They reached the bridge where the four men around him were joined by six more of their colleagues. They wore helmet masks and uniform riot gear with stun wands in every holster. This was beginning to look like a serious bust.
As the new men fell in, Pyrgus started to wonder what it was all about. When the four first took him into custody, he’d been so relieved to get away from Brimstone and the demon that he’d never thought to ask himself why the Emperor’s Guard had been sent after him. ‘Where are you taking me?’ he demanded. ‘I’ve a right to know where you are taking me!’ He waited vainly for an answer, then added sourly, ‘Or not.’ It didn’t matter anyway, because by now he had a fair idea where they must be going.
They crossed the bridge in fine style. The crowds melted before the marching phalanx of Imperial Guard but reconvened to watch the prisoner. At the far side, they followed the course of the river until they reached the official ford. When they stopped to await the Imperial barge, Pyrgus knew he’d been right. They were going to the palace. These men had been sent to bring him to the Emperor.
Pyrgus sighed. What on earth did his father want with him now?
The Imperial palace was set on an island in the widest part of the river. There were nearly two square miles of formal gardens surrounded by a miniature forest where the Emperor sometimes went off hunting boar. The palace itself had been built more than four hundred years ago using purple stone. The stone had weathered over centuries until now it was almost black; although it did take on a faintly purple sheen at sunrise and sunset. The colouring combined with the archaic architectural style to give the building a sinister, cyclopean look. Most visitors found it intimidating. For Pyrgus it was simply home.
He walked in step with the guards through the main entrance, then halted as Gatekeeper Tithonus slithered out to meet them. The old man was wearing his official green robes and looked more like a lizard than ever.
‘I’ll take him from here,’ he said.
‘Our orders is to bring him to the Emperor direct.’
‘Your orders have been changed,’ Tithonus said, unsmiling. He held the guard’s eye and Pyrgus could almost feel the soldier’s willpower crumble.
Eventually the guard mumbled, ‘Yes, sir.’ He motioned to his colleagues and they wheeled off in perfect step.
I see you haven’t lost it, Tithe,’ Pyrgus grinned.
‘And I see your dress sense has got worse,’ Tithonus told him drily. ‘Do you want to change before you meet your father?’
‘I think I’ll stick with what I’m wearing – let him see what he’s reduced me to.’ Pyrgus’s grin faded. ‘What’s happening, Tithonus? Why did my father send the heavy squad?’
‘It’s Blue,’ Tithonus said. ‘Walk with me. We’ll take the long way round – there’s a great deal I must tell you.’
‘What’s the matter with Blue?’ Pyrgus asked quickly. Holly Blue was his sister. She was the thing about palace life he missed most. ‘Is she ill?’
‘Far from it,’ Tithonus said. ‘But she is up to her old tricks.’
Pyrgus groaned. ‘What’s she told Father this time?’
‘That you’ve fallen foul of Lord Hairstreak. Is it true?’
‘Sort of,’ Pyrgus said. How on earth had she found out? She was a year younger than he was, yet she’d somehow set up a network of spies that was the envy of the Imperial Espionage Service.
‘What does "sort of" mean in this context?’ Tithonus asked.
‘He caught me stealing his golden phoenix.’
Tithonus closed his eyes briefly. ‘Good grief!’ He opened them again. ‘I was half hoping it wasn’t true. Have you any idea of the implications?’
‘He was mistreating it!’ Pyrgus protested.
‘Of course he was mistreating it. This is Black Hairstreak we’re talking about. He mistreats his own mother. I don’t suppose you stole her as well?’
Pyrgus smiled despite himself and shook his head.
‘What did you do with the bird?’ Tithonus asked.
‘Released it in the wild. I fed it first.’
Tithonus stared at him, then shook his head slowly. ‘You fed it first. Pyrgus, do you even know what it costs to trap a golden phoenix?’
‘No.’
I thought not. But you do know Hairstreak is a powerful man?’
‘That doesn’t mean he’s entitled to mistreat –’
‘Spare me the lecture,’ Tithonus cut in with a sigh. ‘I happen to agree with you, but that’s hardly the point. The point is that Hairstreak is a member of a Noble House –’
‘He’s a Faerie of the Night!’
