Brimstone's office was nothing like that of his partner. It was far smaller, more cluttered, gloomy and dusty. Every wall was lined with ancient tomes of sorcery and demonology, books that had taken a lifetime to collect. Brimstone's desk was a sea of parchment texts and the antique wooden floor an obstacle course of bulging folders and files. Brimstone himself was playing with a Hand of Glory when Glanville and Grayling marched in. The lawyers might have been twins. They were both small, pot-bellied men with very little hair. They both wore three-piece suits and highly polished shoes. Both carried elephant-hide briefcases with ornate 'G' monograms embossed in gold leaf on the side. Both wore rimless spectacles and both were trying unsuccessfully to grow moustaches. They looked around vainly for somewhere to sit and sighed together when they didn't find it.
'Jasper Chalkhill claims you wish to see us,' Glanville said.
'Alleges you have work for us to do,' Grayling nodded.
'We understand -- without prejudice -- there is a boy,' said Glanville.
'Some miscreant,' said Grayling.
'Some tort-feasor,' Glanville added.
'Larcenous.'
'Trespassing.'
'And missing,' Brimstone said drily, to shut them up.
'Ah, yes,' said Glanville, 'missing! Taken by the Emperor's men, to the best of our information, knowledge and belief.'
'Abducted, one might say,' sniffed Grayling slyly.
Glanville smiled. 'And Mr Chalkhill would like him back.'
Grayling smiled. 'Mr Chalkhill would like him back,' he echoed.
'Never mind about that,' said Brimstone. 'I want you to run your eye over a contract.'
'Contract law!' Glanville exclaimed, not at all put out. 'Your speciality, I believe, Mr Grayling.'
'I want you both to look over it,' hissed Brimstone.
'I want the best legal advice you can give me.' He flicked nervously at the thumb of the Hand of Glory and small flames ignited at the fingertips. Brimstone blew them out hurriedly.
'You shall have it,' said Glanville.
'You shall have it,' said Grayling.
Brimstone pulled a single sheet of parchment from the drawer of his desk and handed it across. Glanville took it, read it, then passed it without comment to Grayling. Grayling took a little longer reading, but looked up eventually.
'Is it binding?' Brimstone asked.
'Yes,' said Grayling.
'Yes,' said Glanville.
'It's with a demon,' Brimstone pointed out.
'Makes no difference,' Grayling said. 'Demonic contracts still have force in law.'
Glanville reached out and took the parchment. 'I know everyone tries to get out of them and demons are notoriously slapdash when it conies to legal matters -- '
'They prefer to kill you,' Grayling explained, smiling brightly.
' -- but the fact remains,' Glanville continued, 'if this -- ' he raised his spectacles and peered at the parchment closely ' -- Beleth wished to institute proceedings on foot of this document, they would certainly be entertained in court. Unless, of course, your signature is forged or you could prove duress. That means the demon forced you into signing,' he added helpfully.
Brimstone shook his head. 'I signed it all right. Without duress.' The Hand of Glory was beginning to sweat a little so he set it down. 'There's a penalty clause ...'
'I noticed that,' said Grayling soberly.
'I take it this contract has not yet been executed,' Glanville said.
Brimstone shook his head again. 'Not yet.' The Hand of Glory began to crawl away and he pinned it to the desktop with a paper-knife. All five fingers wiggled weakly. 'I want to know my chances of getting out of it.'
Grayling jiggled his spectacles. 'My dear Brimstone, this is signed in blood.'
'The form of words is clear,' said Glanville. 'You have agreed to make specific sacrifice to Beleth. He has agreed to grant you a specific wish.'
'The penalty clause is equally specific,' Grayling said. 'Should you fail to make the sacrifice within a month, this Beleth creature takes your soul.'
'No getting out of it,' said Glanville.
'No getting out of it at all,' Grayling confirmed.
Seven
Pyrgus could only see as far as the backside of the Imperial Guardsman walking three strides ahead of him. The man was so large he blocked much of the view in front. There were stone-faced guards on either side of him and one behind. If he tried to run, he would get maybe a stride and a half..These characters were experts.
But he had to try.
'I've a pebble in my shoe,' he announced loudly. If they stopped to let him get it out, there might be a chance of distracting them.
They ignored him.
'I could be crippled if you keep me walking on a rock. Your officers won't thank you for delivering an injured prisoner.'
Apparently their officers didn't give a hoot. The guards continued to ignore him.
They reached the bridge where the four men around him were joined by six more of their colleagues. They wore helmet masks and uniform riot gear with stun wands in every holster. This was beginning to look like a serious bust.
As the new men fell in, Pyrgus started to wonder what it was all about. When the four first took him into custody, he'd been so relieved to get away from Brimstone and the demon that he'd never thought to ask himself why the Emperor's Guard had been sent after him. 'Where are you taking me?' he demanded. 'I've a right to know where you are taking me!' He waited vainly for an answer, then added sourly, 'Or not.' It didn't matter anyway, because by now he had a fair idea where they must be going.
