(Part 1)

Persuading one man to stay on was one thing, Razin learned; getting to convince an entire council of backers, quite another. Aldeer, a fellow key operative, may have been brought into line--but now the new mastermind would need to make sure that his financial backers too shall still be of one mind in the wake of Mama Viper's abrupt departure from the cause.

At the same time, he also realized the need to immediately make more tangible tokens to the effect that his cause was still something to be regarded seriously.

With this in mind, leaving one of his fellow courtiers--Khazan--to handle talks with Fatan and his lot, Razin once again took Aldeer in confidence.

"I know I said before that we must make as our first objective the do-away of Dastra," Razin confided. "Still, breaking lesser but closer-at-hand palisades of the Amir's fortress--metaphorically--might help make the point sooner: we are not to be taken lightly, Mirani or not."

Aldeer eyed him warily. Not hours had passed since he had agreed to continue lending his strength and wits to this 'new' cause, and already their aims were being proved to be so flexible! "Whom do you have in mind now?"

"Preferably one of the vazir's minions," came the reply. "I believe you know their names better. Don't you?"

Let's hope that's not why you're still keeping me around, scoundrel.

"Even if I do," Aldeer replied with a sigh, "I would not know which one of them that you might want in order to... better amplify the message."

"The nearer to that old-timer's person, the better."

"He has many such."

"Well, pick one! Any of them ought to deliver that kind of message just fine. In particular," Razin went on, "if at the same time we can drive a wedge between the doddering fool and his present guest. Two birds with one stone!"

"If successful," Aldeer argued. "The nature of her temper aside, Azalea's no dullard. She'll come spitting fire in our general direction."

"Let her. Plans made in fury are way surer to come to grief, quite unlike ours."

"And just how many operatives have we to spare for this?"

"For targets of such rank? Would be an insult if we don't see to it ourselves," Razin once again clapped his associate's shoulder with a fine smirk. "Would it not, my friend? Pick a name, pick a day, and pick your place on this first step to everlasting fame! Now, if you'll excuse me--Khazan must've concluded his part of the talks by now. I need to hear the results."

Left to his own devices at last, Aldeer managed a quiet growl.

"If I be considered guilty by association with that sorry excuse of a man, so be it," he reflected. "Mayhaps only death may atone for it... but this I vow: I shall trade for it as dearly as might be managed!"

***

As it developed, in his talks, Fatan too wished that his continued 'patronage' of Razin's cause be somewhat vindicated through the ousting of at least one of the vazir's key agents, since "I been milking our very own folks to get on this peg. Be our damn-job to keep it so, in every thinkable way."

He was also more candid in furnishing the glory-coveting Razin with names of potential targets.

"Would have to be one of four," this 'patron' had confided. "The Great Man himself; either one of the current Gatekeepers; or the Copper-counter"--by which he meant Ilyas, the current handler of Yasnar's financial affairs. "Get any of 'em, and you will have delivered yer message to the fullest."

Deeming the demise of a mere 'copper-counter' to be of far less importance right now--the vazir could have appointed a new someone in that capacity in a matter of days anyway--Razin decided to direct his attention to the Gatekeepers. With regards to these, Aldeer let it be known to his new 'master' that they were none other than Zaeed and Mardanish, going so far as to provide their backgrounds.

"Of these two, Mardan is arguably the less dangerous: he had gotten to his present place by earning the vazir's notice--why and just on what issues, I couldn't exactly put it, as Yasnar's level of foresight is almost a study in itself. Pity we can no longer ask him nicely on this."

To this Razin nodded with ever-so-grudging respect. "Nor do I intend to spare him anyway."

"This leaves Zaeed," Aldeer went on. "Him you may want out, and soon, since he was one of the vazir's remaining personal guards from the latter's campaigning days. Heck, I even heard that this Zaeed had also been present in Urdin's abortive siege of Melvir."

Razin whistled. "Did he, now? But you seem to be forgetting something, my friend: in the kind of game that we've undertaken to play, minds assume more importance than brawn... and Mardan is miles ahead on that department. Think I'll gut him first."

