Treachery of Kings

FORTY-SIX

Damn me, this isn't what it seems to be, it's some dark scheme, some deadly pursuit. And only Maddigern knows its name!

Finn felt strangely calm, somehow detached, as if he played no part in this at all. He didn't look at Letitia, for she would understand what had happened here as well.

“There's no point in telling you I had nothing to do with this,” he told the Badgie. “Whatever nasty business you're about, it has nothing to do with me. You're well aware of that.”

“Don't talk to me of nasty business, Finn. There's little worse than murder most foul.”

“Yes, I quite agree with that. And this is what the King will hear, no doubt. That Finn, maker of lizards, was discovered slitting this poor fellow's throat. Loyal guards tried to take him alive, and had no choice but to cut the maniac down.”

“You've a way with words, human. I'll hand you that.”

“And Letitia? She's a slasher as well?”

“I think she hangs herself in despair.”

For all his efforts, there was no way Finn could hide his fear, his apprehension now. The Badgie's words had struck home, and Maddigern knew it well.

“I'd face you on even ground,” Finn said, “if you had the courage for it.”

“That would be too easy, too quick. I'll need more than that.”

Finn risked a look at Letitia. She returned his glance with a smile, her eyes bright, her chin raised in defiance. Finn gave her an encouraging smile in return.

The Badgie shook his head. “You so carelessly show your feelings to the world. I cannot imagine such a weakness as this… Cadigar! Sigdin!”

The Badgie's words had scarcely left his lips before the two cloaked guardsmen came at a run through the open door. Both came to rigid attention, as Maddigern shouted orders in the harsh Badgie tongue.

At once, the first mailed warrior took up a position at his leader's side. The other moved to Letitia, stood with his stubby legs apart, his hands behind his back.

“Tell him to get away from her, Maddigern, now!”

“Don't concern yourself, please. I'll give you time to say your farewells before he takes the stool away. I have something else for you first. My kind are more efficient than humans, Finn. When we begin a task, we see it to completion. We do not leave a job undone.”

He turned, then, facing the Badgie by his side. The Guardsman started to move, but Maddigern stopped him with a glance.

“Hold your post. I shall handle this myself.”

Maddigern stalked to the door and disappeared.

“What do you think, Letitia? I'm guessing fatcake, sugar tarts. Squash pudding with a cherry on top.”

“Thornberry pie,” Letitia added. “That's the least I'd expect from such a caring fellow as this. Thornberry pie, dripping at the crust.”

“I knew you'd say that. A thick red filling, bubbling at the-”

“Stop. No talk!”

The Badgie close by clutched the hilt of his sword. “You know what we're saying, then? Fine. What would you fellows think of a tub of gold coins? One each, of course, wouldn't ask you to split a single tub, why, you'd slaughter each other out of hand.

“No? How about two tubs, a place in the country, a vat of ale so big you can bathe in it if you like. Wouldn't hurt either of you fellows, no offense-”

“Wassik! Jass dega!”

Something in the Badgie tongue, Finn was sure, and no translation was required. The tip of a sword at Finn's throat said it all.

“Oh, I think I understand. One thing more if I may… “

“Finn!”

At Letitia's cry, Finn turned, startled, and stared in disbelief at the door. Maddigern held an iron cage in one hand, held it out stiffly well away from any bodily parts. Behind the thick, rusty bars, hung Julia Jessica Slagg. Her long tail was fastened securely to a chain attached to the inner dome of the cage. Julia swung free, flailing her wicked claws, snapping at the air with her jaws.

The two Badgies glared at the angry lizard and backed up a cautious step as Maddigern hung the cage from a hook in the ceiling of the cell.

Clearly, the two had faced Julia's wrath before and didn't care to get within her reach again.

“Julia, you're not looking your best,” Finn said, “but it's good to see you again.”

“I'm not looking well? That's the bush calling the grass green, I'd say. You're not one to talk, but it is, indeed, a pleasure to be back. Though I wish you would inform me before you leave on one of your exciting expeditions again.

“Letitia, I'm sure you know I did what I could to maim these brutes, but I fear I was foully undone.” “I know that, Julia. You did what you could.” “You never get that right,” Finn said. “You do it every time. That business of the bush. It's not a bush it's kettles and pots. And it's black and not green… “

“Enough,” Maddigern said, and stepped between Finn and the lizard's cage.

“Sigdin, when I tell you, remove the Mycer person's stool. Do it slowly, for Master Finn will want to see the life go out of the creature's eyes. When he's finished, Finn, I'll personally slice this damnable machine into very small bits. Then we'll get to you.”

“What do you want?” Finn said, straining at his bonds. “Did I kill poor Dostagio? Yes, of course, and anyone else you'd care to name. Let them go, they're no use to you at all.”

Maddigern waved Finn's words away. “I'm done with you, Finn, there's nothing I want to hear. Look at her once more. In a moment, she won't be a pretty sight to see.”

“Letitia…”

“Oh, Finn, look away, please. I don't want you to see.” “I love you, Letitia, and I will not turn away. Just keep your eyes on me. Look at me, love… “ “Do it, Sigdin. Do it now.”

Finn shouted her name until his throat was raw, until the cords about his neck choked off his words.

Sigdin, the Badgie Guardsman, looked at his leader once, then did as he was told