The Grand Dark

by Richard Kadrey

  “The war. I never imagined that it could be that horrible. Hundreds of bodies everywhere. Some in the mud. Some stacked up like logs outside a country cabin.”

  Roland looked at him for a moment, his eyes moving from the bloody rips in Largo’s coat to his crudely bandaged hand. “You mean it, don’t you? You were really there.”

  Largo rubbed the knot on the back of his head. He meant to say, “Yes,” but instead blurted, “I killed a man.”

  Parvulesco whispered, “What?”

  Roland grabbed a chair and pulled it to the sofa. “Tell me exactly what happened.”

  Largo told them about the curio hunters’ camp and how later, the hunter had been waiting for him with Marta. He showed them the wound on his hand where the hunter had stabbed him.

  “It sounds like self-defense to me,” said Roland. “Did anyone see you do it?”

  “Just the woman,” Largo said. “And she’s not quite in a position to be calling the bullocks.”

  “Then you’re probably all right. I doubt your smuggler friends will be alerting the authorities either.”

  Largo felt a great relief at confessing to the killing, at least to Roland. Now someone who understood and whom he trusted knew. But he wasn’t sure how Parvulesco would take the news.

  “What the hell were you doing there in the first place?” Parvulesco said.

  He almost didn’t want to answer. It seemed so mad now, like something a lunatic might do. “I was looking for Remy. I’d heard that slavers sometimes kidnapped people and brought them north. But it’s a lie. There’s no one there who doesn’t want to be.”

  Parvulesco looked at Roland and then at the clock on the wall. “Listen, I have to get to the company. Will you be here when I get back?”

  Largo looked up. “If you’ll let me.”

  Roland put the chair back across the room. “Of course you can stay. But I have to go to work too.”

  “There’s food and beer in the icebox,” said Parvulesco, heading back to the bathroom. “Make yourself at home. I want to hear everything tonight.”

  Largo sat back on the sofa and took another drop of morphia. When Parvulesco was leaving, Largo handed him the box with the rest of the vials. “Will you get rid of these for me? I’ll keep using it if I have it, and I want to stop.”

  “What do you want me to do with it?”

  “Throw it away. Give it to a friend. Sell it. Just, please, get it away from me.”

  He headed out. Roland gave Largo a key and said, “If you go out, be sure to wear the mask.”

  “I will,” Largo said.

  “Good. We’ll see you tonight.”

  Largo went to the window and watched them go. There was such ease in the way they left, each off to his own job—a certainty of return. Each knew that the other would be back later that evening. Watching them, Largo felt a tightness in his chest, and it had nothing to do with wanting morphia. He pictured dozens of mornings with Remy. A kiss or a touch of the hand, and the same certainty that they’d be back together soon. It hurt so much knowing that the last time they’d left each other, Remy had hated him. It was a hate that under normal circumstances they would have fixed and made right. As much as he knew that he would keep looking for her, Largo was certain that he’d never see her again.

  Parvulesco and Roland’s flat was larger than his. Their living room was half again the size of the one in Little Shambles. And they had their own private bath. Largo went into it and washed his face and hands. Though he’d wiped his coat clean, there were ashes in his hair and his hands were sooty enough that he had to wipe a black ring from the sink when he finished washing. He looked at himself in the mirror. The lacerations on his face and hand would definitely leave scars. There were dry islands of blood on his shirt around the chimera bites. His pants were torn and stiff with blood and dried mud. His shoes and socks were unsalvageable. With the mask I’m anonymous, but I’ll draw attention anywhere I go in these clothes, he thought. After debating it for another minute or so, Largo put on his mask and went out.

  He took a tram to Tin Fahrspur and went to the shop he’d visited with Remy and the others to buy his new work clothes. A young woman gasped when she saw him and Largo noticed other shoppers watching him out of the corners of their eyes. He didn’t waste a lot of time deciding on what to buy. He grabbed a plain white button-down shirt, black work pants, and a pair of boots.

  As he was paying, someone bumped into his shoulder. Largo turned and found himself face-to-face with Andrzej. Weimer was by the door looking at vests.