Aldeer shrugged. "Merely offering you options, o leader. Final call's with you."

"And such is my final call. Mardan will need to fall before we shall proceed!"

"There is another point," Aldeer continued, striving to keep his tone modest despite himself. "My sources also indicate that Mardan had been the vazir's go-between with Mirani and her lass for these few days. Molest him, and all three will not take too long to figure out that something is amiss. Four, if we count Urdin in, as we inevitably must; and do recall, at his disposal is the sort of resources that members of our cause can only dream of at this point."

Such a brutal truth, once again, gave the new 'mastermind'--as Razin now fancied himself--some pause. Crossing four of the most powerful figures in this realm at one stroke, and at a moment when his own movement would barely have gotten off the ground!

Was this also the kind of odds that the 'fork-tongued' Mirani had faced, back in those days? She had decided to start small, by first 'toughening up' her dear only son... but where Dastra was a son to her, the princeling was but another obstacle to Razin.

This sly courtier, be that as it may, had not lost the point: a challenge to the prevailing authorities must still be made, and soon!

"Very well," Razin relented. "Unwise are leaders who presume themselves deaf to feedback, as Mu would probably have it; not that he'd like its consequences should he ever get here next. Let's do it your way--next objective, Zaeed; and make damn-sure we do not fail!"

His new objective thus set, Razin now allowed himself a brief respite for the day, retiring to his abode. On the way there, it occurred to him that his fellow conspirator Aldeer might have been playing a game of his own.

"Al's point of not doing away with Mardan may have some merits after all," this courtier admitted to himself. "At the same time, his oh-so-apparent insistence to that end, irks me. I still favor that 'two birds with one stone' approach..."

He walked a few more paces, deliberately slow.

"Our vazir is advancing in age," he murmured again. "Should any kind of misfortune befall him, it's not very likely to be attributed to specific individuals..."

With this in mind, Razin set himself to the task of concocting a potion, specifically the odorless, colorless sort--a trade he had learned with considerable adeptness as a keen disciple of Mira's.

(Part 2)

The following morning.

Owing to some of his better-placed informers, Razin came to learn that two of the youngest princes were--for reasons known only to themselves--having a good time at Lady Alista's place alongside the Amir's first consort. Moreover, having realized that Azalea's next audience with the aged vazir was not due to take place before the proper conclusion of that day's dinner, the sly courtier decided to put the first half of his long-cherished plan into motion.

By this point his potion had been concocted to his satisfaction: it was clear, tasteless, odorless, and soluble in water--a commendable feat in and of itself. Time to put it into effect.

To this end, as might be recalled, he had had time to place informants and agents in some conveniently-strategic posts and locations. These included some of the servants in attendance to the vazir's meals; in fact Razin had been putting considerable attention and efforts in making sure their guises were not compromised.

Three of these he now summoned for an audience of his own.

"The moment is almost at hand," he exulted. "For years our numerous attempts had been held in check by the vazir's granite-like personality and influence... yet events, in war or peace, take turns. See how Urdin had been relying so much on that particular egghead--methinks he did not even pause to reflect upon possible successors to that post; not to mention, Prince Mustafa's still too preoccupied to render any meaningful aid here! Yasnar's demise, when it does occur, shall provide an opening through which we will strike!"

The three seditious servants exchanged grins and excited murmurs.

"Couldn't agree more," one of the servants chuckled. "I even caught hearsay that Urdin had set up plans to send part of the garrison here in Elbar to the aid of his firstborn kid up north. That would make our strike this time darn-smoother!"

"Only if the vazir's death could be made certain," argued the second. "We each shall have our share in it, and must not fail."

"Hear, hear." Razin clapped this fellow by the shoulder. "More like you and I need not have worried so much. When might any of you venture to make sure that our gift to that egghead shall not go unnoticed?"

"The sooner the better, sir," said the third, so-far-so-quiet servant. "The vazir would, more often than not, take his lunch half an hour after the midday prayers; we shall try our best to deliver the gift then, naturally remaining as inconspicuous as might be hoped. Of what sort shall it be?"

