Neal Barrett Jr - Treachery of Kings

“Yes. The Millennial Bell. I asked Dostagio about it when he brought us lunch. There's still soup, you know, and a bit of bread… I asked him, and he pretended he didn't hear.”

“No great surprise there.”

“No, I fear not. Except, Finn, this time there was just the slightest moment of hesitation, scarcely a breath, but it was there. I could see through that sober mask of his. He lied to me, I'm quite sure of that.

“We Mycer folk are quite sensitive too, you know. In many respects, we see more than you, Julia, in a very different way. I doubt if anything of the mechanical persuasion can even approach your abilities. And much of that credit goes to you, of course, Finn.”

“ Much? You're too kind, love. All I did was invent this thing. So-the First Servant lied when you asked about the bell.”

“No question of that.”

“It's good to know. Though I'm not sure what it tells us, are you?”

Letitia shrugged. “I'm merely telling you what I sensed.”

“Yes, and that's all you can do. I feel we must make every effort to leave this place as quickly as we're allowed. As soon as they've rooted all those Bowsers out. Since it's evening now, I guess it will be morning before we can go.

“Bottles and Cans, you'd think something would be easy now and then. Some plain, everyday act with a simple resolution. No chaos, no alarm, no Bowsers or balloons. Letitia, Julia-if we ever get back to Garpenny Street in one piece, and I pray that we will-please remind me not to go anywhere again, no matter what some google-eyed, whey-faced Prince says he might do if I don't produce a lizard that spins, ticks, stands on its head, or sings tenor in the choir.

“If I ever even show signs that I might waver in this resolve, I-”

“Finn.”

“If I–I believe I was speaking, Julia.”

“No one would argue that. But you should know that company is about to arrive. In roughly two seconds and a half. And it is not Dostagio, as one might guess… “

Before Finn could answer, the door burst open with no warning at all. An action so quick, so rudely done, that the heavy panel slammed against the wall, raining dust to the floor.

“Your pardon, I suppose. Though manners are not required in a mission such as mine. I owe you no courtesy at all.”

Finn stared, unable to believe his eyes.

Koodigern! The squat, heavily muscled Badgie, chain mail under his heavy green cloak, flat features and bristly hair with a bright streak of white.

Only Koodigern couldn't be there, the Badgie warrior was dead. Dostagio had told them so…

No, no it isn't, Finn saw at second glance. Newlies of any sort tend to look alike if you don't know them well. Newlies make the same mistake with humans. This was almost Koodigern, but not the same fellow at all.

“I can read you, human,” the Badgie said, “and you don't know me, as you have guessed. I am Maddigern, Second from the Last Brother to Koodigern, who gave his life because he gave his weapon to you.”

“I deeply regret that,” Finn said. “I would give anything if I had not accepted his offer. If I could bring your brother back-”

“If you had rejected his gift, he would have been deeply offended. You know nothing of our kind.”

“No, I confess I do not. I would consider it an honor, though, if I could return Koodigern's blade to you. I'm sure he would want his brother to have it if he-”

Maddigern's eyes went dark. No other emotions played across his features, but the eyes told Finn enough. The Badgie drew back, and it was clear that he was plainly repulsed.

“Do you think I could handle that thing, after it has been tainted by your hand? My brother has served your kind too long. Don't confuse his careless ways with that of other Badgies, especially mine.”

He paused, then, let his eyes touch Letitia a moment, then moved on to Julia Jessica Slagg. Finn sensed his curiosity was aroused, but he kept such thoughts to himself.

“I am wasting time here. I have duties to perform, only one of which concerns you. With the passing of Fifth from the First Brother Koodigern, his loathsome charge falls upon me. While you remain on royal grounds, I am responsible for your well-being.

“I would rather disembowel myself twice than ever look upon you again. Nevertheless, I am sworn to do what I get paid for, and, more than that, uphold my honor to the King's Third Sentient Guards.”

Maddigern snapped to attention, looked at Finn, then bowed stiffly at Letitia Louise.

“I mean no disrespect, but you do yourself no honor, Mycer person, taking company with him.”

“Damn you, I'll not take that,” Finn said, feeling the color rise to his face. He stepped toward the Badgie, drawing Koodigern's blade from his belt.

“Finn, no… “

Letitia placed herself firmly in his path. “Please. Let it be.”

“If you'll stand aside, Letitia. This does not concern you.”

“Oh, but it does, does it not? It very much concerns me. And I say let it be.”

Finn looked over Letitia's shoulder. The Badgie stood his ground, showing no emotion at all. Then, turning away, he closed the door behind him.

Letitia looked at Finn, but he could do nothing but turn away.

“I had every right. You should not have interfered.” “I had every right as well.”

“I didn't fear him. I'm sure he's quite practiced, but I feel I can handle myself.”

“I have never doubted your courage,” she said, reaching up to touch his chest. “Look at me, Finn. Don't turn away.”

Finn faced her as she asked. In spite of his displeasure, he found it hard not to look into her eyes.

“It is not your courage at issue. Must I tell you that again?”

“There are times… “

“There are, indeed. And I hope you see that this was surely not one of those, my dear.”

“I can't help but wonder,” said Julia Jessica Slagg, “if it's possible to disembowel oneself twice. The first time, it seems, would strongly discourage attempting the act again… “

Though his rage, his anger, his wounded pride, were somewhat abated by suppertime, an ember still smoldered here and there, and he was more than ready to pounce on Dostagio when he arrived-ready to impale the fellow with a quiver of questions on Badgies, bells, Bowsers and seers.

Especially seers, the kind that stunned perfect strangers with a spell, damn near knocked them dead.

But, in spite of this fervent intent, Finn had drifted back into restful sleep by the time Dostagio arrived. He woke, somewhat later, grumbled for a while, then fell onto the feast of thorncake, clutter soup, peppered kale, and a jug of nutty dark ale.

“Did he say anything?” Finn asked at last, dabbing his mouth with a linen napkin, bearing the arms of the King. “I wish I could have talked to the fellow. There's plenty these people have to answer for.”

“He didn't say a thing, dear. Only that the Bowser scare is likely over, and the palace is secure.”

“That's something, then. If it's so, we can get out of here early. I think I can find Bucerius. He knows that shopkeeper, what's-his-name, the one that sells greens. If he's not there, I expect he's at the balloon grounds. They surely have one here…

“Letitia, I don't mean to be rude, but that seer's chicanery has left me weak as a child. I cannot seem to stay awake, I'm shamed to say. I'm not at all certain what I was talking about before I dropped off. Was it anything I ought to recall?”

“Nothing that won't wait till the morrow, Finn. I'm sure you'll feel stronger by then.”

“Yes, well, if you think so, tomorrow's fine with me.”

It must be a most delicious dream, he decided, one granted to the weary and oppressed, the anxious and the stressed, those who deserve a lovely treat in the deep, deep hours of the night.