Menagerie Part 14

'You'd better come up with a better story than that if you ever want to leave the castle.'

'There's a concealed stairway in that corridor. I'll show you. It's behind -'

The knight laughed. 'Do you think the brotherhood would dare to hold their meetings below Castle Kuabris? How absurd!'

'But it's true!' said Cosmae. Jamie began to stir, groaning loudly. 'He'll tell you. I'm not lying.'

The knight's voice lowered to a conspiratorial whisper. 'I have had certain suspicions about Zaitabor for a while,' he confided. 'I think he senses my unease. He's always sought to demote me or have me expelled. I think perhaps we will take a walk back to this corridor of yours.' He reached out a hand and smiled warmly. 'My name's Araboam, by the way.'

Zaitabor strode grandly into the main chamber of the knights and surveyed the a.s.sembled advisers. 'I'm told that the expedition to the sewers has met with failure,' he said.

'A single knight has returned,' said one of the aides, coming forward and bowing. 'He tells of an attack by terrible creatures. He is sure that none of the party will survive.'

'With some regret I find myself in agreement with the knight's conclusion,' said Zaitabor. 'Himesor's death is deplorable. He was a fine and n.o.ble leader. We shall of course allow a suitable period of mourning and reflection, but I see no reason why I should not be installed as Grand Knight by the end of the month.'

'Indeed, Commander,' said one of the old men. 'And until that time you are ent.i.tled to all the functions and privileges of Grand Knight.'

'I shall accept my new tasks with all due humility and fort.i.tude,' said Zaitabor. 'And although the selection process is complicated, I do have one very faithful lieutenant in mind for the next Commander.'

'My lord,' said another adviser, shuffling forward, 'your direct exaltation to the position of Grand Knight is most irregular.' The man's eyes were downcast and his hands twisted the hem of his long robe nervously. 'Precedent dictates that -'

'I am a Knight of Kuabris! I care nothing for precedent.'

Zaitabor took a step towards the frail old figure, half-raising an arm as if to strike.

'My lord is of course quite correct,' said the man hurriedly. ' "Unusual" was the word I was looking for. Each Grand Knight must seek to rule with diligence and in his own manner. Please forgive the words of an old man whose only wish is that he serve you well.'

'I am sure you will,' said Zaitabor with a cold benevolence. He moved over to the throne that rose from the table's end, and ran an appreciative hand over the ornate patterning. 'Your caution would be well advised, however, if you were to suggest that we should not let the people know of Himesor's demise just yet. h is not in our interest to further mythologize the so-called Menagerie of Ukkazaal.'

'Despite the monsters?' asked one of the administrators, rubbing his hands nervously.

'There are strange creatures in caves all over our world.

The fate of this misguided expedition does not provide evidence of the Menagerie's existence. Far from it. I shall question the knight myself later to establish the truth of the matter. In any case, the scientist called the Doctor has been punished for his trust in science. Higher be praised!'

There was a loud rap at the door and a moment later a knight strode in. 'Forgive me, Commander, but Defrabax has just delivered a letter to the guards at the gatehouse.'

'What did that d.a.m.ned charlatan want?'

'He did not specify, sir. The letter is addressed to Grand Knight Himesor.'

'Who is dead. Give the letter to me.'

The knight handed the letter to Zaitabor who snapped the seal and unfolded the letter. 'He must have been disturbed by our latest intrusion,' he muttered. He started to read the parchment, and then looked up and examined the faces of his advisers, who were watching him with interest. 'I shall keep no secrets from my learned friends. The mage's letter reads as follows: ' "Sir - ' "When first I was informed of your plans to sanction limited scientific experimentation I was overjoyed. My views on Kuabris suppression and manipulation are well known, and I shall not go into them again here.

' "As your decision seemed at least in part motivated by the poverty of our people, I had hoped that we would soon see the benefits and freedoms being felt by the poorest in our city. The importance of our provision of heat and light to those who have most to gain from it cannot be underestimated.

' "In fact, as I survey our city, I see only that the rich men are now richer. The poor have become increasingly desperate, taunted by phantoms of the quality of life that they could have had.

' "Curse this constant drizzling downpour and curse you, Grand Knight! Your immutable interest in my homunculus, despite the diversion in the shape of the creatures from the sewers, has forced me now to write to you with an ultimatum.

' "Below this city of ours is an older and yet infinitely more advanced dwelling place. My homunculus has informed me that there are power sources down there the like of which you cannot imagine. They could supply all of our city's needs. The technology of our ancient forefathers will allow us to put an end to disease and misery. All our people must reap the benefits of what is down there.

' "I have it within my power to destroy the Furnace. This is not an action I will undertake lightly, but surely you can appreciate the results of this: the people will not allow what little light of science they have to be taken from them.

' "Sanction increased scientific experimentation and let us benefit from the old city! If you do not do this immediately, I will have no option but to destroy the Furnace, and the people will be driven to revolt.

' "Change the ways of Kuabris, or the knights will be swept aside!" '

Zaitabor read the letter again, silently, his face dark with anger. 'd.a.m.n that magician!' he cried, flinging the parchment across the room. 'Does he think that science has the answers? Does he really believe the placid folk of the city to be on the verge of rebellion and revolt? Himesor might have fallen for this soft trick, but I will not.'

'What will you do?' asked one of the aides.

Zaitabor sat on the throne and drew his sword. He grabbed a doc.u.ment at random from the table and spat on it, using it as a rag to clean his already immaculate blade. 'Call Araboam and the whole a.s.sembly of knights to me. I shall order that the magician be found and executed. If it means every house in this city being ripped apart, then so be it.'

'And then?'

'And then I have something wonderful planned. The way of Kuabris will not be destroyed!'