"The soluble one," the courtier replied, now revealing a tiny vial. "Made three such, one each. Three chances, thus. Try to spot something you're dead-sure that egghead would drink during the meals, and have a go. I would prefer all three of you could make it, but in case of falling short... you know the drill."

Each of the servants accepted their respective vials, but Razin made a mental note that one waited until his vial was brought to him.

"We shall try not to disappoint, sir," one remarked, to which the other two acknowledged with brisk nods. "He's not likely to dispense with his escorts, though."

"Oh, I believe he will." Razin smirked. "State affairs is a damn-tiring field to work in, and at such hour one would welcome any chance to just have some quiet minutes to himself. At any rate, you just do what you need to, and know that you wouldn't go unassisted."

With another round of brisk nods and murmurs for success, the to-be assassins went back to their respective daily occupations.

"The vanguard," Razin exulted to his less-than-happy right-hand man Aldeer when they next met, "has been set in motion! Now to uphold our part of the deal--get rid of Zaeed, as you have pointed out!"

***

Among the three 'vanguards', one of them, Aska, had been in his current post for only a few weeks. He was no soldier, but had acted as a guardsman in the bustling port-city of Mers, on the Vikrish Peninsula's southernmost tip; the very spot, it was widely believed, on which the current Amir had once made landfall in the first fateful step of doing away with the wicked Izurian Empire.

Aska had seen how that same city was occasionally raided by pirates striking out from the island of Sigista, and had as a result been curious to find out for himself just what measures had been taken in the capital against other similar occurrences.

With this in mind, he had journeyed with his family thither. Having ended up third to last in his third examination to be a basira member (some of his fellow attendees related that it had always been that tight anyway), Aska had then resorted to being a servant, preferably in the palace; that much closer to the center of power.

Here too there had been rounds of examination, with particular emphasis on proper conduct, an introduction to what was termed 'table etiquette', and some tips on handling delinquent personages.

Yet even this last bit could not have prepared him enough for the kind of 'delinquent' that Princess Azalea was. Ten days since being assigned to her service, this servant was thrown three tangerines in succession by that personage for, as he later learned, "not having done any-damn-thing when that witch came for my Eara, when ya could've! Lousy peon!"

Nor had she apologized since then.

Smarting from that mistreatment, but abashed at the thought of simply going back having gotten as far as he now was, Aska requested a transfer of service to another patron... and this time the taker was none other than the vazir himself. With this host, said servant had been retained for close to five weeks, and Yasnar had not indicated that he was dissatisfied in any way with Aska's conduct.

The flip was, being a servant, Aska was expected to come across and attend to other nobles as well. That was how he had come to know of Razin, a courtier of many in the current Amir's service.

In contrast to the arguably-docile Yasnar, this Razin appeared to have something big in mind; something through which the likes of Aska might yet carve out a name for himself. As such, he had agreed--though making sure to have his tone nowhere too committal--to the offer of being that courtier's informant. One had to keep one's options open, this servant thought.

Now, having spoken last during that earlier audience, he had been given something with which he might rid the same host that had showed him such gentleness, miles ahead from that of Zalea...

"What to do?" Aska murmured, having retreated a considerable distance from the chamber. "Razin is a mere courtier; how dare he's hatching such a plan against a personage whom our Amir had trusted for so long, and with whose guidance numerous policies had been drafted to help keep this realm strong and secure... without which, to think of it, the very likes of Razin could not have endured for so long. Moreover, I was the one proposing the put in another's patronage in the first place... and it so happened that the vazir had taken me in.

"If I do this now," he resumed, almost to himself, "I'd have rendered him great disservice; nor do I want to use this cursed vial on myself just yet for the likes of that scoundrel, thanks very much! That said... what would happen if I were to report it, I wonder? Would the vazir not have me seized instead, as a fellow conspirator..?"

Aska gulped and halted, weighing his options.

***

Having taken his morning meals, Yasnar had then been faithfully escorted by Zaeed and Mardan to the vazir's study, wherein he had been working on proper solutions for an issue being presented in a report. This report, submitted by one of this egghead's own informers afield, illustrated the discovery of one of the primary 'extortion rings' (to use the report's wording), called 'Black Hand'. Its prime organizer's identity was yet to be properly nailed down; but until then, would the vazir please deign to provide further instructions on how to deal with 'operatives' of this malicious entity?

