Neal Barrett Jr - Treachery of Kings

“Don't,” Gherick said. “You mustn't do that here. Aghen doesn't like that sort of thing at all.” “I'll be fine,” Letitia said.

“Please do. If I'm anywhere around, he's inclined to blame me.”

“Why should he do that?”

“Why not? Why do you think I stay out of town?”

“Good reason, I suppose,” Finn said.

“Damned if it isn't. Pardon my language, Miss.”

“No offense. You are most kind, sir… “

Finn looked up to see the Prince returning from the gallery, the crowd all a-chatter at his back. Count VanDork whispered something in his ear, and the Prince broke out in a hearty laugh. More than a chuckle or a snort, close to a guffaw.

“Exhilarating, marvelous! Make a note, VanDork, we must have another mushing quite soon. Next week, no later than that.”

“Wonderful idea, Your Grace. I'll see to it.”

“Finn, should have had you out there, something a fellow doesn't see every day. You should stay for the show tonight. We're roasting old Bechidal, my worthless seer. Fellow can't cast a simple spell anymore.”

“You're too kind, sire.”

“True. I am indeed. Now… Oh, back to you, then. One more thing and we'll have you out of here. VanDork, that what's-his-name. The, uh-Damn your hide, do I have to do everything myself? Get him in here!”

VanDork disappeared. Finn could see the Prince was clearly on the edge of irritation. Gherick had told him more than once-and everyone else appeared to know- that Aghen Aghenfleck could not pursue the same subject more than a moment and a half. If he did, sweat began to form on his brow and dangerous thoughts popped into his head. As His Grace turned on Finn, it looked as if that might be happening now.

“Do you see what I have to put up with, Finn? I have to do everything myself. None of these-worthless louts can lift a finger if I'm not-not-You see? Nothing's happening, everyone's just standing there, waiting to see what I'm going to do. Why can't I have a simple trade like yours, Finn? Why? Why-can't-I-ever-be- me!”

The Prince pounded out his words on the arm of his chair. Gherick muttered something that Finn couldn't hear.

Then, as quickly as this murderous mood had struck, it was just as quickly gone, as something new appeared before the Prince's eyes.

A collective sigh swept through the crowd. From an anteroom behind the Prince's chair, a giant, a pillar, a mountain of a creature came into view. Save for the monstrous Grizz, the Bullie was the largest of the Newlies, the nine beings changed from the animals they'd been before.

And, like all of the Newlies, the Bullie kind retained some reminders of their past. This fellow was tall, hulking, broad-shouldered, immense across the chest. His neck was thick and his eyes were the color of muddy glass. Short, stumpy horns were nearly lost in his braided hair. His great arms were covered with lewd tattoos, and he wore a golden ring in his nose, some rite from ages gone.

“Ah, here's the one, Finn. Enormous brute, is he not? What's your name again, I can't tell you fellows apart.”

“Bucerius, sire.”

His voice seemed to come from some great hollow in his chest. It was clear from his expression that he didn't like the Prince at all, and didn't care if anyone knew.

“You hear him, Finn? His name's Bucerius. I expect you can remember that.”

“Why, yes, Your Grace,” Finn said, puzzled at the question. “I'm certain that I can.”

“Good. Yes. Well, I-believe that's all, is it not? You may leave now, Master Finn. I have much to do and- Damn you, VanDork, now what?”

“I would merely remind Your Grace…”said the Count, bending close to the Prince's ear.

“Ah, yes. Well. Here's the thing, Finn. You and what's-his-name here, you will deliver this timepiece gadget of yours to King Llowenkeef-Grymm, in Heldessia Land. Personally, mind you, no nattering dolts and hanger-on types like VanDork here. Right into that miserable person's hands.”

Finn stared. “Heldessia? Sire, we're at war with Heldessia. How could I possibly do that?”

“Of course there's a war, Finn. There's always a war. You telling me I can't send a birthday present to that damned oaf because there's a war on? Are you daft, or what?”

“Sire, how could I possibly get to the King's court? I mean, if you were truly serious, and this wasn't a magnificent bit of humor on Your Grace's part?”

“Easy, friend,” Lord Gherick said, so softly no one else might hear.

“Why, the same way everyone gets there. By balloon, of course. Master Finn, I fear you're not listening to me.”

Indeed, at that moment, Finn could hear nothing at all. Nothing, it seemed, but the terrible silence where his heartbeat used to be

Slice ‘im up cut ‘im up rippity-split! crack ‘im up rack ‘im up chop ‘im up a bit!

Hand in hand the children danced, danced in dizzy circles, danced around their fires, danced in the shadow of the great high towers, danced in the gloom of the fast-approaching night. Happy little urchins, cheery little waifs, raggedy-muffs with runny noses and bright shiny eyes. They danced and they sang and they circled about in the empty courtyard, round and round and round and round about…

And, when the story was done, they all fell down, screamed and wailed and thrashed about. Choked, croaked, stuck their tongues out in horrid parodies of death. Laughed till they cried, shrieked with great delight. Got up and started all over again…

Finn scarcely noted this grim event, was hardly aware of the empty stalls and tents, the clutter and the waste, the foul and odorous remains of Spring Fair and the Chopping of May.

His mind was so numbed, so fuddled and stunned, he was greatly surprised to see they were very nearly home, back in Garpenny Street.

Indeed, he had been so angry and distressed, he'd forgotten to retrieve Julia Jessica Slagg from the niche outside the Royal Hall. It was Letitia, then, who had no choice but to still her own fears, who stopped to retrieve the lizard herself-the lizard, and that damnable clock, which had cast a dark shadow over all their lives.

Farther from the castle, Letitia let Julia down to scuttle along by herself. The lizard croaked and complained about that, for as quick and agile as she surely might be when such a need arose, Julia knew that walking was not her most graceful attitude.

“You mustn't be upset,” Letitia said, determined to break the silence Finn wore like a cloak about himself. “He can't make you do this, Finn, you don't have to go.”

Finn stopped, shaken, for a moment, from his dark and desolate thoughts.

“He can't? What on earth gave you an idea like that?”

“There are laws, you know. Laws and rules and regulations of every sort. You're a citizen and a-a human, Finn. You have certain rights like everyone else.”

“That's partially true.”

“You can be heard. You can declare a grief.”

“A grievance.”

“I just said that, didn't I?”

“Yes, and I believe you chose the better word, not I.”

“Well, then. It will be all right, I'm sure. They certainly can't send you somewhere in an awful balloon. I know you. You'd be scared out of your wits up there.”

“I'm scared out of my wits right now, and I'm standing in Garpenny Street on solid cobblestone. Letitia, love, do you recall our conversation, as we were approaching the Royal Hall?”

“Of course I do. Why would I forget what we talked about, my dear?”

“We discussed how Count VanDork was a despicable person, and that the reason he is, is that he mirrors the equally despicable character of his master, the Prince. The Prince, with the help of a veritable horde of vermin like VanDork, makes the laws and rules and regulations. These laws do not apply to them. They do apply to us.”