Part 2 (2/2)
”Oh.” I said, a bit surprised that my big confession hadn't fazed her at all. ”Well, there's still the second reason.”
”And that is?”
”... That I'm in a bit of trouble myself. In fact, I was just getting ready to sneak out of the kingdom when you showed up.”
A small frown wrinkled Ma.s.sha's forehead.
”Hmm . . .” she said, thoughtfully. ”Maybe you'd better give me some of the details of this trouble you're in. Sometimes talking it out helps, and that's what apprentices are for.”
”They are?” I countered skeptically. ”I've been apprenticed twice, and I don't remember either of the magicians I studied under confiding in me with their problems.”
”Well, that's what Ma.s.sha's for. Listening happens to be one of the few things I'm really good at. Now give. What's happened to put a high-stepper like you on the run?”
Seeing no easy alternative, I told her about the King's a.s.signment and my subsequent deal with Grimble. She was right. She was an excellent listener, making just enough sympathetic noise to keep me talking without actually interrupting my train of thought.
When I finally wound down, she sighed and shook her head.
”You're right. You've got a real problem there. But I think there are a few things you've overlooked in reaching your final decision.”
”Such as...?”
”Well, first, you're right. A bad king is worse than a good king. The problem is that a bad king is better than no king at all. Roddie Five is counting on you to fill his chair tomorrow, and if you don't show up, the whole kingdom goes into a panic because the king has disappeared.”
”I hadn't thought about it that way,” I admitted.
”Then there's the thing with Grimble. We all pick up a little extra cash when we can, but in this case if it comes out that Grimble paid you to skip out when the King was counting on you, his head goes on the chopping block for treason.”
I closed my eyes.
That did it. It was bad enough to hurt the faceless ma.s.ses, but when the ma.s.s had a face, even if it was Grimble's, I couldn't let him face a treason charge because of my cowardice.
”You're right,” I sighed. ”I'm going to have to sit in for the King tomorrow.”
”With me as your apprentice?''
”Ask me after tomorrow ... if I'm still alive. In the meantime, scurry off and say 'h.e.l.lo' to Badaxe. I know he'll be glad to see you.”
”Your Majesty?”
I snapped back to the present, and realized the two arguers were now looking at me, presumably to render a decision.
”If I understand this case correctly,” I stalled, ”both of you are claiming owners.h.i.+p of the same cat. Correct?”
Two heads bobbed in quick agreement.
”Well, if the two of you can't decide the problem between you, it seems to me there's only one solution. Cut the cat in two and each of you keep half.”
This was supposed to inspire them to settle their difference with a quick compromise. Instead they thanked me for my wisdom, shook hands, and left smiling, presumably to carve up their cat.
It occurred to me, not for the first time today, that many of the citizens of Possiltum don't have both oars in the water. What anyone could do with half a dead cat, or a whole dead cat for that matter, was beyond me.
Suddenly I was very tired. With an offhanded wave I beckoned the herald forward.
”How many more are waiting out there?” I asked.
”That was the last. We deliberately kept the case load light today so your Majesty could prepare for tomorrow.”
”Tomorrow?”
The question slipped out reflexively. Actually, I didn't really care what happened tomorrow. My a.s.signment was done. I had survived the day, and tomorrow was Rodrick's problem.
”Yes, tomorrow ... when your bride arrives.”
Suddenly I was no longer tired. Not a bit. I was wide awake and listening with every pore.
”My bride?” I asked cautiously.
”Surely your Majesty hasn't forgotten. She specifically scheduled her arrival so that she would have a week to prepare for your wedding.”
Case load be hanged. Now I knew why dear Rodrick wanted a vacation. I also knew, with cold certainty, that he wouldn't be back tonight to relieve me of my duties. Not tonight, and maybe not ever.
Chapter Five:.
”The only thing worse than a sorcerer is a sorcerer's apprentice.”
-M. MOUSE.
FOR once, I successfully suppressed the urge to panic. I had to! Without Aahz around to hold things together until I calmed down, I couldn't afford hysterics.
Instead, I thought. .. and thought.
I was in a jam, and no matter how I turned it over in my mind, it was going to take more than just me to get out of it.
I thought of Ma.s.sha.
Then I thought about suicide.
Then I thought about Ma.s.sha again.
With firm resolve and weak knees, I made my decision. The question was, how to locate Ma.s.sha? The answer came on the heels of the question. Standing in for the king had been nothing but a pain so far. It was about time I started making it work for me for a change.
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