They crossed the bridge in fine style. The crowds melted before the marching phalanx of Imperial Guard but reconvened to watch the prisoner. At the far side, they followed the course of the river until they reached the official ford. When they stopped to await the Imperial barge, Pyrgus knew he'd been right. They were going to the palace. These men had been sent to bring him to the Emperor.
Pyrgus sighed. What on earth did his father want with him now?
The Imperial palace was set on an island in the widest part of the river. There were nearly two square miles of formal gardens surrounded by a miniature forest where the Emperor sometimes went off hunting boar. The palace itself had been built more than four hundred years ago using purple stone. The stone had weathered over centuries until now it was almost black; although it did take on a faintly purple sheen at sunrise and sunset. The colouring combined with the archaic architectural style to give the building a sinister, cyclopean look. Most visitors found it intimidating. For Pyrgus it was simply home.
He walked in step with the guards through the main entrance, then halted as Gatekeeper Tithonus slithered out to meet them. The old man was wearing his official green robes and looked more like a lizard than ever.
'I'll take him from here,' he said.
'Our orders is to bring him to the Emperor direct.'
'Your orders have been changed,' Tithonus said, unsmiling. He held the guard's eye and Pyrgus could almost feel the soldier's willpower crumble.
Eventually the guard mumbled, 'Yes, sir.' He motioned to his colleagues and they wheeled off in perfect step.
'I see you haven't lost it, Tithe,' Pyrgus grinned.
'And I see your dress sense has got worse,' Tithonus told him drily. 'Do you want to change before you meet your father?'
'I think I'll stick with what I'm wearing -- let him see what he's reduced me to.' Pyrgus's grin faded. 'What's happening, Tithonus? Why did my father send the heavy squad?'
'It's Blue,' Tithonus said. 'Walk with me. We'll take the long way round -- there's a great deal I must tell you.'
'What's the matter with Blue?' Pyrgus asked quickly. Holly Blue was his sister. She was the thing about palace life he missed most. 'Is she ill?'
'Far from it,' Tithonus said. 'But she is up to her old tricks.'
Pyrgus groaned. 'What's she told Father this time?'
'That you've fallen foul of Lord Ha
irstreak. Is it true?'
'Sort of,' Pyrgus said. How on earth had she found out? She was a year younger than he was, yet she'd somehow set up a network of spies that was the envy of the Imperial Espionage Service.
'What does "sort of" mean in this context?' Tithonus asked.
'He caught me stealing his golden phoenix.'
Tithonus closed his eyes briefly. 'Good grief!' He opened them again. 'I was half hoping it wasn't true. Have you any idea of the implications?'
'He was mistreating it!' Pyrgus protested.
'Of course he was mistreating it. This is Black Hairstreak we're talking about. He mistreats his own mother. I don't suppose you stole her as well?'
Pyrgus smiled despite himself and shook his head.
'What did you do with the bird?' Tithonus asked.
'Released it in the wild. I fed it first.'
Tithonus stared at him, then shook his head slowly. 'You fed it first. Pyrgus, do you even know what it costs to trap a golden phoenix?'
'No.'
'I thought not. But you do know Hairstreak is a powerful man?'
'That doesn't mean he's entitled to mistreat -- '
'Spare me the lecture,' Tithonus cut in with a sigh. 'I happen to agree with you, but that's hardly the point. The point is that Hairstreak is a member of a Noble House -- '
'He's a Faerie of the Night!'
'He's a noble Faerie of the Night. He has considerable political connections and even greater political ambitions. He's already the major spokesperson for that whole unruly breed.'
'How is Comma, by the way?' Pyrgus asked. He grinned. 'Speaking of unruly.'
'Please don't try to divert me,' Tithonus said coldly. 'And especially not so crudely. Comma is Comma. Your stepbrother has no terminal illness so far as I am aware and beyond that I care very little. We were discussing Hairstreak. You should not have taken his bird. He is in the process of making mischief for you.'
'I can handle myself,' Pyrgus said confidently.
'Doubtless you will tell that to his Imperial Majesty.' Tithonus sighed. 'Pyrgus, I think the time may have come for you to realise who you are. You are not a young soldier of fortune. You are not some merchant's son or artisan, however much you like to disguise yourself. You are His Highness the Crown Prince. That carries certain responsibilities even if you no longer live at the palace.'
'It's serious, isn't it?'
Tithonus nodded. 'This business between you and Lord Hairstreak has disrupted some very delicate political negotiations. Most people may not recognise the Crown Prince without his finery, but Hairstreak's men had no problem at all. He had a full report inside the hour. He may not treat his phoenix very well, but he knows its value. He is making demands that will be hard to meet. Meanwhile, he has men searching for you. In the circumstances he is quite entitled to seize you if he finds you -- seize and hold you. Can you imagine the scandal that would cause? The Crown Prince in the custody of a Faerie of the Night? It doesn't bear thinking about. Your father is very, very angry.'
Pyrgus felt his heart sink as it often did when his father was the subject of discussion. 'What's he going to do with me?' he asked.
