I didn’t miss the sudden shift from thou to you. ‘Loved? You must be joking. Don’t imagine any of them thought me worth loving, either. With you – yeah, it might have been different. But we can’t let it be, can we?’
‘No, indeed!’ She sounded almost relieved. I might have been insulted, but I understood. ‘Tonight we have, and then – not forgetting.’
‘I won’t forget in a hurry, believe me. I’ve had the time of my life.’
‘I also. But we have hours yet to make more memories.’ Her hair tickled my navel.
‘What? You have got to be—’
She wasn’t.
First light was no greyer than I felt. I am not normally a record-breaker, and I can’t claim credit for that night’s worth. I looked at Jane, stretched out along the bed humming quietly to herself, with some awe.
Once I’d half-inched a classic Mini Cooper – a demure little package, but the moment you blipped that throttle, mighty forces were unleashed. It nearly had me up a lamppost; and I wasn’t much better right now.
I hoped she wouldn’t try some of those moves on Dee; at his age he didn’t look as if he could stand it. On the other hand, maybe she already had. Maybe he was really my age. By now I was just about his.
She sat up, stretched and ran her fingers idly through her hair. ‘’Tis time. He wakes with cockcrow, oft-times enough. And sin or no, I would have this our secret.’
‘Me too. I haven’t got that many secrets I like.’
She leaned down over me. ‘You weigh yourself short, good my lord. There’s more within you than appears.’
I groaned. ‘You don’t know the half of it. That’s what Kelley and your husband want from me. Some kind of … power they meant for themselves, but gave me by mistake. OK, they can have it, but there’s ways and ways, some dangerous for me. Guess which Brother Edward’s rooting for?’
She placed a delicate hand on my chest. ‘Something precious? Then little enough my lord will see of it, if Kelley has his way. That is a man of evil, and I have cause to know it. He’ll preserve the forms of decency thus far only, and then let all masks fall and seize what he will for himself.’ She swung herself to her feet, and stooped, with slow grace, to retrieve her nightgown from the feather-strewn floor. She did have beautiful legs. ‘I must begone, my Maxie. Angels attend thee in truth, and speed thee happily to thy home.’
I watched her glide out of the door, a momentary silhouette against the thin light, then nothing. Like a vampire, maybe, one of the Ingrid Pitt variety; and leaving me about as thoroughly drained.
The dead hand of exhaustion flattened me back in the bed. Her scent filled the room. So did mattress feathers, and it wasn’t surprising. One more bout and I’d have been a dead man, through spontaneous combustion, probably, or just blowing a gasket. As it was, bits of me glowed with friction burn. What I really needed now – yet again – was a good, long, restful sleep with no more interruptions. And of course, the moment I closed my eyes, I was in trouble again.
Half past vision time – time to viz again. My past was back, not so much flashing past my eyes as putting on a leisurely strip-show, with laser effects. The same old run of humiliations, with some new ones I’d actually managed to forget – and then the same icy rewrites, with revenge topping. I curled up in a ball. But I wasn’t as shattered as the first time round. Jane had done me a lot of good; I was emotionally drained now, and a touch uplifted too. I could almost feel a bit proud of myself. Whoever was doing this could stuff it. Anyhow, they had to run out of material eventually. Some time …
Almost as if somebody heard me, the visions faded. That quickly; and that did unnerve me, because something took their place. Or nothing, rather. Not a sight, not a sound; just a sense of waiting. Like the overlong silence when you pick the phone up, just before the heavy breathing starts. Something was supposed to happen; and it would.
‘You have not let me speak,’ said a quiet voice in my ear. The room was empty. I twisted feverishly over on my face and wrapped the mangled bolster around my ears. It smelled strongly of Jane. ‘You have not given me a chance. Any more than the others.’
Quite, matter-of-fact, reasonable. Baritonal, but slightly female; it might have had a faint accent, like the bandit women, but none of their flamboyance. The pillow didn’t stop it at all. I’d no doubt what it must be, though what the ‘it’ really was I didn’t want to imagine. Why was it speaking to me so directly? Something had changed. Its estimate of my intelligence, maybe; or my character.