  “I’m so sorry, sir,” said Andrzej. He took a step back. “Please forgive me.”

  In a low, gruff voice Largo said, “It’s all right.” He pushed past him and hurried for the door.

  “Thank you for all you’ve done,” Andrzej called.

  At the entrance, Weimer held out his hand to shake. Largo nodded to him, but didn’t put out his hand. He hurried from the shop, wondering if Branca was grooming one of them to be the new head courier. Maybe he was grooming both, his new useful fools.

  Largo went straight back to Parvulesco and Roland’s flat, stopping only to buy a bottle of whiskey at a nearby shop.

  Back inside, he changed into the new clothes, tying the old ones in the brown paper in which the clerk had wrapped his new ones. He took the bundle to a garbage chute down the hall and threw it in. His hands were shaking but he wasn’t sure if it was from lack of morphia or seeing Andrzej and Weimer.

  The imbeciles are like ticks. You don’t see them until they’re burrowing into your skin. Am I ever going to get free from Branca and his parasites?

  Largo sat down on the sofa and opened the whiskey, wishing he never had to leave the flat again.

  The Wonders of the South

  From a prewar Lower Proszawa tourist brochure

  Explore Lovely Heldenblut Bay!

  Are you looking for a cheerful and relaxing excursion for the entire family? Come to Lower Proszawa’s greatest attraction, Das Kaas Wunder Urlaubsort.

  More than a simple hotel or theme park, it’s a complete entertainment experience.

  Our 100-room lodge features five dining rooms and even a theater where guests can revel in performances by Lower Proszawa’s most talented singers and dancers.

  Do you prefer fun in nature? Try the resort’s outdoor water park with wading pools for the children, and for the adults, we have both cold and heated pools fed by the healthful waters of the bay.

  Spend the day plying the placid bay waters on a sailboat and see sights from a vantage point no landlubber can experience. For those who prefer to remain on shore, we offer horseback tours of the nearby hills.

  For the children we have play and crafts areas watched over by education professionals. And just for the little ones, don’t forget our chimera zoo. Under the watchful eyes of trained animal handlers, they can interact with and learn about these gentle wonders of modern science.

  Our Mara staff is available to you 24 hours a day, whether you require nanny services, a middle-of-the-night snack, or a drink from our prize-winning wine cellar.

  Stay a day, a week, or more. Das Kaas Wunder Urlaubsort exists only to entertain fun-seeking, adventurous families along the vibrant and unspoiled waters of Heldenblut Bay, one of the natural marvels of the Proszawan world.

  Chapter Twenty

  THAT EVENING, LARGO TOLD PARVULESCO AND ROLAND EVERYTHING THAT had happened in High Proszawa. The only thing he left out was the incident in the doctor’s office in the Midden. It felt too raw and shameful.

  Roland said, “I’d heard rumors of looters, but never anything about the scale of it. Or the grave robbing. Were they taking valuables from the bodies?”

  “If they were, I missed it,” said Largo. “I’m afraid that once I saw the corpses I couldn’t think at all for a while.”

  “Don’t feel bad. It happened to all of us. Nothing normal prepares you for that kind of death.”

  “Are you sure about the plague?” said Par
vulesco. “Maybe you should go to a hospital for a checkup.”

  Largo took a sip of his whiskey. “Whatever plague there was, it’s not there now. I’m certain of it. I wish I could talk to Dr. Venohr.”

  “Why?”

  “He thinks the plague is the source of the Drops. I wish I could tell him he was wrong and that he needs to look elsewhere if he’s trying to cure it.”

  Parvulesco said, “How are you feeling?”

  Largo pulled his coat around himself. “All right. I’m cold, but the whiskey warms me up. And it helps numb the cramps.”

  “Is there anyone you want us to let know that you’re back and safe?” said Roland.

  A tremor passed through Largo’s hands and he almost dropped his glass. “No one. It’s too dangerous. I shouldn’t even be here. Tonight I’ll go to one of the rooming houses for Dandies.”

  “As sick as you are?” said Parvulesco.

  “How long before the withdrawal eases?” Roland said.

  “A day or two.”

  “All right,” said Parvulesco. “If you still want to go, you can go then.”