Possible options outlined in the report were expulsion from the city, never to return on pain of death; or, and this despite the eloquence of the wording: bring down the hammer of justice here and now, and above all--with speed! For good measure, the report went so far as to plead for a manhunt of the Black Hand's ringleaders, to be 'done away with' on sight.

Whichever the preferred option should be, the report's writer proposed in their closing statement that the funds thus collected shall be redistributed to help improve the conditions of Elbar's citizenry.

At this point, Aska knocked and was permitted to make his presence known.

"My vazir," this servant, slightly trembling and whose breathing indicated his having set a brisk pace to get there, related, "do permit my intrusion right in the midst of such workload, but I think this merits your attention better..."

In a few words Aska reported the nature of his own most recent encounter. At its end, the vazir assumed a philosophical look, sighing, even as the visitor lowered his own gaze, mortified.

"Aska."

"Sir..."

"Look at me."

"My vazir, I-"

"Do you not have enough courage to stare at your potential victim and hear him out?"

Such was the visitor's surprise that he involuntarily obeyed the earlier request and looked up. "Sir, but- that would be a grave slight! I hastened to relay such news, so that... so that you might have survived such a ploy..."

"Are you seeking to save me, then?"

"Well..."

"Do take a closer look," the vazir said. "I am nearing seventy; but for the Amir's immense trust, I would have preferred to be relieved of my duties long ago. All who know me shall tell you that I've rendered quite a service to the realm; such that few could hope to equal, even Mustafa. And now you say that Razin is after my life! At least he's gentle enough not to have a dagger across my withered throat."

"Sir, could it be that... that you are voluntarily giving away your life, just like that?"

"I said nothing of being voluntary, peon, not to mention it being a grave sin." The vazir sighed again. "Think on it. Three have been sent after me; one is brave enough to hold back. Two yet remain, yet to be convinced to change ways... and of these one should eventually count. I do not know whose vial it shall be, but since you said it's soluble, there'd be no way I could have detected the poison either. Furthermore, that scum Razin had gleaned so much as to have those other two put the substance in the next drink that I shall have; how will I find out which one would have poison in it, from now on? Oh, yes, he specifically said to tamper with the drink that shall accompany my next meal... but suppose any of those other goons see it fit to put their gift in whatever sort of drink they think I might have, even outside meal times? What then? What difference, pray tell me, would your report now have made for my dear life?"

Aska found it particularly difficult not to weep then.

"We can still act, sir, with respect!" he exclaimed through tears, momentarily forgetting his manners. "I still recall the names of my fellow conspirators, and here we have the poison. We can have them tracked, if we act fast!"

"And just what would that have accomplished, hmm?" Yasnar offered. "Tortured, they're more than likely to carry such secret to their graves, as misdirected zealots often do, and we'd have wasted time; time that could otherwise have been spent quietly preparing my burial with none else being put at risk. Left alone, they'd go ahead with the plan anyway, with the risks I have mentioned. What's more, Razin will sniff that; reprisal would be swift, given the limited audience that he had had, and it will befall none but you. I'd have lost an aspiring informer."

"Oh, sir!"

"Better to let him think he succeeded," Yasnar went on. "That sorry excuse of a courtier would then have to contend directly with not only the Amir and his family, not least the headstrong Azalea, but also such loyalists as yourself. You will, I trust, see to Razin's downfall?"

Aska put his own left hand just above the heart, in a gesture of earnestness.

"By all means, sir... but first things first: having alarmed you of the danger, I'd like to be the first to deliver you out of it! I beg of you to allow me to!"

Yasnar chuckled. "And how will you do that, lad? By having me refrain from taking any meals whatsoever from now on?"

"My vazir," the servant fell to one knee, "with a scheme of this sort at play, as you said, you are no longer safe here. May I be so bold as to propose, then, that you at least refrain from visiting the palace-"

"For how long?" the wizened vazir countered, a tad sharper than intended. "I did not shirk the viper--should I scamper before the gopher? No, sir; I am old. Allow me to depart. We all should."

