by Lee Abrey
“Torc sounds like Paradise,” I said.
“Paradise is an actual planet, you know,” said the king, “over in the Beta Quadrant.”
“Oh?” I said. He nodded and got up, pulled down a big, impossibly ancient book, The Atlas of the Quadrants, beautifully bound in blue leather, the title etched in gold. He opened it to a page he obviously knew well.
“This is a copy, the original is locked away in the library, but even this copy is very delicate. There are more copies in the library and out in the local libraries, so there are examples for people to see.” It wasn’t in the Beech Wood Library’s collection or I’d have seen it. An exquisite painted map folded out. I looked it over, exclaiming at the detail.
“Aye,” said Theo, “Paradise’s landmasses are mostly made up of chains of islands, a few continents, enough land to make it self-sufficient and for the inhabitants to get a balanced diet. Apparently, you can get tired of fish, shellfish, and coconuts.” We laughed at the idea. “Mostly it’s all perfect white sand beaches and gentle oceans.” His fingers traced the atolls. “Good place for a sailor. Or a swimmer. That sort of thing. Idea was it would be a tourist destination. See,” he said, “here’s the spaceport, then you might head out to your very own island.”
“Like Galaia was going to be,” I said, “a tourist planet.” He nodded.
“Aye, we were going to be where people who’d never been to Home could come, see the kind of place it was once. Of course we’ve changed it by being here, with selective breeding for animals and plants, but we try to tread lightly. Here in Sendren, despite being Southern Hemisphere, we’re Northern Temperate, with the odd tropical interloper like the parrots in the park.” I confessed to liking the parrots and Theo agreed they were lovely birds.
“Before Dragon ever arrived,” he said, “the Yusaf knew we must treat the land well. They didn’t want to repeat the mistakes of Home. This was supposed to be the ‘what if?’ planet. What if, back on Home they hadn’t wiped out this animal or that insect, tipping the ecosystems into chaos? What if they hadn’t poisoned the rivers and the air, stripped the seas bare of nearly every living organism? They say that on Home you could see where the towns were on the coasts, because the oceans died around them.”
We shook our heads at such horror. He turned to the page with Galaia’s continents displayed. “The lands here aren’t the same shape as Home landmasses were, but every Home ecosystem was reproduced. Then civilisation collapsed, we lost contact with Home, and here in the Quadrants nobody had time to worry about tourists, too busy trying to survive. We’re lucky, being in one of the more bountiful areas of the planet.”
“Maybe that’s what the Sriamans want,” I said, smiling, “to be tourists.”
“And we’ve been misunderstanding them all these years,” the king said, laughing, “they’re just after some decent cheese and wine, then they’ll go home.”
****
Theo’s dossier contained my parents’ new address in case I wanted to write. Back in my room, I decided to do just that.
Dear Mother,
I hope you’re well.
I put that piece of paper aside and started again,
Dear Mother and Father,
I hope you’re both well.
Then I was stuck. I hummed and hawed then wrote that I was fine, doing very well at school. I mentioned working one day a week, some people I’d met that they knew, and mentioned Grandmama was hoping to hear from Mother. I wasn’t sure how to explain finding out where they were, so said a friend of the king saw them. I said I was writing first to let her to know I was fine and hoped she was too. Then I realised I already wrote that. I contemplated scrapping the letter, but in the end signed and arranged to send it off in the citadel post.
****
After another two weeks, time enough for my letter to get there then Mother to reply, I began hoping to get mail, but nothing happened. After another week, I wrote to Grandmama, telling her where Mother was and that I hadn’t yet heard from her. Pretending not to care, I told the king that I’d written and would let him know if they replied. He gave me a serious look.
“You have a home here, Polo, for however long you need one. Above the Law of Blood Sanctuary.”
“The Law of Blood Sanctuary?” I said. He frowned.
