Menagerie - Martin Day [22]
Jamie turned his head and concentrated on running, which was made difficult by the damp, uneven surface of the road.
He glanced at the buildings as he passed, hoping to avoid getting lost.
His keen ears soon lost the sound of pursuit. He slowed, and a few minutes later he turned the corner that would eventually take him back to the guards' building.
Walking towards him from the building was the young man. He was clearly downcast, his body language seeming to indicate that he was resigned even to capture.
Jamie stopped and looked at the lad. He was about Jamie's age, slim and slightly gangling, with unkempt hair the colour of dirty straw. The boy smiled eventually, a grin of such warmth that Jamie was very much put at ease by the stranger.
'I have heard that fashions in the other cities are unusual,'
said the young man at last, 'but never did I expect to see a man in a woman's skirt.'
Araboam and Zaitabor stood to attention as Himesor examined the papers they had brought. 'The first proof, Grand Knight,' said Zaitabor. 'Proof that Defrabax has a homunculus.'
Himesor stared down at the pages in front of him.
'Meaningless words,' he said. 'And this sketch?' The drawing showed a cadaverous, slab-faced creature with unnaturally long arms.
'Drawn by the wizard's boy,' explained Araboam. 'He invited the whore into their house. She saw the creature.'
'I will question the girl later,' said Himesor, nodding to himself. Almost without thinking he found himself smudging the charcoal, blending the sharp lines into subtle suggestions of sinew and bone. He sucked the blackened end of his thumb. 'I was an artist before I was a knight,' he said, looking up at Zaitabor, seeking whatever passion lay beyond his cold features. 'Where once I dedicated my works to the Higher, now I chase golems and apes from the sewers. I think I lost something a very long time ago, and I know not how to get it back.'
'And this man?' asked Zaitabor impatiently, indicating the small figure who stood silently towards the back of the room.
Himesor turned, observing the stranger. He wore a dark coat, beneath which was a hint of azure, and square-patterned trousers. He blew his nose into a large handkerchief as if to imply that he wasn't listening to their conversation, but his eyes were intense.
'A scientist from another city. Oiquaquil brought him here. It seems that the night, though not yet spent, has many surprises for us.'
'He should be executed,' said Zaitabor instinctively.
Himesor shook his head. 'No. While I might oppose his beliefs with all my strength, I can at least offer him the common courtesy of politeness. Better to win an enemy round than to destroy him.'
Zaitabor opened his mouth as if to disagree, but then paused. He nodded curtly. 'My lord.'
'I am tired,' announced Himesor. 'I will talk with this scientist for a few moments before I rest. Araboam, you have done well today. Please wait outside this chamber for the prisoner. You will escort him to the cells when we have completed our business. You will then be dismissed until I next call for you. Do not neglect your meditations.' Himesor turned to Zaitabor. 'Thank you, my friend. We do seem to be making progress. Keep an eye on Defrabax. Soon his creature will come out into the open. Good night, Commander.'
The two knights bowed, and turned for the door. When they were gone, Himesor stood, sipping from a glass of water. 'Your name?'
'I am the Doctor,' said the little man, stepping around to the front of the Grand Knight's immense table.
' "Doctor".' Himesor turned the term over in his mind.
'The word refers to a scientist who is wise in matters of health and the destruction of disease, does it not?'
'That is one of its meanings.'
'Then that is what you do?'
'In a manner of speaking. I tend to be more interested in .
. .' The Doctor paused. 'Did I hear you discuss golems?'
Himesor laughed. 'You did.'
'Golems of great evil,' said the Doctor, his eyes the grey of battlefield