Helliconia Summer - Brian W. Aldiss [359]
Making a noise suggesting that he might need to clear his throat, the old king half-turned in his chair. His expression was half vacant, half crazy.
‘It’s I – Jan.’
‘I thought it was that same path again … where the fish jumped … You …’ He struggled to disentangle himself from his thoughts. ‘That’s you, Jan? Where’s Father? What time is it?’
‘Nearly fourteen, if that’s of any interest to you.’
‘Time’s always of interest.’ VarpalAnganol gave a ghostly chuckle. ‘Isn’t it time that Borlien bumped into Freyr?’
‘That’s an old wives’ tale. I’ve something to show you.’
‘What old wife? Your mother’s dead, lad. I haven’t seen her for … or was she here? I forget. It may warm this palace up a bit … I thought I smelt burning.’
‘It’s a volcano.’
‘I see. A volcano. I thought it might be Freyr. Sometimes my thoughts wander … Do you want to sit down, lad?’ He began struggling to his feet, but JandolAnganol pushed him back into the chair.
‘Have you found Roba yet? He’s born now, isn’t he?’
‘I don’t know where he is – he’s out of his wits, certainly.’
The old king gave a cackle. ‘Very shrewd. Sanity can drive you mad, you know … You remember how the fish used to jump in that pool? Well, there always was something wild about Roba. Almost a man now, I suppose. If he’s not here, he can’t shut you up, can he? Nor can you marry him off. What’s her name? Cune. She’s gone, too.’
‘She’s in Gravabagalinien.’
‘Good. I hope he doesn’t kill her. Her mother was a fine woman. What about my old friend Rushven? Is Rushven dead? I don’t know what you do up there half the time. If you can halve time.’
‘Rushven’s gone. I told you. My agents report that he has fled to Sibornal, much good that will do him.’
Silence fell between them. JandolAnganol stood with matchlock in hand, reluctant to break into his father’s rambling thoughts. He was getting worse than ever.
‘Perhaps he’ll see the Great Wheel of Kharnabhar. It’s their sacred symbol, you know.’ With a struggle, and only by letting his blanket slip, he managed to screw his stiff old neck round to look at his son. ‘It’s their sacred symbol, I said.’
‘I know it.’
‘Then try and answer when I speak to you … What about that other fellow, the Uskuti, yes, Pasharatid? Did they catch him?’
‘No. His wife left too, a tenner ago.’
The old man sank back into the chair, sighing. His hands twitched nervously at the blanket. ‘Sounds to me as if Matrassyl’s almost empty.’
JandolAnganol turned his face away, towards the grey square of light. ‘Just me and the phagors.’
‘Did I ever tell you what Io Pasharatid used to do, Jan? When he was allowed to come and see me? Curious behaviour for a man of the northern continent. They are very self-controlled – not passionate, like the Borlienese.’
‘Did you scheme with him to overthrow me?’
‘I just sat here while he dragged a table through, a heavy table. He used to put it under that little window. Did you ever hear such a thing?’
JandolAnganol began to pace about the cell, darting his gaze into the corners as if seeking a way of escape.
‘He wanted to admire the view from your luxurious apartment.’
The figure in the chair gave a bleat of laughter. ‘Precisely so. Admiring the view. Well put. A good phrase. And the view was of … well, if you get the table yourself, lad, you will see. You will see the windows of MyrdemInggala’s apartments, and her verandah …’ He broke off for a dry cough which rattled in his throat. The king paced faster. ‘You get a view of the reservoir where Cune used to swim naked with her ladies-in-waiting. Before you sent her away this was, of course …’
‘What happened, Father?’
‘Well, that’s what happened. I told you but you didn’t listen. The ambassador used to climb on to that table and watch your queen with nothing on, or wearing only a piece of muslin … Very … very unorthodox behaviour for a Sibornalese. A Uskuti. Or for anyone really.’
‘Why didn’t you tell me this at the time?’ He stood confronting the ancient shape of his father.
‘Heh. You would have killed him.’
‘I should have killed him. Yes. No one would have blamed me.