Jab in amazement. "Jab, your ideas are pure sedition! But, by the gods of Tandaria, you are right! Why have I never seen this before? Have you discussed this with Mith Cor?"

"As you have said, my lord, these ideas smack of sedition. Even Mith Cor would fail to tolerate an old lame advisor, even one so fat as I who could do no one any harm. An idea such as this could only be expressed by one who is truly loyal to the Empire to another who is also true to the Empire. After all, fires will not be extinguished if all we do is to behead the first man who calls out the alarm."

Balder Khan nodded. "You are right, Jab. I had never looked at events quite that way, but what you say makes sense. But what is it about Mazidar that makes its subjects protect it so? And what is it that Lodar does that breeds such contempt? Are not the people prosperous?"

"There are many segments of the populace that have not prospered, my lord," said the advisor quietly.

Balder Khan cocked his head. "Are you referring to the slaves, Jab? Hai, I know that they have fared poorly. There are rumors of slaves conspiring to revolt. Even as we hang their ringleaders, however, the rumors of rebellion persist."

Jab regarded the Conqueror very carefully. "Perhaps if the slaves received their freedom, my lord?"

Balder Khan laughed bitterly. "Is that possible, Jab, when the powerful god Att is fed on the profits of the slave trade? Is it possible when half the nobility of Lodar subsists on the slave economy? The gods of Tandaria know that I have fought against the slavers, but the gains I have made are nothing. Not when greed and avarice are my adversaries." He paced the room, agitated.

"Listen to me, Jab. You have been very frank with me, and I like that. But there are some in this Empire who would jump at the chance to unsettle you. Do not broadcast your views too widely, my friend."

Jab bowed his head. "Your words are wise, Conqueror. Consider the advisor so advised."

Balder Khan laughed, the short, explosive laugh for which he was well-

known, since it was the same laugh that accompanied news of a victory of his army or the rout of an enemy. "I will let you fend for yourself, Jab, for assuredly you are an expert in this line. Who knows, someday I may come to you for just the advice I gave you. But tell me, what news is there of the Emissary from Mazidar?"

"There is much news, my lord, but to my mind it is perplexing. I have never seen the likes of this emissary before in all my experience." He hesitated before going on.

Balder Khan frowned. "Go on, what is it?"

"My lord, forgive my weakness, but I am not so thin as I formerly was, nor as young as I wish I were. My broad hindquarters have developed a pernicious affinity for soft cushions and solid earth. Do I have your permission?"

"By the beard of Att," laughed the Conqueror. "Since when do you stand on formality in my presence? Of course you can rest that inflated carcass! That stump of a leg that fate has left you with certainly wasn't designed for standing on."

Jab sank onto a cushion with a slight groan. Balder Khan, himself familiar with the wounds produced by knife and sword, realized how much the old man must suffer on account of his severed limb. But Jab did not seem to be aware of his groan, and if he had been, he would have tried to suppress it. Much of the warrior still remained in the wizened advisor. Perhaps that was why Balder Khan found himself liking the old man -- they both came from the same mold.

"First, my lord, the Emissary, who goes by the name Dak Akkra, does not seem to be of the nobility. If he is, then he must be recently arrived, for he is not on any of our lists of noted Mazidaran families. Yet he must be important, for the papers he has presented indicate that he is the personal representative of the King of Mazidar, with all powers sufficient to make decisions in the King's name. No one who has been to the court of Mazidar recognizes him, but that means little. Mazidar has always been strangely secretive regarding its Royal Household.

"I have even heard it rumored that he is related to the King of Mazidar, yet I am inclined to discount such rumors."

"Why?" asked Balder Khan. "You seem pretty certain."

"First, his retinue is exceedingly small. No one closely related to the royal family would travel with such an insufficient number of guards. I believe, my lord, that there are only four or five in the entire party."

"Unbelievable!" laughed Balder Khan. "There is another alternative, however. Suppose he is an unwanted cousin who would not be missed if an assassin succeeded in killing him?"

Jab smiled. "That may well be, my lord. But I have other reasons for doubting the royalty of his blood.

