by Allan Cole
"How did you become a circus performer? Safar asked. Or were you born to it?"
Biner shook his massive head. My parents were actors, he said. Came from a long line of board trodders, as a matter of fact. Made my first appearance while I was still suckling my mother's breast. Played all kinds of child parts. Kept on playing them way past my time. I'm kind of short, in case you didn't notice. My mother and father were normal-sized and never did figure out what to make of me. Then I started growing out, instead of up. And I couldn't play tikes anymore."
Biner's face darkened at some painful memory. Then he shook it off, displaying his wide teeth in a grin.
"Swept theater floors and other drudge work for a time. Then one day this Cloudship sailed right over the town, music playing, folks way up in the sky waving at us like they were gods and goddesses. They shouted for everybody to follow. So I followed. And I was bitten by the circus bug the very first show. I begged Methydia for a tryout. She gave me one and I've been with her ever since. Going on fifteen years, now. Even gave me a new name after awhileBiner, from the carabiners that hold us up. She said it's because she depends on me so much."
Although Biner's story was entirely different in its details from the background of the others, Safar soon learned the members of the troupe all had one thing in commontheir appearances had made them outcasts from regular society so they'd formed their own. It was Methydia who'd given them that chance, coming along at just the right time, it seemed, to rescue them from unpleasant circumstances.
"Weren't fer Methyida, Kairo said one day, I'd still be back at me village, gettin conked wi rocks. Kairo was the acrobat with the detachable head. Uster hide in me house, he said, so's I wouldn't get conked. So th lads'd stone me house, breakin windows and stovin holes in th roof. So me muvver threw me out. Rather I got conked th'n the house, I s'pose."
Rabix and Elgythe snake charmer and the snakehad been seasoned circus performers when Methydia found them. But they'd had a disagreement with their employer over unpaid wages and had been left at a roadside in the middle of nowhere.
"We had not even a copper to buy a slender mouse for my weekly dinner, Elgy said in his oddly lilted tones.
Elgy was the snake with a man's face. He was also the brains in the act. Rabix, he of the turban and breech cloth, was a mindless soul who sat or stood placidly wherever he was put. Elgy alone could communicate with him and cause him to act.
"He plays an excellent tune on the pipes, Elgy said. As witless as the poor fellow is, he is a much better musician than the last man I had."
Arlain, the dragon woman, was being hunted by a mob set on vengeance when Methydia rescued her.
"I wath hiding in a thed and thort of thet it on fire. And then it thpread and thet fire to the whole thity. Arlain wiped her eyes, overcome by the memory. It wath an acthident, she said. I thaid I wath thorry, but they wouldn't lithen."
Arlain had no idea where she came from. I thuppoth my father dropped me when he wath changing netht, she said. A farmer'th wife found me and raithed me ath a pet. But then I got older and tharted having acthidenth and her huthband chathed me off the farm. And that'th why I wath hiding in the thed."
Methydia was not so forthcoming as the others. Although she never refused to answer any of Safar's questions, her answers tended just to tease the edges of the central question. Details of her background came only in veiled hints or casually dropped remarks.
Much later, after she took Safar as a lover, he complained about her habit of never revealing anything personal.
Methydia was amused. I was born to be a woman of mystery, my sweet, she said. It is a role I have cherished all my life. And with each passing year the mystery deepens, does it not? For then there is more for me not to tell."
She shifted in his arms. Besides, she said, I fear you would be disappointed if you knew all there was to know. What if I was merely a milk maid who ran away with her first lover? Or a young town wife who fled a fat old husband?"
Safar thought for a moment, then said, I can't imagine you as either one. You were never ordinary, Methydia. That I know for certain."
"Are you, now, my sweet? she murmured. Then she nibbled her way up his neck. Are… you… really… really… entirely… certain…? She found his lips, shutting off any reply.
They made love and afterwards Safar thought she was an even greater mystery than before. A delicious mystery, he thought. Then he realized perhaps that was her point.
