Incarceron Part 23

"They sounded wrong."

"You must be more precise in speech, Claudia. How, wrong?"

She searched for the word. When it came, it surprised her. "They sounded scared."

Jared considered.

"Yes ... they did."

"And what would they be scared of? There's nothing to fear in a perfect world, is there?"

Doubtfully, he said, "We may have overheard some form of drama. A broadcast."

"But if they have that ... plays, films, then they have to know about danger, and risk, and terror. Is that possible? Can you do that if your world is perfect? Would they even be able to create such a story?"

The Sapient smiled.

"That is a point we could debate, Claudia. Some people would say your own world is perfect, and yet you know those things."

She scowled.

"All right. There's something else too." She tapped the wide-winged eagle. "Is this just for listening? Or can we use it to speak to them?"

He sighed.

"Even if we can, we shouldn't. Conditions in Incarceron are strictly controlled; everything was carefully calculated. If we introduce variables, if we open even a tiny keyhole into that place, we may ruin everything. We can't admit germs into Paradise, Claudia."

Claudia turned.

"Yes, but..."

She froze.

Behind Jared, in the gap in the hedges, her father was standing. He was watching her.

For a moment her heart leaped with the terrible shock; then she let the practiced smile slip gracefully over her face.

"Sir! "

Jared stiffened. The Key lay on the bench; he slid out his hand, but it was just out of reach.

"I've been looking everywhere for you both."

The Warden's voice was soft, his dark velvet coat an emptiness at the heart of the sunlit glade. Jared looked up at Claudia, white-faced. If he saw the Key ....

The Warden smiled calmly.

"I have some news, Claudia. The Earl of Steen has arrived. Your fiancee is looking for you."

For one cold moment she stared at him. Then she stood, slowly.

"Lord Evian is entertaining him but will only bore him. Are you pleased, my dear?"

He came to take her hand; she wanted to step aside to hide the glittering crystal from him, but she couldn't move. Then Jared gave a murmur and slumped forward slightly.

"Master?"

Alarmed, she broke from her father's grip.

"Are you in pain?"

Jared's voice was hoa.r.s.e.

"I ... No ... Just faint, for a moment. Nothing to worry about."

She helped him to sit up. The Warden stood above them, his face a mask of concern.

He said, "I'm afraid you're overdoing things lately, Jared. Sitting out in the sun is not good for you. And so much study, at all hours of the night."

Jared stood shakily.

"Yes. Thank you, Claudia. I'm fine now. Really."

"Perhaps you should get some rest," she said.

"I will. I'll go up to my tower, I think. Please excuse me, sir."

He stumbled up. For one terrible second Claudia thought her father would not move. He and Jared stood face-to-face. Then the Warden stepped back, his smile wry.

"If you'd like supper sent up, we'll have it seen to."

Jared just nodded.

Claudia watched her tutor walk carefully between the yew hedges. She dared not look at the bench, but she knew it would be empty.

The Warden went and sat down, stretching out his legs and crossing them at the ankles.

"A remarkable man, the Sapient."

She said,"Yes. How did you get in here?"

He laughed."Oh Claudia. I designed this maze before you were born. No one knows its secrets as I do, not even your precious Jared."

He turned, one arm over the back of the bench.

Quietly he said, "I think you have done something to disobey me, Claudia."

She swallowed.