"My second reason is that he has deported himself in a manner that no member of the royal family would ever stoop to. Since he has arrived in the Imperial City, he has behaved in a manner befitting a libertine. He seems especially fond of our taverns and brothels." Jab snorted his contempt. "I am beginning to suspect that his mission is to sample every whore in Lodar. Such conduct has brought scandal to his party, which may explain why it is so small. The stories have been so disgraceful, in fact, that the Emperor is hesitant to hold an audience with him. He awaits the advice of his Ministers on how to receive this Emissary."

Balder Khan could not help smiling. "Taverns and brothels, eh? The man sounds like a warrior!"

Jab smiled, as though at a private joke. "Indeed, my lord, he does consider himself as such. But not just an ordinary warrior. No, indeed, Rajan boasts -- generally under the influence of our red wine and in the company of a voluptuous courtesan -- that he has bested in personal combat none other than Balder Khan, the Conqueror of Lodar!"

"What?" cried Balder Khan in outrage. "He is absurd! No Mazidaran pig has ever fought against my Outer Army or me and lived to boast of it!"

Jab nodded in amused agreement. "Precisely, my lord. But this wild young man even goes so far as to cite the scene of his improbable victory. He mentions a place where there has never been recorded an encounter between Mazidarans and Lodaran patrols. He speaks of Matkot." Jab eyed the Conqueror quizzically. "Do you recall any such encounters, my lord, that perhaps through oversight or insignificance, failed to get registered in the Imperial records?"

Balder Khan shook his head. "No, Jab, there was nothing. Nothing at all." But Balder Khan's voice had lost all traces of amusement. Now he seemed preoccupied with inner thoughts.

Jab seemed to sense the Conqueror's discomfiture. "My lord, is there anything wrong? What puzzles you?"

Balder Khan blinked his concerns away. "As I said, it is nothing, Jab. But I want to meet this emissary, privately. No one must know about it, understand? There is more to him than just a foppish womanizer. Keep a close watch on him, and make those arrangements for me, will you?"

Jab stood up. "Most assuredly, my lord. And what of our erstwhile spy in Mazidar?"

The Magar frowned. "Him? Let us hope that he is only late, Jab. In the meantime, have our people in Chag keep an eye on the auction block. Perhaps he will turn up there. Meanwhile, the Emperor has called a meeting of the ministers?"

Jab nodded. "His Imperial Highness has indicated that he wishes all of his ministers to be present just after the midday meal." So saying, Jab bowed his way out of the room, leaving Balder Khan to stare once more over the rooftops of Lodar.

As the Conqueror gazed over the rooftops of Lodar, his thoughts were as jumbled as the shapes that were below him. Thoughts of barbarians, emissaries, priests -- and a woman. He felt a twinge of annoyance at the last intruding thought. It was so unlike him to allow a woman to affect him. He pushed the unwanted thought out of his mind and devoted his attention to the three problems that did have a place disturbing his afternoon.

He turned slowly to face the six men standing at attention, awaiting his commands. A cool breeze suddenly wafted into the room, the first hint of the impending monsoon. Ordinarily it would have been a welcome relief from the incredible heat of the summer, but now it went unappreciated.

His face, hidden in shadows, was scowling.

"Zindar Creeto Chand, you tell me that the men from the mountains report a huge host of barbarians gathering just beyond Jadpat, waiting to swoop down onto Lodar. Is that not the essence of your report?"

Cheeto Chand bowed deeply, murmuring, "Yes, my lord." He resented bowing to this low-born peasant, and he resented even more being in the awkward role of having to report such outlandish information. "We have questioned dozens of the nomads who ply the mountain passes, and all of them bring back the same tale: the mountain tribes are uniting under one powerful leader, a wizard from the south."

"A wizard, you say? A wizard?" Balder Khan exploded. "Are we but old ladies and children that we believe in wizards now? What kind of a fool do you take me for?"

Cheeto Chand shivered. "I am only reporting what the nomads tell us, my lord. Even under the most dire tortures, they remain fast to this tale."

