ONE

It was a strange way to treat an Object of Desire.

The third wife of Francesco di Bartolommeo di Zanobi Giocondo was centuries old .but had lost none of her apAdmirers still came to extol her fine forehead and delihands-to offer her worship, to pay court, to covet. With )ardy poplar stiffening her spine, she received them all the same temperate brown gaze, the same equable exsion, the same intriguing smile.

Perhaps the smile was difficult on occasion to maintain, Mme of her admirers were more extreme than others. More once she had been abducted from her home; more than she’d been rescued or ransomed or snatched from oblivLt the last second.

Today maintaining the smile must have been a struggle. semicircle around her were a squad of policemen, all in ‘~e gear, all, with unforgivable rudeness, facing outward, backs to her. She was surrounded by the invisible globe cold-field. Layered defenses, arrays of screamers and leap-

studded the floor, ceiling, and the walls to either side of throne.

Facing her were two men. One was tall, white-haired, gaunt. The other was of medium height though, even 1g the squad of police in battle array, he seemed taller. He e his hair long, had buskins on his feet, a large diamond on one finger, and looked on the world with heavy-lidded !n eyes that gave his face an indolent expression. He was in late twenties.

“How do you like our La Gioconda?” the white-haired i asked. His voice was loud. Perhaps it was rude of him to it within her earshot, but that was his way-he affected to iard of hearing, and had a tendency to shout.

“I would like her better, Lord Huyghe, if I could get a e closer.”

“Perhaps, Maijstral, if you asked politely.”

The line of police stiffened. Gloved fingers edged closer weapons.

Drake Maijstral moved forward on silent feet and raised hands. The guardians’ trigger fingers vibrated with tension and then Maijstral made a simple gesture as if to part wa

“If you please-?” he said.

Reluctantly the line of guards parted and shuffled aside. official-the lady’s chief attendant, a Tanquer named rving-seemed about to strangle himself with his own tail. ijstral’s lazy eyes, glowing with amusement, looked La Gi)nda up and down. His ears twitched forward.

“I’ like her sfumato,” he said. “And it’s a pleasant face, t should wear well. One could have it on one’s wall and not of it easily.”’

At this ominous news Horving’s breath began to wheeze ough a constricted windpipe. It was difficult to tell if his eyes were a result of outrage or strangulation. Lord

Huyghe-he was an art historian-ambled forward and bent to peer at the lady’s features.

“Mona Lisa is an old friend,” he said. “We’re on firstname terms.”

“I congratulate you on the acquaintance. I know only her cousin-the Lady with an Ermine. “

“Ah. I don’t believe I’ve had the pleasure.”

Maijstral once had six days to make the acquaintance of Lady with an Ermine, the period between his theft of the painting and the time he sold it back to the owner’s insurance company.

“In Prince Chan’s collection, on Nana,” he said. “The Lady, like Mona Lisa, is celebrated for the elusive quality of her smile. It makes one wonder if the artist had a way of amusing women.

“I believe history is silent on the matter,” Huyghe said.

Horving, anoxic, collapsed to the floor with a hollow wooden boom. One of the policemen growled. Maijstral looked up.

“Don’t look at me,” he said. ` I didn’t do it.”

He gave La Gioconda a final, searching look, then withdrew. Huyghe followed and took his arm.

“Shall we go on to the Venetians, Maijstral?”

“Let’s jump ahead to the Flemish. There’s a Vermeer I have my eye on.”

The two left the room and turned down the corridor. A squad of police anxiously trotted after. The guards had been expecting Maijstral to view the collection in order, Italians followed by Flemish. Maijstral’s jumping about had destroyed their operational plan, and their officers were forced to improvise.

While flustered security men dashed from one place to another, Maijstral walked with perfect ease next to the historian. If one must view famous art treasures through a picket

fence of policemen, he considered, the least one could do is tweak them from time to time.

“I heard from your father, incidentally,” Huyghe said. His booming voice echoed in the corridor.

Maijstral frowned. “Recently?”

“Only a few days ago, through VPL. He asked me to look after you and make certain that you weren’t associating with any-” He smiled. “Rude or unsuitable companions.”

Maijstral sighed. No sooner had Gustav Maijstral been pronounced dead and laid to rest in his tomb on Nana than he took up a large correspondence, usually through the expensive Very Private Letter service-either complaints to his son about Maijstral’s habits, demands for money to honor some old debt that he’d forgotten about for twenty years, notes to friends complaining about Maijstral’s neglect, or suggestions to old creditors that they approach Maijstral and demand he pay up.

“Gustav said he hoped to see me soon,” Huyghe boomed. “I don’t suppose you permit him the funds to travel-?”