All he ever really knew about her was that she was a strong-willed woman, a kind-hearted leader others felt comfortable to follow.
She was also a witch.
Safar sensed it the first time he became fully conscious. The atmosphere had been charged with more than her seductive presence. Little whorls of energy swirled about her, making the hair rise on the backs of his hands. And deep in those almond eyes he could see flecks of magic that sparkled when the light struck just so.
He said nothing of his own powers, partly because he didn't know how she'd react. Would she be jealous, like Umurhan? But mainly it was because he was so shaken by his experience in Walaria he was loathe to visit his magical side until he'd had time to recover.
Evidently Gundara felt the same way. The little Favorite was silent for a long time. For awhile Safar worried that the desert ordeal might have been too much for Gundara and his twin. He would take the stone turtle out of his purse from time to time to check. The idol was cold to the touch, but he could still feel a faint shimmer of magic. He thought of summoning Gundara to see if he needed anything, but then he wondered if the spell commanding the Favorite's presence might do more harm than any good he could offer. He thought, Let him rest and heal himself. And so that is what he did.
****
Early one morning, a few weeks after his recovery, Safar was awakened by loud music and excited voices. He crept out of the little storage room that was his bachelor's cabin, rubbing his eyes and wondering what was up.
The Cloudship was abuzz with activity. The crew was hauling chests of equipment and props out of the lockers. The members of the troupe were all doing stretching exercises or practicing their specialties.
The music came from Rabix, who was sittinglegs crossedin the center of the deck, playing his pipes. It was a strange instrument, consisting of bound-together tubes of varying lengths. They were valved and Rabix played by blowing through the tubes while his fingers flowed gracefully over the valves. A marvelous stream of music issued from the instrument, sounding like an entire orchestra of drums and strings and trumpets and flutes. Elgy, anchored by a few coils wrapped loosely about his neck, rose nearly three feet above Rabix turbaned head, weaving in time to the music.
Kairo practiced his high wire act, strolling along a suspended cable, then pretending to fall. He'd steady himself, then let his head drop from his shoulders. He'd catch it, squeaking in fear, then put it on again.
Arlain, who was so excited she'd forgotten her clothes, bounded naked about the deck, shouting joyfully, Thowtime folkth! Thowtime folkth!"
There was a roar from Biner, Here now, Arlain! Put something on! This is a family show!"
Arlain skidded to a stop, tail lashing furiously. She looked down, saw what she'd done, then turned from pale white to the deepest red.
A claw went to her mouth. Oh, my goodneth grathiouth, she said.
Then she scuttled off, wailing, I'm thorry. I'm thorry."
As she rushed into the wardrobe room, her tail hooking out to slam the door behind her, Biner shouted, And watch out for the"
Fire and smoke blasted out of the wardrobe room's window, cutting Biner off in midbellow. Arlain wailed something incomprehensible and a few crew members came running with buckets of water and sand to douse the fire.
"If only she wouldn't get so excited, Biner said. Then he shrugged. Oh, well. She's a grand crowd pleaser. So what if she starts a few fires? He grinned at Safar. Temperament, my lad, he said. All the best talent's got it. If you can't take the temperament the
n you might as well get out of the circus business."
"That's good advice, I'm sure, Safar said. But would you mind slowing down for a minute, please, and tell me what in the hells is going on?"
"You mean nobody told you? Biner was aghast.
Safar said, no, he'd not been informed of anything, thank you very much.
"Why, the Deming Fair's only two hours away. First show at dusk, second at eight bells. We'll be there a week. Two performances every night, plus two and a matinee on Godsday."
He clapped Safar on the back, nearly bowling him over.
"So it's just like Arlain said, lad'It's Showtime, Folks!
****
The town of Deming was the center of a rich farming area, fed by a long snaking river. The fairgrounds sat just outside the town's main gates and it was already packed with people, strolling past tents blazing with color or crowding around exhibits and hucksters of every variety.