Balder Khan growled. "And you, Zindar Inder Khan, what tales to you bring? The mountain patrols cannot find even a single barbarian! There have been no attacks, no sightings, no signs! In short, no barbarians! Is this not what your report says?"

"Verily, my lord, I speak only of what we have found. Despite the stories about these barbarians, they just do not seem to exist. Perhaps further back in the mountains. . . ."

Balder Khan snarled. "Zindar, if the barbarians were further back in the mountains, they would be no threat, would they?"

Inder Khan bowed. "My lord, I cannot say. Only the gods know the answers to such questions."

"The gods be damned! They will not fight our wars for us! When it is steel against steel, I would rather trust to well-trained men and competent generals, than to frivolous gods."

"Stop! Stop that blasphemous talk!" A rasping voice shattered the air, causing everyone to turn in surprise. Framed in the shadows of the door stood an old man. His wrinkled, bearded face was turned towards Balder Khan. There was no mistaking the look of hatred that darkened that countenance. Several of the warriors, so fearless in battle, shrank back involuntarily as they recognized the face of Rati Bajah, the High Priest of Att the Terrible.

Balder Khan returned the stare of the man who wore the crimson robes of Att. He made no attempt to conceal his own hatred of the wizened old man. Few other men would dare to show so openly their contempt for a man whose words were the very utterances of a god -- a man who was even rumored to be the god disguised in human form.

"Beware the wrath of Att, Balder Khan! He views you with grave displeasure. You are setting the seal on a proclamation of your own doom!"

Balder Khan spat in the direction of the priest. "The wrath of the gods! Ha! As long as your god uses real live men to do his assassin's work, I will have little to fear, Rati Bajah. Att is no more a god than my sword, and I'll wager my sword can beat Att in any contest!"

"You will suffer the eternal damnation of Att!" screeched the priest. "Your words are poison and venom! Att will stop at nothing, Balder Khan, to punish one such as you, even if all of Lodar must be ground into the dust in the process. You have mocked Att once too often, peasant, and Att can tolerate no more."

"Damn your soul, Rati Bajah! I can stand no more. You and your cursed priests are a thorn in the side of this Empire. A thorn that I promise to remove. Don't forget that." He turned away to indicate that he considered the conversation over. He noticed the Zindar standing uncomfortably to one side. He gave a gesture of dismissal, and they hurried from the room.

Rati Bajah, however, remained, glowering at Balder Khan.

Balder Khan turned slowly and faced the High Priest.

"Balder Khan, I could have you torn apart by a mod if I so desired. The people of Lodar fear and hate your kind of atheism. Don't you forget that! You may be one of them, a commoner, but you have set yourself apart from them. You are also apart from the nobility, and no matter what titles Mith Cor grants you, you will never be part of the nobility. You are a man alone, Balder Khan, and one day when you need help, you will find no allies in Lodar. Think on that, peasant!"

The Conqueror snorted in disgust. "You may threaten, Rati Bajah, but that's all you can do. You've had many chances to kill me, twice that I am certain of, and both times your pawns failed. Mark my words, though: Try one more time, and you damn well better succeed. If not, I will personally come and rid this world of your stinking presence. Now, get out of my chambers before I decide to end your life now."

Rati Bajah smiled. "Not even with your Tiger Lakari could you hope to succeed against Att, Balder Khan. You underestimate the power that religion holds over people. We won't have to end your life. They will." Rati Bajah turned quickly and left the room.

Balder Khan was silent for several minutes after the High Priest left the room. The man's implacable hatred of him was disturbing. Balder Khan knew that the High Priest of the most powerful god of Tandaria was a dangerous man to have as an enemy. What was more disturbing, however, was the increasing influence that Rati Bajah enjoyed with the Emperor. It was as though the Emperor were saying to Balder Khan, "If you fail, I have an alternative."

If he failed. . . . But failure wasn't a word that Balder Khan knew. He decided to have the priesthood of Att watched as closely as the mountain passes in the Zepores. The problem was to whom to assign the task. As the priest said, religion did have a hold over the masses.

