Part 48 (2/2)

Malum nodded and reached down for the box. He stood and held it out. ”A small token. Serenity. I thought that honey and almonds bound together formed a symbol of what I hope can be the relations.h.i.+p be- tween yourself and His Imperial Majesty.”

”Prettily put,” Amulpha said, opening the box. Her face lit up. ”Marchpane,” she exclaimed. ”A favorite of ours.” She reached into the box and then stopped.

”Will you join us, my lord?” she asked.

Malum had prepared for this eventuality. The two rows closest to the side with the clasp were untainted.

He produced hi& smile. ”Willingly.” He leaned forward and took one, biting into it without hesitation. The Mother Supreme sipped her chai and watched him swal- low. Then she helped herself-

Malum drank some chai and then helped himself to one of the honey cakes. He watched the Mother Su- preme out of the comer of his eye,

”Good,” she said. ”The almond taste is a little strong, but not unpleasant. We thank you.” She took another.

”I am glad they meet with your approval,” he said politely.

The Mother Supreme licked her fingers and drank some more other chai. ”If the Emperor will agree,” she began, and then stopped suddenly. Her eyes widened and she clutched her belly. Her mouth opened and a choking sound emerged.

”Is something the matter. Serenity?” Malum asked disingenuously.

Amulpha's hand groped out, reaching for the bell.

Malum rose swiftly and moved it out of the way. Re- alization dawned in the Mother Supreme's eyes, but was

268 quickly extinguished by a spasm of pain. Her heavy body twisted in the chair and her mouth tried to form words. Her hands grasped the arms of the chair as she tried to stand, but a convulsion threw her back. The mouth began to work again, then the body arched, belly thrusting upward, and collapsed. Her heels drummed briefly on the floor and then the head lolled forward, spreading out her chins.

Malum looked down at her for a beat and then pressed his fingers into the flesh of her wrist, searching for a pulse. There was none. He unb.u.t.toned the top of his doublet, scooped up the remaining pieces of poi- soned marchpane and dropped them down it. He did the b.u.t.tons up again and patted himself lightly to make sure the pieces didn't show. He rearranged the rest of the marchpane so that it looked as if a lot had been eaten. As a final touch he broke off a piece of one of the cakes, opened the Mother Supreme's mouth and stuffed it inside. He dropped the other piece on the floor as if it had fallen from her hand. He stepped back and surveyed his handiwork before ringing the little bell vi- olently. He shouted for help.

When the Mother Supreme's attendants came rus.h.i.+ng in, they found Lord Malum of Quern pounding their mistress on the back.

”Water, get water!” he shouted at the fl.u.s.tered priestesses. ”She's choking.” He found that he was enjoying himself. He would not say a word about this to the Emperor, he decided. Not unless he asks di- rectly, he amended. Word of the Mother Supreme's death would get out almost immediately. If he made no demands, the Emperor would be certain of his loy- alty. Let others have the t.i.tles; he would control the policy.

He abandoned his efforts and set the Mother Su- preme upright. He propped her body against the chair 269.

back. The jaw hung slackly. He looked at the two women, who were hovering futilely.

”I think one of you should get the Emperor's Wise- woman, unless Her Serenity travels with one of her own,'' he said.

Gwyndryth was basking in sunlight when Jarrod and Nastrus came out of Interim- The meadow that the uni- corn used as a reference point had been brought under cultivation and they emerged while women were glean- ing the stubble, causing consternation. By the time that Jarrod had recovered from the effects of the trip, the women were cl.u.s.tered around the unicorn, rubbing its coat for luck. When they had first come to Gwyndryth, Jarrod reflected, they had had to sneak the unicorns in by the back postern and hide them in the cellars. Now Nastrus was a symbol of good fortune. Since no one was paying the slightest attention to him, Jarrod took the opportunity to remove the extra clothing he had donned for protection against the cold of Interim. No sooner done than he was recognized.

'Tt's the new lord,” one of the women cried, point- ing. The others fell back and ducked their heads in ac- knowledgment.

'There's a fine thing,' Nastrus grumbled. 'You're ihe one commanding respect and all you did was rut with Marianna.'

Jarrod ignored him. ”Give you goodday, ladies,” he said. ”I have come for the birthing. Is the Lady Mar- ianna delivered yet?”

”Not yet. Lord,” the observant one said with the thick burr that characterized the speech of the region, ”leastwise the bell 'asn't rang and they allus ring the bell for a birthing.”

”I'd be best on my way then,” he said, and they moved farther back to give him room.

270 t JOHN LEE

<script>