Treachery of Kings (17 page)

Perhaps, Finn thought, the mighty Grizz, the largest, and most elusive of all the Newlie kind, would look up from their fires and listen to the thunder roll by.

“I should like to see a Grizz sometime,” Finn said. “Sit down with some burly fellow, have a cup of ale, and learn what they're all about.”

“I don't think a Grizz likes to sit and talk with strangers,” Letitia said. “I think they like to keep to themselves.”

“I know that, but they could if they wanted to. They have, sometimes. Lord Gherick talked to one.”

“Gherick did?”

“Oh, yes. On a mission for his brother, Prince Aghen Aghenfleck. A Grizz came out of the woods at Port Agony and looked up at Gherick, who was leaning on the rail of his ship. The Grizz said he wanted to trade. He had some nice carvings done in wood. He wanted to trade for hats.”

“Hats?”

“He said they needed hats. Gherick told him they
didn't have any to spare. Apparently, the Grizz looked quite dismayed, then turned and walked away.”

“I would have found a hat. It would be quite nice to have one of those carvings.”

“I think I would have, too. Gherick said they smelled awfully strong. The wind was from the shore, and Gherick said it was rather bad.”

“Well, it might have been,” Letitia said, running her fingers through her hair, wishing she had a brush. “I expect if that Grizz had smelled a bunch of royals, he'd take offense, too.”

Finn didn't doubt that. For some peculiar reason, those of noble birth thought silk, satin, ruffles and lace served as well as a tub of hot suds. Court, on a very warm day, could take your breath away.

F
INN FELT THAT THE RESCUE TEAMS, THE BADGIES
, the black-clad crew of the Gracious Dead, and servants in the livery of the King, were moving at quite a swift, efficient pace, cleaning up the mess the battle had left behind.

He and Letitia were not the only diners marooned on their pads. Many of the swinging bridges that had linked the massive structures together had been destroyed by entrees, servants and soldiers falling from above.

Below, there were bodies and debris to cart away. Above, beneath a clean, azure sky, craftsmen were already replacing the leading and broken glass destroyed in the Bowser attack.

Finally, a team extended a makeshift bridge from a dining pad nearby, and Finn and Letitia were led safely to the broad walkway that spiraled the inner dome.

“I am most pleased that you have survived,” Dostagio said, as they arrived. “You have had so little time to see the marvels of the King's palace. I would regret it if you had perished before you had the chance to leave.”

“I may be wrong,” Finn said, “but it did occur to me that since the King was—awakened unexpectedly, as it were, there might be some chance he'd change his mind… “

“None, Master Finn. I had hoped Colonel/Sergeant Koodigern had properly relayed that to you.” “Yes, as a fact, he did, I just—”

“Excellent, then. Although he is no longer among the fully aware, he was able to complete the task he was given. And that is our purpose on this plane, is it not? Are you quite well, sir?”

“No, no I'm not. Are you telling me something has happened to Koodigern? I pray that's not what you said.”

“I thought I made it quite clear, sir.”

“He didn't, Finn,” Letitia said, gripping his hand in hers. “He can't speak without sticking some frill on the end, but that's what he means.”

“Sticks and Bricks. I admired that fellow. He was very polite, even when he told us we were not welcome here. He gave me his very own—”

Finn felt his stomach curl into a knot.

“—his own excellent Eastern dagger with the nicely curved blade. Damn me, if he'd had a weapon, he might have survived!”

“Those who serve in the King's guards expect this sort of thing, sir. Even if you were wholly responsible for his demise, there is so much more to be said for the deader side of life.”

“I feel awful about this. Julia, if you dig any deeper, I'm going to bleed to death. What's the matter with you?”

“A minor malfunction of the rotator gears. Moisture was absorbed in the storm. Both my inner and outer workings are somewhat damp. I was splattered, not drenched. Sprayed, but soaked—”

“You're wet.”

“The very word. Thank you, Finn.”

“If you will come with me, sir and Miss, and lizard as well, I will take you to quarters where you may rest and change—I fear we will have to find you proper clothing again. You have soiled yourselves with food. Luncheon will be served in Mortuary Memorial Hall, at precisely two. Obviously, it will take some time before repairs are completed here”

“Dostagio, wait. A moment, if you will.” Finn felt as if he'd missed a vital instant somewhere. As if the world had inched ahead and left him standing there.

“We're leaving, at once. The storm has passed. You're booting us out of here, but first we have to change for lunch. Help me out, if you will.”

“I see no confusion, sir. You
are
leaving, there is no question of that. Your departure will be only slightly delayed. It is possible some of the Bowser intruders have eluded our troops. Until they are routed out, no one may leave the grounds.”

“Why not?”

“A Bowser might manage to sneak through as well, sir.”

Disguised as what
? Finn thought.
A yapper's going to look like a Bowser, there's nothing he can do about that….

“What's for lunch?” Letitia asked. “I don't suppose you have a menu anywhere… “

B
EFORE FINN COULD OBJECT, DOSTAGIO AS
sured him they would not be staying in the suite of Celestial Bliss, as the storm had caused some flooding down below.

Instead, they were to be quartered in the Merchants, Second Class Envoys and Craftsman's wing, directly across from Brewers & Butchers’ Hall.

“It is not a sanctified area,” Dostagio said, “but I think you'll be comfortable there.”