“He’s quite safe in his tomb,” Maijstral said. “He’d only get into trouble if he travelled.” He looked at the older man. “I’m afraid his mind was wandering, Lord Huyghe. It happens so easily to the dead, you know.”

“I quite understand,” Huyghe said.

Maijstral found Vermeer’s Lacemaker as splendid as advertisied, and he enjoyed the other Flemish works, although he wondered aloud why so many still lifes were the remnants of meals-dirty forks and smeared dishes hardly seemed the most cultivated subjects for fine art. ,

“If you were a starving artist,” Huyghe asked, “would you let a meal stand for the amount of time it took to paint it?”

“Ah,” Maijstral said. “I entirely take your point.”

After viewing the collection, Huyghe and Maijstral si out of the Louvre toward where Huyghe’s red Spor flyer waited on the old vintage concrete drive. Media g circling in a holding pattern over the car, spotted their c and zoomed in, jostling for the better shots, Maijstral f by the Pei pyramid, the Khorkhinn carousel, the Floatin cer of the Tuileries.

“May we expect a robbery at the Louvre anytime s one asked.

“I’m here on vacation,” Maijstral said. “I’ve never to Earth before, and I have no intention of spoiling my sure here by indulging in my profession. I have too littl to properly appreciate my heritage: Paris, Edo, Tejas, phis…”

“Do you expect the recent recommendation c Constellation Practices Authority, condemning burglar urging that it be banned, to have any real effect on your pation?”

Maijstral considered an answer. “Allowed Burglar custom that predates human civilization,” he said. hopes that the various parliaments of the Constellatio have consideration for its antiquity.”

“You think, then,” a new voice, “that the Human stellation should maintain inhuman customs even they’re contrary to traditional human civilization?”

Maijstral’s green eyes glittered from behind heav’ The question was provocative, particularly the word man, which had recently taken on a nasty edge. His owl was that the phrase “human civilization” had been some of a contradiction in terms until humanity had found its nexed by an alien power; but he didn’t want to make a re provocative as the question had been, so he temporized.

“I’m entirely in favor of human civilization,” he

“but there’s nothing civilized in change for its own sake. WE alter an institution that works, and that has been providir sport and entertainment for millennia?”

“Do you think you’ll hold the championship as long Geoff Fu George?”

Maijstral smiled. “Fu George is incomparable,” he sail “I was lucky at Silverside Station, and if he hadn’t retired, I’: certain he’d still hold first place.”

“Nichole is onplanet,“another globe said. “Do you pl< to see her?”

At that point one alarm after another began to sing fro the Louvre. Guards-massed near the entrance to see Mai stral off jostled one another in confusion. Maijstral smiled amusement: someone had decided to pull a job when t] guards had their attention elsewhere. He turned to Huyghe.

“Let’s be on our way;” he said, “before they try to p this one on me.”

The red Sportsman arrowed into the Parisian sky. Maijsti sighed as the media globes fell astern.

“How did Fu George put up with it all those years?” asked.

“He had a more sizeable entourage than you,” Huyg. said. “That time on Silverside Station, he was restricted in t number of people he could bring. Just two.” ‘

“Two and Vanessa Runciter,” Maijstral said, “and shy worth an army.” He shivered at a memory of staring down t barrel of Vanessa Runciter’s rifle.

“Still, I’m afraid you’ll need more people.”

“I’m trying,” Maijstral said, “but you’d be surprised how hard it is to find promising young criminals these days

A few minutes later the Sportsman set down on Huyghe’s tate southwest of Krakow. Maijstral thanked his host for t

tour of Earth’s most renowned gallery, then made his way his room to dress for dinner.

In his room Maijstral was met by his servant, Rom Roman was tall even for a Khosalikh, and his family had bi in the service of Maijstral’s for more generations than M stral could, or for that matter cared, to count.

Maijstral handed Roman his pistols-he’d left his kr behind, as a courtesy to the museum’s canvases-and tl Roman began too unlace his jacket.

Roman’s ears twitched forward. “I understand there some difficulty at the museum, sir,” he said.

“Not really. But just in case the police decide to doi the evidence of their eyes and conclude it was me somehc we might tidy things a bit -I don’t know what the local rel lations allow in the way of burglar gear.”

“News flashes indicate the theft may have been succe ful, sir.”

“Ah. In that case we may as well resign ourselves v visit from the authorities.”

