Westmark

by Lloyd Alexander

  Theo had put aside his own anxieties. He was happy, with no room in his mind for them. He was impatient for Mickle to see the Straw market cubby hole, Jellinek's tavern, the press, as if these were treasures he had been storing up for her.

  Las Bombas had changed his ruined uniform for the robes of Dr. Absalom. He had slept well, eaten still better, and had trimmed his mustache into something close to jauntiness.

  "I urge you both to reconsider," he told Theo and Mickle as they climbed into the coach. "A fascinating country, Trebizonia. I promise you, my boy, no oracles, no undies, not even Dr. Absalom's Elixir. I intend to follow the path of virtue. It will not be overcrowded."

  Seeing his persuasive powers had no effect, Las Bombas sighed and settled into a corner of the coach. The day promised to be sharp and bright. Musket set off at a walking pace, looking for a road that would carry them north and, as well, give Nierkeeping the widest berth.

  The Demon Coachmans instincts for the lay of the land proved sound. Before noon, he struck a good highway several leagues above Nierkeeping. By luck, there was a post house at the crossroads. Friska needed fodder and water. Las Bombas required something more substantial. Musket reined up, but the count now realized he was suffering from the return of an old ailment.

  "I haven't a penny to my name. Honesty tends to reduce one's cash in hand. But wait-this may answer: my lodestone from Kazanastan, from the Mountain of the Moon. It's worth a king's ransom. If I can remember where I put it, I'd be willing to part with it for a modest sum."

  He rummaged in a box under the seat and at last brought out the black, egg-sized pebble which Theo recognized from their first meeting. The count's good resolutions were still too new and unexercised to withstand his appetite. He would hear none of Theo's objections, and strode into the public room. Mickle and Theo followed reluctantly, with Musket behind them.

  The uncrowded room gave the count a meager choice of customers. At a table, some travelers were playing a game of dominoes. One of them, with several stacks of coins in front of him, was clearly winning handsomely over his opponents. Las Bombas, about to approach, suddenly halted. He stared at the winning player, a pudgy man with a gold chain around his neck.

  "See that rascal?" Las Bombas gripped Theo's arm. "That villain sitting there as bold as brass?"

  It took Theo a moment to recall the inn at Kessel and the false alderman. Las Bombas muttered, "He robbed me then. He'll pay for it now, with interest. There's justice in the world, after all. Forgiveness is a virtue, but I'll forgive him some other time. Wretch! He's likely rigged those dominoes in some fashion, to fleece innocent wayfarers. They'll be grateful to me for warning them."

  "Let him be," whispered Theo. "We don't dare stir up trouble. Get out. We'll find another inn." Las Bombas had already started for the table. Robes flapping, he shook his fist in the air.

  "Gentlemen, I denounce this creature for what he is: a cheat and a fraud! He swindled me out of a for tune and is doing the same to you. Alderman, is he? Thimblerigger! Stand up, Skeit, and deny it if you dare!"

  The count's outburst brought players and onlookers to their feet. The losers shouted agreement with Las Bambas. The others, seeing a prosperous gentleman defamed by a gross figure in a shabby robe, defended the alderman. The landlord hurried to the table, waving his arms and ordering all of them to settle their differences outside.

  Skeit, during this, kept his seat and his composure. He was staring at Las Bombas with a look of joy. Far from cringing at the count's accusation, he beamed.

  "My dear sir! My dear-Bloomsa, I believe? This is the happiest of meetings. Indeed, sir, I had been hoping our paths might cross. I have, in fact, been at some pains to make sure they did. I would have found you sooner or later. Now you save me further effort. This is a moment you will come to regard with a pleasure as great as my own. You, my good Mynheer, stand to gain a fortune."

  At this word, Las Bombas pricked up his ears. He hesitated, then glared at the self-styled alderman.

  "You cannot turn me from my duty. Fortune, you say? No, you'll not wiggle away by trying to corrupt me. On the other hand, as a just and reasonable man, I must in all fairness let you state your case. I shall allow you to do so in private."

  The commotion had brought the rest of the company to the group of quarreling travelers. An army captain shouldered his way to Las Bombas and peered at him.

