Part 55 (1/2)
”And entertainment?”
”Entertainment?”
”Floor shows for the fortunate select customers. Illusions, projections, conjurations.”
”Oh, nothing out of the ordinary way, sir.”
”You do yourself an injustice. By all reports your feats are remarkable. Almost magical, it's said.”
”I don't know about that, sir. Just a little nonsense to pa.s.s the time.”
”You have captured my interest. Let us pa.s.s the time, then. You will demonstrate your accomplishments.”
”Well, I could show you a few card tricks, sir. I've got a couple of good coin tricks too.”
”I am more interested in ring tricks.”
”Ring, sir?” Stiesoldt moistened his lips. ”I'm not sure I catch your meaning.”
”Do not try my patience. That ring of yours is famous in these parts, you've made no secret of it.”
”I'm not a secretive person, sir. It's true I have a ring, a little keepsake that came to me from my grandfather. It's not worth anything, except for sentiment, and I use it in some of the tricks. That must be what you've heard about.”
”You confess the existence of a magical ring?”
”Oh, I wouldn't call it magical, sir. It's only an ordinary little-”
”You will produce this ring.”
”Oh, it's around here, sir, but offhand I'm not really sure where. It might not be so easy to lay hands on it. If you'd give me a little time to hunt, maybe come back tomorrow-”
”If you fail to produce this ring, we shall commence our own search, and our methods are thorough.”
Looking ruinously reluctant, Master Stiesoldt fished in his pocket to bring forth a small metallic item. The Grewzian officer extended an open palm and Stiesoldt's reluctance deepened visibly, but he obeyed the unspoken command and the object changed hands.
From her chair Luzelle caught a quick glimpse of a small, very plain silvery ring, simple and seemingly unremarkable as its owner claimed.
The captain inspected the ring with care, finally demanding, ”What is this thing made of?”
”Silver, I expect, sir.”
”I do not think so. There is a curious iridescence there, an array of fleeting changeable colors.”
”Got a little tarnish on it, sir.”
”The light glints oddly off the surface. I have never seen the like.”
”Just wants a little cleaning, sir.”
”You will demonstrate this object's capabilities.”
”Whatever you say, sir. I know a good one-I can pull a silk handkerchief through that ring, and the handkerchief changes color in a flash. Would you like to see that, sir?”
”I have warned you about trying my patience. Let us speak plainly. This land of Upper Hetzia is rife with legends of magical rings, talismans, aetheric conflations, and the like, imbued with power and capable of marvels. More than one such legend has been authenticated. The power is real, it exists, offering potentially vast benefit to the war effort of the Imperium. We will have that power, Master Stiesoldt. If it resides in your hands, you will a.s.sist us.”
”Sir, I'll do what I can. But this little ring here, it's really nothing. I just use it for the parlor tricks my grandfather taught me. I don't know what you've heard, but-”
”We have heard from more than one source that you've used the ring to conjure extraordinary apparitions. Such reports have been confirmed by witnesses. As you yourself have observed, you are not a secretive person.”
”You know what foolishness some people will tattle, sir. And you know what loony things they think they see after they've had a few.”
”It is our conclusion that the reports warrant investigation,” the captain observed. He handed the ring back to its owner. ”I trust you will cooperate, Master Stiesoldt. The Imperium is as swift to reward loyalty as it is to punish subversion.”
”I'm a simple man, sir, I don't know what subversion is.”
”Enough of this. You will now conjure an apparition. You will do it before my men and these a.s.sembled witnesses here.” His gesture encompa.s.sed the captive customers.
”Sir, I don't understand what you want of me.”
”Then we shall try to make it clear.” Turning to his underlings, the captain commanded, ”Take him. In there.” His finger flicked kitchenward.
A couple of grey soldiers grabbed the quailing innkeeper's arms, and Karsler Stornzof stood up. ”Halt,” he commanded in Grewzian.
Noting the overcommander's insignia, his countrymen obeyed at once. All six stiffened to attention.
Addressing the captain, Karsler inquired, ”Your intention?”
”Persuasive interrogation, sir,” the other replied.
”This Hetzian has disclaimed arcane knowledge and ability. There is little sound cause to disbelieve him.”
”Sir, the evidence of several independent reports is compelling,” the captain suggested deferentially.
”But hardly justifies recourse to, as you put it, persuasive interrogation. You will release the proprietor and withdraw yourself and your men from this inn.”
”With all due respect, Overcommander, I cannot obey.” The captain's breast pocket yielded a doc.u.ment, which he presented with a.s.surance. ”My orders, sir, signed by the Undergeneral Bervsau, commander of the South District peacekeeping force. Please note, sir, I am instructed to investigate this matter in depth and pursue the conclusion by any and all available means.”
Karsler unfolded the paper. As he read, Luzelle watched his face closely and detected no visible change. But it seemed as if a current flowed to her from his mind or heart, and she sensed both anger and sadness.
”Follow your orders, then.” Karsler relinquished the doc.u.ment and resumed his seat.
The captain saluted smartly, then nodded to his men, who hustled the innkeeper from the common room. The kitchen door closed behind them. A discreet buzz of conversation arose. The exit remained greyly blocked.
Luzelle had lost all vestige of appet.i.te. She found Karsler's eyes and told him, ”There was nothing you could do.”
”That is true, once again. How often will it be true, that a Grewzian evil arises and there is nothing I can do?”
”At least you tried.” Even to her own ears, it sounded feeble.
He said nothing. They sat in silence for a time, until the first cry of pain rang from the kitchen. Luzelle flinched. Another scream, and her hands clenched. The common room was silent. All present listened, and their attention was rewarded with a thud and a cry.