‘What of what I want? I want a master. As do we all. Without a master we, for all our power, we have no direction. We have no purpose. We come to you once again. We will be yours, and all the success and power you can command. Do you want to do good with us? You can. Will you leave us in the hands of another who might do worse?’
I relaxed my grip on the pillow. A hell of a promise; a fair point. A pretty clever way of combining seduction and threat. Jane’s name hovered unspoken in the air. Those characters wouldn’t have to ask Kelley twice; he’d practically take their hands off. Then, with that kind of power, power that burned out of your very hands at the slightest provocation – what would happen to Jane then? And Dee? I caught myself whimpering and plucking at the sheet.
Not pretty clever. Devilishly clever. Demonaic.
‘There will be no bargains, no penalties, no barriers lowered, nothing. You have but to command, and we will obey. We will find you, and very soon.’
Booming thunder rolled across the sky. I sat up with a screech, sending the pillow flying, and headed for the underside of the bed again. Avoiding a nasty accident with the pot, used since my last visit, gave me time to realise that I was awake and really hearing the thunder. Also that it wasn’t thunder.
It was something booming on the outer door – a pike haft, I guessed, as I got to the window and saw the Imperial guardsman clank into the yard. Dee was hurrying across to meet him, tying up his flapping gown. The armoured man touched his helmet with a piece of paper, and handed it to Dee, who broke the seal with a great show of reverence. He blinked along a line or two, then looking up saw me at the window and waved me down urgently. I arrived still hopping into my shoes.
‘From the Lord Chamberlain to His Imperial Majesty!’ said Dee anxiously. ‘Concerning a submission from the State Police. Their agents report that mysterious foreigners have been espied within the city this past evening. Asking after one of your name and aspect, young sir! Enquiring in all taverns, lodging houses and, ah, low resorts. A man and a woman, says one; or perchance two women. Of most formidable aspect.’
He raised an eyebrow. I swallowed, and shrugged.
‘If so, it relates, they are creatures most lawless and dangerous. Attempts to apprehend such a pair were met with – bless my soul! – fierce resistance in arms, and, for the nonce, as it says, their escape. His lordship advises you, Master Maxie, to look well to your own security.’ He paused. ‘And if you have aught of value to tell which may assist the agents of His Imperial Majesty, to render an account of the same. At once.’
CHAPTER EIGHT
Czech Speed Now
NOW THAT IS the original rude awakening, calculated to send your laundry bills soaring. Just to add to my joys Kelley had heard it all, too. There he was in his nightshirt between me and the stairs, eyes screwed up, voice triumphant.
‘You see, sirrah? Spoke I not the truth? As soon cling to a dagger by its tip as to this power ne’er meant for you. And that you can no more hope to wield—’
I brushed past him. He didn’t look as if he’d slept much, either. He caught me by the arm, painfully hard, and pulled me aside. He dropped his voice so that Dee couldn’t hear.
‘Enough of disguise and fooling! You’ve seen fit to thwart my will in every way since your first coming. And spent this last night ploughing the furrow I cleared for myself! D’you think me a slack fool, to suffer this quietly? D’you dream I’d let you go unchecked, with such a prize in my grasp?’ His ham hand shook me a
t every spitting word. ‘A shallow, shiftless cozening guttersnipe like you? You’re as far out of your reckoning as your right time!’
‘Piss off!’ I panted. ‘Dee’s near enough getting your number!’
He snorted. ‘Is he, then? I’ve had his measure long since, boy, and yours to boot. Can he shield you from these hunters for ever? The power seeks its own way out, as I guessed it would. In this place, in this time, it grows stronger, and you – what are you, you weakling trash from an enfeebled age? Let it overtake you now, and it’ll command you, not you it! So, then. You will relinquish it now, without delay, to me for whom it was truly destined, or I’ll spill it from your throat!’ He laughed softly. ‘Or would you rather I let fall a word to these strange seekers?’
‘Jesus, d’you think I want this going on all the time? Far as I’m concerned you can take it and stuff it up your jacksy!’
He grinned like a dog. ‘Spare me your protests, you mewling little kite’s turd! You’d have me believe you would ever spurn such a cup? As you pretended to with Jane, no doubt! Small chance!’
