"They’re just working out their differences," Thorn assured me when I asked her about it. "They'll be fine. Just leave them alone for awhile. Quina needs someone to take your place and Totil just needs someone."
"Are you sure about this?" I asked, dubiously.
"Of course not," she replied with a shrug. "Nobody can predict love, but I know they're attracted to each other. Once Totil unbends a little and accepts Quina’s alternate lifestyle, things will go a lot more smoothly." She gave me a smug, lopsided grin. "I gave him a bit of a talking to about that. He started off all huffy but came around in the end when I pointed out the advantages."
"Advantages? What advantages?"
"Being with Quina," she answered. "That's a pretty big advantage, wouldn't you say?"
"The biggest," I concurred.
"Bigger than you being with me?" she casually asked.
"You can't trick me like that, you sly little minx," I protested, tweaking her earlobe. "Do you think I was born yesterday?"
"It was worth a try," she smiled. "Anyway, I explained to Totil how his medical practice could improve if he had Quina by his side and I think that did the trick. He really is a dedicated doctor and has only the wellbeing of his patients in mind. The trick now will be convincing him that Quina really does have all of the healing abilities I told him she does. But that's up to her now."
"You little matchmaker, you," I praised, putting an arm around her shoulders. "Do you think it'll work?"
"I hope so," she said. "There’ll be a difficult adjustment period for sure, but I think it'll pan out in the end. Quina deserves to be happy. She’s such a nice person and I want only the best for her."
And you truly mean that, I thought to myself. You really do, but it doesn't hurt that Quina will no longer be dreaming about me. It’s the best of both worlds for you, isn’t it, my devious darling. But I have to say that a hidden little part of me felt a bit miffed at losing an admirer. Hey, I do have an ego, you know.
Chapter 21
We arrived at the dwarf caves and were placed in a queue to be presented to the King. I saw Liz and made my way over to her.
‘How are you, Liz?’ I asked.
My health is fine, thank you.
‘And how is your relationship with the King?’
That is also fine. We have agreed on the amount food to be supplied to my people and, in return, we have already pointed out two particularly rich deposits of metals. All is well, thanks to you.
‘Thanks to everybody,’ I amended. ‘What do you know about the delegation of the Night Things?’
They appear to be sincere. The destruction of their so-called god seems to have made them rational. I do not believe they have the aggressive tendencies they used to manifest, but I am still a little distrustful, however. There has been too many generations of conflict between our races to be easily set aside. I am prepared to be tolerant but wary.
‘You don't think they're here under false pretences, do you?’
I do not believe so. I have communicated with their leader and can detect no false dealings in his manner. He genuinely wants peace and is somewhat ashamed of his race’s previous actions. He wishes a treaty with the King for their mutual benefit, but I wonder if all of his compatriots feel the same.
‘What do you mean?’
Look at it from their perspective. It has been such a radical change for them. Perhaps not everybody desires such a transition and there could be resistance. Liz shrugged. I wonder where she'd learned to do that. I didn't even know that lizards could shrug.
‘I take your point,’ I told her. ‘We’d best be on our guard then. Just in case.’
Yes. Just in case.
I returned to my companions as they shuffled forward in the queue.
"What was all that about?" Nix asked.
"Just saying hello," I said, thoughtfully. "But Liz has this notion that we'd better keep our eye on the Night Thing’s delegation."
"You mean they may have a sinister motive?" Thorn asked.
"Perhaps," I mused. "Apparently their leader is genuine, but one or two of the others may have a different idea. Anyway, it's simply a precaution. It's better to be safe than sorry."
"Who says?" Nix interjected. "Live life to the fullest, that's my motto. What's a little risk now and again? It makes life worth living."
"Don't talk rubbish," Thorn disagreed. "When did you ever espouse that macho lifestyle? We have to practically drag you out of your home every time we go on an adventure."