He turned to stare out the window, thankful to be alone. He did not enjoy being War Minister. The job kept in Lodar, away from his troops, away from any chance of battle, away from any chance of danger. He laughed to himself. What a strange sense of values I have, he thought. As if death threats from the Priests of Att weren't enough danger for any man.

Balder Khan was disturbed by Jab's news. There had been an encounter between his patrol and a company of Mazidaran warriors, almost five years earlier -- an encounter he had never reported to his superiors. The Mazidarans were far north of their territory, beyond the farthest reaches of the Kingdom of Abothar. Balder Khan, at that time a Lakar of the Tiger Lakari, was returning with a patrol to his encampment near Matkot, when they chanced upon a body of warriors coming from the north. In the darkness, it was impossible to determine who the warriors were, and thinking that they were encroaching Abotharans, Balder Khan gave the order to attack. It was a shock that the warriors proved to be ferocious fighters and not the ill-disciplined Abotharans Balder Khan expected. Rather than risk losing men on the night patrol, Balder Khan sounded a quick retreat, and the unknown warriors took the opportunity to slip away into the darkness.

Balder Khan would have forgotten the encounter, dismissing it as an unusually large band of marauders, except for something untoward that occurred that night. The Lodaran patrol had returned to the camp. Balder Khan was in his tent preparing for sleep. He heard a faint rustle behind him. Before he could turn around, sinewy arms wrapped around him and a sharp blade was pressed roughly against his throat.

"Do not make a sound, Balder Khan," hissed a voice behind him. "I would not hesitate a moment to deprive Lodar of one of its more promising leaders."

"Who are you? What do you want?" demanded Balder Khan. How had this man slipped through the guards, he had wondered. Someone would answer for this!

The intruder ignored Balder Khan's questions. "The ambush today. Whom were you looking for? Answer me truthfully, Balder Khan, for this blade can discern a lie from the truth." The voice was hardly a whisper, but to Balder Khan it seemed absurdly loud. Why didn't the guards hear it? He considered overpowering the assailant, but considered it more important to find out about this man who could slip through an armed camp with so much ease.

"We were on a routine patrol, dog! But you? What are you doing in Mith Cor's Empire? Answer me that, dog!"

"Now is an inappropriate time for heroics, Balder Khan. You will win nothing for Lodar, and you might lose your life. But I will tell you why I'm here. I wanted to meet you."

Balder Khan stiffened in surprise. The man's statement had to be a lie. Only the Emperor and a few select Magars knew he was in this vicinity. The man was either lying -- or there was a spy in the top echelons of the Lodaran military command. "You lie, dog! No one knew I would be here."

"Don't fool yourself, Balder Khan." His voice betrayed a cockiness that irritated Balder Khan. How he would have liked to get his hands around the neck of that conceited intruder! The man went on, enjoying the Lakar's discomfort. "The most vital secrets of an empire can be learned in any tavern or whorehouse frequented by common warriors. No matter how hard a ruler tries, it is impossible to keep everything secret. Once we found out the general area your Lakari was posted to, it was but a matter of time to run into you." The man laughed. "I just didn't expect it in quite that matter."

Balder Khan was too practical to debate an issue that was already decided. "Perhaps what you say is true, Mazidaran. Why, then, do you seek me?"

"The King of Mazidar is concerned, my friend, with the frequency of raids in Mazidaran territory by armed bands trying to capture slaves for Lodaran plantations and mines. These constant raids make a mockery of the peace that purports to exist between our two kingdoms."

"You fool. Lodar does not instigate those raids. Those bandits are as much an annoyance to us as to you. Why come to me? Why not take up the matter with the Emperor? Perhaps both sides could find some means of ridding the world of those slavers."

The Mazidaran shook his head. "Are you so naive, Balder Khan?" sneered the young man. "Know you not that the slave trade is one of the principle sources of revenue for the Imperial treasury? Is it likely that Mith-Cor would deprive himself of his own income? Besides which, we have explored the route you suggest -- to no avail. All of our entreaties have fallen on disinterested ears. We can expect no help from Mith-Cor, Balder Khan. On the other hand, you can do something about the problem."

"Me? What could I do, Mazidaran? And furthermore, why should I do anything?"

