Faerie Wars

Twenty-nine

Pyrgus felt the last remnants of the demon's influence fall from his mind and a fierce, dark anger flared inside him. How dare this creature talk so calmly about killing an emperor? How dare he threaten the Realm of Faerie? Pyrgus wanted to hurl himself upon Beleth and strangle the demon with his bare hands. Instead, he examined his cage for some possibility of escape.

The thing was designed like the cage that held the cat and her kittens in the glue factory, except larger. But not so large that Pyrgus could stand upright. He crouched behind the bars, glaring down on a frightening, hellish scene.

His cage was suspended from a chain attached to a mechanism in the roof of a cavern underneath Beleth's metal mansion. Directly below a pool of molten brimstone cast a red glow. Some thirty or more of Beleth's followers were working in the cavern, their skins scaled and armoured against the heat, their bodies muscular and bloated to allow them to handle the hot metal they were crafting into a monstrous missile beside the pool. Beleth himself had reverted to the fearsome form he had used to appear in Brimstone's Triangle of Art. A lantern hung from one huge curling horn.

Beyond the toiling demons was a levelled platform on which contingents of miniature troops were drawing up in battle order. The technology here was very different from that of the Emperor's Situation Room. Triangulated projectors replaced the crystal globes so that the armoured demons Pyrgus had seen outside the city were re-created little more than eighteen inches tall across the platform surface. At first glance they looked like a toy army, but once you watched for more than a moment you lost the scale and found yourself drawn into the midst of the action even more effectively than any globe.

'Aggression!' Beleth growled admiringly.

The troops were grouping for manoeuvres. They had separated out into two broadly equal factions and as Pyrgus watched they hurled themselves upon each other. Light wands sparked and hissed. Balls of flame rolled viciously across the battlefield. Missiles exploded everywhere. But Beleth's troops seemed indestructible. They walked unscathed through gouts of flame, explosions, shimmering razor fields, somehow surviving to press their attack with mind-numbing savagery. These were the creatures who would soon be joining Hairstreak to oppose the forces of the Purple Emperor. Pyrgus's father didn't stand a chance.

'The reality will be entertaining,' Beleth said. 'But enough of this small amusement – I want to tell you now how you will die.' The ground shook as he walked towards a metal lever set beside the brimstone pool. He looked up at Pyrgus, now almost directly overhead, and smiled. 'Isn't real machinery fascinating? I mean, all these magical trapped-lightning devices are impressive, but you can't really beat the good old-fashioned cogs and gears and levers stuff. That's machinery you can understand. I love it, Crown Prince. So satisfying.' He reached out and fondled the end of the lever.

It was uncomfortable in Pyrgus's cage. Crouched as he was, the muscles of his legs were beginning to protest and would probably soon spasm painfully. His headache was back, more vicious than before. Just two more little problems in what had been a really lousy day. He wished he could think of something cool to say to Beleth, but nothing came to mind. Not that it mattered, since Beleth was still talking.

'You will die very slowly,' Beleth said. 'Very slowly and very, very painfully. This lever operates the machinery above your head. Once I pull it, the machinery feeds out the chain and your cage will begin to lower. It's set to work extremely slowly. I doubt you'll even notice the movement, but take my word for it, you will be moving. Downwards.'

Pyrgus looked down. Below him the brimstone pool seethed and bubbled.

'In time,' said Beleth, 'in such a long, long time, life will grow uncomfortable for you. In time you will find yourself coughing from the brimstone fumes. In time you will find yourself sweating from the heat. In time the stench of sulphur will fill your nostrils and your eyes will begin to stream.'

'Now look here, Beleth – ' Pyrgus said.

But Beleth was not to be interrupted. He giggled. 'And it can only get worse. The temperature will rise as you approach the brimstone pool. You will become thirsty as your body fluids evaporate. Your skin will prickle, then begin to blister. All so slowly, so very, very slowly, allowing you to appreciate every second of the exquisite, steadily increasing pain. No, please don't interrupt – we're getting to the best bit. Eventually, after many, many hours of drawn-out torture, you will reach the brimstone pool itself. Slowly, oh so slowly, your cage will descend into the molten sulphur. It will begin to burn away your feet, starting with the soles. Then, as the cage sinks deeper, it will burn away your ankles and your legs up to your knees. Brimstone cauterises blood flow, so you will remain alive and conscious as your body is gradually burned away a fraction of an inch at a time. Your head and brain will be the last to go so you may even enjoy the supreme horror of watching the molten brimstone creeping up towards your neck before you lose consciousness for ever.' He gave a deep, throaty chuckle and stroked the metal casing of the enormous missile his demons were constructing beside the pool. 'The last thing you will ever see will be my Doomsday Bomb.'