‘He’s a noble Faerie of the Night. He has considerable political connections and even greater political ambitions. He’s already the major spokesperson for that whole unruly breed.’
‘How is Comma, by the way?’ Pyrgus asked. He grinned. ‘Speaking of unruly.’
‘Please don’t try to divert me,’ Tithonus said coldly. ‘And especially not so crudely. Comma is Comma. Your stepbrother has no terminal illness so far as I am aware and beyond that I care very little. We were discussing Hairstreak. You should not have taken his bird. He is in the process of making mischief for you.’
‘I can handle myself,’ Pyrgus said confidently.
‘Doubtless you will tell that to his Imperial Majesty.’ Tithonus sighed. ‘Pyrgus, I think the time may have come for you to realise who you are. You are not a young soldier of fortune. You are not some merchant’s son or artisan, however much you like to disguise yourself. You are His Highness the Crown Prince. That carries certain responsibilities even if you no longer live at the palace.’
‘It’s serious, isn’t it?’
Tithonus nodded. ‘This business between you and Lord Hairstreak has disrupted some very delicate political negotiations. Most people may not recognise the Crown Prince without his finery, but Hairstreak’s men had no problem at all. He had a full report inside the hour. He may not treat his phoenix very well, but he knows its value. He is making demands that will be hard to meet. Meanwhile, he has men searching for you. In the circumstances he is quite entitled to seize you if he finds you – seize and hold you. Can you imagine the scandal that would cause? The Crown Prince in the custody of a Faerie of the Night? It doesn’t bear thinking about. Your father is very, very angry.’
Pyrgus felt his heart sink as it often did when his father was the subject of discussion. ‘What’s he going to do with me?’ he asked.
‘I prefer he tell you that himself,’ Tithonus said. ‘Indeed, I have explicit instructions to that effect. But I can give you one piece of advice. Don’t lose your temper with your father. Whatever happens.’
Pyrgus lost his temper with his father. ‘I didn’t flounce out of my home!’ he shouted furiously. ‘I didn’t walk away from my responsibilities! I didn’t abandon my sister, not that she needs me to look after her. You forced me to leave! I can’t believe you still hunt animals. I can’t believe you keep a zoo. I can’t believe you still cling to medieval –’
‘You seem to care far more about animals than you do about people,’ his father said coldly. ‘But this isn’t about animals, Pyrgus, however much you’d like to think it is. This is about the future of the Empire.’
‘Oh, don’t be so melodramatic,’ Pyrgus sniffed in just the tone of voice he knew would infuriate his father most.
They were together in the conservatory behind the throne room, breathing in the heady scent of orchids. The Purple Emperor was not a tall man, but he was broad: Pyrgus seemed to be taking after him in that respect. His head was shaved in the papal tonsure – as Emperor he also led the worldwide Church of Light and he was wearing an open shirt that showed off his official butterfly tattoos. They seemed almost to flutter as he fought to control his temper.
For once he succeeded rather better than Pyrgus. His voice was almost calm as he said, ‘This is no melodrama, Pyrgus. This is real life – your life as well as mine. I expect Tithonus reminded you of who you are.’
; ‘I expect you told him to.’
‘Yes, I did. I’m aware you’re far more likely to listen to him than you are to me. I had hoped he might get you in a reasonable mood before we talked, but I can see now that was far too much to hope for. Pyrgus –’
‘Did you know there’s a factory in Seething Lane that makes glue from live kittens?’ Pyrgus asked him furiously. ‘Did you know there are Faeries of the Night who call up major demons? Did you know one of them almost killed me? Did you know Black Hairstreak goes into his phoenix cages three times a week and –’
‘We all know Faeries of the Night leave a lot to be desired when it comes to their behaviour, but –’
‘A lot to be desired?’ echoed Pyrgus. ‘A lot to be desired? Father, you’re negotiating with these people! You’re treating them as equals!’
‘I’m treating them as subjects of the Empire, which they are. Whether you like it or not. They’re difficult, it’s true –’
‘Difficult?’ Pyrgus exploded. ‘They’re trying to overthrow everything we stand for!’
