The Second Carpenter

IX

IX_I_Diplomacy

All the cities in Tiyz were built around aulcanos that provided them with wetter, and all of them were guarded with dense walls to protect people from the wild animals that resided in the deserts of Tiyz. In this part of the world, almost everything was desert-colored. The city walls, the buildings, even what people wore. And what was not in the color of the desert would look sandy due to its high density in the air. What grew in Tiyzn lands consisted mostly of a few cactus species on which only Tiyzn animals were able to feed, barleys, a brown type of wheat that was often cooked into tasteless bread, and vines that grew raisins instead of grapes. The main reason of its current economic survival was the beer that was produced here which was believed to be one of the most potent all around Aulothanwin along with its competitor, the Iglesueyan beer.

At twilight, Raznaxard was moving toward the king of Tiyz, Bovz's castle in the capital along with Razeloth and one of his ebony Tiyzn lovers.

Where is the Dazzle?" asked Razeloth, while seeking around. "Where did I put it?"

"Up my arse!" said the woman sitting on Raznaxard's lap with her arms wrapped around him.

Razeloth paid her no heed and found his sword after a moment "If this had been up your arse, you wouldn't have been able to state it," said Razeloth and then returned the sword to its sheath. He then turned to Raznaxard, "What lies are you planning to tell these people this time, Father?"

"Son, why do you think my solutions always entail lying?"

"For it should, I think. It's the best way specially for you who are good at making people believe."

"It's not always productive to lie. If you lie too much, no matter how good you are at it, someday some of the lies will contradict others and you will have a problem."

"Why lie at all, though?" said the woman sitting on his lap. "If you're doing good, what harm shall honesty bring?"

"Deception is my prophecy, my dear; rarely anyone ever deserves the truth."

"Because they're too stupid to understand it? Or because it's so sad that it would devastate them?"

"Perhaps both."

"So, you lie to me too? About how you feel toward me?"

"You are special to me."

"You say that to everyone, don't you?"

"Then why do you choose to believe me?"

"I don't know," she said, stealing her eyes from him with a grin.

"And that, my dear," said Raznaxard caressing her cheek, "is the greatest bliss."

"Hm . . . more pleasant blisses I have received from you."

"True!" he laughed, and then turned to Razeloth. "We need Bovz to be provoked to steal something so that while he's away stealing, something of his own can be taken"

"Does my wise love intend to steal?"

"I never said it was going to be stolen, and I never said I was going to do it. Besides, everyone steals at least once throughout their life. Am I right, Razeloth?"

Razeloth adjusted his veil. "Oh, certainly. I remember that as a youngster, when I was already a better fighter than most, I once had no money and entered a tavern and ordered things of the highest price. After eating, I snuck out of the place; it was easy for me. A traveler who was standing outside noticed. He seemed to be a wealthy merchant. Magnanimously, he gave me some coins and told me to pay the poor tavern keeper. I took the coins, put them in my pocket, and ran away."