Part 60 (1/2)
”He will not hesitate. Warn the king.” A spasm shook Stornzof. When he could speak again, he repeated, ”Warn him.”
Unnecessary, Girays reflected, if only he could persuade this Nevenskoi or Neeper character to switch his allegiance to Vonahr. Buy him. Bully him. Flatter him. Win him over somehow, bring the Sentient Fire home. Use this chance that Stornzof had bought with his blood. What could Vonahr offer that Nevenskoi/Neeper did not already receive from his present master? More money? Status? Power? t.i.tles, awards, acclaim? Public recognition? It wasn't easy to think of wooing a capricious adept at such a moment, with Stornzof gasping on the floor at his feet, but there was only one thing in the world that he could do for Stornzof now-use the gift effectively. He drew a deep breath and turned to Neeper, only to encounter an unexpected hint of satisfaction.
”His Majesty is in no danger,” Neeper announced. ”And neither am I, thanks to your warning. These Grewzian agents are easily controlled. If they're in the Long Gallery, I'll hold them there until they can be identified. There's no cause for concern.”
The adept's tone of gratification was unmistakable. Girays could not account for it. ”Hold them there how?” he asked.
”They can't pa.s.s through doorways guarded by fire.” Neeper actually smiled. ”Obedient Sentient Fire, commanded by its creator to block all exits while harming no one and damaging nothing.”
Luzelle might be in the Long Gallery by now. Girays answered curtly. ”No. Too dangerous.”
”Not in the least.” Neeper drew himself to his full unimpressive height. ”The fire is governed by its creator's will. I a.s.sure you it is a safe, effective solution to the problem, and wonderful to witness.”
The adept's expression reflected inexplicable eagerness. Girays did not like it. ”No delay, just come away from here,” he urged.
”There is no delay; the thing is done in an instant.” Without awaiting reply Neeper turned away and hurried to the pit-of-elements, where a small green fire burned sedately.
Some portion of Girays's mind registered the distinctively hued blaze, quite possibly the Sentient Fire itself, but he paid little attention, for Stornzof seemed to be suffocating, mouth open to gulp down great drafts of air that did him no good. He knelt beside the dying man, looked into the eyes still filled with all their old serenity, and found that he could not lie to them. No false rea.s.surance, no make-believe optimism. Taking Stornzof's icy hand, he held it firmly.
”Is there anything I can do?” he asked. He feared the other incapable of reply, but Stornzof surprised him, somehow catching his breath and finding what was left of his voice.
”Take Nevenskoi and his fire back to Vonahr.”
The whisper was barely audible. Girays had to bend near to hear it. ”I'll try,” he said.
”Succeed. Best for everyone, including Grewzians.”
”I'll succeed. I give you my word.”
”I do not betray Grewzland. The Imperium betrays Grewzland.”
”I know.”
”Thank you, my friend. Tell your lovely Luzelle that I bid her farewell.”
”She wouldn't appreciate that t.i.tle of owners.h.i.+p. She's hardly mine, or anyone's.”
”Her truest affections are yours. They always were. Once or twice I imagined otherwise, but that was delusion.”
”Don't try to talk anymore, save your strength.”
”No point, and just as well. I do not suit the world, do not fit comfortably into it, but cannot go back to what I once was. After tonight, cannot go back to Grewzland at all. Exile. Traitor, they will say.”
”No. Loyal. You did what was right. If you're ever defamed or accused-and I doubt that will happen, but if it does-then I will defend you to my last breath. I promise that the world will honor your name.”
”You will keep your word. I am certain of this. It is a feeling that I have.” Karsler Stornzof's breath failed. Another spasm shook him, this one brief and mild. His open eyes emptied themselves of everything.
Girays knelt motionless and thoughtless for an indeterminate span, until a voice impinged on his consciousness.
”It's done.”
He looked up into a face flushed with triumph.
”A sentient spark has been dispatched to the Long Gallery,” proclaimed Nevenskoi/Neeper. ”The situation is under control.” His glance s.h.i.+fted reluctantly and he frowned. ”But this Grewzian officer-perhaps Dr. Arnheltz might-”
”Too late.” Girays's eyes dropped to the still, grey form. Carefully he laid down the cold hand. ”My friend is dead.”
ONE OF HIS MEN SIGNALED almost imperceptibly. Detaching himself from the Major General Laarslof, Torvid Stornzof withdrew to stand alone. A black-and-grey figure was beside him almost at once, and a whispered message reached his ear. The grandlandsman replied tersely. The liveried man nodded and withdrew to relay fresh orders to his five comrades. almost imperceptibly. Detaching himself from the Major General Laarslof, Torvid Stornzof withdrew to stand alone. A black-and-grey figure was beside him almost at once, and a whispered message reached his ear. The grandlandsman replied tersely. The liveried man nodded and withdrew to relay fresh orders to his five comrades.
He had the information he needed. King Miltzin IX presently closeted himself alone with the Grand Ellipse winner in an audience chamber connected to the Long Gallery by a small private stairway concealed behind a very un.o.btrusive door set flush with the wall at the front of the room.
He would go alone, his solitary departure drawing little if any notice. Two of his men would follow at suitably s.p.a.ced short intervals, the others remaining behind to impose order upon the guests and servants in the Long Gallery, should the necessity arise.
The grandlandsman exited quietly. He found himself in a plain, cramped little stairwell, and there he paused to wait.
LOVELINESS, WHERE ARE YOU? Neeper sent the telepathic query speeding along psychic channels, and the silent, clear response was immediate.
Long place.
Corridor.
Colors under me, but I do not eat.
Good, leave the carpet alone, consume nothing. You know the way?
Yes, in your mind is the way.
That's right, just follow the path in my mind. Has anyone seen you?
No one sees, for I am smallsmallsmall and I go fast.
Perfect.
No. I am small. Wannabe big. Big!
Soon, very soon. I promise. Listen, sweet one, listen to me. This is a rare opportunity. Tonight comes your chance, so long delayed, to catch the eye of the world. Tonight you do not perform to entertain the shallow and ignorant, but serve a far greater purpose. You foil an enemy plot, you protect His Majesty- Badmeat?
The king. You defeat his Grewzian enemies in full view of all the guests, all the n.o.bility and great folk. Everyone who matters will see, and finally recognize your true greatness. And then at last the glory and honor so long withheld will be ours.
We will be big?
We will be huge.
Goodgoodgood.
Where are you now?
Big place, where you send me. Feet everywhere. Small ones like me eating wax high above, but they do not speak.
Anyone see you yet?