Lady Maeve said, “I apologize for breaking in, but it’s been my experience that happy people make for a good country. The people on Pleasure Island are happy.”
“They’re not happy! They’re delirious with playing games!” Lord Denning exclaimed.
The meeting became quite heated then, and thirty minutes later the king rose and walked out.
Lady Maeve followed him.
“That old fool!” the king said. Instantly he knew that was something he never would have said before. He had always trusted and respected Lord Denning. But now he was angry to the bone.
“Well, he’s getting on in years, Your Majesty.”
“He is. He always was old-fashioned, and he’s getting worse. Imagine, too many games! There aren’t enough, I say.”
“Exactly, sire. Perhaps soon it might be time to replace Lord Denning with a younger person.”
The king stared long at her. “You may be right at that,” he said.
Lady Maeve smiled as the king left her. She had been thinking a great deal, and now she had a scheme in her mind. She asked one of the guards, “Have you seen the Sleeper named Josh Adams?”
“He is in the library, Lady Maeve.”
Lady Maeve went to the king’s huge library. Few people were there, and at once she spotted Josh Adams in a corner chair, reading a thick book.
“Good afternoon, Josh.” Lady Maeve smiled. “Doing some study?”
The boy rose at once and closed the book. “Why, yes. Just a little, I guess. How are you, Lady Maeve?”
“Very well. Would you care to go for a walk with me? We’ve not yet had time to talk.”
Josh Adams seemed uncertain, but then he said, “Yes, of course. It would be my privilege.” He handed the book back to the librarian, and the two walked outside.
“A beautiful day,” Lady Maeve said.
“Indeed it is. I went fishing this morning. Caught a red snapper that weighed ten pounds.”
“I hope you’ll save a piece of it for me at dinner tonight.”
“That too would be my privilege. They are delicious eating.”
Lady Maeve and Josh walked in the palace grounds. She thought he seemed more relaxed with her than before. That pleased her.
Suddenly he asked—cautiously, perhaps—“Are you happy with the results of your treatment of King Leo, Lady Maeve?”
Lady Maeve said quickly. “Oh, yes, but there is much to do yet. Indeed, he is out of those dangerous depressions. I don’t think anyone knew how serious they were. I do think he would have taken his life if something hadn’t been done to help him.”
“Really?” Josh said, seeming shocked by the thought.
“Oh yes. He was getting worse all the time. His wife or his children can tell you that. His periods of depression were lasting longer.”
They continued walking. The boy did not speak for a time and then said, seemingly with effort, “Well, that’s serious news indeed.”
“Yes, of course. But Soma is a powerful—and helpful—medication. However, it does have to be balanced. Neither too much nor too little.” She looked at him thoughtfully. “I think it might be helpful if you tried Soma, Josh.”
“Me? But I’m not depressed.”
“Soma is not only for those who are depressed or who have mental illness,” she said. “People react differently to it. I think that, with your temperament, Soma would give you the ability to see things much more clearly.”
“What do you mean, Lady Maeve?”
“I mean that with people like you, Josh, Soma clarifies the mind. You are the leader of the Sleepers, and I would suppose there have been times when you’ve had to agonize over what to do, what decision to make.”
“You’re right about that,” he said fervently.
“Exactly! Then, I would suggest that you take a very small amount of Soma and see what happens to the decision-making process.”
Josh was quiet again. Finally he turned to face her. He seemed nervous now. “I’ll think about it,” he said finally. “I’ve learned not to make any decisions too hastily.”
“A very wise move indeed. You think about it, Josh, and I believe you’ll see I’m right. Well, thank you for your time. It has been a pleasant walk.”
As Lady Maeve left Josh, her mind was working rapidly. “He has a strong will. It would be difficult to lure him on.” But then a smile turned up the corners of her lips, and she nurtured another thought as she walked on.
The girl, Abigail. Abbey they call her. She would be easy. And Dave Cooper. He’s rather self-centered, anyway. Those two are the weak links in the Sleepers, I believe. I could convince them, without much trouble, that a little Soma would make them to be better looking or wiser or able to have a great deal more fun.
The thought pleased her, and she sang a little tune under her breath as she set out to find Abbey and Dave.
“You know what, Josh?”
“What is it, Wash?”
“It’s Dave and Abbey. You haven’t been around them much in the past few days, have you?”
“No, I haven’t. What are they doing?”
Wash scratched his head and then said slowly, “They’re acting funny, Josh.”
Instantly a thought leaped into Josh’s mind, Lady Maeve has gotten to them. I’ll bet she’s got them on Soma. Aloud he groaned and said, “Wash, if that woman tries to get you to take any drugs, don’t take anything.”
“She’s already tried,” Wash said. “But I just told her I wasn’t having any.” Wash’s face grew very serious. “You think that’s what’s wrong with Abbey and Dave? She’s gotten them on drugs?”
“I’m afraid it could be. Go get Sarah and Jake and Reb—we’ve got to talk about this.”
7
Master of the Council
I sure don’t know what is going on.” Josh took another bite of apple and chewed on it thoughtfully.
Sarah was swinging back and forth in a hammock. They were in one of the many gardens that surrounded the palace, and the air had a spicy smell from the flowers that grew abundantly there. Fleecy white clouds drifted lazily across a pastel blue sky above them.
A light breeze ruffled Josh’s hair. He pushed it back from his forehead and looked closely at Sarah. “Are you listening to me?”
“Mmm? Oh, I’m sorry, Josh. I guess I was nearly asleep.”
“I said I’m worried about what’s going on around here.”
“You mean about Dave and Abbey being on Soma.”
Josh took another bite of the apple and spoke with his mouth full. He mumbled, “Yeah, I’m worried about them.”
“Don’t talk with your mouth full. It’s not good manners.”
“Manners!” Josh tossed the apple core at a silky long-haired dog that was passing by and hit it squarely on the nose. The dog yelped and ran off.
“Well, that’s a fine thing! Now you’re into mistreating animals.”
“I didn’t mean to hit the silly dog!” Josh said. He got up and walked over to the hammock. “Have you talked to Abbey much lately?”
“When would I talk to her?” Sarah said sleepily. “All her time is filled with running to parties and balls and what not.” She opened her eyes and looked up at Josh. “Have you talked to Dave?”
“No. Well, I’ve tried, but he won’t listen. It’s amazing how they’ve changed over just the last few days
Temptations of Pleasure Island Page 6