A few weeks earlier, the Imperial Sporting Commissi had, somewhat to Maijstral’s dismay, rated him the tc ranked Allowed Burglar in all known space. Maijstral I never permitted himself to consider himself a serious can date-during his entire professional career, Geoff Fu Geoi had occupied the top spot, a position he’d secured during 1 Affaire of the Mirrorglass BellBox and in subsequent ye made his own. But Fu George had just retired, two other le, ing candidates had the bad fortune to be sent to prison, anc Maijstral might as well admit it he’d outdone himself on’. verside Station and come out of the business with a to astounding array of swag. He’d managed to outscore the ne est rival by all of twenty points.

Roman finished unlacing Maijstral’s jacket, and of picking off an offending piece of lint, carried the garment

closet. Maijstral picked up a pair of binoculars and gazed the window, trying to locate the detectives he knew were dng on the fringes of the Huyghe estate.

Being first in the ratings, Maijstral had discovered, guar:ed the champion an unfortunate amount of attention from local authorities.

There the police were, he discovered, behind some ibs. The detectives were too dignified to actually crouch vn behind the foliage, and were trying to act as if it were Fectly natural for some badly dressed, slightly seedy public -ants to spend hours loitering behind the thorn bushes. Maijstral couldn’t help but hope they would fall into n.

:e Roman had finished dressing him, Maijstral glided sily into the study next door, where Drexler, a glass in his was absorbed in the microscopic innards of a piece of burequipment, in this case a flax-jammer.

“The authorities should be here shortly,” Maijstral said. Here’s been a successful burglary at the Louvre.”

Drexler turned in his chair and looked at Maijstral over shoulder. He was a Khosalikh, having just reached matuwith his first molt. He was a little shorter than averagech made him about the size of a tall human-but was built stoutly, as if for the long haul.

“Beg pardon, sir,” he said, “but you shouldn’t have done on a place like the Louvre without proper support.” “I didn’t,” Maijstral said. “Someone else timed a robbery Dincide with my visit.”

Drexler’s ears flattened. “I hope this doesn’t turn into her Silverside Station situation,” he said.

“I devoutly hope not,” Maijstral said. “But if anything in r bag of tricks is illegal in. Western Ukrania, or wherever it e are, then please make it disappear for a bit.”

“Absolutely,” Drexler said. He put his,workin a foamlined case, put the case in a tough canvas drawstring bag, and tossed the bag in the air, where it stayed. At a (verbal) command, the window opened, and then at a (silent, electronic,’ command from the proximity wire in Drexler’s collar, the drawstring bag flew out.

“I’ll put it in a tree a few kilometers away, all right?” Drexler said, and his tongue lolled in a Khosalikh smile. “Fine. Thank you.”

“I didn’t have anything actually illegal, but if the police confiscated it, it might be a while before it was returned, and then it might come back damaged.”

“Very good.”

“These things have been known to happen.” “Quite so. Thank you.”

Maijstral returned to his dressing room, silently contem. plating the problem of Drexler.

Drexler, like Maijstral, had experienced the madness of Silverside Station firsthand, but from an opposing vantage point. He’d furnished technical support for Geoff Fu George and had been up to his muzzle in the mad contending scram· ble for loot that marked Silverside’s social debut. Fu George’: retirement had coincided with Maijstral’s own tech leaving hi; employ, and Drexler had then offered his services to Maijstral Maijstral hired him, albeit provisionally. Thus far the arrange ment had worked well enough, though Maijstral hadn’t pre cisely put Drexler’s abilities to the test: he hadn’t done anj major jobs for the last few months.

But something, Maijstral thought, was missing. Maijstra had no complaints with Drexler’s performance or abilitiesFu George wouldn’t have hired anything but the best-bu there was an intangible something that kept Maijstral fron feeling entirely at home around Drexler.

It bothered him. It wasn’t that he disliked Drexler, it wasn’t

that he never found himself at ease around the Khosalikh,. d he didn’t know why. The fact that Drexler was a Khosa.h was not at issue, either, since Maijstral was perfectly comrtable around Roman.

Chemistry, he supposed. Regrettable, but there you are.

Maijstral finished dressing. Roman silently offered him s weapons, and Maijstral stowed them away. Distantly, aijstral heard the booming of the dinner gong.

“Will you be needing anything else, sir?” Roman asked.

The room darkened as if a mass of ravens had flown heath the sun. Maijstral looked out the window to see a phaix of shiny black police fliers settling onto Lord Huyghe’s vn. Irritation crabbed at his nerves.

“What did I tell you?” he demanded. “They’re not going leave me alone for a blasted second on this blasted planet!”

He really was on vacation. He had come to Earth to :end the wedding of two acquaintances and sometime emDyers, Amalia Jensen and Pietro Quijano, and he was stay; on as a tourist. He didn’t want to steal anything on this p, but-it seemed as if no one was willing to take his word for

“Perhaps their visit will be brief,” Roman comforted. Maijstral took a few deep breaths and tried to dispel his lue.

