"My lord and emperor," Molin purred, and bowed, and Tempus stifled an urge tolet Theron know that Sanctuary's architect/priest was a Nisi wizardling indisguise, a pretender and defiler, and a loudmouthed meddler to boot.

Theron, who didn't quite remember Molin but recognized the ornate robes ofoffice, said sharply, "Priest, what's wrong with your acolytes that this placeis accursed by weather, witch, and demon? If you can't restore order to yourlittle backwater of the heavens, I'll replace you with someone who can. You'vetill New Year's day to set things right here-and no argument." Theron's leoninevisage reddened: he'd found someone to blame for at least part of what was wronghere.

Only Tempus noticed the humor dancing in the shadows round the emperor's mouthas the Lion of Ranke bawled: "See Brachis, this is his mess as well, and tellhim my decree: either Sanctuary is made pleasing in the sight of gods and theirchosen representative-me-or you'll both be out looking for new jobs come year'send."

Molin Torchholder was too smart to wince or bridle. He stood stolidly, eyesfixed on Theron's hairy left ear until he was certain that the emperor wasfinished.

Then he responded, "Very good, my lord emperor. I'll see to it. But while I haveyour ear-and Tempus's-some news: Last night Prince/Governor Kadakithis pledgedhis troth to the Beysib queen, Shupansea... an alliance is ours now for theasking."

"Really?" Theron's manner mellowed; he rubbed his hands. "That's the sort ofomen worth retelling."

Tempus found his dagger in his fingers; he cleaned dirt from its chased hiltabsently, waiting for Molin's other shoe to drop.

And drop it did: "Moreover, if I have leave to continue, sire? Many thanks.Then: The esteemed Froth Daughter, spawn of Stonnbringer who is father of allthe Weather Gods, will marry our own archmage, the Hazard Randal. This alliance,too, is fortuitous for-"

"What?" Tempus could scarcely believe his ears-or his good fortune.Stonnbringer, at least, kept His word.

Molin continued, not deigning to notice the Riddler's outburst: "-for us all.And to make a threesome of favorable omens, I myself propose to marry-with allsuitable ceremony and with Tempus's permission, of course-the lady Kama of theThird Commando, daughter of the Riddler. Thus the armies and the priesthood willbe wed as well, and internal strife ended..."

"You're going to what? You're mad. Crit says she tried to mur-" Tempus bit offwords of accusation, thinking matters through as quickly as he fought in battle.Torchholder was canny; the move was one sure to bring him power, consolidate hisposition, put him beyond Tempus's retribution and above reproach. But it wouldalso save Tempus's daughter from a lengthy inquisition: even Crit would admitthat, since Strat was alive and would recover, Kama was more useful to themalive than dead, if she shared Torchholder's bed.

And Crit had sent word to him that there was some evidence that PFLS members hadused the blue-fletched arrows: the task force leader had warned against hastyaction, using all his operator's wiles to posit misdirection, to give Tempus anhonorable way out of accusing his own daughter of an attempt at murder.

"So you'll make an honest woman of my ... daughter. Just don't expect a dowry,congratulations, or any leniency on my part if you later wish you hadn't: adivorce will get you killed. So will unfaithfulness, or perfidy of any sort." Itwas the least he could do for his daughter. And, said before the emperor,Tempus's conditions bound like law. It was a good thing that a priest ofVashanka could have more than one wife, though Tempus wouldn't have wanted to beMolin when that one's first wife heard this news.

Torchholder blanched, but smiled and said, "I'm off to tell her, then. Andyou'll take care of the other matter... the little misunderstanding she had withcertain troops of yours?"

"That goes without saying," Tempus growled while Theron looked back and forthbetween the two, uncomprehending.

When Molin had hurried away in a swish of robes, Theron elbowed Tempus and said,light eyes sparkling, "Don't suppose you'd tell an old warhorse what all thatwas about?"

"Petty squabbles, unimportant. Now tell me about this expedition you want tomount-the one to the uncharted east, beyond the sea. It interests me; I'mrestless. My men need some mortal enemies to fight-this going up against magicsand the gods tends to dull an army's spirit. They want a battle they can winupon their own."

And Theron was glad to do that. They worked it out, on the way down to seeNikodemos and the fabled Stormchildren in their nursery: Tempus would take hisforces-Stepsons and 3rd Commando and whomever else he chose from the empire'slegions, and strike east. He'd ship the horses such cavalry must have, andweapons and provisions; he'd bring back intelligence and rare goods, if therewere any; he'd set up embassies for trade and size up weak principalities forconquest. And he'd do it without any help from witch or god-taking just Jihan(and Randal) and his fighters.

The two old friends shook hands as they came down a flight of stairs and headedfor the nursery, with Theron sighing wistfully, "I only wish that I could joinyou, Riddler. This kinging is even less than it's cracked up to be. But it makesme feel less trapped, setting you free, even for a few months...."

Tempus pushed the door inward and Theron fell silent.

The Rankan emperor remembered Nikodemos from the battle for the throne at theFestival of Man. He'd been with Tempus once when the Riddler had had to bail hisStepson out of a Rankan jail.

The ashen-haired youth sitting with a babe on either knee looked tired, wan, andsomehow much too gentle to be the same much-lauded fighter. But when Niko raisedhis head and wished them life and glory, it was clearly the youngster whose fatewas dogged by a Nisibisi witch.

Tempus left Theron's side and strode to where Niko sat.

As he did, Gyskouras buried his young head in Niko's chiton and began to weep atthe sight of his natural father, and Alton, understanding more than childrenshould, shook his dark-haired head and told his blond companion: "'Kouras, bebrave. Don't cry."

"Let him. They're clear tears, and that's a blessing," Niko said softly to thechildren, then looked up at Tempus and beyond, to Theron: "You'll excuse me fornot rising, lords. They're tired. They're undisciplined. They've had too manyadventures for boys so young."

"So have you, we've heard. Stealth," Theron said kindly, remembering all thatwent on upcountry to win him the throne from Abakithis, and how much Niko hadsacrificed to that end.

"You're still taking them to Bandara, Niko?" Tempus asked offhandedly.

"If you still agree. Commander. If you'll give me leave."

Tempus almost said that Abarsis had usurped command from him in the matter, buthe was too pleased with the outcome of his talk with Theron. "Leave you have,and leave to meet us in three months back in the capital-we're mounting anexpedition and I'll want you along."

Something changed in Niko's face, as if a tension had been drained. "You do? Youwill?" Niko let the children slide off his lap and got slowly, carefully, to hisfeet. The signs of all he'd been through then showed clearly: bruised bones,favored muscles, a stiffness time would have to heal. "I'm glad.. .1 mean... youmight have thought me too much trouble-all I bring with me, wherever... mywitch-curse and my ghosts and all."

"You're the best I've got, Niko." said Tempus levelly. "And the only man I'vecalled partner in a century. Some things can't be changed."