Of Fire and Night - Kevin J. Anderson [150]
Trying to guess why the compy had brought the Prince here, Peter said, "This certainly is an unexpected . . . honor, OX. Do we have the Chairman to thank?"
In an innocent voice, OX offered, "The Chairman gave me explicit instructions to train Prince Daniel in all matters related to the duties of a Great King. I determined that direct interaction with the existing King would be a relevant part of that instruction. No further permission was required."
Peter felt like applauding the compy's calculated obliviousness. OX knew precisely what he was doing. He must have wanted to show the King and Queen how Daniel had changed since his reawakening.
The Prince sounded bored. "I didn't want to come here. According to the Chairman, you aren't exactly the best King."
"Nevertheless, I am the King."
"Not for long. The Chairman says you won't ever learn from your mistakes. That's why OX is teaching me what I need to know--so I can replace you." Daniel flashed his small teeth, but he had not mastered the art of a sincere smile. "And I'll do a better job. I know my place now--and it's on the throne. And I'll follow the Hansa's instructions."
Peter never took his eyes from the Prince. He's even worse than before. He turned to the compy. "Thank you, OX. This was most instructive."
A scuffle arose outside the door to the royal chambers, and Mr. Pellidor pushed past Captain McCammon, his face flushed and stormy. When he saw OX and Daniel, the blond expediter took the Prince's arm in a vise grip.
Daniel squealed, "Leave me alone! You can't touch me--I'm the Prince."
"You do not want to test that theory, Daniel," Pellidor said in a threatening voice. The Prince immediately fell silent. "That's better." He flashed an accusing glance at Peter and Estarra. "What is he doing here?"
The King spread his hands. "Learning from his tutor, apparently."
OX repeated his explanation, but Pellidor did not seem convinced. "Prince Daniel must go back to his quarters. He has a lot of preparation work to do." He pushed the young man toward the door, where two assistants took Daniel by the arms and hustled him out. OX followed.
Still close to the King and Queen, the expediter kept his voice low, clearly enjoying himself. "How's the baby?" He ran his eyes up and down Estarra's rounded abdomen.
Peter remained cool, pretending ignorance. Pellidor would never admit that the Queen's food had been tampered with. "Extremely healthy."
Dropping pretense, Pellidor lowered his voice. "You are not long for your role, King Peter. Don't expect any more daily briefings from Captain McCammon. We've put a stop to those. The Chairman has already announced a banquet during which he'll reintroduce our beloved Prince Daniel to the public. Shortly afterward, you and the Queen can expect to . . . retire."
Peter glared at him. "So why warn us? Why tip your hand?"
"Because there's absolutely nothing you can do about it." Smiling, Pellidor departed, leaving a chill in the air.
Peter had no doubt that the Chairman would arrange to kill him and Estarra as soon as he found the opportunity. Dissatisfied that his handpicked King was no pliable buffoon like Old King Frederick, Basil had been threatening Peter for years. As humanity's crisis grew worse, Peter had hoped for a resolution, a grudging acceptance that the King and Chairman needed each other, needed to work together.
But Basil would hear none of it. His antipathy toward anyone who would challenge his demands had made the Chairman pathologically unable to accept anything Peter said or did. The recent, and demonstrably correct, actions Peter had taken during the Soldier compy revolt proved as much. Basil Wenceslas was like a rabid dog that needed to be put down, before he--or his patsy Daniel--could do more damage.
Alone again