'Doomsday Bomb?' Pyrgus echoed despite himself.

'The weapon that will allow me to take over your father's kingdom,' Beleth grinned. 'The destructive power of a small sun is contained within this metal canister. I will launch it from one of my vimanas -what your human friends quaintly call flying saucers. It will kill a million of your father's soldiers, give or take a dozen. Such a saving in manpower. It will destroy your palaces and raze your entire capital in a single burst of deadly light. You will die looking at it, knowing it will soon wipe out your family and your friends.'

'Why are you doing this?' demanded Pyrgus. 'I can understand why you might want to kill me, but why the long, slow torture?'

Beleth smiled delightedly. 'It is my nature.' His fingers curled around the lever. 'Oh, I do like this bit!' he exclaimed. 'It gives me such a thrill!' He pulled the lever.

The sweating demons stopped their work momentarily and turned to look up at Pyrgus's cage. There was a grinding of machinery and Pyrgus felt the cage jerk slightly before it settled, swinging slightly.

'Doesn't feel as if it's moving, does it?' Beleth called. 'But it is, take my word for it. You are on your final journey and it will take a long, long time. I shall leave you soon to enjoy your trip, but before I go I want to give you a little mental anguish to accompany your physical pain. I want to tell you how your father was betrayed and how he will be killed. I want to tell you what will happen to the Peacock Throne and the fate of your dear little sister. I want to tell you about the treachery and treason and the utter, total, absolute destruction of House Iris. I want to tell you about our plans to pillage the Realm of Faerie. I want – '

In his cage, Pyrgus experienced another stab of his peculiar headache. It felt as if there was pressure building up inside his skull. It made him nauseous and for one glorious moment he thought he might be able to throw up all over Beleth. But then the nausea died down and he was just left with the headache and the pressure in his skull. He put it down to nerves and tried hard to ignore it.

Below him, Beleth droned on happily.

'But Serenity – ' the guard protested.

'Just go,' said Holly Blue imperiously. 'I shall be perfectly all right.'

The guard looked at her uncertainly, then turned and marched from the chamber. His companions followed in smart order. Blue swung her gaze to the boy who'd sneaked behind a pillar to get a glimpse of her in the bath. He was a pleasant-looking creature in most peculiar clothes, but he certainly didn't look as if he had the courage to risk the sort of punishment meted out for that type of behaviour. 'Well,' she said coldly, 'are you going to explain yourself?'

'I'm sorry,' Henry told her miserably. They were no longer in the storeroom. The guards had marched him to opulent living quarters where the girl seemed entirely at home. And in charge.

'Sorry you did it or sorry you were caught?'

'Sorry I did it,' Henry said. 'I didn't mean to.' The guards had called her 'Highness' and 'Serenity'. That probably meant she was some sort of royal, maybe even a princess. He almost shuddered at the thought before another, even more awful thought caught up with it: she might be related to Pyrgus. Hadn't Pyrgus said he had a sister? Henry couldn't remember, but the idea was terrifying. If this was Pyrgus's sister, how could Henry ever look his friend in the eye again? Bad enough to peep at a strange girl, but to peep at your friend's sister

… He made a massive effort to pull himself together. 'I was just looking for somebody and I sort of came on you by accident.'

'Who were you looking for?'

'Well, anybody really,' Henry said uncomfortably. 'The whole place was so empty.' He rallied and added, 'It's not as if you were, you know, in a private bathroom. I mean, you were right out in the open with -without – right out in the open,' he tailed off lamely. 'Anybody could have seen you. I was just unlucky.' He realised what he'd said and added hurriedly, 'I mean not unlucky to have seen you that way. I mean you're very pretty, beautiful and all that, no spots or anything, but unlucky to have come across you when you didn't want to be come across. Although if you didn't want to be come across, I don't think you should take your bath out in the open like that.'

