Bitterwood. Part 27

"But-"

"Metron, your ancient office is owed a great amount of respect, even by a king. But don't presume to question my orders. I told you to leave. Your request for an audience is noted. I will summon you when I'm ready."

"Yes, Sire," Metron said, turning away. But you'd do well to speak to me soon, But you'd do well to speak to me soon, he thought. he thought.Before I'm forced to rely on my alliance with your brother.

ALBEKIZAN WATCHED THE High Biologian shuffle slowly from the hall, wondering why he'd been so easy on the old fool. He allowed his advisors to be too familiar with him. The accursed Vendevorex was to blame, no doubt. He should have snapped the wizard's slender neck a decade ago. It would have spared him much grief. High Biologian shuffle slowly from the hall, wondering why he'd been so easy on the old fool. He allowed his advisors to be too familiar with him. The accursed Vendevorex was to blame, no doubt. He should have snapped the wizard's slender neck a decade ago. It would have spared him much grief.

The door closed behind Metron, leaving Albekizan with the torches that blazed throughout the hall, the life-flames of his ancestors, now joined by the flame of a descendent. Albekizan looked at the torch that had been his son burning beside the throne, and wondered if Bodiel had been witness to Bitterwood's presence in the room. He wondered if his son retained the full senses he had possessed in life, and suddenly he wished that Metron were still here, for it was his job to know the answer to such a question.

"I've seen this look upon your face before. Something troubles you, Brother."

Albekizan looked away from the torch into the shadows. His eyes adjusted to make out Blasphet's dark form.

"I told you to leave," Albekizan said.

"So you did. Yet, I remain."

"I was just thinking how useful it might be to throttle one of my advisors. It would keep the others in line. You tempt fate by taunting me."

"You'll not find my neck so easy to throttle, I fear," said Blasphet. "Today I have coated my claws with a most efficient poison. One scratch and you'd be dead within a heartbeat."

"You threaten me?"

"No. When I decide it is time for you to die, you will die, but today is not that day. Not if you give me the correct answer to a most urgent question."

"I know your question," Albekizan said. "Bitterwood's capture changes nothing. You may continue your work in the Free City."

"It feels hollow, doesn't it?" Blasphet asked, approaching.

"What do you mean?"

"It looks as if you haven't eaten or slept in days. I deduce you lost both your appet.i.te and your restfulness when you learned he'd been captured."

"I care nothing for your speculations," Albekizan said.

"I will make them anyway. I believe you are feeling a disappointment I'm long familiar with: the hollowness of death. How can you hurt Bitterwood now that you have him? Death will only take him from your grasp. You want him dead, and you want him to suffer, and the two are mutually incompatible." Blasphet shook his head as if saddened by the poor options. "What shall it be, Brother? Torment or dissolution? The ache of knowing he still lives, or the frustration of knowing he no longer suffers?"

"You... may be right," Albekizan said. "You surprise me with your wisdom. So, tell me, what is the answer? How do I hurt him even beyond death?"

"I don't know," Blasphet said. "Even if I did, why would I choose to end your agony? One reason you still live is that I enjoy your suffering."

Albekizan felt, not for the first time, an admiration for the cold, twisted mind of his sibling. Suffering or death: he framed the problem so eloquently. If only there were some way to have both...

Albekizan chuckled. Suddenly, the solution was obvious.

"Have I amused you?" Blasphet asked.

"You've inspired me, my brother," Albekizan said feeling fire return to his limbs. "You've inspired me indeed."

CHAPTER EIGHTEEN: REFLECTIONS.

JANDRA HADN'T KNOWN what to expect from the Free City, but she certainly didn't expected this. Thousands of freshly built houses in neat, orderly rows, were furnished spa.r.s.ely but adequately. The homes were modest by the standards of the dwellings she'd lived in among the dragons, but they were far better than the hovels that used to surround the palace. The city also smelled better than any human dwelling she'd ever visited; Richmond always stank of fish guts and dung. The Free City had the pleasant aroma of sawdust and new paint. There were even freshly planted flowers blooming in window boxes. what to expect from the Free City, but she certainly didn't expected this. Thousands of freshly built houses in neat, orderly rows, were furnished spa.r.s.ely but adequately. The homes were modest by the standards of the dwellings she'd lived in among the dragons, but they were far better than the hovels that used to surround the palace. The city also smelled better than any human dwelling she'd ever visited; Richmond always stank of fish guts and dung. The Free City had the pleasant aroma of sawdust and new paint. There were even freshly planted flowers blooming in window boxes.

