Menagerie - Martin Day [28]
And believe me, Doctor, for all our faults, we knights do strive to ensure that the majority of the populace are as content as possible.'
'Thus the power stations.'
'Indeed. But the brotherhood are ruthless, subversive. I have every reason to believe that they are behind these stories of the menagerie. It is in their interest to make the populace believe that we are all being punished for the brief period of scientific experimentation that I sanctioned. That is why we must penetrate the sewers and find out what is down there, to reassure the people, to destroy any beasts that we find.'
'And creatures are emerging from the sewers, aren't they?'
'That is true.'
'Do you know who the brotherhood are?'
'I am not yet convinced that they exist. Only once has a man admitted to my face that he was a brother — and then only seconds before he hurled himself into the flames of the Furnace.'
'I believe that there is something below this city,' said the Doctor. 'I think that you and I and some of your most trusted men should explore the sewers and beyond, just as you indicated last night.'
'Without the homunculus, how are we to do that?'
'Well, a few moments ago I spoke of trust,' said the Doctor. 'I'm told you have some sacred artefacts, accoutrements of your religion that only the knights have ever gazed upon.' The Doctor smiled his most winning smile. 'I want you to show them to me.'
Diseaeda wiped his brow in the heat, and stared at the motley collection of people shuffling into position on the raised stone dais. The slave market was, as usual, late in starting.
Xaelobran eased himself further back into the folding chair. 'Not long now,' he said. 'Still, I'm in no hurry. Gets me away from the stall for a while.'
'You looking for something?' asked Diseaeda, watching the other buyers move into position.
'Well, ideally I could do with another pair of hands to help out. But it'll depend on the price.'
'Do you remember the last time I was here? Ended up buying Reisaz and Raitak.'
Xaelobran shuddered. 'Those two women, joined at the waist? It isn't natural.'
'That's my trade. Don't suppose I'll see their like here today.'
'Oh, I don't know. If one of my daughters was deformed I'd send her down here as quickly as possible.'
'Compassion and kindness flow from you like juice from a fruit,' observed Diseaeda.
'Well,' said Xaelobran, 'the way I look at it is this: there's no point eating plants when you're surrounded by carnivores.'
'I have no idea what you're talking about,' said Diseaeda.
'Anyway, the show's about to start.'
A man strode out onto the stage, his clothes formed from interlocking loops of grey leather. A little wooden baton was clenched in one fist, a fat cigar held in the other. His eyes glittered like discovered gold. 'Good people, good people, welcome to the auction. I can promise you the usual selection of waifs and strays, and dutiful servants for the very rich. All the people for sale here have been sanctioned by the guards, who will of course be delighted to assist you, should your purchases prove unreliable.'
'I just chain 'em to the floor!' shouted one man from the little crowd, to much general amusement.
'Now then, good people, without any further inaugural, introductory or dedicatory remarks, let's examine the first item.'
There was something approaching laboured applause from the audience. Diseaeda watched as the man nodded to one of the guards who stood behind the row of people on display. A few words and a prod from a sword encouraged a young boy towards the front of the stage. He looked no more than about eight years old, and it was impossible to tell where his dirty skin ended and his ripped clothes began.
His eyes were as wide as plates, unblinking against the sun.
'This young thing,' said the man, 'has been released to the guards for disposal by the generosity of the Knights of Kuabris. He is a persistent