  Largo gulped more whiskey, as it felt like his insides were turning to ice. “Thank you. I don’t know how I can repay you.”

  “You’ve already paid me plenty,” said Parvulesco. “After you disappeared, Branca made me head courier. I’m making almost twice my normal pay.”

  “And a longer lunch hour,” said Roland.

  “That too!”

  Largo looked at Parvulesco. “There’s something you need to know about the head courier position. You’re a Nachtvogel spy.”

  Parvulesco went pale. “What?”

  “It’s true. They want you to collect fingerprints and photos. You’ll also be delivering packages the Nachtvogel can use as an excuse to arrest people.”

  “Is that what you were doing?”

  “I didn’t find out until later. But you know now, at the beginning. You can do something about it.”

  “That’s easy,” said Parvulesco. “I’ll do something stupid and get demoted.”

  “That’s not a good idea. Branca’s smart and he knows you are too. He’ll suspect something if you’re suddenly bad at your job.”

  “Then what should I do?”

  “You could quit,” said Roland.

  Largo said, “I don’t think that’s a good idea either.”

  “You two aren’t very much help, are you?” said Parvulesco.

  Largo thought for a minute. “Get hurt. Fall off your bicycle. Pretend you ran into a truck. Anything that will keep you off your feet long enough that Branca has to appoint a new head courier.”

  “But that person will be a spy too,” said Roland.

  “True, but there’s nothing you can do about it,” said Largo. He tried to pour more whiskey but couldn’t hold his glass still. Parvulesco poured for him. “All you can do now is not get in any deeper with the Nachtvogel. If you pretend you’re hurt badly enough it will give you an excuse to quit in a week or two.”

  “All right,” said Parvulesco uncertainly. “I don’t like it, but I suppose it’s the only way out.”

  “I’m surprised Branca didn’t appoint someone meaner, who wouldn’t care about spying on people, like Andrzej or Weimer,” said Largo.

  “I think he wanted to, but since they’ve been back, aside from being nicer, they’re both dumber. They make mistakes all the time. I’m surprised Branca hasn’t fired them.”

  After thinking about it Largo said, “Maybe they’re spies too and Branca can’t afford to fire them. Branca will have a reason and it will be something awful.”

  Parvulesco looked at Roland. “Instead of having lunch, would you like to run me off the road tomorrow?”

  Roland raised his eyebrows. “I think Largo’s point is that you don’t have to actually be hurt. You can pretend to be hurt.”

  “That’s a much better idea. I like that,” said Parvulesco.

  “It might not be a bad idea to have a black eye or at least some scrapes,” said Largo.

  “Damn. You’re right. Roland, instead of running me off the road, would you give me a boxing lesson?”

  “That I can do,” Roland said. “There are lots of ways to cause bruises that won’t hurt too much.”

  “Are there any that don’t hurt at all?”

  Roland shook his head. “I’m afraid not.”

  Parvulesco sighed and poured himself some of Largo’s whiskey. “Serves me right for being ambitious.”

  “Have you seen Margit?” said Largo.

  “Not since before you left. No one’s heard a word.”

  Between the cramps and chills, Largo felt a spasm of guilt. Maybe instead of running off on a fool’s errand up north, he should have stayed and helped her. Not joined her group, but given her ideas on how to get around the city undetected. Maybe I should go back to the Black Palace, he thought. Though, if she’s not there, I might not get a warm welcome. Still, after what he saw in the north, if her cabal was trying to stop the war, he knew he had to take the chance.

  When I’m past the worst of the sickness, I’ll go to them.

  They talked into the night until Largo couldn’t fight the withdrawal any longer and vomited in the bathroom. He told them, “I’m going to get worse tonight and unpleasant to be around.”

  “We should be going to sleep soon anyway,” said Roland.

  Parvulesco said, “Are you sure you don’t want someone to sit up with you?”

  Largo tried to speak, but the cramps doubled him over. When he could talk again he said, “I’ll be fine. I’ve been through this before. I just need time to get the morphia out of my system.”

  “All right. If you need help, just knock on our door.”

  “I will. Don’t worry.”