Jandra had antic.i.p.ated cruel guards and chains for everyone inside. She expected at least more of the starvation and thirst of the long march here. Instead, there were banquet halls, where meals were served three times a day in heaps of roasted meats and fresh vegetables, and gallon upon gallon of fresh, clean water. At first she'd worried that the food was poisoned... but after seeing other people digging in, her hunger had overcome her caution.

Perhaps the most disturbing thing about the Free City was that Jandra felt very much at home. She'd lived her life in a castle built to accommodate sun-dragons. She was used to tables twice her height. At mealtimes, she was often confronted with dinner platters as long as she was. A dragon's cup was a bucket to her. In the libraries, she sometimes encountered books so large and heavy she couldn't lift them from the shelves. She had simply never fit into the dragons' world. The Free City was being built by humans for humans. There was something cozy about being able to climb a flight of stairs simply by stepping up, rather than actually climbing.

The nearly empty streets of the Free City, with no guards in sight, offered a surprising refuge for Jandra. She could wander among the alleyways for hours, trying to make sense of the events of the recent days, attempting to divine some truth from them that would give her guidance.

Foremost in her mind was Vendevorex and his lie. She wasn't surprised that he'd been able to keep the truth hidden all these years. Other dragons feared Vendevorex. Who among them would have cared enough about her to tell her the truth at the risk of the wizard's wrath? She could see him more clearly now that she was distant from him. He was a cold, cruel manipulator who acted only to increase his power and wealth, never for any n.o.ble purpose.

Even his seeming kindness toward her had a selfish origin; Vendevorex wanted to a.s.suage his own guilt. Caring for her had been his path to a clean conscience.

So why did she miss him so? Why, the more her mind argued all the reasons she should hate him, did she feel only longing? Had she made a mistake by leaving him?

No, she thought. she thought. He killed my parents. This is the central fact. He admitted it. I will hate him until I die. He killed my parents. This is the central fact. He admitted it. I will hate him until I die.

Her longing for her mentor's company was amplified by her lack of human companionship. In the midst of the thousands of humans already at the Free City, she found no kindred spirits. Bitterwood was closed to her. He wasn't hostile, but he was distant, as if he were still struggling with his own internal demons. Zeeky was too young to truly be called a friend, though she spent more time with her than with anyone else. And the villagers... the villagers were incomprehensible. They seemed completely in the thrall of the prophet Kamon who had convinced them that their pa.s.sage to the Free City was foretold by his visions.

Jandra knew the Free City was meant to kill them, but doubted she could convince anyone of this. She'd never persuade people the dragons were the enemy while all the residents of the Free City slept with full stomachs on clean linens. The humans were more a threat to themselves than the dragons were, as the only violence she had seen since arriving in the city was a brawl between the followers of the prophet Kamon and the followers of a rival prophet named Ragnar, whom she had yet to meet.

At last, she had walked the streets until she was weary enough to sleep, no matter how troubled her thoughts. With a sigh she returned to the small house she shared with Zeeky. Perhaps in the morning her mind would be clearer.

ANDROKOM WEARILY GLANCED over his shoulder once more. No one followed, though the spiky fringe of scales on his neck still tingled with the sensation that he was being watched. The sky was crystal clear; if anyone was behind him, he would certainly have seen him. over his shoulder once more. No one followed, though the spiky fringe of scales on his neck still tingled with the sensation that he was being watched. The sky was crystal clear; if anyone was behind him, he would certainly have seen him.

"You're paranoid," he said to himself.

Maybe, he thought. he thought. But I still think I'm being followed But I still think I'm being followed.

At length, thirst crept into his awareness, overpowering his caution. He was only hours away from Albekizan's palace but could go no further. He needed water, a good meal, and a long nap.

In the distance a fat river gleamed like a band of silver. He spied a small, tree-covered island in the middle of the waters and knew this would be the perfect spot to rest. No one could sneak up on him there. Besides, who would want to? Only Metron and his fellow biologians knew of his journey. Certainly none of them would have set pursuers after him, would they?

