"I told you, Safar answered, they're too small for the unaided eye to behold. I theorized their existence. What other explanation could there be?"

Katal snorted. Be damned to theory, he said. When will you learn that supposing doesn't make it so."

Safar laughed and drained off his cup. Then you don't know anything about magic, Katal, he said, wiping his chin. Supposing is what sorcery is all about. He belched and refilled his cup. But that answer is a cheat. I admit it. It's scientific observation you were speaking of. And you were right to chastise me. I've never seen the little animals. But I suspect their presence. And if someone gave me money I could grind a glass lens so powerful I might be able to see them and prove their existence."

"Who would give you money for such a thing? Katal said. And even if your proved your point, who would care?"

Safar was suddenly serious. He jabbed a finger into his chest. I would, he said. And so should everyone else. If we are ignorant of the smallest things, how can we know the larger world? How can we guide our fate?"

"We've had this argument before, Katal said. I say the fate of mortals is the business of the gods."

"Bah! was Safar's retort. The gods have no business but their own. Our troubles are no concern of theirs."

Katal glanced about nervously and saw no one in earshot, except his grandson, Zeman, who'd come out while they were talking and was brushing fig leaves off the tables on the other side of the patio.

"Be careful what you say, my young friend, Katal warned. You never know when one of the king's spies will be about. In Walaria the penalty for heresy is most unpleasant."

Safar ducked his head, chastened. I know, I know, he said. And I'm sorry to be so outspoken in your presence. I don't want to get you in trouble because of my views. Sometimes it's difficult to remember that I must guard my tongue here. In Kyrania a man of twenty may speak his mind about any subject he chooses."

Katal leaned close, a fond smile peeping out from his untidy beard. Speak to me all you like, Safar, he said. But discreetly, sir. Discreetly. And in well modulated tones."

The old man had been a kindly uncle to Safar since he'd arrived in Walaria some two years before. In that spirit Katal dipped into his robe and fished out a small cup. He cleaned it with a sleeve, then filled it with wine.

He drank, then said, Tell me what this is all about, Safar. If your family were here they'd be worried. So let me worry for them. I'll tell you what your own father would say. Which is that you've been drinking heavily for nearly a month. Your studies must be suffering as much as your finances. You've had no money for food, much less books. I'm not complaining, but I've been feeding you for free. I'd even be willing to forgo my usual rental fee for any books you required, if only I thought you'd make some use of them. There's an exam coming up. The most important in your career as a student. All the other second level candidates, except the sons of the rich whose success is assured by the fact of their wealth, are studying hard. They don't want to bring shame to their family."

"What's the use? Safar said. No matter how well I do Umurhan will fail me anyway."

Katal's eyebrows shot up. How can that be? he said. You're the best student Umurhan's had in years. Umurhan was Walaria's Chief Sorcerer. As such he supervised the temple and attached university where scholars, priests, healers and wizards were trained. He answered to no one but King Didima, ruler of the city and its environs.

"He's going to fail me just the same, Safar said.

"There must be some reason, Katal said. What did you do to earn his wrath?"

Safar made a sour face. He caught me in his library, he said, making notes on a forbidden book."

Katal was aghast. How could you take such a chance?"

Safar hung his head. I thought it was safe, he said. I've slipped into his study before without being caught. I knew the risk I was taking. But I'm on the trail of something important, dammit! And I thought one more trip might turn up what I needed. I slipped in well before first light. Everyone knows old Umurhan likes his sleep, so there shouldn't have been any danger. But this time I'd barely entered the room and lit a candle when he suddenly appeared from the shadows. As if he'd been waiting there for me."

"Did someone alert him? Katal asked.

"I don't see how they could, Safar said. It was a last minute decision. No one knew. My only guess is I left some clue on my last visit. And he's been waiting all this time to pounce."

"You were fortunate he didn't expel you at once, Katal said. Or, worse, report you to Kalasariz as a dangerous heretic. Lord Kalasariz was Didima's chief spy. There were so many in his employ the joke was that in Walaria even the watchers were watched.

"Umurhan said the same thing, Safar replied. He said he could have me thrown into one of Kalasariz cells where I could rot for all eternity for all he cared. And the only reason he didn't call one of Kalasariz minions right then was because I was such a good student."

"You see? Katal said. There is hope. You've completed four years of work in two. No one else your age has ever qualified to take the second level acolyte exams in so short a time. He indicated the wine jug. Now you're destroying the chance he's giving you to make amends."

Safar grimaced, remembering Umurhan's wrath. I don't think that's possible, he said. The only reason I wasn't thrown out immediately is because my sponsor is Lord Muzine, the richest merchant in the city. Muzine was Coralean's friend, the man he'd said he'd call on to help get Safar admitted to the university. Umurhan doesn't want a scandal and he certainly doesn't want to offend Muzine. He'll fail me, then report the sad news to Muzine. It's the cleanest way to be rid of me."

"Well I for one won't be sorry, came a voice. The two turned and saw that Zeman had worked his way across the patio and was now cleaning the table next to them. Zeman was about Safar's age and height. But he was so thin he was nearly skeletal. His complexion was bad, his face long and horse-like, with wall eyes and overly large teeth.

"It's leeches like you who keep my grandfather poor, Zeman said. You all eat and drink on credit, or for nothing at all. You rent books and scrolls and keep them as long you like without paying for the extra time. And it isn't only the students. What of that bitch Nerisa he's taken under his wing? A thief, of all things. No, I fear my grandfather is too charitable for his own good. And for mine. I go without as well because of your sort."

He indicted his costumetight brown leggings, green thigh-length smock, slippers with curled toesa cheap imitation of what the fashionable lads wore. I'm forced to clothe myself in the alley markets. It's an insult to a young man of my class and prospects."

Katal was angry. Don't speak to my friend like that! Safar only receives what I beg him to take. He is a friend and he possesses one of the finest young minds I've met in many a day."

Safar intervened. He's right, Katal. You are too generous. I'll wager you haven't raised the prices since you opened the Foolsmire forty years ago. That's why we all come here. You have a right to a decent profit, my friend. And at your age you deserve to live a life of ease."

Zeman pushed in. I'll thank you to let me defend myself to my own grandfather, he said to Safar. As if I need defending. I'm only being sensible, not mean."

"Both of you speak with the arrogance of youth, Katal said. Neither has the faintest notion of why I live my life as I do."

He pointed at the faded sign hanging from a rusty iron post over the door of bookshop. The name speaks it for all to see'Foolsmire. I was a young man when I hung that sign. I planted that tree at the same time. It was just a stick with a few leaves then. Now it shades us with its mighty boughs. His old eyes gleamed in memory. I was a bright young fellow, he said. Although probably not as bright as I thought. Still, I had a mind agile enough to compete at the university. But I had no money or influence to gain entrance. Yet I loved books and knowledge above all else. And so I sought a fool's paradise and became a seller of books. I wanted the company of the most intelligent students to discuss the ideas the books contained. I created a place to attract such people, offering my wares at the lowest prices possible. You see before you a poor man, a foolish man, but a happy man. For I have achieved my dreams at the Foolsmire."