'I prefer he tell you that himself,' Tithonus said. 'Indeed, I have explicit instructions to that effect. But I can give you one piece of advice. Don't lose your temper with your father. Whatever happens.'
Pyrgus lost his temper with his father. 'I didn't flounce out of my home!' he shouted furiously. 'I didn't walk away from my responsibilities! I didn't abandon my sister, not that she needs me to look after her. You forced me to leave! I can't believe you still hunt animals. I can't believe you keep a zoo. I can't believe you still cling to medieval -- '
'You seem to care far more about animals than you do about people,' his father said coldly. 'But this isn't about animals, Pyrgus, however much you'd like to think it is. This is about the future of the Empire.'
'Oh, don't be so melodramatic,' Pyrgus sniffed in just the tone of voice he knew would infuriate his father most.
They were together in the conservatory behind the throne room, breathing in the heady scent of orchids. The Purple Emperor was not a tall man, but he was broad: Pyrgus seemed to be taking after him in that respect. His head was shaved in the papal tonsure -- as Emperor he also led the worldwide Church of Light -and he was wearing an open shirt that showed off his official butterfly tattoos. They seemed almost to flutter as he fought to control his temper.
For once he succeeded rather better than Pyrgus. His voice was almost calm as he said, 'This is no melodrama, Pyrgus. This is real life -- your life as well as mine. I expect Tithonus reminded you of who you are.'
'I expect you told him to.'
'Yes, I did. I'm aware you're far more likely to listen to him than you are to me. I had hoped he might get you in a reasonable mood before we talked, but I can see now that was far too much to hope for. Pyrgus -- '
'Did you know there's a factory in Seething Lane that makes glue from live kittens?' Pyrgus asked him furiously. 'Did you know there are Faeries of the Night who call up major demons? Did you know one of them almost killed me? Did you know Black Hairstreak goes into his phoenix cages three times a week and -- '
'We all know Faeries of the Night leave a lot to be desired when it comes to their behaviour, but -- '
'A lot to be desired?' echoed Pyrgus. 'A lot to be desired? Father, you're negotiating with these people! You're treating them as equals!''
'I'm treating them as subjects of the Empire, which they are. Whether you like it or not. They're difficult, it's true -- '
'Difficult?' Pyrgus exploded. 'They're trying to overthrow everything we stand for!'
'Yes, they are,' his father agreed. 'Indeed they are. And that is exactly why they need careful handling. I have been in negotiation with Night leaders -- including Lord Hairstreak -- for several months. Those negotiations have reached a critical stage. The last thing I need is my idiot son blundering in where he isn't wanted and handing them new leverage on a plate!'
'My mother would never have agreed with what you're doing!' Pyrgus hissed.
His father swung round furiously. 'You leave your mother out of this! You've no idea what she would or wouldn't have agreed with. You don't even know what's going on! I've tried to make you take an interest in politics, but all you ever think of is your damned animals and yourself! Oh, you're so sensitive, Pyrgus, so sensitive to birds and little creatures. But if we don't reach an accommodation, it won't just be birds and little creatures they'll be killing -- it will be people!'
'The Nighters are killing people anyway,' Pyrgus said, deliberately using the insulting term.
His father looked briefly apoplectic, then managed at last to get his temper under control. 'Enough,' he said. 'I've had enough of this. I didn't get you here to discuss politics or explain my decisions. I am Emperor and that must be enough. When you take the throne, you can set up sanctuaries for every stray cat and dog in the kingdom, but until -- '
'I don't want to -- '
'Be quiet!' his father thundered. 'Just listen for once! This is your future I'm about to talk about -- yours! Now, will you do me the courtesy of listening?'
Pyrgus glowered at him sullenly, but said nothing.
His father stared down at his hands which had somehow shredded a precious orchid. He dropped the remnants on the floor and looked up again at Pyrgus. 'You are in peril,' he said softly.
'Blue doesn't know what -- '
'You're supposed to be listening,' his father said quietly.
'Sorry,' Pyrgus said.
'This isn't Blue's information. Oh, she told me about your escapade with Hairstreak, but this comes straight from the Espionage Service. Double-checked and copper-fastened. Apparently you've been a target ever since you left the palace.' He held up a hand to stop Pyrgus interrupting. 'I know you've been keeping your identity a secret. I know you've been living like ...' he gave Pyrgus's clothes a look of sheer disgust '... some sort of ballad singer. I appreciate you
r face isn't particularly well known. But we're not the only ones with spies. It would be naive to imagine our friends on the Nightside didn't know all about our ... differences. Even more so to imagine they didn't know you'd left. Our information is they've been systematically hunting for you. The plan was -- the plan is -- to kidnap you and hold you to ransom. Not for money, of course, but to make sure I agree to their political demands. Your little raid on Hairstreak's phoenix -- '
'Father -- ' Pyrgus began, distraught for the first time in their conversation.
Faerie Wars 01 - Faerie Wars Page 7