“Don’t you know about that?” he said and chuckled. “Why do you think I put up with the Royal Court? I have a whole building, the new fort, mostly filled with them. The Hangers On as Azrael calls them. It’s the Law of Blood Sanctuary. Cat’s-eyes, I have to give them sanctuary. Any of them. Every castle, every walled estate or great house in the old dragon kingdoms, it’s the same. In case the peasants turn on the cat’s-eyed ones. In a pinch, wouldn’t just be the cat’s-eyed, anyone might claim sanctuary if their life was in danger for their bloodlines. And in case of invasion, of course, everyone would pile in here.”
“I didn’t realise,” I said.
“Well,” he said, “now you know. The citizens can all claim sanctuary here from invaders, but when Dragon came they added their own laws. Anyway, I’m saying you’re welcome here above that. You’re good for the boy. Azrael needs people who treat him like an ordinary person.” I thanked Theo for putting up with me and assured him I appreciated it.
****
Chapter 18 - Paradise Doesn’t Last Forever
At exam time I did well, much better than I was expecting. Not having ever really worked hard before, I was surprised at how much easier it made the exams. Who knew it was so simple?
Then it was the holidays. I had time off from my weekly ‘job’, a fabulous horse, plenty of coin and a whole perfect summer opening in front of me like a pearl shell. Who knew what it might contain? Of course, it began to go wrong.
On the very first Saturday Bernard reported a rumour that my mother was down in the new fort. When I checked with citadel admin, to my horror the rumour turned out to be true. I went back to my suite, had four pipes one after another, then walked straight down to the New Fort, smoking more.
“Polo!” Mother said and hugged me. I was anaesthetised enough by then to be genuinely pleased to see her and she giggled as I picked her up in a big hug. “Come in, come in,” she said, “I was going to come find you. Galaia preserve me, you’ve grown again!” I entered and it was as I was told. Father wasn’t there.
“Hello Mother,” I said, still smiling, “where’s Father?”
“I left him,” she said, and I winced.
“Again?” I said. She made a dismissive gesture.
“Don’t be such a cynic, Polo. I’ve travelled for ten days to get here to be with you.” The smile felt like a rictus but I kept going.
“Well,” I said, “presumably Father will be here soon.” She shook her head.
“I don’t think so.” I sighed.
“You say that every time, Mother.”
“You and I,” my apparently deaf mother was saying, “we can be a family again. The furniture’s on its way back from Torc. I thought I’d rent a place in Peterhaven. You can stay at the school here of course.” I felt sick.
“I don’t think we can,” I said, “be a family again. I’m doing very well at school, you know, and I rather like living here. And I’ve been doing very well at school.”
“Yes,” she said, “you said that. Your country mother’s here to embarrass you, is that it? Too good for me now?” I gave her a dirty look.
“Do you want the truth, Mother? Even when chasing chickens you’re rather elegant. However, I like being away from you, and from him. No drunken, fighting parents to distract me, or to blame me for their own immaturity.” She was starting to look very angry but I didn’t care. “As you both always told me, an education is very important. And I won’t inherit anything from you, as you also both keep telling me, so I need a good education. I need to take advantage of this opportunity to network, too. Another thing you and Father tell me to do.”
“Well,” she said, “don’t let me keep you!” I shook my
head. She wasn’t going to make me into the monster.
“You know Father will turn up,” I said, “he’ll beg you to come back and you’ll let him win you over, you always do. Usually a couple of times a year since I was able to understand words. Unlike you, Mother, I can remember.” I paused. She looked about ready to spit. I shrugged. “Don’t blame the messenger. If you can’t stand being reminded then don’t keep doing it.” Getting rather shouty, she called me several rude names then tried to slap me. I caught her hand.
“Theo’s turned you against me!” she said, snarling. “I can’t believe it!”