"That I will tell you and more. But first, I find this an unwieldy way to converse. Give my your word that you will not raise the alarm or try any heroics, and I will release you. Then we can converse in a more civilized manner. What say you, man?"

Balder Khan considered trying to overpower the intruder, but by now he was intrigued by what the man wanted. Any man who could slip through the best Lakari in Lodar with the apparent ease exhibited by this Mazidaran earned Balder Khan's immediate respect. Always the one to choose the more practical alternative, Balder Khan grunted his assent. He felt the man's grip loosen. Then the knife was no longer threatening his throat. Balder Khan turned slowly to face his attacker. Before him stood a very young man, a youth only, clad in black raiment. He wore a leather scabbard. Its sword was already out and pointed at the Lakar. The man wore a mask which concealed his features. Balder Khan, still rubbing his wrists, gestured at the sword.

"Civilized manner, eh?"

The young man laughed. "I regret that we in the outlying kingdoms are not so civilized as those of the Lodaran Empire. Besides, I know enough about you to spare no cautions. You are one tricky warrior."

"So, apparently, are you," said Balder Khan. "Now tell me, why should I do something about this trivial problem your king is so worried about."

"Consider this, then. In order to stop the slave trade, it would take a Lakar who is above the temptations of bribery, whose Lakari is loyal and dedicated enough to share their leader's values. You are perhaps the only Lakar in Lodar who can make that claim."

"I am flattered. But that hardly tells me why I should do anything about this."

The Mazidaran nodded. "Consider also this: Where is Lodar's weakest area?"

Balder Khan spat out the answer, "The south, of course."

The man nodded. "Yes, the south, where dozens of vassal states plot and await the day when they can break away. Consolidate those areas, Balder Khan, and the Empire will endure another hundred years!"

Balder Khan pondered the Mazidaran's words. "What you say makes sense, but it is nothing I have not already considered."

The man held up his right hand. "Wait. Hear me out. There is another reason why you should go south."

Balder Khan eyed the man quizzically.

"It is said," he continued, "that the Wizandra Mountains that rise above the sands of the Sind desert are made of gold and silver. If these stories be true -- and we have many reasons for believing that they are true -- the wealth they would provide the coffers of Lodar would more than offset the decline in revenues from the slave trade. Mith-Cor would raise you to the highest levels conceivable."

Balder Khan still didn't trust the man. "Why would Mazidar counsel Lodar on how to become stronger?" demanded the Lakar. "Does that not work against Mazidar?"

The man shrugged. "It might, were Mazidar weak. But remember, Balder Khan, we Mazidarans are an independent lot. We will fight long and hard to preserve our right to farm our own fields, make our wares, and trade them to the highest bidder. It is hard of trade when countries are at odds with one another. We would rather see a strong, friendly neighbor to the north. Now, all we see are a motley collection of warring vassal states. Eventually Mith-Cor will have to do something about them. It would be better for all concerned if he did it now, while his ambitions are limited to consolidating his own empire."

"What makes you think I will do anything about this?"

The Mazidaran looked piercingly at Balder Khan, searching for some sign in the Lodaran's eyes. Balder Khan had the feeling that the young man was suddenly feeling much older and more tired than his years warranted. "We may be wrong about you," the Mazidaran said slowly, "but I don't think so. You are an aspiring man, Balder Khan, and before you are finally killed, you will have made a name for yourself on the Tandarian plains. But don't flatter yourself, either. You are but a common warrior, perhaps more talented than most, but that is all. Without power of your own, Balder Khan, you are just a pawn, and when those who do run the Empire wish it, they will remove you, as they would any other pawn. What we're offering is a chance to get your hands on some of that power, a chance to become more than a pawn. If you take this chance, both you and Mazidar will benefit. If you pass it up --" He shrugged. "We will find a way. That is our nature."

"You're mad, Mazidaran!"