“We'll try,” Finn said, with a glance at Letitia, for he knew, at once, what was on her mind. If the room wasn't holy, if you didn't have to be dead, then it might have an ordinary bed.

I
F FINN THOUGHT HE'D SEEN EVERY ODD AND EX
-traordinary sight, every strange and unnatural event since they'd come to Heldessia Land, now he would have to think again.

As they made their way from the dome, down a wide passageway with the usual dread decor, Dostagio stopped of a sudden and drew them into a small, open anteroom off the main hall.

Before Finn could question this action, Letitia made a breathless little sound, an “oh!” and an “oh dear me!” or something of the sort.

Following her glance, he saw the procession just as it appeared in the passageway. One did not need a quick mind, a keen intellect, to recognize a royal train. Every beggar, every thrall, even those of little wit in every land, had seen such a caravan before.

There is little
, Finn thought,
that a royal likes to do more, unless it be nothing at all.
Even here, in the palace itself, where no one could watch, except those who saw it every day, the stately march went on. A royal couldn't go to supper, or see to his bodily needs, without a cortege of some degree.

Still, he noted, this indeed was no ordinary flock of noble birds. The strut, the color and the plumage were there, but this court had a definite image of its own.

The usual cast was there. He had seen them all, in one guise or another, at Prince Aghenfleck's Great Hall: Lords, ladies, chancellors and counts. Puffy ministers and knobby diplomats. Elders, councilors, generals and fools.

All in order of their rank, according to their place, each in proper attire. The code of dress among the titled and the toadies, and those who scamper in between, is rigid, fixed and not to be denied. Every pleat, every tuck, every doublet, robe, buskin or sash, reveals your true station. Or, if you dare, who you'd
like
to be.

The gaudy, the vulgar, the garish and the crude commit no sin at all in their attire. Often, they simply set the trend. This day, Finn noted, fashion favored the harness, the cassock and a splendid excess of lace. And every soul from the highborn to the Master of the Sewer wore some shade of purple, pansy, plum, orchid, lilac or mulberry hue.

All, that is, except King Llowenkeef-Grymm. He was dressed in tatters, rags and shreds. Torn, ripped, shabby bits of clothing that dragged along behind him in a long and dreary train. The royal colors were soot, smoke, bone and a maggoty tone of gray. The King's face was coated in
ash, and his eyes were circled in black. And, though there were surely other members of the Royal Family about, only the King himself appeared to be here.

It struck Finn, then, that fashion in Heldessia's palace was precisely opposed to that of Aghen Aghenfleck's court. There, the Prince wore a bright array of colors, and his court was allowed only black. One ruler adored every shallow path of life, while the other celebrated death.

“Which of the two is more witless than the other,” Finn muttered to himself, “is a mystery to me.”

No one could have heard these words, for they were faint as spider breath. Yet, someone did, indeed. Finn had scarcely spoken before he felt the presence, saw its piercing eyes, felt it clutch his heart in a chill and alien hand.

Finn staggered, reached out in blind desperation for something, anything to keep him from falling weakly to the floor.

“Finn, love, what is it, what's wrong!?”

Letitia caught him and eased him gently to the floor.

“Don't know…
hurts
, Letitia. It hurts awfully bad…”

Letitia's voice was fraught with alarm. Dostagio, though, showed no concern at all.

“He is quite all right, Miss. Truly. There is nothing you can do.”

“What do you mean he's all right?
Look
at him. He's white as he can be!”

“The fellow is right,” Julia put in. “I can hear his pulse. It's normal. Or as normal as a pulse can get with Finn.”

“You're a lot of help. He doesn't look normal to me.”

“I'm—all right. Just back off a little. Going to be—sick right here.”

“I wish you wouldn't, sir. Not until His Grace's party passes by. It's not the proper thing to do.”

Finn didn't hear, surely didn't care. He crawled to the rear of the small alcove and rid himself of breakfast, lunch
and dinner in the air the day before, and, it seemed, a great deal more.

Still, through the agony and the pain that wracked his bodily parts, the image of those cold and penetrating eyes refused to go away. He saw them, clearly, saw where they belonged, saw the gaunt features and the cruel and pitiless mouth.

And, for an instant, the image expanded, and Finn saw beyond the creature itself. Saw that it walked directly in the shadow of the King…

A
RE YOU SERIOUS, DEAR? TRULY?”
Letitia covered her mouth and stared at Finn, her eyes as black as barley mead. “Oh, I hope you're wrong, I hope you're mistaken, Finn.”

“I am not, though, Letitia. There is nothing wrong with my heart. I must confess I thought for a moment I would soon be a Coldie, but that will have to wait a while.

“I was hexed, my dear, there's nothing else for it. I suppose the fellow could have killed me with his spell if he'd wanted to. I'm sure he could do it still.”

He told her, then, how he'd seen the man's image in his mind, quite clearly, and how he walked very close to the

King.

“I didn't see him as he passed, but I am certain he was there. He's a sorcerer, and a good one. Better than that poor fellow they did in at Aghenfleck's court. You won't find this one hawking cheap charms in the street.”

“Well, as you say, he could have slain you right there, and he didn't. I think that's a good sign, dear.”

“I suppose one could look at it that way,” Finn said, somewhat irritated at Letitia's sudden composure in the matter. She had certainly been quite alarmed only moments before.