"I'm not talking about our adventures," Nix related, stiffly. "I'm talking about my relationship with you. Now there’s a situation fraught with peril and risk! Being associated with such ugliness and such wanton, reckless behaviour is a risk in anybody's language. You should be forced to wear a sign saying: ‘Warning! Being friends with this fairy is a health hazard.’ That would make it safer for the general population. At least, we’d all have some warning then. If I'd known about you when we’d first met, I would have been a lot more careful, believe me."
"Likewise, I'm sure," Thorn grinned, "except your sign would be saying something like: ‘Run away! Do not approach! Do not even breathe the same air. You will very likely catch some horrible and disfiguring disease if you do. This poor thing is highly contagious Don't say you weren't warned! Danger!’"
"It'd have to be in tiny writing then," Nix sniffed contemptuously, "otherwise it wouldn't fit on the sign. And then to read it, everyone would have to come up and squint to even see it, so your whole premise about not coming close would be rendered invalid."
"Don't drag logic into this, if you don't mind," Thorn said, annoyed. "You’ll destroy the whole fabric of the insult."
"It's a pretty pathetic excuse for an insult anyway," Nix snorted. "The structure was all wrong and the timing was terrible."
"They're critiquing their insults now?" Balis remarked, astonished. "It's a real art form for them, isn't it?"
"Oh yes," I replied. "They take their insults very seriously. They’re always striving for perfection."
"Talk about weird," Balis muttered.
"We prefer to talk about their eccentricity," I corrected, punctiliously. "That's not to say that they aren't weird, but it sounds much nicer overall. They’re our friends, after all."
Chapter 22
We reached the beginning of the queue and the King welcomed us warmly. I have to say that his squeaky voice still amused me, but I’d become used to it by now was less likely to burst into laughter.
"Greetings, my friends," the King proclaimed. "The delegation of the Night Things should be along at any moment, and so, in the meantime …….." He beckoned to a nearby attendant who presented him with a velvet covered box. Upon being opened, the box revealed a set of medals.
"These are for you," the King announced grandly. "I would have liked to have made more of a ceremony of it, but time is pressing. Anyway, there's one for each of you, and even one for your wolf. It's an award for your deeds of bravery and courage, and for the services you have rendered to my people. These are mere tokens of our gratitude, but the thought behind the symbol is real. Wear them with pride because that describes my feelings as I award them to you."
"Well said, your Majesty," Balis murmured.
"Well said indeed," Tracey agreed, as we lined up to receive our honors.
To tell the truth, I wasn't all that keen on being medalled. For one thing, I didn't like being the centre of attention and I didn't see why we should be singled out for simply doing our job. But, on the other hand, we had risked our lives when we didn't have to, so I suppose some recognition for that would be appreciated. Also, I knew that Tracey would revel in the spotlight and I had a suspicion that even Thorn wasn't above feeling a little gratified at being pointed out as being a hero. Trix would be flattered and the novelty of it would be exciting for her. Plus, her beloved Zen was being lauded, and that alone would have been enough to seduce her. I had no idea how Quina would feel. The woman remained a mystery to m
e. She had always been so secretive – with the startling exception of her recent love affirmation, that is. I hoped she'd be pleased. Anyway, this medal may make her more intriguing to Doctor Totil. Quina and Totil? Now there was an interesting combination. I hoped that Thorn had the right of it and there was a connection between them. I desperately wanted Quina to be happy. She was too nice person not to be.
One by one, the King draped the medals around our necks, to the cheering of the gathered audience. I became rather embarrassed by the ribald hooting of Rosewing, who seemed determined to make the loudest noise. Teenagers! What can you do with them? They lived to mortify their parents, regardless of species.
When the brief ceremony had finished, the King returned to his throne and we mingled with the rest of the throng. Then the Night Things arrived, six in all, generating a curious murmuring among the spectators. I inquisitively looked at our erstwhile foes. They had certainly dressed for the occasion, being resplendent in gold and silver ornaments. They milled around rather uncertainly at the edge of the assembly as no one seemed willing to approach them. To satisfy my own curiosity and to make them feel more at home, I wandered over and addressed their leader.