  "Sir, do we not know each other?"

  "Eh?" Las Bombas gave him a hasty glance. "Not in any degree. Be so good as to leave us. This gentleman and I have a matter to discuss."

  "But I recognize you, sir," the officer insisted. "You are General Sambalo. This is your servant-but I recollect he was Trebizonian. And yourself, no longer in uniform-"

  "At my tailors'," replied the count in a stifled voice. Assuming a military bearing, he eyed the captain. "I was merely testing your memory. An officer must always keep his wits about him. I commend you, sir. Your commander shall have a glowing report from me."

  "Begging the General's pardon," replied the officer, "this is most irregular. I heard you accuse this individual. I presume, sir, you will press charges against him. I shall see to it on your behalf."

  "Not necessary. I shall deal with him myself."

  "Begging the General's pardon again, there is another question. A mere formality. Since you are in plain clothes, I am required to ask for your papers."

  "Excellent," said the count. "Very dutiful. They are in my uniform."

  "Sir, my orders oblige me. There has been a serious incident at Nierkeeping. Without proper identification, even if it were the field marshal himself, I would be required to place him under arrest. I cannot go against regulations. You, sir, must appreciate that more than anyone."

  "I'll see you court-martialed!" cried Las Bombas. "Arrest, indeed! I'll have you drummed out of your regiment."

  "The captain is in error," said Skeit. "He will not arrest anyone." "This is not your business," returned the officer. "Hold your tongue or you'll be under lock and key."

  The officer, in the unhappy position of being at odds with a superior, was delighted at the chance to berate a civilian.

  Skeit, however, drew a paper from his jacket. "Read this. Do you recognize the signature and seal?"

  The officer stared at the document and brought up his hand in a stiff salute.. Skeit nodded. "You understand I have full authority. This man and his party are indeed under arrest. Not by your command. By mine. They shall be in my custody."

  "As you order, sir. The girl, too?"

  "All of them," replied Skeit. "And, most assuredly, the girl."

  22

  "Captain," said Skeit, "report to your commander immediately. Tell him that I require an armed escort for myself and these four."

  The domino-players, unwilling to be caught up in a serious matter over their heads, drew away. The false alderman took a pistol from under his cloak.

  "This is outrageous!" cried Las Bombas. "The man's a fraud. Authority? That scrap of paper's a forgery. I warn you, captain, I have connections at the highest levels."

  The count's protest went unheeded by the officer, who turned on his heel and strode from the inn to carry out Skeit's orders. Had he alone been arrested, Theo would have been less surprised. He had lived in fear of it for months. Skeit had barely glanced at him. The man's eyes, instead, were on Mickle.

  The girl appeared unconcerned. She drew her shawl closer around her. Then she made a startled movement and stared, half smiling, past Skeit's head.

  "Don't move," a voice commanded. "Stand as you are or you're a dead man. Throw down the pistol."

  For that instant, Theo was sure Mickle's ruse had saved them. Skeit stiffened, his face was furious, but he let the gun drop from his hand. Musket scurried to pick up the weapon. Skeit had turned to confront his captor. Seeing no one behind him, without pausing to wonder how he had been tricked, the pudgy man moved with astonishing speed. A booted foot shot out to stamp on the dwarf's reaching hand. Musket roa
red in pain. Skeit drove a heel into the dwarf's ribs, then snatched up the weapon. Losing all caution, Theo flung himself on the man and shouted for Mickle to run.

  The landlord, during this, had seized a blunderbuss from the chimney corner. He aimed the heavy firearm at the girl.

  "Stand away," Skeit cried to him. "This is my business." Theo had fallen back. Skeit held the muzzle of the gun to Theo's head.

  "Listen to me, all of you," he muttered through clenched teeth. "I don't want you damaged, but I'll have you one way or another. As for this one," he added, indicating Theo, "he had a hand in getting you out of Nierkeeping. I know that and it's not your concern how I know it. He's mixed up with that band of rebels, and I can turn him over to the military here and now. They'll put him against a wall and shoot him. Or you can all come nicely and quietly, and that other matter stays a friendly little secret among us. That's a fair bargain, wouldn't you say?"