Jamie pulled the tapestry back with a flourish. Behind it was a blank wall of uninterrupted wooden panelling. He stared at the s.p.a.ce where the door should have been in surprise.

'No door,' commented Araboam.

'But it was here,' said Jamie. 'I swear it was.'

Araboam turned to Kaquaan. 'Young lady, can you confirm or deny this tale?'

The girl shook her head. 'No. Last thing I remember was my cell. Then waking up in your room.'

Araboam stared at Jamie and Cosmae. 'Whatever stunned you,' said Araboam, 'has clearly warped your senses.'

Cosmae stammered an apology. 'It appears we've been wasting your time. I am sorry, Commander.'

'Then I'm afraid the cells await you all with their tender embrace.' The young knight reached out for Kaquaan's face.

She flinched at his touch, but did not move away. 'Yet perhaps we can arrange something better for you.' His fingers brushed across her shoulders and neck. 'You're not what you were when first you came to the castle but . . .

They say all horses are grey in the dark.'

Araboam's fingers alighted upon the gla.s.sy pendant around her neck. He held up the cube to the light. For the first time in many hours Cosmae remembered his ostensible reason for trying to rescue the girl.

'What's this?' Araboam asked. 'An elaborate trinket on so common a girl?'

Kaquaan smiled demurely. 'My lord can have it, if he wishes.'

'No!' said Cosmae. 'You mustn't -'

Araboam turned. 'What's that squeaking I hear? Some mere rodent trying to tell me what I can do?'

Cosmae bowed his head. 'My apologies.' Jamie could tell that his young friend was seething, and wondered how much more provocation he could take.

Araboam turned his attention back to the girl. 'I'm sure a lady lady who so easily spreads her legs must be showered with all sorts of trinkets and -' who so easily spreads her legs must be showered with all sorts of trinkets and -'

Cosmae lunged at the knight, his hands balled into fists.

He caught him once, just on the side of the face. Araboam turned and drew his sword with a single graceful movement.

Before either Cosmae or Jamie could do anything the silver tip of the sword arced through the air and turned scarlet on Cosmae's chest.

The doors at one end of the corridor opened and a group of knights marched towards them. Jamie wondered how long they'd been there and what their orders had been.

Cosmae was looking at his bleeding chest with disbelief.

His hands were red, his teeth chattering.

'You'll survive,' announced Araboam. 'For the moment.'

He turned to the knights. 'This young puppy dares to a.s.sault a Knight of Kuabris. Take him to the cells to await execution.'

Whimpering, the young man was led away. Kaquaan stared after him in disbelief 'Now then, Jamie,' said Araboam as he returned his sword to a scabbard. 'I may call you Jamie? I have found out so much about you since you escaped from those dullards who masquerade as the City Guard. And I'm afraid I have to bring you bad news. It appears almost certain that your friend the Doctor has died.' He paused for a moment to let the words sink in. 'Now, there are certain strange things that you and your friend claim to have seen. I would like to remind you that you have no proof of this meeting of the brotherhood. Is your memory not already beginning to fade?

I'm sure it will degenerate further over the coming days. If by some slim chance the Doctor lives and you are reunited - or if in any way you are tempted to act upon your wild claims about the brotherhood - just remember that Cosmae's fate lies in my hands. That of this young strumpet, too. And as you lie on the hard bunk of your rat-infested cell, I want you to think very carefully about what you saw, and what you didn't see.' Araboam began to march Jamie and the girl back down the corridor. 'There's a whole world out there. It would be a shame never to see it again.' He placed a brotherly arm around the girl and slapped Jamie on the back. 'Remind me again what you saw beneath the castle.'

Jamie scratched his head. He could feel things shifting in his mind, like chunks of ice thawing and crumbling in the sun. And the only image that he could fix on was that of poor Cosmae, being dragged away, feet sc.r.a.ping the stone floor, bleeding. 'I . . . I didn't see anything.'

'Good,' said Araboam. 'You're learning very quickly.'

The cheers from the crowd formed a not unpleasant backdrop to Zoe's ch.o.r.es in the curtained-off section behind the ring. A selection of creatures, clowns and performers moved back and forth. She could just about hear Diseaeda's voice. 'I hope you enjoyed the Tumbling Terrors!' he cried.

Three men, arms and legs held so tight as to become human b.a.l.l.s, rolled through the curtain at high speed, and came to rest in the sawdust next to Zoe. They stretched out, panting. 'Not bad,' said one.

'I had to compensate for your slips too many times,'

complained another.

The twins walked up to the acrobats. 'Take your arguments somewhere else,' said Raitak.

'The scree beasts are on in a few minutes,' said Reisaz. 'So unless you want your lovely hair covered with scree s.h.i.t . . .'

Zoe returned to the job at hand, forcing small blue and silver paper strips into the false bottom of one of the clown's buckets. She heard the three men walk out of the tent, still arguing.

'A good little trick that,' commented Raitak, gesturing towards the bucket.

Zoe nodded seriously. 'A good idea, but this hinge isn't ideal. Engineering isn't really my speciality, but I'm sure a micro-switched magnetic seal would be much better.'

'I suppose it would,' said Raitak humourlessly. 'Now I suggest you get that ready or -'

There was a sudden shout from the back of the tent. The twins ran to investigate. One of the strongmen had appeared and was waving his hands, agitated. Zoe had been with the Doctor long enough to recognize the effects of fear on someone's body language. Slowly she got to her feet.

'Zoe!' called the twins earnestly. 'Quick!'

She ran to their side. 'What's the matter?'

'That creature of yours,' said Raitak. 'It's come back to life, broken out of its casket. And now it's on the rampage.'

Ten.

The Doctor peered through the haze, fighting back the feelings of nausea. His head thumped painfully but he was determined to remain conscious, to establish where he and the knights were being taken.