“Theo’s not turned me against anyone,” I said, keeping her from hitting me and trying not to shout back, “it’s just that here I’m welcome. The rules are simple and don’t change every second day. Unlike when you and Father threaten to break up every few months or so, or tell me I’m to go away somewhere so you can stop fighting.” I lost the shouty battle. “Like it was my fault! Well, Mother, you and Father can’t bully me any more by acting like a pair of children. It’s been three months since you farmed me out to Uncle Theo, and you never even bothered to write to me, or Grandmama! We were both worried.” Then I lost it completely. “And I don’t need anyone turning me against you, you’re a horrible parent and so’s he! Even here I heard he was drinking and whoring it up in Shell Harbour!”
I stormed out, shaking. I had no idea that was all bottled up inside me. I hadn’t meant to be so nasty. What was it about Mother? I was sure she brought out the worst in me. Both of them did.
Quite close to the stables, I started heading that way, thinking to go out and let Magpie cheer me up, when I heard someone shout my name. Azrael was coming down from the citadel, guards trailing. I waited, kicking at the gravel in the path.
“I gather your mother’s here,” said Azrael. I nodded and shrugged. “I’ve never seen you in such a bad mood.”
“The two things go together,” I said, and tried to smile as if I was joking.
“She’s on holiday?” he said. I shook my head.
“She’s left my father,” I said, “wants me to move into a house in Peterhaven with her.” He looked disappointed, then tried to cover it up.
“Oh?” he said, “Will you go?” I bit my lip.
“I don’t want to. Can she make me? I suppose she can. I’m not eighteen.” My mood was bad, now it plummeted. I honestly thought I might cry. I’d been so happy at the citadel. “Galaia’s tits!” I added for emphasis. Azrael’s face was worried.
“Let’s go talk to Grandpa,” he said, “he’ll know what to do.”
“Mother thinks Theo’s turned me against her,” I said. Azrael looked mystified.
“How?” he said, and I shrugged.
“The woman’s demented. But it’s because I said I wanted to stay here, that I was doing well in school.”
“But how is that Grandpa’s fault?” he said, frowning. I shrugged again.
“I don’t know. And I’ve never done well at school before.” I sighed. “I’ll run away rather than live with her again. I’ll lie about my age and my name, go a few kingdoms away and invoke Blood Sanctuary.”
“Oh,” said Azrael, frowning deeply, “don’t do that.” He smiled. “Call me selfish, but I’ll miss you. Let’s see Grandpa first.” I scowled.
“He’s done so much for me,” I said, “I don’t like to go running to him over every little thing.” Azrael put his arm around my shoulders and gave me a squeeze. He didn’t hold the contact too long, and I knew he was trying not to look gay. I appreciated the gesture. If we were alone I’d have hugged him back hard. As it was, I restricted my response to a smile with a brief touch to his shoulder, to show him it cheered me.
“Your mother’s trying to take you away,” he said, “when she agreed you could stay here until you finish school. It’s not a little thing, and I think Grandpa would like to know.” As they were adults and might have some insight, we asked the bodyguards. They agreed with Azrael, so we went to talk to the king.
Theo said he’d talk to Mother. I wished him luck. I was trying not to act depressed.
“Perhaps Father will turn up,” I said, “and she’ll forget about me.”
“Maybe we can find your father?” said the king. The idea of Mother and Father in Peterhaven, hating me for what Mother would already be telling the servants was my abandonment of her, filled me with an urge to open my veins.
“Maybe,” I said, trying to sound more enthusiastic than I felt. “Father’s probably following her. He will, once his coin runs out. The household furniture is all hers, and she’s the one with the trust fund.” I sighed and couldn’t repress one of those hiccupping sighs you get when you’ve been sobbing, or perhaps you should have been but were holding it all in.
“Don’t you worry,” said Theo, “I’ll talk to her. You boys go have some fun, you’re only young once.”
****
Azrael and I wandered off. We walked down to the stables and saddled our own horses, something Theo thought was important for Azrael to do. As I’d always done my own it didn’t worry me. I ran through the familiar motions, the saddle blanket and saddle slightly forward, sliding them back to keep his coat smooth before I reached for the girth, cinched it up with a growl and a quick cuff to his belly as he poked his stomach out. He gave it up.