‘I mean it! You’ve never met these … creatures! What makes you think you could handle them any better?’
‘Strength, brat. Because I’m strong, and I’m not afraid.’
Dee, padding off back upstairs, saw his two Brothers having a friendly chat and nodded benignly. I opened my mouth, but Kelley expertly tightened his grip. The bones in my arm grated agonisingly. The flesh felt ready to burst like a grape. I gasped with the pain. Still, it saved me from what I’d been about to say. Defying this thug now would be about the stupidest thing I could do.
‘All right!’ I whimpered, and that was no effort at all. ‘I’ll do it! I’ll do it! Hold the ceremony when you like! I said it’s what I want, didn’t I—’
His grin broadened. ‘Ah, there’s reason at last, my bawchuck!’ He clenched his grip a little, the bastard, then released it sharply. I fell gasping across the table, clutching my arm. ‘Well, well, I too can be accommodating. Dawn is upon us, so we’ll wait for twilight, and prepare at leisure. I’ll take your word to Brother John.’
‘What, no preparations at all? Not even fasting and keeping vigil and all that crap?’ I said bitterly, trying to massage the pain away.
He smiled nastily. ‘Your night’s dancing the shaking of the sheets, and with another man’s wife – what braver vigil d’you need? Go, content yourself again for all I care, but make no attempt to leave this house! The servants are in my fee, all, and they will prevent you.’
That I doubted. They were mostly local, he spoke only a few words of German and Czech, and they no more English. They probably wouldn’t lift a finger for him; more likely at him, the sod. But I’d only get one chance to find out.
Kelley read my face, and chuckled. ‘Aye, and what then? Flee away to your time, brave the turnings of the Wheel alone and unguided? With those hunters in full cry at your back? Know yourself, mannikin, and be wise. I’ll spare you a reward still. A hundred such will soon be nothing to me!’
He rolled cheerfully away, beaming at the world. I glared at his back. Oh yes, I knew his type. From my very expensive school, the liberal kind; from my youth detention centre, the brutal kind. Both the same dog-eat-dog society uncontrolled kids will always create, without even the rub-along restraint of an adult jail; and at the top of both dungheaps the crowing cocks like Kelley, the bullies, the sadists, the manipulators, the psychos. At the top or in the gutter – always at the extremes or headed there. And always violent, or the reason violence is. Some of them grow out of it, some sublimate it; but the real psychos just learn to paper over the cracks. Even without Jane’s warning his sudden shift to force wouldn’t have been any surprise. But I’d counted on a bit more time. What to do now?
The bastard was right, unfortunately. I’d been a bloody fool to trust Dee and come here in the first place. Even if Dee’s precautions worked, those bandits would track down the physical me soon enough. I couldn’t persuade Dee to guide me home; I knew I wouldn’t be able to convince him about Kelley, not yet. So what could I do? Not just slope off across the Spiral, unguided – I’d all the navigational instinct of a homing slug.
Could I remember some of Dee’s landmarks? Maybe, but I’d be a bloody fool to risk it if there was any other choice. No, there had to be. I had one ally in this godforsaken place, and I was going to use her.
‘I’ll do as you ask, sweet sir, and gladly!’ Jane leaned over me to pour me out more eggs, which was pleasant, and kept her voice to a whisper. ‘So that no harm comes to my husband, as you promise. For me ’tis a trifle, but for you – ’tis a wise act, but have a care! This is a perilous ford – one single slip and you overset yourself!’
‘Tell me about it!’ I whispered back. The only reason I’d resort to a stunt like this was that all the alternatives scared me even more – and giving that bastard Kelley what he wanted, most of all.
When he told Dee I’d agreed to go ahead, the old fellow was surprised and concerned. He did his level best to persuade me to wait. But I told him, truthfully enough, that these searchers, wherever they came from, were the absolute last straw; and, very reluctantly, he agreed. ‘Though I believe they mean you no ill, they may intend for the good of all to daunt you into agreement. It may be better that you choose of your own free will first. So be it! I shall go about my preparations upon the instant, and this very even we shall set you free. Meanwhile I suggest that you meditate and seek guidance – eh, Brother Edward?’