  Las Bombas nodded glumly. Skeit lowered his pistol and beamed as if he had concluded a difficult but profitable transaction. "We understand each other, then. It will be all in your best interest. And in mine."

  "What do you want from us?" Theo demanded.

  "I? Nothing whatever. But other people have something in mind." Skeit winked. "What that may be, you'll have to ask them."

  "I should have listened to you, my boy." Las Bornbas drew a heavy sigh. "I should have let the little snake cheat them all blind. I rue the day I turned honest."

  After assuring the landlord and the frightened onlookers that he would personally undertake to burn their brains if they gossiped about the incident, Skeit calmly ordered the trembling host to put up some hampers of provisions.

  That they were captives was, to Theo, all too clear. Not clear at all was the nature of their captivity. When the officer returned with a cavalry escort, Skeit went to great pains over the comfort of his prisoners. He demanded quilts and blankets for them in case the weather turned colder. He did not shackle them, as Theo had expected, but advised them pleasantly that they should consider themselves his guests.

  They were allowed, in fact obliged, to ride in the coach. Musket, forbidden to drive, at first stayed with them while Skeit took the reins. Friska turned so skittish under an unfamiliar hand that the dwarf had to climb back onto the box. Theo hoped the Demon Coachman would seize a chance to break free of the escort, but the vehicle was too closely hemmed in by the cavalrymen trotting alongside.

  Skeit occasionally sat next to the dwarf, directing him when and where to halt: sometimes at the inn of a small town, or at a post house along the road. More often, he stayed inside the coach, where his presence made impossible any serious talk among his prisoners.

  Theo and Mickle avoided being overheard by using the girl's sign language. While their captor drowsed or looked through the window, Mickle's hands made slight, unnoticeable motions.

  Her quick fingers told Theo, "I can try to take his pistol."

  "Too dangerous," he signaled back.

  "What then?"

  "I don't know. Wait. Be careful. Our chance may come." Theo's look of despair needed no signal.

  Skeit, for his part, was in high good humor. Sure of his prisoners, he brightened with every passing mile. He grew expansive and talkative, as if he were sharing a pleasant journey in the friendliest company.

  "Be still, you little snake," muttered Las Bambas. "I can't bear the sight of you, let alone your gabble."

  Skeit gave him a wounded glance. "My dear sir, you'll be grateful to me. You don't know it yet, but I'm putting you in the way of making a fortune."

  Las Bambas snorted in disbelief. The pudgy man winked at him. "Indeed so. Take my word for it. You'll come out of this a very rich man."

  Skeit cheerfully added, "Or a very dead one."

  If it suited him, Skeit did not hesitate to commandeer and pay for the use of an entire inn. On the strength of the document he carried, he ordered the guests to find lodgings elsewhere. He then chose the largest room and herded his charges into it. Relays of troopers mounted constant guard at the door and within the room itself.

  As much as Theo racked his brain and Mickle recalled every trick she knew of housebreaking, they struck on no plan. Escape, Theo had to admit, was impossible. One thing tormented him more than that. Mickle's nightmares had come back.

  The guards, forbidden to speak with their prisoners, kept stolid, silent watch as the girl tossed violently in her sleep, wept, and cried out. When Theo made a move to go to her side, a trooper leveled a musket at him.

  The stages of their journey grew more exhausting. Skeit seemed to become impatient. One morning, he roused them well before dawn and ordered the escort to press on with all speed. In the coach, he kept the curtains tightly drawn. Theo had ceased to care whether it was day or night. Only when the coach halted and Skeit, snapping his fingers, urged his prisoners to climb out, did Theo realize it was sundown. They were in a courtyard between two high buildings. Mickle, half-asleep, shivered beside him. Las Bombas blinked.

  "Not possible," he whispered. "The little worm's brought us to Marianstat, to the Juliana. There's the bell tower. I've seen it enough-from the outside, that is. No mistake, that's where we are. But-inside?"

  Skeit, that moment, was approached by a stocky, bandy-legged man in court dress. "Delivered, sir," declared Skeit, "as requested."