'Oh, so it was really my fault?' Blue asked icily. 'I'm the one to blame?'

'No, you're not the one to blame. I didn't say you were to blame. I just meant that if you'd taken your bath in a proper bathroom, I wouldn't have accidentally come across you. Anybody could have seen you.'

'Hardly. I ordered this wing of the palace cleared. I always do when I take a bath.'

Henry groaned inwardly. That was why the place had been deserted. The princess was taking a bath. Everyone had orders to keep well away. And he'd casually strolled in on her. He closed his eyes to shut out the embarrassment of it all. When he opened them again, he said, 'Are you Pyrgus's sister?'

Blue froze. Silent moments ticked by, then she said, 'What do you know about Pyrgus? Where have you come from? Who are you?'

'Henry Atherton,' said Henry. And told her everything.

Frowning, Blue walked to the window. 'Pyrgus is probably still all right. I've been trying not to think about it. I've carried an antidote to his poison ever since I heard about it, but there's nothing we can do until we find him.'

'I'm sorry,' Henry said. 'I don't know what's happened to Pyrgus – nobody's told me. I mean you're the first person I've talked to. Don't you know where he is? Didn't he come back to the palace?'

'He's disappeared,' said Blue shortly. 'And if we don't find him soon, the poison will kill him. It's all a bit complicated – '

He thought she might be about to say something else, but the door slammed open and an hysterical servant girl burst in. 'Mistress Blue – you must come at once! Something dreadful's happened!'

'What is it, Anna? What's happened?'

But the girl was beyond rational speech. She began to wail and rock and moan, hugging herself and weeping just inside the doorway. 'It's His Majesty, His Majesty!'

'Come on!' Blue grabbed Henry's hand and headed for the door.

They ran.

There were guards everywhere, shouting orders and getting in each other's way. One tried to stop them as they entered a corridor.

'Stand aside!' hissed Blue furiously. The guard did what he was told.

It was chaos in the corridor. 'Where are we going?' Henry asked breathlessly.

'My father's private quarters.'

There were people milling everywhere as they approached the open door. A tall man in a green cloak swept towards them. 'Serenity, you must not go in.'

'What's happened, Tithonus?' Blue demanded.

'There has been an incident involving your father.'

'What sort of accident?'

Tithonus didn't say accident, Henry thought.

Tithonus swallowed. 'Your father has been gravely injured, Princess. Very gravely injured.'

Her father was dead. It was clear as day to Henry. The adults always tried to break it to you gently, which just made things worse.

'What happened?' Holly Blue demanded.

'An intruder. He had a weapon – '

'What has happened to my father?' Blue screamed. She tried to push past, but Tithonus blocked the way.

Tithonus seemed distressed. 'Serenity, there was nothing I could do. It all happened so quickly.' He caught sight of Henry. 'Who is this boy?'

Holly Blue stared up at Tithonus, a dawning look of horror on her face. 'Is he…? Is he going to die?'

Tithonus shut his eyes briefly. 'Serenity,' he said formally, 'it is my tragic duty to tell you that your father, the Purple Emperor, is dead.'

For a moment Blue said nothing. Then she said, 'I don't believe you. I want to see him. Is he inside?'

'Serenity, it is best you don't see him. The weapon – ' Blue tried to push past again. Again Tithonus moved to stop her. 'Child,' he said, 'the weapon is not like our weapons and it was discharged at close range. Your father's face – '

A boy in purple garments emerged from the room behind Tithonus. He was pale and looked as if he might be sick at any moment.

'Comma!' Blue shouted. 'What is it? What -?'

The boy looked at her blankly, then shook his head. He seemed in a daze. 'I'm sorry, Blue,' he said.

'Tithonus,' Blue said. 'I will see my father!'

Something in her tone persuaded him to step aside. 'As you wish, Serenity. But it would be better – '

She was already pushing past him. Without a moment's hesitation, Henry followed.

He had an impression of a large, well-furnished chamber before his attention was locked on the body. Much of the face had been blown away, as if by a close shotgun blast. The smell of blood was overwhelming. A red pool had formed on the carpet.

'Daddy, no!' Blue wailed. She took a step forward. 'Daddy, Daddy, nooooo!'

Henry caught her as she fainted.