The man stared at the Lakar, almost wistfully, as though he were hoping that Balder Khan would simply agree and promise that everything would be all right. Then, in a manner that was becoming characteristic of him, he shrugged, as if to say, "What I can control, I will; what I cannot control, I won't worry about." Aloud he said, "Perhaps you are right my friend. You are certainly not the first person to espouse that view. But we'll just have to wait and see." Saying that, he saluted, then put his hand to his belt and removed a pouch which he emptied into the flames of the oil lamp. Instantly there was a blinding flash of white light which made it impossible for Balder Khan to see. When finally his eyes were again able to focus, the man was gone. In his place, Balder Khan found a small coin. It bore the image of a plunging kite -- the symbol of the Royal House of Mazidar.

Balder Khan had not thought back on that incident in the many years since it had occurred. It was not surprising, since so much had happened since then. He had gone to the southern frontier and in the following four years, he waged a campaign to strengthen the Emperor's hold on the small princely city-states that lay at the periphery of the Empire. At the same time that he was subduing the haughty princes of the south, breaking up their private armies of mercenaries, he opened up to the Emperor's coffers the immense wealth of the Wizandra. And while there was some gold, there was not mountains of it. But what was there was other metals that seemed to attract gold from the four corners of Tandaria.

While he was disbanding the private armies of the princes, Balder Khan withheld the protection that the Lodaran warriors had afforded the slave-raiding parties. As a result, the swift equestrian patrols of Mazidar decimated the bands of slave traders that roamed the Southern Desert. The man who was most hurt by this, Lord Lak Kowan, the man they called The Slaver because of the vast numbers of slaves he sold each year, protested vehemently to the Emperor. Mith-Cor issued a proclamation that ordered the Imperial troops to "protect, aid, and further the Imperial institution of slavery." And if any thought that this would prove to be the dividing point between the Emperor and the man regarded as his most successful general, they underestimated the ingenuity of Balder Khan. If he tried in any way to thwart the explicit objectives of the decree, none could say, not even the slave raiders themselves. But still, in the three years following the decree, the number of slaves captured in the south was reduced over ninety percent.

Balder Khan had never associated his success with the mysterious intruder from Mazidar. But now, all of those events fell into a neat picture, a picture that Balder Khan found very disturbing. The man had called him a pawn. But a pawn of which side? How much influence did Mazidar exert over his career? Why was the Emissary now bantering this tale around every tavern and brothel in Lodar -- a tale that would have meaning only to Balder Khan? What game was Mazidar playing this time?

As he prepared to go to the Emperor's council chambers, one thought still continued to plague the Conqueror. A pawn, he thought angrily. Only a pawn. . . .

Mith Cor was holding audience in one of the small antechambers off the side of the main Audience Hall. These rooms were normally reserved for the ministers of the realm. Much of the real business of running the Empire was conducted here, rather than in the main Audience Hall. The Emperor was seated on a small throne at one end of the room. There were several others already there. Balder Khan nodded to Shanti Raj, who returned the acknowledgment grimly. Rati Bajah, already there, ignored Balder Khan, who returned the favor. He was attended by almost a dozen of the scarlet-robed priests of the god Att. Several Lakars of the Inner Army and Imperial guard were present also. He recognized Chand Rai, the Lakar of the Bull Lakari of the Inner Army. Off to one side he saw Alaz Femtaz, Lakar of the Peacock Lakari. Femtaz was looking very grim right now. And there was Boz Raj, Lakar of the Hawk Lakari, also of the Inner Army, looking equally grim.

Nar Sidthar came in just after Balder Khan, grunted greetings to those in the room, and took a place near Chand Rai and Boz Raj in the milling group waiting for Mith Cor's attention.

The Emperor seemed to be in no hurry to acknowledge their presence. Jab entered the room, spoke briefly to the Emperor, and showed him several communiques. Finally, Mith Cor faced those assembled.

"We seem to have a very serious problem, my lords." He stared aggressively at each one in turn. "You seem to be failing me. I am not pleased with that."

Mith Cor stood up and started to pace. Stopping, he pointed an accusing finger at Shanti Raj. "What kind of order do you maintain in the City?" he demanded. "What kind of protection do we have when a brigand, a murderer, can roam freely through the city and our Imperial Guard cannot seem to find or catch him? Have you an answer for that, Magar? Of course not! The only answer is incompetence!"