"Greetings," I told him. "And welcome."
"Well met," he replied, in a clipped, barking tone. "We glad to be here." His voice sounded breathy and strange to the ear but became translatable with enough concentration.
"I believe you're here to propose a treaty?" I asked.
"Is right," he replied. "Stop fighting. Peace for all."
"I'm pleased to hear it," I told him. "Is everyone of the same mind?"
"Not everyone," he frowned. "Since god destroyed, we sane again, but some want return to old ways. Minority. Most tired of fighting. Very unproductive. Prefer to be in control of own mind. Machine scrambled thoughts. Very bad. Much better now."
"Great!" I enthused. "I wish you much success in the future."
"Me too," he agreed.
I looked over to the throne, where the King's aide was waving at the Night Things. "I believe you're wanted," I remarked.
"Good," the delegation leader declared, straightening the gold chain around his neck. "We go. Goodbye."
I drifted back to my companions as the Night Things slowly made their way towards the King. Liz hurried over to me and grasped my leg.
I am uneasy, she remarked urgently.
‘Why?’
I feel that something untoward is going to occur. There is danger.
‘Towards whom? Where?’
The King. Something is going to happen to him.
‘Can you be more specific?’
No. It is a generalised feeling, but he is in peril.
Then Quina edged over to me and whispered, "I have a bad feeling about this, Stephen. I feel there’s a threat to the King."
"That's odd," I told her, "because Liz has just told me exactly the same thing."
"What do we do?" Quina asked fretfully, looking around for enemies.
"Well, the only thing that's changed recently is the arrival of the Night Things, so it must be related to them. Let's get closer."
"What's going on?" Thorn hissed at me. "People are staring."
"Liz and Quina believe the King is in danger," I informed her. "Spread the word and get closer to the throne just in case. If anything happens I want to be near enough to do something about it."
Chapter 23
As inconspicuously as possible, we edged our way towards the King until we were almost within touching distance. The Night Thing’s delegation had reached the throne by this time and were bowing their respects. I tensed, my mind jumping at imaginary shadows. Hell, what could possibly happen, here in broad daylight ….. well, lightlight anyway? There was no sun here, after all. Surely Liz and Quina must have been mistaken. I let my gaze wander everywhere, but couldn't spot anything out of the ordinary. Everyone raptly watched the King, as he talked to the Night Things. What could go wrong? But I’d be foolish to ignore the warnings. The best we could do would to be prepared for emergency action. Trix stood beside me, holding on to Zen. Balis was on my other side, axe in hand. That prompted a few stares from those around him, but he didn't appear to notice. His eyes were focused determinedly on the Night Things, gauging their every move.
And suddenly, it happened. Two of the Night Things pulled knives from under their coats, and sprang towards the throne. Balis roared and sprinted towards the two assailants, swinging his axe. Trix yelled "Attack!" to Zen and he bounded forward with a bark. Thorn and Nix also joined the race to the throne. Screams broke out everywhere as people began running around in circles. Visitors at the back of the crowd, who hadn't seen what was happening, surged forward in their determination to satisfy their curiosity, and their pushing added to the overall panic.
The two assassins were nearly to the King when Zen hit them both from the side. The three of them went down in a tangle of arms, legs and paws. Balis reached the melee an instant later and dragged one of the Night Things to his feet. Meanwhile, Nix and Thorn arrived at the scene, the former wasting no time in clubbing the standing Night Thing in the back of the head, dropping him back to the floor. Snarling, the second Night Thing scrambled to his feet, slashing at Thorn with his knife, but she hurriedly ducked and ran her sword through his arm, causing him to howl and drop his weapon. Then Balis stunned him by using his axe handle as a cosh and, between them all, the situation was soon under control. The aggressors were quickly subdued and divested of any remaining sharp objects. The rest of the Night Things delegation was shocked into immobility. Not that they could move much anyway, surrounded as they were by Royal guards.
