Treachery of Kings

SIX

A volley of cheers rose from the royal sycophants. If Lord Gherick had not appeared at that moment, Finn was sure he and Letitia would have been trampled beneath the crowd.

“Quickly,” Gherick said, drawing the pair aside. “You'll be safe over here.”

“Safe from what?” Letitia asked, bewildered by the sudden turmoil in the hall.

Gherick didn't answer, but urged them on until they were up against the far wall.

Finn drew in a breath. In an instant, the great room was empty, for everyone there had followed the Prince to the gallery that overlooked the courtyard below.

“Can't we see too?” Letitia complained. “I didn't understand, dear. What is it they're going to do?”

“If I'm not mistaken,” Finn said, “it's something you very much want to miss.”

Gherick's expression told him he was right. The Prince's brother glanced at the ceiling with a sigh.

“They're executing His Grace's Keeper of the Mead,” Gherick said. “Aghen's been out of sorts with the fellow for some time, though I can't see why. Nothing wrong with his ale, near as I can tell.”

“Oh. Oh, my,” Letitia said.

“Chopping Day is a strain on everyone, Miss. My brother will have it on SpringFair, though. Says it keeps the people on their toes, and I suppose it's so.”

“I'm not sure it's worth it,” Finn said, “just for crackle pie and cheese. Letitia makes it better than anyone here.”

“How kind of you to say so, Finn.”

“It's quite true. And the tarts are doughy here as well-”

Finn's voice was lost as a terrible, desperate wail arose from the courtyard below. A cry of such pain, agony and torment the hair nearly stood straight up on Finn's head.

“I'm going to be ill, Finn.”

“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