Shanti Raj started to protest. "Your Highness, Lodar has half a million people. There are many murders each day. We eventually catch most of them. These things take time."

The Emperor bristled. "Time, is it? Well, perhaps it is more than time, Lord Shanti Raj. Perhaps there is a bit of collusion in it!"

Shanti Raj was decidedly uncomfortable. Balder Khan, confused about what events they were referring to, was sympathetic to the Magar. Mith Cor did not have an understanding nature, nor did he ever allow enough time to get all the facts before he made up his mind. Quite often his conclusions were faulty. Yet who would dare to point that out to him?

The Emperor went on. "Yes, collusion, between you and this brigand! How else could he escape to your palace, never to be seen again? Do you have an answer for that, Lord Magar?"

Shanti Raj was about to mention the passageway between his palace and the Imperial Palace, but stopped. Only a few people knew of that secret route. And while Tathi's existence was not publicized, enough people in the Imperial Court probably knew of her that she would be implicated. If he mentioned anything about that tunnel, he might be signing her death warrant.

Numbly, he shook his head in negation.

The Emperor was not through. "Let me further expound on your incompetencies, Shanti Raj. Are you aware that we had a visitor in the Imperial gardens this morning?"

Clearly Shanti Raj had heard no such thing. Yet Balder Khan detected a slight resignation in his look of surprise that indicated to the Conqueror that Shanti Raj knew more than he was letting on to. Perhaps there was some collusion, thought the Conqueror. A feeling of desperation began to creep over him. If Shanti Raj could not be trusted, then indeed there would be trouble in Lodar.

His concern for Shanti Raj, however, was to be short-lived. The Emperor turned to face him.

"And what have you done for me, Balder Khan, my fine rising star of a Conqueror! I give you a simple assignment, an assignment that any fool could handle. Watch the Mazidaran Emissary, that is all that I asked. And tell me this, Magar Balder Khan, where was the Emissary this morning?"

Balder Khan was fluttered. "He was in his quarters, Your Majesty. We followed him to several taverns last night, then followed him back to the embassy quarters. We have had guards posted the entire evening."

Mith Cor waved his arms in exasperation and began pacing again. "Another incompetent! I am surrounding myself with incompetents! Most terrible Att, is there no relief? Is my empire to collapse because it is rotten to the core?" He stopped abruptly and stood in front of the Conqueror. "No, Balder Khan," he practically shouted, "the Emissary was not in his quarters this morning. He was in the Imperial gardens, spying on Princess Nest-kor in her private bath! After he calmly spied on her and insulted her, he made a mockery of the Imperial Guard by simply walking out of the Palace!"

Balder Khan shook his head in amazement. "Your Highness, I don't know how this could have happened. How could he be in two places at once? Did he harm the Princess?"

Mith Cor hesitated. "No," he said uncertainly. "In fact, some of the servants who were with Nest-kor claim that he said he was magically transported by the gods. Nest-kor invoked them to bring him to her."

Balder Khan looked dubiously at the Emperor. "Is this possible?"

"Of course it is, unbeliever!" snapped Rati Bajah. "The power of Att surpasses all understanding! Att could easily take any one of us and put him any where in Tandaria in the blink of an eye."

"Horse dung," replied Balder Khan. "Your Majesty, there must be a more reasonable explanation."

The Emperor frowned at the Conqueror. "Any other explanation, Balder Khan, does not bode well for you and your warriors. And I agree with High Priest Rati Bajah. You do not show enough subservience to the powers of Att. Perhaps this is why you are failing in your other mission." Mith Cor returned to his throne and sat down. "Tell me again, Conqueror, where exactly are the barbarian hordes that endanger Lodar?"

"We know not, Your Majesty," said Balder Khan, throwing his arms up in exasperation. "If they are in the Zepores, they are either very far back, and hence represent no danger to us, or they are scattered over a wide area. About the only evidence that we can find is a shortage of game in some of the lower forests, but that happens every ten or twelve years anyway."

"My priests have seen the hordes, peasant!" snarled the High Priest. "They are up in the mountains, protected by their false gods, invisible to the eyes of unbelievers."