“Stay in the room, will you,” Maijstral said, “and make re the cops don’t steal anything.”

Roman, ever the perfect servant, bowed.

.‘Very good, sir,” he said.

nner was not delayed, though it was disturbed somewhat the sound of heavy police boots tramping up and down the lls. The local police commissaire, a bushy-whiskered old ul named Przemysl, was invited to join Maijstral and Lord d Lady Huyghe, and sat down just in time for the soup urse.

“Sorry about this,” he apologized, speaking precisely in (hosali Standard. “Were it up to me, I wouldn’t interrupt you ill after dinnertime; but orders come from on high, you snow. When they unified the police forces, I knew this sort of thing would happen.” He brandished his spoon. “‘Listen,’ I :old them, `those bureaucrats in Beijing won’t care a stick bout the feelings of the local gentry. They’ll have me inter-upting people at mealtimes, or dragging them out of their )eds when you might just as well wait till after they’ve had Breakfast.’ And see if it hasn’t happened.” He turned his eyes )iously to Heaven. “The Virtues only know what will happen f the Security and Sedition Act is passed. Then none of us will 3e safe.”

“What exactly was taken from the-Louvre?” Lord Huyghe asked.

Przemysl cast a knowing glance at Maijstral. “A painting undergoing cleaning and restoration,” he said. “Titian’s Man

with a Glove.”

“Ah yes,” Huyghe said. “I’d marked its absence.”

Bootheels clicked on the dining room floor as a tall, frowning police officer stalked into the room. She was human, with blondish hair tucked, somewhat unsuccessfully, into a gleaming black-visored helmet more suitable to the Dread Squad of the Constellation Death Commandos than to a public servant approaching a person of distinction at his dinner. Her face was chiselled. Her manner was correct, but curt. Her uniform was of black leather and had many gleaming buttons. The others fose as she marched to Lord Huyghe’s elbow. She saluted.

“Sir,” she said, speaking Human Standard, “I am Colonel-General Denise Vandergilt. I would like to request permission for police to inspect the paintings in your gallery in order to make certain that the stolen picture is not hidden beneath them.”

Lord Huyghe frowned and spoke in his normal-boom-

ing-conversational tones. Maijstral had to offer relucts congratulations to Vandergilt for the fact she didn’t leap ba, flinch, or assume she was about to be assaulted and draw I pistol.

“What means do you intend to use?” Huyghe roared. “For the inspection? Passive broadband fluorocamet No injury to your canvases is possible.”

“Ah. Very well.” Huyghe waved his napkin, a signal’ the other diners to resume their seats. “As you like, then.”

Vandergilt’s expression grew abstract for a moment she pulsed silent commands to her troops through her in-tl helmet scrambler.

Lady Huyghe lowered her spoon and pricked her e forward. She was a quiet woman, perhaps as a result of I husband shouting at her all these years, and when she spok, was generally to the point.

“Colonel-General?” she said. “I don’t believe that i rank in the local constabulary, is it?

“I am a member of the Constellation Special Servi, Corps, ma’am,” Vandergilt said.

“The Colonel-General came here specially from B jing,” Przemysl said. His expression invited sympathy fry the diners.

“And what precisely,” Lady Huyghe asked, “does Special Services Corps do?”

Vandergilt’ noticed that a disobedient strand of hair l drooped out from under her helmet. “We maintain the pol cal security of the Human Constellation against foreign o domestic threats, ma’am,” she said, stuffing hair into her h met with one efficient black-gloved hand, “and investig those deemed worthy of special interest to the Administ tion.”

“Gracious,” Lady Huyghe blinked. She turned to 1 husband. “Do you suppose there might be anyone of that scription at our table?”

Vandergilt frowned. “If you won’t mind an observation, ‘am, I am surprised that the owners of a select art collection ;h as yourself and, ah, Mr, Huyghe, would have as your aseguest a person whose profession it is to steal.”

“Ha!” Lord Huyghe said abruptly. Vandergilt gave a litstart, as if a pistol had just gone off near her ear. A strand of ind hair fell in her eyes.

“Maijstral’s father and I were at school together, iyghe said. “It’s natural to offer hospitality to the son of an t friend.”

“And of course I wouldn’t steal from my host,” Maijal said. “That would be rude.”

“And the name’s Behrens, by the way,” Huyghe added. ,nthony Behrens. Huyghe’s just the title.”

“Thank you, Mr. Behrens,” Vandergilt said. She tried, I failed, to stuff the strand of hair back in her helmet. “I preciate your reminding me that the title is, in the Constelion, only a courtesy.”