Magpie wasn’t dangerous, just spirited. Any animal that size that really wanted to kill you, you wouldn’t enter its stable alone. He tried to bite me, I growled again, caught his nose, told him he was bad bad bad, and then I was turning into his neck, sliding my right hand up his nose, the top of the bridle bunched in that hand, curb bit steadied with the other as he opened his mouth, let me guide it into place.
I moved my right hand up, left hand too, fitted the headstall over his ears without trapping them, because all horses hate that, then did up the throatlatch. Three fingers side-on under that, because the jaw must be able to flex. I hooked up the curb chain, two fingers side-on there. Magpie nickered, taking the opportunity to lip at my pockets for treats. I stroked his nose instead then slid my fingers under the girth, checking the fit and that the skin wasn’t caught up, making sure his hide wouldn’t gall. I ran a hand down each foreleg and he lifted each foot in turn, let me hold on at the fetlock, above the great hoof, making sure of the same thing.
It was mindless, automatic, something I was trained to do since I could stand. I was trying not to think about Mother. I remembered what I’d said to her, about how long I’d been in Peterhaven. Was it really three months?
The last term of my second-last year at school had gone so fast I could hardly believe it was over. I was out of Lower Beech, still a reason for celebration in itself, and had managed to avoid Indigo, the boy who attacked me in the baths, for most of the term. It was easy enough. He only sneered at me from a distance, which I suspected was more to do a healthy fear of Fenric and the other bodyguards than out of any respect for either Azrael or me.
As for my sex life, I was a very good boy and kept my philandering to a minimum, only a few people a week. I also cancelled any tentative plans to bed Cida, a project I’d forgotten during term but had been considering for the summer. I wasn’t going near her because she was both a virgin and mad, something I explained to Azrael as we mounted up.
“What do you mean,” said Azrael, “both a virgin and mad?”
“She told me that Thet wants her to save it,” I said, “for the man she’s going to marry.” I shuddered and stood in the stirrups, checking I was set. “I’m allergic to virgins and the very idea of marriage. Told you she was a needy little trout. And she’s mad if she thinks holding onto it will make a man treat her right, when she just lies down in front of any man she wants. All it makes me want is to wipe my feet on her and keep walking.” Azrael laughed. He was completely blind to Cida’s crush on him.
“So she’s a trout and a doormat?” he said. “She’s never laid down in front of me, she’s quite feisty. More live trout, less doormat. Maybe it’s you
she has the crush on? She does seem to get very angry round you. And I could never marry a peasant, anyway. I have to marry into the Blood, thanks to Grandma Rose being half-peasant.” He paused. “You really think Cida’s hot for me? She acts like she doesn’t care.”
“Cida’s all front,” I said, “and mate, that girl is so hot for you, bet she’d do you without a ring on her finger, for all her pious crap.” Azrael tutted at me.
“It’s not crap to be pious,” he said. I looked at him.
“To let some fat men in a temple tell you what to do and what’s right?” I said. “With words from a book written thousands of years ago, when things weren’t like they are now? Now don’t get me wrong, I can take on board the ‘be nice to each other’ aspects, but otherwise? Stuff that.” Azrael laughed.
Right then, the strange man appeared again. The one I’d seen some months previous when with Azrael and the king. The one I thought was a ghost. I’d completely forgotten about him.
Morning Polo, he said, what a lovely day! Magpie looked right at him and snorted. Indeed, said the man, I do think it will rain later. I looked carefully at Azrael, who was adjusting his stirrups and looking right through where the man was, his gaze unfocused as he wriggled in the saddle, getting the stirrup leathers right. I frowned at the ghost. Who was it? What was it? I’m not a ghost, he said, as if he heard me, think of me as a being-not-in-body.
“Polo?” said Azrael, “You coming?” He reined his horse.
“Oh, sorry,” I said, letting Magpie move forward, “yes.” The being, whatever it was, disappeared. No puff of smoke, no clap of thunder.
By the way, came his voice, apparently from nowhere, my name is Cree.