Jack Vance - MADOUC

Madouc said stiffly: "You may put aside that tone of voice, since I am neither fool nor criminal, nor yet do I lurk."

Cassander jumped down from his horse. The years had changed him, thought Madouc, and not for the better. His amiability had disappeared under a crust of vanity; his self-conscious airs made him seem pompous; with his highly colored face, tight brassy curls, petulant mouth and hard blue eyes, he seemed a callow replica of his father. In measured tones he answered Madouc: "Your condition lacks dignity; you bring ridicule upon us all."

Madouc gave a stony shrug. "If you do not like what you see, look elsewhere."

Cassander threw back his head and laughed. "Your appearance is not so bad, after all; in fact, travel seems to become you! But your deeds do a disservice to the royal house."

"Ha!" said Madouc in scorn. "Your own deeds are not above criticism. In fact, they are a scandal, as everyone knows."

Cassander laughed again, if uneasily. His comrades joined the amusement. "I am speaking of different deeds," said Cassander. "Shall I enumerate? Item: you created a furore of hysterical inquiries. Item: you instigated a thousand recriminations which were discharged willy-nilly in all directions. Item: you have nourished a volume of angers, carks, resentments and sore emotions beyond all estimate. Item: you have focused upon yourself a full spate of bitter reproaches, not to mention threats, judgments and curses. Item:-"

"Enough," said Madouc. "It seems that I am not popular at Haidion; you need not proceed. It is all beside the point, and you yourself speak from ignorance."

"Just so. The fox in the poultry-run cannot be blamed for the cackling of the pullets."

"Your jokes are too airy for my understanding."

"No matter," said Cassander. He jerked his thumb toward Sir Pom-Pom. "Is this not one of the stableboys?"

"What of that? King Casmir allowed me horses and an escort. Our horses were stolen, so now we go afoot."

"For a royal princess a stableboy is not suitable escort."

"I have no complaints. Sir Pom-Pom, or Pymfyd, as you know him, has conducted himself well and our quests have been for the most part successful."

Prince Cassander shook his head in wonder. "And what were these marvellous quests, that His Majesty should approve them so readily?"

"Sir Pom-Pom went in search of holy relics, in accordance with the king's proclamation. I went to establish my pedigree, by the king's own order."

"Odd, most odd!" said Cassander. "Perhaps the king was distracted and paid no heed; there is much on his mind. We will travel to Avallon in a day or so for a great colloquy, and His Majesty perhaps did not understand what was afoot. As to your pedigree, what have you learned, if anything?"

Madouc glanced haughtily at Cassander's grinning comrades. "It is not a matter to be aired before underlings."

The mirth of Cassander's friends froze on their faces.

"As you like," said Cassander. He looked back to the three equerries. "You, Parlitz, dismount and ride behind Ondel; the princess shall use your horse. You, my lad-" he pointed to Sir Pom-Pom "-you may ride behind Wullam on the bay. Come now, promptly does it! We must be home by noon!"

Along the way Cassander rode by Madouc's side and tried to make conversation. "How did you learn your pedigree?"

"I consulted my mother."

"How did you find her?"

"We went to Madling Meadow, which is deep in the Forest of Tantrevalles."

"Aha! Is that not dangerous?"

"Extremely, if one is careless."

"Hmf! And did you encounter such dangers?"

"We did, for a fact."

"And how did you evade them?"

"My mother has taught me a few trifles of fairy magic."

"Tell me about this magic!"

"She does not like me to discuss such things. Still, some time I will tell you of our adventures. I am not in the mood to do so now."

Cassander spoke austerely: "You are a strange little creature! I wonder what will become of you!"

"Often I wonder the same."

"Ha bah!" declared Cassander in his most positive manner. "One thing is certain, if nothing else! Destiny frowns on unruly little itlings who expect everyone to dance whenever they play their tunes!"

"It is not quite so simple," said Madouc, without any great interest.

Cassander fell silent, and so the party rode on toward Lyonesse Town. After a mile or two, Cassander spoke again. "Do not expect a gala reception-if only because we depart for Avallon on the day after tomorrow."

"I have been wondering about this journey. What is the occasion?"

"It is a grand colloquy called by King Audry at King Casmir's suggestion, and all the kings of the Elder Isles will be on hand."

Madouc said: "I return at a lucky time! If I had delayed two days longer, I would have been too late for the journey."

After a thoughtful pause she said: "And the history of the Elder Isles might have veered in sudden new directions."

"Eh? What is that you say?"

"It concerns a concept which you mentioned only moments ago."

"I recall no such concept."

"You mentioned ‘Destiny'."

"Oh, ah! So I did! I am still perplexed. What is the connection?"

"No matter. I spoke at random."

Cassander said, with pointed politeness: "I am obliged to mention once more that you are not in good odour at Haidion, and no one will be anxious to gratify your desires."

"To what effect?"

"It may be that you will not be asked to join the royal party."

"We shall see."

The group rode down the Sfer Arct, rounded the tree-covered bluff known as Skansea Vantage, and all of Lyonesse Town was spread wide before their eyes, with Castle Haidion bulking large in the foreground. Ten minutes later the troop turned into the King's Parade and halted in front of the castle. Cassander jumped to the ground and with a courtly flourish assisted Madouc to alight. "Now we shall see," said Cassander. "Do not expect a warm reception and you will not be disappointed. The most charitable term I have heard applied to you is ‘recklessly insubordinate.'"

"Those ideas are not correct, as I have already explained to you!"

Cassander gave a sardonic laugh. "You must prepare to explain again, and with considerably more humility, or so I would suggest."

Madouc made no comment. In a not unkindly voice Cassander said: "Come! I will take you into the presence of the king and queen, and perhaps in some degree soften their shock."

Madouc signalled to Sir Pom-Pom. "You must come too. We shall go in together."

Cassander looked from one to the other. "That is surely unnecessary!" He gestured toward Sir Pom-Pom. "Be off with you, boy; we need you no more. Get back to your duties as quickly and furtively as possible and make what peace you can with the stableemaster."

"Not so!" said Madouc. "Sir Pom-Pom must remain in our company, for a most important reason, as you will presently discover."

Cassander shrugged. "Just as you like; let us go do what must be done."

The three entered the castle. In the great gallery they came upon Sir Mungo the High Seneschal. Cassander asked: "Where are the king and queen to be found?"

"You will find them in the Green Parlour, Your Highness. They have just finished their repast, and now sit over cheese and wine."

"Thank you, good Sir Mungo." Cassander led the way to the Green Parlour, only to discover that King Casmir's place was empty. Queen Sollace sat with three of her favorites, all nibbling grapes from a wide wicker basket. Cassander stepped forward, and bowed politely: first to the queen, then to the other ladies, and the conversation stopped short. Cassander asked: "Where, may I ask, is His Highness the King?"

Queen Sollace, still unaware of Madouc's presence, said: "He has gone early to his Seat of Judgment, that he may perform his necessary acts of justice before we leave for Avallon."