Methydia's Flying Circus made a dramatic entrance, swooping low over the town and fairgrounds, Rabix's music blaring through an amplifying trumpet. The troupe had changed into glittering costumes and lined the edges of the Cloudship, waving and shouting invitations to the crowd.
Arlain, wearing spangled breastplates and modesty patch, stood on a rail, breathing long spears of fire and waving her tail. Methydia had donned a red witch's robe, scooped low in front and slit on one side to the hip. She was provocatively posed beside Arlain, the wind whipping the gossamer robe aside to reveal her long shapely legs.
Biner, voice magically enhanced by one of Methydia's spells, bellowed: See the fire breathing dragon! Gasp at the feats of Kairo, the Headless Marvel. Test the strength of the mightiest man alive! See the Snake Charmer dare the deadly Serpent of Sunyan! Wonder at the Miracles of the Mysterious Methydia.
"Come one! Come all! Lads and maids of all ages. Welcome to Methydia's Flying Circus of Miracles.
"The Greatest Show On Esmir!"
Once a big enough crowd had been gathered the Cloudship sailed slowly and majestically away, leading them to a wide field next to the fairgrounds. Then it descended, stopping about twenty feet above the earth. Biner and a few roustabouts, bags of tools slung over their shoulders, swung down on lines, then quickly hammered iron stakes into the ground and secured the Cloudship to the stakes.
One by one, the members of the troupe slid down the lines. Each pausing midway to show off some acrobatic feat to wild applause from the gathering crowd.
On the other side of the Cloudship Safar and the remaining roustabouts had the more mundane task of lowering chests and crates of equipment. But Safar soon learned even this job had its admirers. Wide-eyed boys were transfixed by the work, oohing and ahhing as each item was swayed to the ground. The roustabouts took immediate advantage of their interest. They handed out free tickets to the biggest lads in return for their help. Soon a score of muscular young men had stripped to the waist and were helping to set up the circus.
Dazed by the excitement of his first circus, Safar was jolted from job to job by barked orders. Before he knew it a huge tent had been erected, stands hurled up, and he was being pushed into a ticket booth at the entrance of the tent. Someone shoved tickets into his hand and he found himself shouting the seller's speech Biner had drummed into him during the journey:
"Five copper's our price, folks. Now that's not much."
He slapped coins down, counting, One, two, three, four and five!"
Then he swept one away.
"Bring a friend, we'll make it four!"
He palmed a coin.
"If she's pretty, it's only three."
Then another.
"Two for your granny!"
And another.
"One for your babe."
Then he held up the remaining coin for all to see.
"Catch the lucky copper and the ticket's free."
He tossed the coin into the crowd. Children scrambled for it. Safar saw one little girl knocked down in the rush. She sat in the dirt weeping. His heart went out to her and for the first time since he'd joined the troupe he felt the tingle of magic in his veins. He whispered a spell, gestured, and the child suddenly shouted in glee.
She tottered to her feet, crying, I got it! I got it! She raised a hand, displaying the lucky copper. See!"
The other children groaned in disappointment, but the adults were delighted. They lifted the little girl up and passed her over their heads until she was standing in front of Safar.
With a flourish, he presented her with a ticket. She stared at it, eyes huge with wonder.
Safar was really caught up in the spirit now. Words flowed smoothly from brain to tongue.
"We've got ourselves a lucky lady to start the day, folks! he shouted. Now, where's her mother and we'll make it two? A young matron in a patched dress announced her presence and was pushed forward. Safar presented her with a ticket. Step right in ladies, he cried. Step right in and we will reveal to you the greatest wonders of Esmir."
As the grateful mother and her child stepped through the entrance the crowd boiled around Safar, practically throwing coins at him in their fever to get their tickets.
He sold out in half an hour. Then he collected the coin box, closed the booth and slipped inside the tent.
The show had already begun. The audience was roaring laughter as Arlain, wearing a gaudy dress, pursued Binercostumed as a lumpish clown soldieraround the ring. At appropriate moments she'd let loose a blast of fire at Biner's padded rear. He'd jump, hands grabbing his bottom, and let out a falsetto shriek of pretended pain. Then he'd run on, crying for help, Arlain at his heels.
