Neal Barrett Jr. - The Prophecy Machine

“At any rate,” he said, making a little tent with his hands, “I think you'll be delighted. I know you're in for a surprise.”

Finn let out a sigh of resignation. “All right, what exactly is it? I don't believe you said.”

“It's something you really have to see.”

“Yes, I thought it might be.”

“It's-ah-it's a device.”

“A device.”

“Yes.”

“And what is the nature of this device?”

“Big.”

“I beg your pardon?”

“It's basically a very big device.”

“Well, that clears it up for me.”

“Damnation,” Sabatino groaned, “just tell him, Father, get it over with.”

“I will, boy, I'm coming to that right now.”

Finn was delighted to note that Sabatino's jaw was slightly off center, and that his nose was larger than usual and out of whack. With any luck, the swelling might never go down.

“It's big. A great deal bigger than I planned. I have to say it's out of hand …”

Squeen William appeared bearing cups of something jellied and gray. Gray, apparently, was Squeen William's choice for food of every sort.

“Ah, very nice, Squeen. No one can make Sea Pudding like you. Mind you don't sneak any for yourself, or I'll slice off several of your toes.”

“Sssssomebody bees here,” Squeen said. “Ssssomebody atta door.”

“What?”

“What?”

Calabus and Sabatino looked up at once.

“Who is it,” the younger asked, “and what in damnation's he doing here?”

“Never mind,” Calabus said, “whoever it is, don't let the bastard in.”

“Already am,” said a voice behind Squeen. “Took the liberty. Know my way in the dark to my good friend's house.”

Calabus came out of his chair, gasping for breath.

“Sabatino,” he cried, grabbing a mended fork. “To arms, lad, run the fellow through! Kill him before he slays us all …!”

The newcomer grinned, but took a step back. “Cal, you damn fool. You're not going to slay your own kin, certainly not in the house.”

“Huh! You're no kin of mine.”

“How sad it is to be denied,” the fellow said with a sigh. “We cannot choose our relations, Cal, that's in greater hands than ours. And I'd be cautious if I were you, for you're in need of family now. Folk who'll stand by you, no matter what your crime …”

Calabus came out of his chair as quickly as his scrawny frame allowed.

“Damn your treacherous hide, what the hell are you talking about, what are you up to now?”

He had to look up at the man, who was tall and gaunt as a scarecrow, a hollow-cheeked fellow with a bony nose and balding hair. He looked as old as Calabus himself, yet he carried himself with some stature and pride.

“I'd as soon poke a hole in your gut right here,” Calabus muttered, “Don't have to go outside. Son, draw that sticker and do your duty now.”

“Dr. Nicoretti,” Sabatino said, “my esteemed uncle, who, as you'll note, is totally despised in this house. Uncle, Master Finn and Mistress Letitia, who are staying with us until their vessel-arrives. You have seen this gentleman before, but I doubt you'd recall. He was somewhat farther away mutilating Father on a rack at the time.”

“I know who they are,” the doctor said, glancing at the pair as if he hadn't noticed them before. A glance and then away as if a longer look might taint him somehow.

“I know what they're doing here, too. Staying , sleeping in the house.”

Nicoretti paused to thrust a pair of spectacles on his nose. “What in blazes were you thinking, Cal, have you lost your fool mind? This is a terrible thing you've done. It's Outlander ways, not ours. And one of 'em is-the other kind.”

“I know what she is,” Calabus said, “you don't need to come in here and tell me what someone is.”

“It's a matter of honor,” Sabatino said. “It's not an ordinary thing.”

“It's not, huh?” Nicoretti risked a look at Letitia and Finn. “Sleeping in here? Eating at your table? It isn't decent, Cal, it's disgusting's, what it is.”

“Don't talk to me about decent,” Calabus said, “walking in like you own the place. Least you had the manners to leave your pointy hat outside. By damn, I would not put up with that. You want a glass of wine before you go?”

Nicoretti made a face. “If you had some, I would.”

“Suit yourself then.” Calabus downed another goblet, spilling the better part of it down his robe. “So what did you come for? The game's over and you're out of bounds here.”

“It's about those two, is what it is. We had a meeting last night. Most of the Hatters feel, and I think rightly so, that we've got every right to a penalty fee. You brought in illegal players. That's interference, plain and clear.”

Sabatino laughed. “We didn't ask for help, they volunteered. You can't fine us for that.”

“I think we've got a case here.”

“Nonsense. It's happenstance, nothing more.”

Nicoretti sighed. “I don't want any trouble, Cal. You and I have been kin a long time. Fate cast us to the winds. We, as mortal persons, don't have a lot to say. I could've been born into Hooters. You could be wearing the yellow hat instead of me.”

“Not hardly,” Calabus said. “Not on your life. The Nuccis come from better stock than that.”

If Dr. Nicoretti took offense, he didn't let it show. Finn thought he clearly wasn't happy being there. He looked a bit weary, like he'd rather take a nap. Then, instead of facing Calabus and son, he turned and looked curiously at Finn.

“We could come up with something. Maybe settle all this.”

Calabus frowned. “Like what?”

“Those two, say. Instead of a fine. We'll be holding afternoon worship in three days' time.”

“Hah! Splendid idea.” Sabatino shot Letitia a wink. “You can have him , but you can't have her.”

“Shut up, he can't have either one.” Calabus scowled at his son. “I'll be working closely with Master Finn. Besides, you can't use a Newlie in rites of a spiritual nature, there's laws against that.”

“There are ways around it, too. The Hatters have a lot of Newlie friends.”

“Say, hold on there!” Finn stood, a motion that shattered the remnants of his chair. “We're not even from here. We don't believe in your religion, or the Hooters', either one.”

“You don't have to believe, stranger. We do.”

“Nothing doing, no way.” Calabus scratched something in his beard. “Just get that out of your head. I'm not giving anyone away.”

“There's something you ought to think about, Cal. Your people aren't going to take this hospitality business kindly, any more than us. It's not our way. Him and a Newlie gal sleeping and eating here.” Nicoretti made a face. “Heresy's a nasty word. I don't even like to say it out loud.”

“Is that a threat?” Sabatino said, clutching the hilt of his blade. “If it is, I shall have to call you out, Uncle. At your convenience, with the weapon of your choice.”

“Sit down, son, and shut up.”

Calabus looked at Nicoretti. “I'm surprised you'd lower yourself to such unworthy trickery as this. We can't abide each other and never did, but I didn't dream you'd sink to the bottom of the pit. It's Hatter ways have done it, I'm sorry to say. You're wearing the coat of the damned, and it sure seems to fit. Now get yourself off my premises before I forget my manners and do you bodily harm.”

“I feel you've made yourself clear,” Nicoretti said.

“I surely think I have.”

“Is that Sea Pudding you got there, Cal? Why, I haven't had any since I don't know when.”

“You're not having any now, either. You should've thought of that before you came in here with gross extortion on your mind. Now go. And don't walk funny or knock something over in my house. I've got valuable pieces in here …”