‘Yes, they are,’ his father agreed. ‘Indeed they are. And that is exactly why they need careful handling. I have been in negotiation with Night leaders – including Lord Hairstreak – for several months. Those negotiations have reached a critical stage. The last thing I need is my idiot son blundering in where he isn’t wanted and handing them new leverage on a plate!’
‘My mother would never have agreed with what you’re doing!’ Pyrgus hissed.
His father swung round furiously. ‘You leave your mother out of this! You’ve no idea what she would or wouldn’t have agreed with. You don’t even know what’s going on! I’ve tried to make you take an interest in politics, but all you ever think of is your damned animals and yourself! Oh, you’re so sensitive, Pyrgus, so sensitive to birds and little creatures. But if we don’t reach an accommodation, it won’t just be birds and little creatures they’ll be killing – it will be people!’
‘The Nighters are killing people anyway,’ Pyrgus said, deliberately using the insulting term.
His father looked briefly apoplectic, then managed at last to get his temper under control. ‘Enough,’ he said. ‘I’ve had enough of this. I didn’t get you here to discuss politics or explain my decisions. I am Emperor and that must be enough. When you take the throne, you can set up sanctuaries for every stray cat and dog in the kingdom, but until –’
‘I don’t want to –’
‘Be quiet!’ his father thundered. ‘Just listen for once! This is your future I’m about to talk about – yours! Now, will you do me the courtesy of listening?’
Pyrgus glowered at him sullenly, but said nothing.
His father stared down at his hands which had somehow shredded a precious orchid. He dropped the remnants on the floor and looked up again at Pyrgus. ‘You are in peril,’ he said softly.
‘Blue doesn’t know what –’
‘You’re supposed to be listening,’ his father said quietly.
‘Sorry,’ Pyrgus said.
‘This isn’t Blue’s information. Oh, she told me about your escapade with Hairstreak, but this comes straight from the Espionage Service. Double-checked and copper-fastened. Apparently you’ve been a target ever since you left the palace.’ He held up a hand to stop Pyrgus interrupting. I know you’ve been keeping your identity a secret. I know you’ve been living like ...’ he gave Pyrgus’s clothes a look of sheer disgust ‘... some sort of ballad singer. I appreciate your face isn’t particularly well known. But we’re not the only ones with spies. It would be naive to imagine our friends on the Nightside didn’t know all about our ... differences. Even more so to imagine they didn’t know you’d left. Our information is they’ve been systematically hunting for you. The plan was – the plan is – to kidnap you and hold you to ransom. Not for money, of course, but to make sure I agree to their political demands. Your little raid on Hairstreak’s phoenix –’
‘Father – ’ Pyrgus began, distraught for the first time in their conversation.
His father’s voice remained soft. ‘I’m not really blaming you,’ he sighed. ‘The man is a reptile. He treats everyone abominably, servants, animals, followers – it doesn’t matter. I expect at your age I’d have done exactly what you did. But the fact is, you’ve rather handed them your head on a plate. They don’t have to kidnap you now – Hairstreak can hold you legally. And if you think he treated his golden phoenix badly...’ The Emperor paused briefly, then continued, ‘He knows I know this. He will use it to try to wring concessions.’
‘But they must know you couldn’t put me before the welfare of the Empire,’ Pyrgus protested.
‘Of course I could,’ his father said. ‘I love you.’
They walked together along the broad corridor that was the spine of the Imperial palace. For the first time in his life, Pyrgus noticed the maroon carpet underfoot was a little threadbare in places. ‘What – ?’ He hesitated. He’d been about to ask, What are you going to do to me?, but decided to phrase it differently. ‘What do you want me to do?’
Servants bowed as they passed, like waves on a beach. ‘I want you to go away for a little while,’ his father said.
‘I understand,’ Pyrgus said.
They turned off into the private quarters. A permanent spell of silence meant they could talk freely without risk of being overheard. ‘There’s nowhere really safe for you within the kingdom,’ Pyrgus’s father said.
Pyrgus said nothing.
‘I’ve made arrangements for you to translate,’ his father said.
‘The Analogue World?’ Pyrgus had suspected as much.
