Helliconia Summer - Brian W. Aldiss [250]
‘The ceremony will not detain you long, madam,’ he said. He paraded into the centre of the room and bowed to her. ‘My name is Esomberr of the Esomberrs. I am the Envoy and Representative in Borlien of the Great C’Sarr Kilandar IX, the Father Supreme of the Church of Akhanaba and Emperor of Holy Pannoval. My function is to act as witness on behalf of the Father Supreme, in a brief ceremony. That is my public duty. My private duty is to declare that you are more beautiful than any representation of you could ever be.’
To JandolAnganol she said faintly, ‘After all we have been to each other …’
Continuing without altering the tone of his voice, Esomberr said, ‘The ceremony will absolve King JandolAnganol from any further marital ties. Under this special bill of divorcement granted by the Father Supreme himself, you two will cease to be husband and wife, your vows will be rescinded, and you will renounce the title of Queen.’
‘Upon what grounds am I to be divorced, sir? What is the pretext? How has the revered C’Sarr been told I have offended, to be treated like this?’
The king stood as in a trance, staring rigidly at the air, while Alam Esomberr pulled a document from his pocket, flapped it open, and read.
‘Madam, we have witnesses to prove that while you have been taking your holidays here in Gravabagalinien’ – he sketched a sensuous gesture – ‘you have entered the sea in a state of nudity. That you have there consorted carnally with dolphins. That this unnatural act, forbidden by the Church, has been frequently repeated, often within sight of your child.’
She said, ‘You know this is a complete fabrication.’ She spoke without fire in her voice. Turning to JandolAnganol, she said, ‘Can the state survive only by dragging down my name, by disgracing me – and by making you lower than a slave?’
‘Here comes the Royal Vicar, madam, who will perform our ceremony,’ said Esomberr. ‘You need only stand silent. No further embarrassment will be caused you.’
AbstrogAthenat entered, radiating the chill of his personality in the space of the chamber. He raised a hand and pronounced a blessing. Two small boys playing the pipes stood behind him.
The queen said coldly, ‘If this holy farce must take place, I insist that Yuli be removed from the room.’
JandolAnganol broke from his reverie to order his runt outside. After a small fuss, it left.
AbstrogAthenat came forward with a paper on which the words of the wedding ceremony were inscribed. He took the hands of the king and queen, making each hold a side of the paper, which they did as if hypnotised. He then read the bill out in a high, clear voice. Esomberr looked from one to other of the royal pair. They looked at the floor. The vicar lifted a ceremonial sword high. With a muttered prayer, he brought it down.
The paper bond they held was sliced in two. The queen let her half float to the wooden tiles.
The vicar produced a document which JandolAnganol signed, Esomberr signing as witness. The vicar signed it himself, then handed it to Esomberr for its onward transmission. The vicar bowed to the king. He left the room, followed by his two piping boys.
‘The deed is done,’ said Esomberr. Nobody moved.
Heavy rain began to fall. Sailors and soldiers from the ships had crowded to the one open window to catch a glimpse of a ceremony of which they could boast for the rest of their lives. Now they ran for shelter, and officers bellowed at them. The downpour increased. Lightning flashed and presently thunder broke overhead. The monsoons were approaching.
‘Ah well, we must make ourselves comfortable,’ said Esomberr, striving for his usual lightness of tone. ‘Perhaps the queen – the ex-queen, excuse me – will have some ladies bring us refreshment.’ He called to one of his men. ‘Look down in the cellars. The serving maids will be hiding down there or, failing them, the wine will be.’
Rain poured in the open window and the unsecured shutter banged.
‘These storms blow in from nowhere and are soon over,’ JangolAnganol said.
‘That’s the way to take it,