‘Aye, Brother John. In this chamber, I’d counsel,’ grinned Kelley. With his triumph in sight his façade was slipping a little, his good nature showing sudden vulpine flashes. He knew my room didn’t have a streetward window, so I couldn’t even try the knotted-sheets bit.
‘Rest and quiet, the very place!’ nodded Dee. ‘I’ll send up bread and ale for your nuncheon.’
‘Well thought on!’ agreed Kelley, the mask back in place. ‘And forget not that you’re ever in our thoughts, young sir. We shall be watching over you – upon that you may depend!’
I didn’t mind being alone. It gave me a chance to think, to work back through my memories, scribble the odd note to myself on a parchment scrap. Jane had left me what I wanted, and when she appeared with my lunch I began to feel almost confident again – the more so for a quick squeeze or two in passing. Then there was nothing but to lie back and doze and think again; about the sewers, and the alchemist, and Kelley’s gold-making machine. No wonder he was in such a hurry. Rudolph would be getting itchier than ever now I’d appeared. Expecting that endless stream of gold potatoes to start any moment …
The door opened. Kelley stood there, dark-cloaked, carrying another over his arm. It was surprising to see how grey the window looked all of a sudden. Maybe I’d been asleep, maybe just drifting; but there hadn’t been any more visions. As I thought of it, though, I realised there’d been something else, and still was. There was a heavy, windless stillness about the air, like some huge creature holding its breath. Kelley tossed me the cloak. ‘I’ll have my gown back, sirrah. You’ll not need court clothes under this.’
I shrugged. ‘Suits me. She was right, you know, you should try washing once in a while. Might help your little problem with women. One more twenty-first-century discovery—’ He just grunted, but I was learning to read that impassive face. I draped the cloak over my twenty-first-century raincoat and followed him downstairs. Jane Dee was there, with Mrs Kelley, and our eyes met as we passed. Hers sparkled, and I felt a great cold thrill. I’d done what I could, and so had she. If it would only work fast enough …
Dee gathered me up. ‘Have no fear, young Brother mine! I stand for you in this, as in all else now, as steadfast as our Brother Edward. Even though you have chosen the hastier course, you run little risk. The rite is perfected now, the transition shall be brief, the rewards swift – eh? And then back to your own day and age once more, if you so choose. Although I confess we shall be loth to let you go, the ladies and I, eh, my d
ears?’ He sighed. ‘Ah, well. To horse, brothers. Mankind’s great day opens as this one closes.’
Silently we filed out into the grey afternoon, and mounted up. As the gate creaked open I did my best not to look too expectant. With any luck—
My luck was out. It took long lunch hours. There was only the usual bustle, passers-by who spared us little attention. A small gaggle of geese padded by with ill-tempered honks. I sympathised. If Brother Edward had his way, I was going to get stuffed too.
I noticed he took the lead as the horses clopped slowly out. The slower the better, as far as I was concerned. I cast about urgently in the smoky winter light, but there wasn’t any sight or sign of what I was waiting for. I muttered curses; maybe when we got to the gates—
My saddle became one mass of electric icicles. In looking so frantically for one thing I’d forgotten another.
Out of an alley mouth at street’s end two tall figures stepped, casting about as obviously as I’d been. Like everyone else they were wrapped in cloaks against the freezing afternoon; but just for a second these brushed against the narrow alley walls, and there was no mistaking the outlines. They were women. But there was no mistaking the self-confident swing of their strides, either; and least of all the long swords at their sides. How many women wore those even in this day and age?
And even as that hit me I saw their cowled heads swing around sharply, simultaneously, towards me, like hawks to a lure.
You can’t be a good car-lifter without pretty sharp reflexes and right then my adrenaline glands were on a short fuse. I didn’t stop to think. I just leaned right forward in my stirrups, and goosed Kelley’s mount with my metal rein-tips, right under the tail.
I was a bit sorry for the poor beast, but the effect was pretty satisfying by any standards. Up shot its heels as I shrank back, up went its hocks. Up even higher went Brother Ed, like Batman on springs, right out of the stirrups, over the ears and headfirst down into a smelly vegetable stall.
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