open, now, and Maddigern was there, in earnest conversation with the King. Other members of the family milled about, nervous and intent, disturbed by the recent events Finn's pulse quickened, for there was DeFloraine-Marie, close to her father's side. And, as he watched, for he found it hard to look away, he saw the girl shift her glance from the King to Maddigern himself. It was only for an instant, and was likely of no import at all. Still, it was a moment that stuck in Finn's mind, though he couldn't say why.
He turned, then, as Dostagio entered the Great Hall, with eight more servants in the harsh black livery of the Gracious Dead. Dostagio noted the King and his family, but gave them no mind. In a moment, he had given terse directions to his crew, who quickly began to sweep the room with wide bristly brooms.
A squad of Badgies led the surviving courtiers past the ruins of the door where the Bowsers had burst in. Others emptied the room of bodies and marched away.
In the center of the room was a small pile of straw boater hats, some badly bent, very few intact. There were a number of monocles and varicolored bow ties among the litter that was soon scooped up and carried away.
The room was nearly empty, and Finn felt foolish watching Maddigern, the King, and the rest of the royals mill about. The princess had left, or had stepped out of sight.
To his great regret, he had lingered too long, for Maddigern seemed to notice he was there. With a bow to the King, he turned and marched in a soldierly manner toward Finn.
“Well, you survived, I see,” the Badgie said, as if he'd swallowed something bad. “Took on a pair of the rascals yourself, I understand.”
“We were here. We felt compelled to act in our defense.”
“With that.”
“I beg your pardon?”
“You used the King's decoration as a weapon. You assaulted these foul, dirty beasts with His Grace's award. You tainted the honor of Llowenkeef-Grymm.”
“Well, I suppose I did,” Finn said, too irritated with the sour-faced warrior to greatly care what he said.
“You want to stand there and scowl, fellow, it makes no matter to me. I don't think the King will hang me, and neither do you. Now, if you'll stop this nonsense and move aside, I'll get back to my room.”
“To the Mycer girl, you mean.”
Finn looked the Badgie straight in the eye. “Yes. That's who I mean. And we don't call Newlies beasts. That's not what they are anymore. And if they were, what are you?”
The Badgie smiled, though it was not the sort of smile that Finn took to heart. “I am not authorized to maim, cut or decimate your person in any manner now. But that could surely change.”
“I am a Grand Master of the Ninety-Fifth Order. What are you?”
“The King's Third Sentient Guards work for honor. We don't need your filthy medals.”
“Come along, Julia,” Finn said. “Captain/Major Maddigern has better things to do…”
THIRTY-SEVEN
'All very nicely put,” Julia said, once they were down the corridor, past the Great Hall. “Not very prudent, however. Somewhat bold, clearly indiscreet.”
“That fellow's a thug, a bully, Julia. A ruffian through and through. You have to stand up to his kind or they'll surely run you down.”
“I hope your ruffian understands this as well.”
Finn stopped. “We're leaving, remember? He doesn't have to put up with me much longer. Soon he can torment someone else.”
Finn earnestly hoped his confidence was not misplaced, that he could soon put the Badgie out of mind. Hoped, also, that he could somehow make Letitia understand that he was not, in any way, involved with the King's desirable, somewhat leggy, breathtaking daughter. That he had no thoughts for anyone but his true lifemate, his only love, Letitia Louise.
'Left, Finn. I do hate to bring this up but you've turned the wrong way again.”
“This is your compass talking, or just the urge to get the better of me? I'm inclined to believe the latter, for I'm sure we should forge straight ahead.”
“What's the matter with you?”
“Nothing at all. I see no reason you should ask.”
“Oh, well, your pardon then. Your testy temper and your loathsome attitude led me to believe you might be out of sorts. Disturbed, aroused by that vixen who was born to enslave men's souls, riven by torment and guilt… “
“That's quite enough, Julia. I am not riven in any way at all.”
“Ah, that's good to hear.”
“If I were to be riven, I doubt I'd need help from a mechanical device.”
“I'm used to abuse, it matters little to me-Finn, down that passage, coming this way.”
Finn stopped, backed off a pace and drew his small dagger, his gift from the hapless Koodigern.
“I perceive your presence, Master Finn,” came a voice from beyond the bend in the corridor ahead. “I only wish to talk, I mean you no harm at all… “
A figure appeared, holding his hands out wide in a gesture of peace. The gesture, Finn thought, that everyone gave, whether they intended it or not.
The fellow was a young man, stout, and rather short of stature, with a round, chubby face, thinning hair and an open smile, a smile Finn distrusted at once.
Then, a step closer, Finn could clearly see the stranger's eyes, and knew his suspicions were more than justified. The fellow's eyes fairly glowed with a hint of trickery and guile, a real sense of power, cunning and deceit, set in this kind and friendly face. A quick glance at Julia told Finn she had sensed all this as well.
The stranger shook his head and smiled. “It is the curse of my life, Master Finn. I can seldom hide from fools, and never from beings as keenly aware as you two. This is your delightful lizard, yes? You must demonstrate it to me sometime.
“I'm Obern Oberbyght, the King's seer. I'm sorry I caused you such pain, sir, I truly meant no harm at all.”
“No harm?” Finn backed off, his hand around the hilt of his weapon. “You damn near fried my head, and you meant no harm in that!”
“Well, I suppose I did” said the seer, “but I didn't know you at the time. I assure you the King has given me what-for about that. May I congratulate you on your honor, sir? It's really quite an elegant piece. I've never even seen a Ninety-Fifth before.”
“Yes, indeed. It's very heavy, too.”
Finn was more than wary of this seer with the winning smile and penetrating eyes. He understood, now, why the fellow projected such an evil, frightening image when he cast his spells. For, in spite of the menace in his eyes, he could easily pass for a junior clerk or a crafter's errand boy.
Even his dress seemed designed to belittle his power and win a stranger's trust. His robe was plain, a modest shade of blue, with no adornment of any kind, not a pendant or a broach, no amulet or magic charm of any sort.
“Allow me to answer the questions I'm sure you wish to ask,” said Oberbyght the seer. “It is my job to protect the King. Someone tries to kill him every day or so. This place is full of shadowy halls and dark hidey-holes, and there's always some rogue with a blade or a bludgeon lurking about. I fear I took you for one of those. I hope you won't fault me for that.”
“I suppose it was-a mistake,” Finn said with a certain restraint, “but I'm not likely to forget it, sir.”
“Nor would I ask you to. Only that you understand that persons of the magic persuasion are imperfect like everyone else.”
“This-happens all the time, you say? Someone popping out to murder the King?”
“Oh, indeed. You have no idea.”