Lady Huyghe frowned gently. “I believe,” she said, zat courtesy is the operative word.”

Vandergilt flushed. Her eyes_ narrowed as she looked at ~rd and Lady Huyghe, and, watching her, Maijstral suscted she would be opening a file on them the second she urned to Beijing. Maijstral’s father had been a notorious iperialist, and now it seemed likely that Gustav Maijstral’s zool chum and his wife were about to suffer a case of dosr-by-association.

“Flattered as I am by the attention,” Maijstral said, “I )nder how I merit it. How does being an Allowed Burglaroccupation perfectly legal under Constellation law-some~w merit this, ah, special interest of nothing less than a full )lonel-General?”

“We do not believe,” Vandergilt said, “that an inhuman ort like Al~wed Burglary will be legal for long. And even

Allowed Burglary permits me to arrest you if I catch you the act or shortly thereafter.”

Maijstral’s ears flattened. His green eyes glittered uni his lazy eyelids. “I hope I shall be able to offer you and y( people sufficient exercise,” he said.

Przemysl beamed at him from across the table, and M. stral sensed approval from Lord and Lady Huyghe. 1 doubt, he thought, they were anticipating Maijstral’s lead this officious officer in a merry chase from vault to hide( and back again.

Maijstral knew he did not deserve the credit granted h by his fellow diners. He was damned if he was going to st anything while a leather-clad fanatic like this was lurk about, just waiting to drag him off to Beijing and drop him i lightless dungeon, rio doubt one equipped with fetters, dai straw, rats, and other traditional paraphernalia….

Vandergilt drew herself up. She knew a challenge wl: she heard one. “We have no intention, you see,” she i claimed, “of allowing a notorious character such as yoursell plunder the heritage of the Human Constellation for his o· aggrandizement.” Her black-gloved hand rose, hesitated.

“Would you like a pin, dear?” Lady Huyghe asked.

“No. Thank you. If you’ll excuse me, Mr. and M Behrens?”

She turned on her heel and stalked off. Lord Huy€ gave a sigh. “Thank the Virtues,” he said, “she was only h for the soup course.”

The police withdrew just as the meal got to its brandy-at cigars stage, something that disappointed old Przemysl, w had only got halfway through his Monte Cristo before he l to leave.

“I like the fellow, you know,” Huyghe said as he sett back into his chair, “but I’m rather glad he’s gone. There are a

few. things I’d like to discuss with you, Drake, if you’ve objection.” -

“None at all,” Maijstral said. “By the way, is that a Jasper in the corner?”

Huyghe smiled. “It is indeed. An atypical piece you have a good eye.”

“I didn’t know you collected, moderns.”

Lady Huyghe tapped ash from her Cohima and conte plated the brandy in her snifter. “My taste, actually,” she sa “The piece struck my fancy years ago, and Tony bought it my birthday.”

“How thoughtful,” Maijstral said.

“I was wondering, Drake,” Huyghe said, “if you’d interested in any commissions while you’re here. There ; some pieces in private collections that I’m itching to get a to at, but their owners are quite reclusive, and I’m afraid the of way I’ll ever see them is if I arrange for them to…” He tapr cigar ash. “To appear in my own collection,” he finished.

“I’d love to oblige,” Maijstral said, “but my stay Earth already suffers from an overfull programme. Perhap can give you an introduction to someone in the burglar l: who will be able to accommodate you.”

“I’d appreciate that very much.” A light glowed

Huyghe’s eyes. “I imagine you’ve got quite a few surprises planned for that Vandergilt character, eh?”

Maijstral smiled thinly. “Ye-es,” he drawled. Not the least of which, he considered, was the fact he wouldn’t stealing anything at all while he was here.

Later that evening, Maijstral politely sniffed Lord Huyghe’s ears and Lady Huyghe’s wrist, then returned to chambers determined to order Drexler and Roman to get of all the burglar equipment for the length of time they. stay on Earth. No point in getting arrested for carrying gear he had no intention of using, and which might be technically illegal some jurisdiction or other.

Maijstral opened his door and told the room to turn < the lights. He looked up and his heart gave a leap of terror. F stared at his dresser and only managed to avoid gibbering b cause he was speechless with fear.

Atop his dresser, fresh from cleaning and restoratio was Titian’s Man with a Glove.

v

TWO

Sweat prickled on Maijstral’s scalp. He was being se up. He pictured Colonel-General Vandergilt kicking in the door with her heavy black boots, smiling an evil smile as sh raised her mapper and squeezed the trigger. Caught red handed, she’d say, too bad he tried to escape….

Maijstral turned to the service plate, intending to sum mon Roman and have his servant somehow get the paintinj away.