  "Those?" said the courtier, with a look of distaste. He handed over a purse, which Skeit immediately tucked away under his cloak. "Now get out. Don't show your face around here. Your work is done. Even so, you should have had them cleaned before the chief minister sees them."

  Theo felt Mickle's hand tighten in his own. Before he could digest what he heard, a detachment of palace guards fell in around them. They were marched into the older, fortress like building, and through a corridor. The bandy-legged courtier, who had gone ahead, beckoned them to enter a sparsely furnished chamber. Behind a table sat a black-robed man studying a sheaf of papers. He continued his work for several moments, then glanced up.

  "I am given to understand you have come from our northern provinces. I trust the journey was not fatiguing." Cabbarus smiled.

  23

  Theo expected a monster. He saw only a gaunt, thin lipped man he could have taken for a town clerk or notary. Yet, suddenly, he had a taste of tarnished metal in his mouth. The man reeked of power, it hung in the air around him. Theo felt lightheaded. He was choking with what he thought was hatred, then realized how much of it was terror. Still smiling, Cabbarus glanced at each of the captives. His eyes came at last to fix on the girl. He made a small motion with his head. Mickle's cheeks had gone gray. A thready sound rose in her throat. The girl had begun shuddering violently. Afraid she might fall, Theo held her arm.

  "Does the young woman require assistance?" asked Cabbarus. "I should have provided refreshment. Forgive my oversight, but I have been at my desk all this day Councilor Pankratz will see to any of your needs."

  Las Bombas was the first to find his voice. "There has been, sir, a deplorable misunderstanding, some judicial error. Our lives have been threatened, we have been brought here as prisoners, for no discernible reason."

  "The reason," said Cabbarus, "is very simple. I ordered it. The individual I employed may have been overzealous in his duties, but you are not prisoners." Las Bambas heaved a sigh of relief. Cabbarus raised his hand and went on.

  "Not necessarily prisoners. That remains to be seen. For some days, I have been studying a number of reports. I find that serious charges have been laid against this young man. Assault, attempted murder, armed rebellion-an extensive list."

  Cabbarus leafed through his papers. "As for you not long ago a band of rebels attacked the Nierkeeping garrison. I am led to conclude you were present."

  "In a cage!" protested Las Bambas. "And my colleagues were-"

  "Freed by the selfsame rebels. By the strict letter of the law, you were, therefore, at the scene of a brutal crime, where nearly a dozen soldiers were killed. You did nothin
g to prevent it. You offered no assistance to the authorities, you came forward with no information. A tribunal must look severely on your conduct. It would, in fact, have no choice but to sentence you to the extreme penalty.

  "I am prepared to order all charges dropped. You and your associates will be released and generously compensated. Depending on how well you are able to serve me. A service which is also a duty."

  "I have no duty toward you," broke in Theo. "I've done what I'm charged with. Yes, even attempted murder. But you've done more than attempt it."

  "Be quiet, for heaven's sake," whispered the count. "If we have any chance at all, don't ruin it."

  Cabbarus was unruffled by Theo's outburst. He appeared, instead, grieved by it. "I am quite aware of those among the king's subjects who accuse me of severity. They do not understand that justice must be severe for the sake of a higher cause. When the very foundation of the realm is at stake, stern, selfless devotion to duty is the noblest virtue. The welfare of the kingdom is my only interest."

  The chief minister turned to Las Bombas. "Let me speak with utter honesty. It is no secret that King Augustine is gravely ill. He has not ceased to mourn his daughter, to such a point that he is no longer capable of ruling.

  "However, I am given to believe that you are a man of certain talents. I ask you to put them at the service of your monarch."

  "My dear sir," cried Las Bombas, "I consider it an honor. Had I known this was what you wanted, I would have presented myself willingly. Now, sir, only tell me what is required. Do you wish me to treat His Majesty with Dr. Absalom's, Elixir? It has worked wonders for man and beast and will do no less for a king. Also, I have in my possession a remarkable stone from Kazanastan. Or, if you prefer, a vat of magnetized water."

  "Trash," said Cabbarus.

  "I beg your pardon?"