The Indigo King - James A. Owen [51]
“Isn’t that what you’re seeking now?” asked Reynard, who had been listening from the back of the room all the while. “Not his friendship, but his cooperation?”
“Yes,” Jack replied, “but we have less to argue with here. Back in our world, he was a virtual prisoner, locked in the Keep of Time, behind the door that bore the mark of the king.”
“Mordred’s mark?” asked Chaz.
“Arthur’s mark,” said Jack. “Different king, but the Cartographer was just as trapped.”
“What for?” asked Chaz. “What did he do t’ piss someone off?”
John shrugged. “No one’s ever said. I’m not sure if anyone really knows. None of the Histories ever mentioned it, that’s for certain.”
“Mayhap we should consult th’ Little Whatsit,” offered Uncas. “There be lots of unique knowledge there that even some scowlers may not know.”
“Thank you, Uncas,” John said gently, “but this is bigger than just healing blisters or making magic darts.” He sat in the chair next to the badger and looked at the projector. “I wonder if we shouldn’t turn it on and have a look at the next slide? That way we can equip ourselves ahead of time for wherever and whenever it lands us.”
“Do we really want to do that?” asked Jack. “We can’t afford to use up the hours. Once we turn it on, we have twenty-four hours maximum before the slide burns out. And we’re going to need every second to convince the Cartographer to join us against his brother.”
“You’re probably right,” said John. “We became acclimated pretty quickly in Miletus, and Chaz was useful in helping us blend in. Perhaps this really will just be a leap of faith.”
John’s sentiment was punctuated by a loud boom from outside and a faint tremor which shook the room.
“Oh, no,” Jack groaned, slapping his forehead. “Here we go again.”
“Wait,” Reynard said, rushing from the room. “Let me see for certain.”
Any doubt they felt as to what had made the noise was dispelled a moment later when the voice of the giant filtered through the walls of the building. “Jaaackk,” it said, menacing and persuasive all at once, “Jaack … wee have a preeesent for youuu.…”
There was a crashing somewhere outside the house, and a cacophony of animal noises, then silence.
“They’re being a bit more restrained than the last time,” John observed. “That can’t be good.”
Chaz agreed. “They’s up t’ summat, for sure.”
A moment later the fox reentered the room.
“I have good news, and bad news, and worse news,” Reynard announced. He was trembling. Whatever had just transpired outside had rattled the fox to his core.
“What’s the good news?” Jack said.
“The giants will honor the king’s covenant with the Children of the Earth,” Reynard answered. “They will not cross our boundary and step onto Sanctuary.”
“Excellent!” Jack exclaimed. “We’ll be safe here, then.”
“Trapped, y’ mean,” Chaz said glumly. He looked at the fox. “They in’t going anywhere, is they?”
Reynard shook his head. “They are at the four points of the compass—one each at north, south, east, and west. They will not permit you and your fellows, or indeed, anyone else to leave Sanctuary while you are here.”
“I’m guessing that’s the bad news, then,” said John. “Should we dare ask what the worse news is?”
Reynard leaned back and motioned for the large jackrabbit that waited in the hall to come into the projection room. The animal was carrying a small burlap sack, tied with a ribbon and bearing a card. The rabbit set the bag on one of the chairs, then hopped quickly away.
John stepped forward and looked at the card. It read simply, To complete the set.
He frowned and undid the tie on the bag, which dropped open.
The badgers gasped and turned away, and Jack covered his eyes with his hands. Chaz reacted even more strongly, cursing and clenching his fists in anger. As for John, he simply closed his eyes and murmured a hasty prayer before retying the bag that held his old mentor’s head and setting it reverently in one corner of