“Hallo,” said a .voice. Maijstral spun around and wince4 as a brass doorknob punched his kidney. In an upper corner o the room, colors shifted as the holographic projectors of darksuit turned themselves off to reveal a small woman, ham raised in a cheerful wave.

“Sorry if I startled you,” she said. She floated to the floo a few feet in front of Maijstral. “I just wanted to show you m: bag from the Louvre.”

Maijstral made an effort to move his thrashing heart fror his throat to a more conventional location. “You’ve shown it to

me,” Maijstral said. “Now please leave.”

The woman held out her hand. “Conchita Sparrow,” she aid. “Pleased to meet you.”

Her accent was uncouth and her hair was arranged in a .ind of informal, outlandish dorsal fin on top of her head, peraps in hope of making her seem taller. Her face was brightyed and pleasant, though not beautiful. Maijstral hesitantly eached out a hand, offered her a cautious one-fingered handlasp. She gave him two fingers in return, a presumption of a reater intimacy than Maijstral was willing, given the circumances, to contemplate.

“Actually,” she said, “I was looking for a tech designer )b. I thought you might be more interested in looking at my ecordings if I showed you .how useful I could be.” .

Maijstral’s eyes-wide open for once-moved to the Ti4n. “You may have proved far more useful to the police than o me,” he said. “They were just here looking for that paint

.,

“I know,” she grinned. “I saw them leave. Don’t vorry-they didn’t see me. Especially not those two clots out a the thorn bushes—they couldn’t skulk their way out of a lead people’s convention. The only person who saw me was one of your people, the one in the darksuit, and he took off.”

A cold finger touched Maijstral on the neck. “A darkuit?” he asked.

“Yeah. A good one-most detectors wouldn’t have spoted it, but mine did. He flew in just after the cops left-he topped at your window, looked in for a moment, then flew ~n. That’s when he saw me and flew off.”

“A moment, Miss Sparrow,” Maijstral said. He reached o- the wall by the door and touched the service plate. `Roman? Drexler? Were either of you just out on the ;rounds?”

The answers were negative. Maijstral turned to Conchita sparrow.

“I’ll look at your recordings if you like,” he said, “bui that person lurking around outside was probably a member o1 the Special Services Corps, and will be very happy to send mg to prison for possession of that painting. So if you woulc oblige me by taking it very far away, I’ll be in your debt.”

“Only too,” Conchita said, meaning Only too happy Maijstral raised an eyebrow at this cheeky piece of cant Conchita stepped toward the painting, took a bag out of he: darksuit, and slipped it over the painting. Once bagged, tho painting levitated as of its own free will, then followed Con· chita to the window. Before she slipped through the drape shi turned on the holo projectors of her darksuit, and blended al· most indistinguishably with the background.

“The recordings are in your upper right drawer,” sh4 said. “Happy to’ve met yoii!”

The drapes parted, the window opened, and out she flew

Maijstral went to his bureau drawer, saw a recordini sphere lying there, and then marched to the service plate tc summon Roman and Drexler.

They searched Maijstral’s room for the next hour, bufound no more surprises.

Next morning Maijstral bade farewell to Lord and Lad3 Huyghe and set off for North America. Once airborne, Maij. stral put his car on autopilot and reviewed Conchita’s record· ings with Roman and Drexler. He understood why she wa seeking employment as a tech. Though her equipment wa first-rate-her black boxes always worked, and her darksuit’; equipment wove an elegant path through a wide assortment o: alarms-she was nevertheless a very poor thief. She was to( nervous: she dropped things, or performed operations in thi wrong order and had to start over, and once she forgot to tel her darksuit to neutralize a set of flaxes and had to fly in dis array when the alarms began to ring.

“She’s a disaster,” Drexler snickered, as he watche Conchita head for the horizon.

“Still,” Roman said, “she would not be employed for he abilities as a thief. Her gear really is her strong pointworks flawlessly.”

“When she remembers to use it,” Drexler grinned, h tongue lolling. “She hasn’t done anything I can’t do. And 6 sides, what happens if you need her to pinch something fc you?”

“Quite,” Maijstral said.

Drexler might lack a certain bonhomie, he reflected, bi at least he didn’t show up uninvited in one’s bedroom with stolen art treasure moments after irksomely fanatic police di cided to search the place.

“Roman,” he said, “put Sparrow in the file. We mig] hand her some contract work if Drexler is ever overbu dened.”

“I won’t be overburdened at the rate we’re going, M Maijstral,” Drexler said. “When are we going to steal som thing really big?”

“After vacation,” Maijstral said, and was aware Drexler’s diaphragm pulsing in resignation.

Let it pulse, he thought. Drexler hadn’t met Colone General Vandergilt.

