Helliconia Summer - Brian W. Aldiss [252]
They both laughed and drank a toast to future pleasure in persimmon wine.
By Batalix-fall, the storm had blown away. The wooden palace vibrated with noise and creaked like a ship before coming to anchor in calm. The royal soldiery had found its way into the cellars, among the ice blocks and the wine. They, and even the phagors, were subsiding into drunken sleep.
No watch was kept. The palace seemed too far from any possible trouble, while Gravabagalinien’s macabre reputation deterred intruders. As evening wore on, the noise died. There was vomiting, laughter, and cursing, then nothing more. JandolAnganol slept with his head on a maidservant’s lap. Soon she detached herself and left him lying in a corner like a common soldier.
The queen of queens kept watch upstairs over the passing hours. She feared for her small daughter; but the site of her exile had been well chosen. There was nowhere to escape to. Eventually, she sent her ladies-in-waiting away. Though reassured by the silence below, she remained alert, sitting in an anteroom to the chamber where Princess Tatro slept.
A knock came at her door. She rose and went to it.
‘Who’s there?’
‘The Royal Vicar, ma’am, begging entrance.’
She hesitated, sighing. She slid back the bolt. Alam Esomberr entered the room, grinning.
‘Well, not quite the vicar, ma’am, but a near neighbour, and offering more comfort than is perhaps within our poor vicar’s power.’
‘Please leave. I do not wish to talk with you. I am unwell. I shall call the guard.’ She was pale. Her hand trembled as she rested it against the wall. She mistrusted the smile on his face.
‘Everyone’s drunk. Even I – even I, model of excellence that I am, son of my worthy father as I am, am just slightly squiffed.’
He kicked the door shut behind him and grasped her arm, pushing her before him until she was forced to sit down on the couch.
‘Now – don’t be so inhospitable, ma’am. Make me welcome, because I am on your side. I have come to warn you that your ex-husband means to kill you. Your circumstances are difficult, and you and your daughter need protection. I can give you that protection, if you behave kindly to me.’
‘I was not being unkind. I am merely frightened, sir – but I am not to be frightened into anything I would regret later.’
He took her into his arms, despite her struggles. ‘Later! There’s the difference between our sexes, ma’am – that for women there’s always a later. The prevalence of pregnancy among you must account for all the laters. Let me into your fragrant nest tonight and I swear you shall not regret any laters. Meanwhile, I will have my nows.’
MyrdemInggala hit him across the face. He sucked his lips.
‘Listen to me. You wrote a letter to the C’Sarr in my care, did you not, my lovely ex-queen? In it, you said that King Jan intended to kill you. Your delivery boy betrayed you. He sold the letter to your ex-husband, who has read every mischievous word you wrote.’
‘ScufBar betrayed me? No, he’s always been in my service.’
Esomberr took her by the arms.
‘In your new position, you have no one you can depend on. No one except me. I will be your protector if you behave.’
She broke into weeping. ‘Jan loves me still, I know it. I understand him.’
‘He hates you, and lusts for the embrace of Simoda Tal.’
He unfastened his clothes. At that moment the door opened and Bardol CaraBansity lumbered in and marched to the centre of the room. He stood with his hands on his hips, fingers of his right hand over the hilt of his knife.
Esomberr jumped up, clutching his trousers, and ordered the deuteroscopist out. CaraBansity stood his ground. His face was heavy and flushed. He looked like a man accustomed to butchery.
‘I must ask you to cease consoling this poor lady immediately, sir. I venture to trouble you because there is no guard on the palace and an army approaches from the north.’
‘Find someone else.’
‘This is an emergency. We are about to be slaughtered. Come.’
He led along the corridor. Esomberr looked back at MyrdemInggala, who stood rigid, staring at him with defiant gaze. He cursed and