Peace was eventually restored from the chaos. The two would-be killers were taken away and the remaining Night Things stood before the King, endeavoring to convince him of their innocence.
"This is a most unfortunate occurrence," the King told them. "You were allowed here in good faith and look what happened!"
"Humble apologies," the Night Things leader exclaimed, bowing low. "Shame fills me. I had no idea of intentions. Not the wish of my people. I beg you to be merciful."
"Hmmm, maybe," the King rumbled. "It wouldn’t be fair to condemn a whole race for the actions of a few. How did those two come to be a part of your entourage anyway?"
"Volunteered themselves," he was told. "Who knew they want return to old ways? Very bad. Some resist change."
"Yes, change can be difficult," the King agreed. "In my kingdom, some of my own subjects resist my rule, so I cannot blame you for having dissidents. Very well, the negotiation shall continue. I wish only peace between us."
"Thank you, Majesty," the Night Things leader proclaimed in gratitude. "You wise. Much appreciate."
"We'll continue this later on," he was told. "First of all, I must thank my rescuers." He smiled at us, gathered in front of him. "Once again, I am in your debt. Unfortunately, I've run out of medals, otherwise we’d be repeating our earlier ceremony. How did you know what would happen?"
"We had prior warning, your Majesty," Balis informed him, "and we were ready."
"Luckily for me," King exclaimed. "What honor can I bestow upon you now?"
"It wasn't done for honors," I announced sharply. "It was done for peace."
"Be that as it may," the King said, "the very least I can do is to invite you to a celebratory feast and a day or so of being feted as public heroes. You'll come, I trust?"
I looked around questioningly at my companions. "How often do we get to dine with royalty?" Tracey whispered.
"Free food and drink," Nix supplied, rubbing his hands together in anticipation. "How can you even think of turning it down?"
"It'll be fun," Trix observed, patting Zen. "And there might be a few leftover bones I can slip under the table for a hungry wolf."
"Let's do it, beloved," Thorn urged. "A royal feast! It'll be something to remember."
"All my friends will be so envious!" Rosewing maintained, glancing around at the assembled crowd. "Beside
s, some of the boys here are rather cute. I'd like to spend a bit more time socialising, if you know what I mean," she added, winking at me.
"You're not strengthening your case by those remarks, young lady," I told her severely. "Your usual nightly curfew is still in place."
"What!" she exclaimed, shocked. "You can't be serious! We aren’t at home!"
"Tough toenails," I informed her, firmly. "I won't have you running around wild without supervision. You're too young."
"I'm not a child anymore!" she contradicted with some heat. "I'm practically an adult! You can't keep me locked up forever!"
"Will you listen to her?" Tracey complained to amused nearby listeners. "Anyone would think we chained her up every night. Listen, sweetheart," she softly advised, gripping Rosewing’s hands, "we’re simply being parents. Stephen and I worry about you. We don't want you to get hurt, that's all, and, at your age, you may become a little, shall we say …… indiscreet in your dealings with boys. We want you to be careful, and we wouldn't be able to sleep at night if you were out gallivanting until all hours. Do you understand, my adventurous daughter?"
"Of course I do, Mother," Rosewing replied, giving Tracey a rueful smile. "I'm not totally insensitive, but you have to trust my judgement as well. You've raised me to know the difference between right and wrong, and I'm not going to do anything silly. All I'm asking is a little bit of freedom to be myself. Is that too much to ask?"
"I suppose not," Tracey sighed regretfully. "After all, you are growing up and I do trust you, my darling. You have the right to make her own life decisions, but please remember that they affect me as well, okay?" She looked over at me for confirmation. "Very well, we'll say the curfew is an hour later then."
Night Things (10) (The Underground Kingdom) Page 7