The Emperor nodded. ‘Of course you won’t be going alone. Tithonus is too old, but Lulworth and Ringlet will be with you as servants and bodyguards. Blue wanted to go as well, but I told her it was out of the question: I expect you’re quite relieved. We’re targeting a remote Pacific island with no other inhabitants. Good climate, quite a few exotic fruits, although we’ve laid in our own stores, of course.’ He smiled wanly. ‘Lots of wildlife – you’ll feel right at home. Once the negotiations are over, you can come back. Should be no more than a month at most. You can look on it as a little holiday.’
After a moment, Pyrgus said, ‘When do I go?’
His father put a hand upon his shoulder. ‘Lulworth and Ringlet have already translated. They’re waiting for you on the island. The portal’s been established in the chapel. I’d like you to go at once.’
‘For a month?’
His father nodded.
Pyrgus took a deep breath. ‘Don’t get angry, but there’s something I really have to do ...’ His father waited, watching him. Pyrgus swallowed. ‘There’s a factory –’
The Emperor nodded again. ‘Chalkhill and Brimstone. I wondered how long it would take you to discover it.’
Pyrgus felt his anger rising again, but for once it wasn’t directed at his father. ‘They’re killing animals! They’re killing –’
His father held up a hand. ‘We know about it. We’re trying to do something about it. The trouble is, what they’re doing isn’t strictly against the law. Glue has been made from slaughtered animals for generations.’
‘But –’
‘I know, I know. This goes beyond humane slaughter. Our problem is proving it.’
‘I can prove it!’ Pyrgus said. ‘I saw it! I saw what goes on!’
‘Your word against theirs, I’m afraid. But don’t worry, we will do something about it. I have lawyers working hard to find a way to close the factory down. That’s the only real solution. I know how you feel, Pyrgus, but you’re going to have to leave this one to me. Will you trust me to do the job?’
‘Yes, of course,’ said Pyrgus quietly. He felt a great deal older than he had that morning.
His sister Blue and stepbrother Comma were already in the chapel. She ran across to fling herself into his arms. ‘I thought that dreadful Hairstreak must have killed you! It was nearly three days before I could get any word of
you at all!’
Pyrgus disentangled himself gently. ‘Hairstreak never got near me. It was someone else who nearly killed me.’ He regretted the words the moment they were out of his mouth.
His father fortunately hadn’t heard – he was engaged in conversation with the technician priest who worked the portal. But Blue picked it up at once. ‘Who nearly killed you?’ she asked fiercely. ‘If you don’t want to tell Father, I can do something about it, you know.’
He didn’t doubt she could. Not for the first time he wondered what his little sister would be like when she grew up. Already she was one of the most formidable people he knew. Even Tithonus treated her with respect. He shook his head. ‘It’s nothing, Blue. Just a joke.’
She stared at him suspiciously and he knew as soon as he was on his way she would be putting out feelers about where he’d been and what he’d done before his father’s guards caught up with him. But Comma broke the moment. ‘Our brother likes his little jokes, Blue don’t you, Brother?’ he said with his sly twisted smile. ‘But now perhaps we should let him get on with his trip. The sooner he goes, the sooner he’ll be safe ...’ His eyes sparkled like Jasper Chalkhill’s teeth.
The portal had already been established between the pillars by the altar, for all the world like a raging blue fire. If Pyrgus hadn’t known better, he’d never have believed anyone could step into that fire and live. But despite appearances, the flames were not really there. If they existed at all – and philosophers were far from sure about that – they had their being between the worlds. As such, they were nothing more than a visible separator, a demarcation line that indicated the transition between one dimension and the next. The real power of the portal lay in its enhancements by the hideously expensive machines that distorted space and time in this one spot. Everyone in the Faerie Empire knew this technology existed – it had been the stuff of legend for centuries – but only the Imperial Family could afford it. Thus the Analogue World, where the portal led, was the ultimate escape route for threatened royals. No one could find them there.
The Emperor joined them in time to catch the last remark. ‘Comma’s right,’ he said. ‘The sooner you go, the sooner I’ll know you’re safe. Have you had your vaccines?’
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