“Maijstral,” said Prince Joseph Bob, “I don’t believe you’, met my family.”

“Haven’t had the pleasure.”

The young Lord Joseph Bob had been one of Maijstra; school friends at the Nnoivarl Academy. He hadn’t change much in the last twelve years-he was still. tall and rangy ai blond, and he still looked every bit the champion athlete 1 had been in school. The best pistol shot in the Academy, a tc sabre man on the fencing team, a first-class swimmer, an exc(

lent jumper and runner, first prize for debate … the list of accomplishments went on and on.

His huge house south of Fort Worth was situated on an estate that stretched as far as the hill country west of Austin. The drawing room, where Maijstral was meeting the Prince’s family, seemed to range at least half that distance.

“This is my wife, Arlette,” Joseph Bob said.

“Charmed.”

The marriage was less than a year old, and it was clear to Maijstral that they would have beautiful children. Princess Arlette-the media called her “Lady Bob”-was almost as tall as her husband, with honey-colored hair and large dark eyes. Maijstral gave her two fingers in handclasp and sniffed her wrist and ears.

“Joe’s told me a lot about you,” Arlette said. “Oh dear.”

“He was very complimentary.”

Maijstral smiled. “Of course, he never knew me well. “And this,” said Joseph Bob, “is my brother Will.” “Ah,” Maijstral said, “the Bubber.”

Just as the brother of King Louis_ always assumed the title of Monsieur, the brother of the Prince of Tejas was always the Bubber (the r, with genteel courtesy, is almost silent). Maijstral, acquainted only through his brother, sniffed his ears, offered him a modest two fingers, and received three informal digits in return.

“Do you still do card tricks?” the Bubber asked. He was neither as tall nor as rangy nor as blond as his brother, though his expression was more genial. He had come into the Nnoivarl Academy the year Maijstral left, and Maijstral had never really known him.

“Of course,” Maijstral said.

“Joe always said you were good.”

“After supper, if you like.”

“That would be delightful. Thank you.”

Maijstral made a mental note to tell Roman to lay out the

nner jacket with the trick pockets. He turned to the Prince. “I was wondering if I might ask a favor,” he said. “Of course.”

“While I’m here, I’d like to learn to ride a horse.”

“Really?” The Prince seemed faintly surprised. “Very ell, if you like. Will can set you up-he’s in charge of the ibles.”

“Sir.” Joseph Bob’s butler appeared in the doorway. [‘here is a slight disturbance at the front gate. Newton has prehended a pair of interlopers who claim to be lost. They so claim to be police.”

“Lost?” the Prince said. “On my property?”

Maijstral gave a sigh. “J.B.,” he said, “I suppose I had otter tell you about Colonel-General Vandergilt.”

iter, as Maijstral went to his quarters to dress for supper, he sped a comer in the hallway and received a start. Coming ward him was a short, nondescript man in a green jacket.

“Mr. Kuusinen,” Maijstral said, and offered two fingers.

“Your servant, sir. I’m pleased you remembered my tme.” Kuusinen gave two fingers in return and sniffed Maijral’s ears.

Maijstral was not likely to forget the name of Paavo uusinen anytime soon. The man had a habit of turning up. wice now, on Peleng and again on Silverside Station, Kuusen had been a part of adventures Maijstral would just as ion forget.

On those occasions Kuusinen had actually been of great sistance to Maijstral, but the very sight of the man made [aijstral uneasy. Call it ingratitude if you will.

“What brings you to Earth?” Maijstral asked.

“I’m still her grace’s attorney, of course,” Kuusinen said, Ind she is here, as a guest.”

“Roberta?” Maijstral said. “Here?”

“Indeed.”

Roberta Altunin, the Duchess of Benn, was a famous a ateur racer and the former owner of the Eltdown Shard, I fabulous gem which Maijstral had once had the pleasure a glory of stealing.

“Curious,” Maijstral said, “that the Prince never mi tioned she was here.”

“You’ll meet at supper at any case.” “Yes. I will. Your servant.”

“And yours.”

They sniffed ears again and parted, Maijstral frowni He’d come to think of Kuusinen as a creature of omen-i necessarily ill omen, since after all the man had been of s vice-but at least a harbinger of unsettling times.

Once in his suite, Maijstral settled his unease by wat ing a Western till it was time to dress. This one, The Lo Night of Billy the Kid, was an old-fashioned tragedy featur the legendary rivalry between Billy and Elvis Presley for affections of Katie Elder. Katie’s heart belonged to Billy, despite her tearful pleadings Billy rode the outlaw trail; o finally, brokenhearted Katie left Billy to go on tour with E as a backup singer, while Billy rode on to his long-foresh owed death at the hands of the greenhorn inventor-turn lawman Nikola Tesla.

