A Slice of Unkindness
Page 15
The Chamberlin would have smirked if he were able. “So instead of revolting, you ran. You and all the other drones. You escaped your situation instead of choosing to fight it. As a result, you only prolonged the inevitable.”
Edgar’s eyes narrowed in suspicion. “What… inevitable result are you talking about?”
She could feel the smug sneer it could not show, emanating from the creature.
“Your absence has been noted,” the Chamberlin told her. “Yours and all the other drones.”
She sat up straighter. “Noticed? By who?”
It chuckled again.
“Did you really think an entire planet could lose its complete workforce overnight and no one in authority would take note? Did you really think another planet’s population would nearly double in a few days and people would turn a blind eye? No. Your government noticed the disappearance of the drones almost immediately. And although Sherwood is a remote planet, its sudden population increase has attracted the attention of some rather… unsavory… individuals at the top.”
It let Edgar digest this for a moment or two. And then he added, “The government has issued an edict that is going to have every fortune and bounty hunter coming here to investigate.”
“But what is our crime?” Edgar resisted spreading her hands. “We’ve done nothing wrong except to go to a planet where we could survive.”
The Chamberlin only shook its head.
“Drones and dekas were originally sent to my planet to serve a life sentence as punishment for the crimes they committed. In leaving, they escaped prison. Everyone is now considered a fugitive from the law. They all need to be recaptured or terminated as soon as possible.” He paused again before adding, “You are not safe here. They are coming to get you… all of you.”
The Chamberlin again shook its head.
“And you, Morris and Warren have more to be afraid of than the other drones. There is a substantial bounty on your heads. The price they put on you will bring even the average person with a big debt, racing to this backwater planet to collect. Warren they want captured alive. His powers of clairvoyance make him valuable to the Empire. They will do anything to have him back in government control. You and Morris, however… they just want you dead and out of the way.”
The Chamberlin leaned across the counter and said in a soft voice, “You just might want to keep running. At least that’s what I would do if I were in your shoes.”
It rustled its robes and hopped off the stool.
“Anyway, that’s all I came here to say. I’ll take my leave now. Good luck, my dear. You’re going to need a lot of it!”
The Chamberlin melted back into the shadows from whence it had come and left her all alone.
Edgar gave a great shuddering moan and collapsed to the floor among the bits of broken crockery. All she could do for the next few moments was heave her guts up and sob.
Then there was a rattle at the door and Warren burst into the apartment with Morris close on his heels.
He ran immediately to her crumpled form on the floor. Morris went to do likewise when she saw the fishbowl on the counter. “What is that doin’ ’ere?” she said.
Edgar coughed and Warren helped her to stand. She was still shuddering in shock. Her son held her tight.
“The Chamberlin,” Warren told her.
“Tha’ weasel was here?” Morris exclaimed. “In me very ’ome?”
Edgar nodded. Morris just stared at her for a long moment. Then her nurturing instinct took over.
“Poor lass!” she fussed. “What ’e do ta ya? ’Ere. Lemme get ya a jolt o’ tonic.”
“Whiskey will do,” Edgar advised, waving her away.
Warren sat her down at the kitchen counter and pulled up the stool the Chamberlin had occupied just moments before. He sat next to her and rubbed her shoulders in concern. “Are you hurt? Are you okay?” he asked gently.
Edgar just shook her head instead of answering.
“What did he say to you?” he asked, now rubbing her hand.
For a long moment Edgar said nothing. Morris placed a shot of Irish whiskey in front of her which Edgar downed in gulp. Then she made a face, hissed and motioned for more. Two more shots were offered and she downed them in the same manner. Then she stopped, took a deep breath and spoke one sentence.
“Out of the frying pan and into the fire.”
THE END
He is nurtured by a pounce (cat) and a parcel (crow)
He is one of a warren (rabbit)
But he is also the smallest fraction of a slice (lemming)
Tormented by the minion of an entangle (octopus)
Held safely in unkindness (raven)
The arms of time are his dungeon and his vault.
About the Author
D.C. McLAUGHLIN grew up in Delaware on the Tony Florio Woodland Beach Wildlife Refuge. She is a veterinary technician and has spent most of her life working as a race and show horse groom. She now resides in York County, Pennsylvania, with her husband of many years on a small farm with three Haflinger horses, a flock of chickens, several cats, and one very boisterous Borzoi puppy. When not caring for the animals, she participates in historical re-enactments and studies Middle Eastern dance.
Other Books by this Author
Deadly Conversations
When Zan Miller meets Mykhalo, a Bavarian vampire, this magically gifted bookstore owner suddenly finds herself beset by problems only he can solve.
Whispers of Life
“Two can keep a secret if both of us are dead.” Zan and her daughter travel to Germany to tie up loose ends, but when ancient secrets are revealed, Mykhalo’s enemies are now targeting Zan for a sinister goal.
Wanderling’s Choice
Once upon a time a farm girl named Rhiannon dreamed of adventure and didn’t want to get married—EVER! So she acquired a fine horse from a mysterious trader and raced away… until a cruel young king abducts her in his castle filled with soulless slaves. She has only two options for escape... marry the tyrant, or be turned into his zombie servant.
The Legend of the Blood Raven
“A twig seems harmless,” Daga whispered cryptically to Bran, a young dwarf lass. “But if picked up by a storm’s gust, it can pierce through the largest oak with the force of an iron spike.”
Unlikely friends strive against an evil that has marked all dwarves for death. Thus is born the Legend of the Blood Raven.