"Your Majesty, we can only go by the evidence that we see. We too have heard the rumors of barbarians assembling in the hills. When we interrogate our subjects who live on the lower slopes of the Ram Valley, closest to where we believe the barbarians to be, we find that they too have heard the rumors, but none of them have seen any hordes. An occasional band, yes, of three or four warriors hunting game. That is not uncommon, especially when game is scarce. But Your Majesty, we cannot fight what we cannot see!"

"The Priests of Att can see the barbarians, Magar," said Rati Bajah.

"Where?" demanded the Magar.

The High Priest waved his hand unconcernedly. "Precise locations will come in time, Your Majesty. The important point is that the barbarian god Chohan is about to wage a war against the power of Att. When our priests commune with Att, we are permitted to see the massing hordes that will be used to destroy us. Your Warlord, Your Majesty, might have more success in locating the barbarians if he allowed the priests to accompany the warriors on their missions, as do the Lakars of the Inner Army."

Balder Khan began to realize that he was facing a losing fight. No matter what factual evidence he presented, the High Priest could counter it with prevarications. He certainly did not what the priests of Att traveling with his warriors. He knew they functioned as a spy network for Rati Bajah. But even more serious, they sowed dissension and disloyalty among the warriors. He had kicked the priests out of his Outer Army many years earlier and had no intention of allowing them back in now.

Mith Cor silenced any protests Balder Khan was about to make while he considered the situation. Finally, he came to a decision.

"Balder Khan, Shanti Raj, both of you have failed me at a critical time. I realize that these are only minor transgressions, but in a time as important as now, these minor failures can transform into major catastrophes at a later date. I do not intend to take any action against either of you, since I feel that your faithful service in the past merits clement consideration now. However, I must take steps to protect the Imperial City and the Empire.

"Therefore, hear now my proclamation.

"Commencing immediately, Nar Sidthar shall remove as many lakaris of his Inner Army into the City of Lodar as are necessary to ensure its protection. In addition, he shall remove other units of the Inner Army to the northern borders to ensure our protection against any possible barbarian invasion.

"Balder Khan shall be relieved of all responsibility of monitoring the Mazidaran's movements. Hopefully we can be rid of the Mazidaran after our audience with him tomorrow. Such surveillance shall be done by the priests of Att.

"Let it further be known that commencing from this day forward, all units of all Imperial armies, from the level of Zindar upward, shall have a Priest of Att as a member of the general staff. Rati Bajah shall appoint one of his priests to coordinate this change. Such sacerdotal staff shall have a voice in all military decisions. Where there is a disagreement between the military commander and the priest, the priest shall have the deciding say.

"Finally, in the event that Mazidar is plotting against the Empire of Lodar, Magar Balder Khan shall remove himself and all units of the Outer Army to the Mazidar-Lodaran border in order to protect us against any surprise attack.

"I, Emperor Mith Cor III, Divine Ruler of All Lodar and Rightful Ruler of greater Tandaria, have so spoken. Let it be so recorded."

Mith Cor stood up and left the room, followed by the representatives of the Inner Army and the Priests of Att. Balder Khan could not help but notice that Rati Bajah seemed terribly pleased by the outcome. When only he, Shanti Raj and Alaz Femtaz were left in the room, he went over and sat wearily in the throne. "By the brazen balls of Att!" he swore. "What a mess we are in! How did they manipulate us into this corner, Magar?"

Shanti Raj shook his head. "It is even worse than you think, Balder. Alaz was telling me earlier that units of the Inner Army have been sneaking into the city for the past two days. We have been set up by both Nar Sidthar and Rati Bajah." He sighed. "The only thing that I don't know is to what degree the Mazidarans are involved in this."

Balder Khan frowned. "Somehow, I don't think they are. I think they are as much a pawn in this game as we are. We've got to find a way to counter this."

Shanti Raj looked at him quizzically. "Do you have a plan, Conqueror?"

Balder Khan smiled, some of his self-assurance coming back. "Not yet, Shanti, but trust me. They haven't boxed us in yet. There are still some pieces of this puzzle left to be put on the table."