If only Metron hadn't uttered that cursed name: Blasphet, the Murder G.o.d. What could the High Biologian be thinking in dealing with such a disturbed mind? Moreover, was he a fool for helping? Could this be some elaborate scheme by Blasphet to lead the biologians to their deaths?

"You're paranoid. Only an idiot could dream up such concerns," he said. He often talked to himself on long journeys. He wished, if he must talk to himself, that he wouldn't be so insulting.

Androkom swooped down, gliding along the moist air above the river, watching fish dart and scurry beneath the ripples. His blue hide was reflected in the surface of the water. He tilted his wings up to slow himself, then swung his legs forward to land on the island's sandy sh.o.r.e. The small beach faced north, shaded from the sun, and the sand was cool and soothing beneath his talons. The damp sand carried an aroma that reminded Androkom of the Isle of Horses, where he'd trained with the biologian Dacorn. Androkom unstrapped the pack he carried on his chest and set it gently on the sand, careful not to jar the equipment he carried. He walked to the water's edge and knelt, craning his long neck forward until his chin touched the water. With one last glance over his shoulder to confirm he was alone, he stuck out his tongue and lapped up the cool, fresh water.

The water was exceptionally still in the little cove, so still his own face looked back at him as he drank, distorted only by the small wavelets his tongue created. Again, he felt the strange sensation that he wasn't alone and looked behind him. Shrugging it off, he lowered his head to the water once more. Suddenly, he began to choke as his reflection was joined by two others, a sky-dragon and a sun-dragon, standing on the beach next to him.

Androkom jumped forward into the knee-deep water and spun around. To his dismay, he recognized one of the intruders.

"Shandrazel!" he shouted. He'd heard about the reception the banished prince had received at the College of Spires and feared that Shandrazel might not feel warmly toward biologians.

"Don't panic, Androkom," Shandrazel said. "You've nothing to fear from us."

Androkom straightened himself, raising his wings for balance. "You remember me, Prince? I'm flattered." He'd met Shandrazel almost five years ago, while the prince was still under the tutelage of Dacorn.

"Of course," Shandrazel said. "I was impressed by your argument that books often contain falsehoods and contradictions. So many of the biologians seem fixed on the notion that if it's written, it must be true. It helped guide me to the view that the form of government we dragons have chosen might not be the wisest one."

"A surprisingly enlightened view for a prince of the realm," Androkom said. He cast a glance at the sky-dragon beside Shandrazel. A biologian? Why didn't he recognize him? Unless... could it be? "Who, may I ask, is your companion?"

"I am Vendevorex," the sky-dragon answered.

"Of course," Androkom said with a knowing nod. "I've tried to make your acquaintance before now. I wanted to discuss your so-called 'magic.' I have theories as to its origins. Did you not receive my letters?"

"I received them," Vendevorex said. "I ignored them. The source of my powers is my secret. If I won't reveal it to the king, you can't expect that I'd share it to you."

"I heard rumors you'd taken ill," Androkom said. "I took this to mean you'd fallen out of favor with Albekizan. I a.s.sume you've joined Shandrazel's quest to overthrow his father?"

"I've not come to overthrow my father," Shandrazel said.

Vendevorex added, "Albekizan knows nothing of our alliance. With luck, he thinks I'm dead."

"I see," said Androkom, walking back onto the sh.o.r.e, shaking his tail and wings to dry them.

"We're sorry if we frightened you," Shandrazel said. "We were traveling back toward my father's castle when we spotted you. We followed you until you came to rest. Knowing your reputation as one who is unafraid to challenge authority, I felt that I could trust you."

"Your instincts serve you well," Androkom said. "I'm at your service. But, may I ask, where were you? I felt I was being watched but saw no sign of pursuit."

"I used my magic to make us invisible," Vendevorex said.

"I believe you were invisible," Androkom said, "but I don't believe you're magic. I've read tomes describing ancient technologies. I believe you are in possession of a Magnetically Integrated Rapidly Rotating Optical Reversal System."

The wizard looked stunned. "I've never met another dragon I could discuss this with. I'm impressed. You're right. It's done with M.I.R.R.O.R.S."

"But how did you come to be in possession of the technology? Having the information is a far leap from having the artifacts."

Vendevorex glanced at Shandrazel, then back at Androkom. "For many years I've guarded such secrets and recently, I paid a great price by having one such secret revealed. You must trust me when I say it could prove dangerous to tell you all I know."

