The Indigo King - James A. Owen [34]
“Please, come inside,” said Reynard. “The show is about to begin.”
CHAPTER EIGHT
The Infernal Device
The main houses of Sanctuary were familiar in an unfamiliar way. It was as if Oxford had been built for use by scholars three to four feet tall, who may or may not have had prehensile tails. The construction, decor, and layout were practically Edwardian, but allowances were made for those who were actually in residence.
The hallways were lined with doorways far too small for the companions to use. Possums, groundhogs, hedgehogs, and squirrels, all dressed nattily, were scurrying back and forth, seemingly absorbed in the business of the evening. Few if any gave more than a single startled glance to the strange visitors before going on about their business.
There were other doorways, much larger, that would have easily admitted John, Jack, or Chaz, but Reynard discreetly closed these as they passed.
Uncas and Fred were right at home, quite literally, and strode along behind Reynard with an assurance Jack and John had seldom seen in the badgers. It occurred to them that this might be how they had appeared to their students at the colleges. They were all permitted to be there; but some were more permitted than others.
Jack was abuzz with a thousand questions, all of which Reynard answered patiently. Despite the flashes of reluctance he showed at having them on Sanctuary, he was an exceptional and gracious host.
John asked fewer questions, if only because he was still trying to process everything that was happening.
Only Chaz had remained completely silent since their arrival on the island, which everyone else attributed to sulking. Only after they’d passed a number of animals in the corridors did John realize the truth: The man was terrified.
Another creature, a ferret wearing a pince-nez, paused and squinted at the companions before snorting huffily and scampering off in the other direction.
“It’s odd that we aren’t attracting more attention,” noted Jack, “seeing as there are seldom any humans admitted on the island.”
“It’s not a matter of inattention,” Reynard said blithely. “More an excess of it. We’ve been preparing for you a long while.”
“That’s our understanding,” said John, who was carrying the bag Bert had given them and could feel the slight pressure of Verne’s skull against his hip. “What can you tell us about Jules Verne, Reynard?”
“The Prime Caretaker?” said Reynard. “What would you like to know?”
“For one thing,” Jack answered, “why he’s called the Prime Caretaker.”
The fox stopped and looked at Jack as if he’d asked why water was wet. “Because that is what he is,” Reynard said. “He is the Caretaker of us all. Is he not, even now, guiding your path to do what must be done?”
“Guiding or manipulating,” said John. “I can’t decide which.”
Reynard nodded. “We had similar concerns, when he first came to us. Had it not been for the blessing of Ordo Maas, his coming here would not have been allowed.”
“Fourteen years ago?” asked Jack.
Reynard gave him another look. “Fourteen centuries ago, give or take. As I said, we’ve been preparing for you a long time.”
“It is a remarkable place you have here,” John said. “Very civilized. More so than the rest of Albion, that’s for sure.”
Reynard shuddered. “The Winterland, yes. When he who calls himself the king began to sweep across the world, we closed ourselves off, even from the Archipelago. And when we again ventured outside, we realized we were all that was left.”
“The animals?” John asked.
“The Children of the Earth, yes, but we here on Sanctuary were also all who were left to oppose him,” said Reynard. “The king had either slaughtered or enslaved the Sons of Adam and the Daughters of Eve, and when they ran in short supply, he turned his attention to us.
“There was a great rebellion, and there were many terrible battles. All the larger creatures were slain. Many more of us smaller animals were lost as well. Some, to our great sorrow, chose to side with him—and in doing so, became truly beasts. These he shaped through his dark