"But, sir! The way it is, you'll be committing-"

"Weren't you listening?" Yasnar rose. "It counts as suicide only when one is blatantly aware that what they consume or otherwise indulge in will put the final line to their account. The way it is, I shan't be aware which drink in which meals of mine will have been tampered with, nor when; therefore, I shall continue to take them, no alterations. In case it got me anyway, there remains the path of curing--and if it still slipped, at least you could be content with such an act not having been performed by your hands." The vazir now took several steps, approaching the teary-eyed servant, clapping the latter by the shoulder. "Rest assured, sir, you have my profuse thanks for letting me know of this plot; and if you still wish to secure even a part of my legacy, I do have a favor to ask, of which failure cannot be an option..."

(Part 3)

Whilst one of his 'vanguards' was in fact relating part of his very plot to the 'Great Man', Razin was once more on the move, this time garbed all in black, down to the gloves and the cloth being wrapped around the mouth. Hanging on the belt around his waist was a short chord of bowstring, drawn from his private collection. Also in evidence was a long dagger for close combat (though he would prefer that it should not come to that), as well as three shorter ones, meant to be thrown.

Despite the apparent lightness of his load, however, his steps still appeared to be slower.

Aldeer was similarly attired; but in place of the bowstring and the shorter daggers, he carried a short crossbow with ten bolts.

"Zaeed may have been a soldier, true... but by openly joining that egghead's colors, that would mean he's no longer above being seen lurking in not-supposed-to-be places," Razin related as the pair stealthily navigated one of the lesser-known palace corridors; past the same chamber where, ironically, Mirani had once locked her son up with centipede-filled jugs in the hopes that he might exhibit more firmness.

"As such," the 'new mastermind' presently resumed, now taking his place just behind a turn to one fork of the corridor, motioning for Aldeer to stand guard at the end of this fork's length, closing off the only avenue of escape, "our target this time will be relatively easy to bait. I have sent out a messenger to let him know that the vazir would want to meet him here for the sake of secrecy. All the necessary precautions on our part have, in the meantime, been made. Now we wait."

So wait they did, with the patience of cats that somehow realized that a fat rat was going to come along momentarily. At length, this black-clad pair caught faint but firm steps coming their way. Aldeer sighed faintly, hoping that his quarry would not have taken the precaution of bringing escorts along... or this kind of business would have turned south in a blink.

They were in luck that day.

"My vazir?" they heard a hushed call at length, and low-sound footsteps, passing the pair's hiding places. This agent knew his trade well... but not enough. "Zaeed here, as requested..."

Hardly had this last sentence escaped the agent's lips, that the assassins pounced. Razin made the first move, throwing his first dagger that stabbed into the quarry's left shoulder from the back. Zaeed grunted in surprise and pain, but still quick enough to realize the ambuscade.

Aiming to allow himself some room for proper resistance, the soldier turned on his heels and began to run the way he'd come; but here again Razin's team proved their worth. This courtier now unveiled a contraption of two mid-sized iron balls, chained together, and flung it even as Aldeer fired his crossbow with a fine whistle. Both weapons hit home with remarkable precision: the bolt embedded itself in Zaeed's right heel and the swirling iron hit the quarry's unprotected back of the head, sending him lurching forward, dazed.

Quick as a fox, leaving his companion to reload, Razin moved to the fallen 'Gatekeeper', taking out his chord of bowstring as he did so, and with callous ease bringing it up around Zaeed's neck.

"First sacrifice for glory," he whispered with a nasty grin behind the fallen warrior's heaving neck, clamoring for breath that it would no longer earn. "Would that my other targets fall as easily as you!"

This affair, planned for several painstaking weeks, was put to rest in a couple of brutal minutes. As Aldeer stood over the corpse, ostensibly to take it away, he took time to close Zaeed's eyes.

"Don't begrudge me about this," Al murmured. "Your kind desire martyrdom; now you yourself have tasted it. Congratulations... and I vow, brother, that the rascal's end would never be blissful nor easy!"