Safar found a seat in a darkened corner and watched the show unfold, intent as any member of the paying audience.
The performance lasted three hours. During the whole time the troupe never stopped and there were so many costume changes it seemed as if there were fifty entertainers with fifty different acts to amaze the crowd.
Rabix and Elgy provided all the music. They were hidden beneath a small bandstand with stuffed dummies for musicians. Besides playing the clown, Biner costumed himself as a dozen different fearsome animals. Each would threaten the audience in some way, only to be foiled by Methydia, who played a mighty huntress dressed in outfits that seemed to get skimpier and gaudier with each change. Biner also displayed many feats of great strength, each more amazing than the last.
Arlain was every bit as good as Biner had said. She not only juggled fiery objects, she proved to be a fantastic acrobat who could swing from her tail wrapped around a trapeze while tossing flaming swords.
Besides his high wire act Kairo played catcher to Arlain, hurling her high into the air to another trapeze. When she swung back he'd pretend to drop his head, fumble getting it back onthen suddenly remember Arlain and catch her just in time.
Talented as everyone was, however, Methydia was clearly the star attraction. She appeared in her role as Methydia The Magnificent four times during the show. Dressed in her filmy red witch's robes, she made each entrance a treat in itself to the growing delight of the crowd. Multi-colored smoke would suddenly erupt, or there'd be a crash of forked-lighting, or a great wall of fire. Then she'd swing through the fire on a flaming rope. Or float above the boiling smoke. Or seem to dive out of the lightning, to be caught in Biner's powerful arms.
She bade objects both large and small to appear and disappear, always accompanied by some kind of dramatic pyrotechnics. She called volunteers from the audience and caused them to float above the ground. With Biner to aid her she put on magical skits, all with romantic themes that didn't leave a dry eye in the house. She sawed Arlain in half, then put her back together again.
To Safar the most amazing thing about Methydia's performance was that although he could feel a faint of buzz of real magic emanating from her, there didn't appear to be any sorcery behind the feats themselves. Some were so difficult he should have been hit by the sear of a powerful spellcast. Instead, he felt nothing but that faint buzz. A few of her f
eats, like the sawing in half business, were just plain impossible. No wizard could do that! The more Safar watched, the more mystified he became. How did she make magic without using magic?
Then there was a great fanfare announcing the show's end. As the lights came up Safar found himself whistling and cheering along with the rest of the audience.
As the people filed out, chatting excitedly about their experiences and carrying sleeping children over their shoulders, The crew started cleaning the stands and getting ready for the evening performance. Safar went to work with a will, sweeping where he was told to sweep, lifting what he was told to lift.
He was whistling a merry tune when Biner strolled up, wiping the last vestiges of clown makeup from his face.
"So, what did you think, lad? Biner asked.
"I've never seen anything like it in my life, Safar said. Especially Methydia. Oh, don't get me wrong. You were grand! Everyone was grand!"
Biner laughed. But Methydia was just a little grander than the rest of us, right?"
"A lot grander, Safar said. No offense."
"None taken, lad, Biner said. It isn't just because she owns the circus that she gets top billing. She's the real star."
He gave Safar a hand with the heavy trunk, lifting his end with remarkable ease. Suppose you might elect to stay on awhile, then, lad? he asked casually. Pay's not much, but we eat regular."
Safar laughed. As long as you don't charge me admission, he joked. Then, seriously, I'd just as soon take a rest from the outside world for awhile. Not much in it is all that worthwhile, from what I've seen."
"That's the spirit, lad! Biner cried. To the Hells with them all!
"And damn everything but the Circus."
****
That night after the final show, the troupe ate and retired to tents set up on the ground. The Cloudship, Safar discovered, couldn't be used for that purpose when a show was going on. He'd been so overwhelmed by all the new experiences he hadn't noticed a good portion of the Cloudship's body was disassembled and turned into parts for the circus, such as the stands the audiences sat in.