  After they went to bed, Largo’s symptoms grew worse. After almost vomiting on his new clothes, he stripped naked and curled up on the floor of the small bathroom. He spent the remainder of the night crawling back and forth between the toilet and the shower. Occasionally he turned on the water, both to clean himself and to get warm.

  In the morning, Parvulesco helped him from the bathroom to the sofa and covered him with a blanket. He slept most of the day, with periodic desperate trips to the bathroom. By the time Parvulesco and Roland came home, he felt better enough to even consider eating.

  “What should I make?” said Parvulesco.

  “Nothing,” said Largo. “Let me at least buy you dinner. I passed a hofbräu nearby. I’ll go and bring food back here.”

  “Why don’t I go with you?” said Roland.

  “No. I’ll be slow, and besides, aren’t you supposed to give Parvulesco a boxing lesson?”

  Parvulesco let his head drop slightly. He said, “I was hoping everyone would forget about that.”

  “I didn’t,” said Roland. “Let me get some gloves and we’ll go up to the roof.”

  “You’re too good to me,” Parvulesco said, making a sour face.

  Largo got dressed and put on the mask. He had to stop twice on the way to the hofbräu, but the fresh air felt good. The walk back was easier, and he made it without stopping. As he climbed the stairs to the flat on the second floor, Largo heard shouts.

  At the top of the stairs, he saw two police officers leading Parvulesco and Roland from their flat in handcuffs. Two more officers came out, followed by Special Operative Tanz.

  He said, “We know he’s been staying with you. Where is he?”

  “I told you, we haven’t seen him in days,” shouted Parvulesco.

  “Shut up,” said Tanz. “We know he’s been here.”

  “Whoever told you that is lying,” said Roland.

  Largo started down the hall toward the group. When Roland and Parvulesco saw him, Roland shook his head slightly. He wants me to walk by, thought Largo.

  Tanz looked at him. “Mind your own business, Dandy,” he said. Then, “Have you seen anyone with these Eierschlürfers?”

  Largo shook his head.

/>   “Where are you going?”

  Largo pointed to the next floor.

  Tanz moved his head in the direction of the stairs. “Then get going and not a word of this to anyone.”

  Largo walked to the stairs. He looked at Parvulesco and Roland, hoping to catch either’s eye, but they stared straight ahead. Largo’s stomach felt like it would float up his throat and choke him. As he took the first step up he heard, “You two, take them away. You other two wait here in case he comes back.”

  Largo missed the step and fell against the railing, feeling sick and dizzy. The bag tumbled from his hands. He couldn’t walk any farther. As he stumbled against the wall Parvulesco and Roland were being led away.

  Tanz stared at him. “I told you to move on. Or are you deaf as well as ugly?”

  Largo’s head spun. He put a hand on the wall to steady himself. With his other hand, he pulled Rainer’s pistol and shot Tanz in the face.

  When he fell, the officers with Parvulesco and Roland dragged them downstairs. The other two policemen fumbled to pull their pistols and Largo shot them both. He ran for the stairs when he heard another loud bang and his left shoulder felt like it was on fire. One of the officers he’d shot was on his knees in the hall firing at him. Largo ducked and shot back. The officer fell back against the wall and dropped his gun. Largo ran down the stairs. But he was too late.

  A police juggernaut was speeding away from the building. Largo thought about shooting at it, but he knew he’d be more likely to hit someone in the street. Rather than wait for more police to arrive, he went back inside the building’s vestibule and took Parvulesco’s bicycle. He could feel blood trickling down his shoulder and his arm was numb. It was difficult steering the bicycle with one hand, but he had no choice. He went through a small park nearby and took an employees’ path behind the greenhouses. It let him out on a suburban street. He rode through the quiet avenues until he turned abruptly, taking narrow lanes out of the district until he reached Lysergsäurehof.

  Rainer’s elaborate gate had been torn off and lay in pieces on the ground. There was an X of police warning tape over the open door and a Health Department quarantine poster on the wall. It read DISEASE ZONE. ENTRY IS FORBIDDEN. In smaller lettering underneath it said, For your safety, report all suspected cases of the Drops to the Health Department immediately.