"Your secrets may not be as secret as you think," Androkom said. "For years, we biologians have known the truth: the humans who live among us are the degenerate remnants of a once ascendant human civilization. They possessed knowledge beyond our imaginations. They had technology that we cannot distinguish from magic. They walked upon the moon, and explored the deepest depths of the oceans. They possessed other machines so small they could not be seen by the naked eye, devices that could transform matter from its most basic components into refined, priceless treasures. Most impressive of all, they knew the secret code of life itself."

"Astonishing," said Shandrazel. "Can it be true?"

"It is," said Vendevorex. "Their civilization peaked over a thousand years ago. Much of what they created has decayed over the years. My magic is accomplished using what they referred to as nanotechnology. The silver dust in my pouch is composed of these tiny machines, powered by the sun itself. They respond to thoughts, transmitted via my skullcap, or Jandra's tiara."

"This... this technology could change the world," Shandrazel said. "Why have you kept this secret?"

"Because," said Vendevorex, "I gave my word."

"To whom?" Shandrazel asked.

Vendevorex looked around, as if he, too, were worried someone might be listening. "Not all of human civilization collapsed to its present, degenerate state. Far beyond our sh.o.r.es exists a city where men live as G.o.ds. I've visited there and seen wonders beyond description. These men travel to other worlds. They fly through the air more gracefully than dragons. They've conquered death. They reshape matter with the most casual wish. The secrets I've stolen from them are so trivial as to be beneath their notice. My so-called magic wouldn't impress an infant in this wondrous city."

"How can this be?" Shandrazel asked. "If there are people with so much power, why don't they help their fellow humans? Why aren't they here right now?"

Vendevorex motioned Androkom and Shandrazel closer, drawing them into a conspiratorial huddle. "For all we know they might be here. They need not rely on the illusion I use for invisibility; they posses the power to recalculate the equations of s.p.a.ce itself, and walk above, beside, and beneath what we know as reality. However, it is their practice not to interfere with the fates of their fellow men. Once, long ago, the ancients gave little thought to changing the world. They grew in such power that even their most casual actions shook the planet. In attempting to heal the sick, they sometimes unleashed plagues. In their attempts to feed the hungry, they would turn lush lands into deserts, and drain underground seas in the effort to make these deserts blossom. As a byproduct of lighting their cities, they would raze mountains and poison oceans. They risked destroying themselves with their own miraculous tools."

"To say nothing of their toys," Androkom added.

"What do you mean?" asked Vendevorex.

Androkom felt a chill run through him. He was certain the wizard had known. Did he dare tell them? Did he dare reveal the most terrible secret of the biologians?

Before Androkom could decide, Shandrazel said, "While this discussion of ancient history satisfies my intellectual side, it doesn't help us solve our problems. Tell me, Androkom, why were you flying toward my father's fortress?"

"The short answer is that I go to give information to the most wicked dragon who ever lived. However, you may require more than a short answer. I'm unsure what you know of events that have transpired since your exile. Did you know that Blasphet has been freed?"

"I've heard. He's now my father's most trusted advisor, I'm told."

"What information do you have for Blasphet?" Vendevorex asked.

"Metron says that Blasphet kills only so that he may search for the secret of life. I go to provide that answer."

"You know the secret of life?" Vendevorex asked, his voice somewhere between amus.e.m.e.nt and astonishment.

"Indeed. Tell me, do these words mean anything to you? Double helix Double helix."

Vendevorex wrinkled his brow. "This is a mathematical form."

"So you don't know all the secrets of the ancients, eh?"

Shandrazel said, "I feel like you two are trying to one-up each other. I ask you to put this aside for the moment and use your great intellects to ponder the situation before us."

"Of course," said Androkom. "I think I have solved one problem. When I explain the source of life to Blasphet, and convince him of the answer via my experiments, he will no longer be a threat. The question that drives his evil will be sated."

"Or he'll use the knowledge to kill every last being on the planet. I can't allow it," said Shandrazel.

Androkom narrowed his eyes, annoyed by Shandrazel's att.i.tude. He didn't recall asking for permission. Perhaps arrogance was transmitted genetically. Still, arrogant or not, he was pleased to be in the company of two dragons whose intellects approached his own.

"Good dragons," he said, "I think better on a full stomach. Come, I have food in my pack. Let us break bread while we decide how best to save the world."