Menagerie - Martin Day [62]
'Confirmation has not yet been received of Grand Knight Himesor's demise,' said Araboam. 'For the moment, Commander Zaitabor has assumed the mantle of Grand Knight.'
'And you are his intended Commander? It seems I am not considered important enough to see the Grand Knight,' the Captain grumbled.
'I am not greatly inclined to believe that I shall be made the next Commander of the Knights,' said Araboam. Now, I must ask you again, what is your business with us?'
'It's very simple,' said Oiquaquil. 'This explosion in the Furnace. Do the knights have any information regarding the perpetrators?'
'We have reason to believe that it was caused by Defrabax, who is pursuing a vendetta against us.'
'Defrabax? I always felt that the man was capable of less than half the things he boasted of.'
'He sent us an ultimatum.'
'Then you are sure it's not the brotherhood?'
'Absolutely sure,' replied Araboam. Jamie smiled to himself, knowing the reason for Araboam's confidence. He shifted his weight slightly, straining to catch their words as the men appeared to move towards the door.
'Now, I have important business to attend to,' said Araboam. 'I'll talk with you later, Captain.'
'I notice you have Argaabil under guard.'
'We suspect him of liaising with Defrabax,' explained Araboam hastily.
'That's surely a matter for the City Guard.'
'Not where Defrabax is concerned.'
'Very well. We guards have much to do at the Furnace.'
'Indeed. Good night, Captain.'
The door clicked closed and Jamie could just hear Araboam cursing under his breath. How much longer could he and Kaquaan stay where they were, undetected? Kaquaan was obviously thinking the same thing. In the darkness she reached out to squeeze Jamie's hand.
Despite himself, Jamie smiled.
A moment later Jamie heard Araboam walking across the room towards the wardrobe, the click of his footsteps on the floor growing louder. Jamie tensed, ready to spring, when suddenly there was a crash from the other side of the room.
'Get in there, you drink-sodden scum!' Jamie did not recognize the voice. There was a low thump as something or someone hit the floor, followed by a whimpering sound that was a grotesque parody of human speech.
'Grand Knight Zaitabor,' stammered Araboam. 'As you can see, I was just about to question Argaabil.'
'He's already told me,' replied Zaitabor. 'He's been talking to the Doctor's friend and the whore that you let free. We have to assume that without the correct stimulation and prayer the effects of the herbs will soon wear off. The boy will remember everything that happened.'
'But, my lord, I only told them —' Jamie recognized the voice as that of the fat Furnace worker. There was a cry of pain, and Argaabil lapsed into shivering silence.
'You were an excellent executioner and destroyer,' said Zaitabor. 'But I am sure that I can perform some of your functions with similar efficiency.' There was the metallic hiss of metal as a sword was drawn, and then a choked cry.
A pause, and then a shout from Zaitabor, presumably to knights at the door. 'Take this carcass away and feed it to the birds!'
'Grand Knight, was it right to kill him when we still need to preserve some element of —'
'The hiding is over!' exclaimed Zaitabor. 'The brotherhood will no longer skulk in the shadows or work to change people's memories through fear. I am acting Grand Knight. Defrabax has been precipitated into action. The final meeting will go ahead at dawn as planned. It's time for all people to feel the true might of the Brotherhood of Rexulon.'
'And the knights who have resisted the entreaties of the brothers?'
'They shall be destroyed. Only the Brotherhood of Rexulon are capable of governing and interceding with the Higher for the people of this city. Defrabax has done us a favour in destroying the most obvious blight of science upon our land. Although steeped in sin at birth, the Higher has seen fit to use even him.'
'What are my orders, lord?'
'Prepare for the final meeting. I have good news to bring before the brotherhood.'