The Diviner by Melanie Rawn Page A

I have one of my own. May we know your name?”
    He could answer with the “Zaqir” he’d used before, but he suddenly found he had no wish to lie to these people. “Azzad al-Ma’aliq.”
    The boy seemed to be waiting for something else. An explanation, perhaps. At length he asked, “Why do you say this as if all should know the name?”
    â€œYou have not heard of me?” Ayia, that was rude—there was such a thing as too blatant an honesty.
    But the young man only laughed softly and sipped qawah, rocking lightly back and forth on his throne of cushions. “You come from some faraway place where your name is renowned. For what reason, I could not say; you may be a famous musician, or a great warlord, or a notorious criminal. You will find, Azzad al-Ma’aliq, that such things as are vitally significant in other lands have less than no meaning here. Where do you come from?”
    â€œMy country is called Rimmal Madar. You have never heard of it?”
    â€œShould I have? A land of sand and rain sounds both dangerous and pleasant.” After a slight pause: “ ‘King of Lions’—that is your name, yes?”
    â€œMy mother’s choice,” Azzad replied, embarrassed as he had not been since his first days in the play yard of the madraza, when all the other boys had teased him.
    â€œBut it is a noble name,” came the protest. “Mine, on the other hand—” He laughed once more, light as a starling’s flight through clear blue sky. “My own beloved mother afflicted me with—I hope you are ready—‘Akkil Akkem Akkim Akkar,’ by which one assumes she meant ‘intelligent ruler whose wisdom flows like water.’” With a smile, he concluded, “You are invited to laugh, Friend Lion. Luckily, now that I am Abb Shagara, I need hear none of these names anymore—except from my mother when she is furious with me!”
    Azzad choked. This child really was the leader of his whole tribe?
    â€œNo strangers to us believe it,” mourned Abb Shagara, correctly reading his expression. “They look at me, then look around for my father or elder brother. But I assure you it is true. Perhaps one day you will come to know why a boy of my scant years rules so many. But for now, I see you grow tired. And, as my mother would say, it is long past my own bedtime!”
    â€œIf I grow weary, it is not of Abb Shagara’s company.” This, too, was the truth.
    The boy nodded approvingly. “Wherever you come from, Friend Lion, you were taught manners.”
    â€œThus I have hesitated to ask, but I must. When may I see my horse?”
    â€œAyia, that spindle-legged stud that causes so much trouble? Tomorrow, I think. Yes. And perhaps you can calm him. None of our boys are able to do more than stare at him—and run very fast when he glares right back!”
    â€œKhamsin frets if I am not close by. I regret any difficulties he has caused. I thank Abb Shagara.”
    Fadhil came to his side and, after more bowing, they left the tent. When they were inside the healing tent, Fadhil turned a wry look on him.
    â€œI told you that you would go to Abb Shagara. I can’t help it if you didn’t believe me.”
    â€œIt’s a strange tribe, your Shagara,” Azzad retorted. “A youth of no more than eighteen leading all your people, women learning the healing arts—”
    The humor died in Fadhil’s black eyes. “I also said you were never to speak of that. Do you want to die?”
    â€œIt’s that forbidden, is it?” He decided to change directions. “Why does Abb Shagara have no guards?”
    This restored Fadhil’s good humor for reasons Azzad didn’t begin to understand. “He needs no guard.”
    â€œEveryone needs protection.”
    â€œDid I say he had none?”
    â€œBut there was no guard,” Azzad maintained