It was wonderful. Maijstral, transfixed by the anci, fateful myth being brought to life, watched with an ach heart as the awesome story unfolded in its somber, tragic 1 fection.

And while he watched, he paid particular attention to horses.

He was really looking forward to lessons.

Paavo Kuusinen, after leaving Maijstral in the hall, turn( corner and began counting doors. He counted the light

tures and power outlets as well, but only because he was compulsive that way-counting the doors really had purpose.

When he came to the eighth door, he knocked. A servan opened the door and he entered.

“Your grace,” he said.

The Duchess of Benn was a tall, graceful woman, eigh. teen years old, with -short red hair and intense violet eyes. Shi held out a hand and Kuusinen took it, sniffed the wrist.

“Maijstral’s arrived?” she asked.

“An hour ago or thereabouts.”

“Good. And the, ah-the package?”

“It will be in place by tomorrow evening.”

“Splendid. The Special Event goes forward.” She smiled “I will look forward to enjoying Maijstral’s surprise.”

Kuusinen bowed again. “As shall I, your grace. To bE sure.”

His heart still brimming with the glory and tragedy his Western, Maijstral glided down the balcony to join t1 others in the drawing room. Before making his entrance, 1 absently patted one of the hidden pockets in his jacket to mal certain the stacked deck of cards was in its nesting place.

He had also prepared his ground by having Roman bril one of the footmen serving dinner tonight. It was nothing, l reflected, that Houdini hadn’t done. Maijstral stepped into the drawing room. The Prince string quartet played Haydn in one corner-among the Maijstral recognized Will, the Bubber, who puffed out his cheeks as he sawed away on his cello and stared intently at the music. The regular cellist, he observed, was standing out, absently fingering his own instrument in a corner of the room.

Standing with her back toward Maijstral was Robert the Duchess of Benn. She was speaking to an elderly Khoslikh female who stood shorter than Maijstral, which made him a miniature by Khosalikh standards. Roberta’s gown was cut quite low in back and Maijstral approached slowly, the better ble to appreciate the curve of Roberta’s supple spine, the play ,f shadows beneath her scapulae.“Your grace,” he said, speaking in Khosali Standard.

Roberta gave a start, a larger one than Maijstral’s usual dent approaches generally warranted. Maijstral confirmed an Id suspicion that her grace of Benn was a bit too tightly round.

“You startled me,” she gasped, which was, Maijstral reLected, not only a fairly redundant remark for someone who’s .Ist jumped half a foot, but was what people always said in hese situations.

“My apologies,” Maijstral said. “I’m light-footed by rofession, and sometimes I forget that I should shuffle a bit r clear my throat.” Which is, more or less, what he always aid in these situations.

Maijstral offered three fingers in handclasp-having once tolen her jewelry permitted him a certain intimacy-and was iven three in return. They approached one another and riiffed one another’s ears, and then Maijstral sniffed Roberta’s rrist. The odor of Roberta’s perfume sent a shimmer of pleaare up Maijstral’s spine, something that caused him to reflect tat the custom of shaking hands-recently revived by the :onstellation Practices Authority as a “natural, human cus)m” to replace the refined ear-sniffing of the Khosali Emire-had a long way to travel before it could replace the oluptuous pleasure of approaching a beautiful woman’s pulsig -throat and taking a glorious whiff.

. “It’s an unexpected pleasure to see you,” Maijstral said. I ran into your Mr. Kuusinen, who informed me you were ere.”

“Allow me to introduce my Aunt Bathsheba,” Roberta ‘id. “She’s my favorite member of the family. We call her

batty.,.

“Your servant,” Maijstral said. Aunt Batty’s soft dark fur was thinned with age, and she’d perched a pair of spectacles on her muzzle. Some lace hung from her pointed ears.

Maijstral was too familiar with the genealogies of aristocratic Imperial families, with their sibs-by-adoption and cousins-german and morganatic marriages and fostering-patterns, to wonder how a human duchess managed to have a Khosali aunt. He sniffed Aunt Batty’s ears and offered her two fingers in handclasp, and she returned him three.

“Forgive the intimacy,” she said, “but I feel as if I know you quite well. I’m writing a multivolume work about you, you see.” .

Maijstral blinked. He didn’t know whether to believe this remark, or, if believed, to take it seriously. “Are you indeed?” he managed.

“Two volumes so far. The first was rather twee, I think in retrospect, but the style of the second settled down nicely, so I have hopes for the third.”

Maijstral sighed. Any number of hack biographies had appeared since he’d been ranked first in the burglar standings, and most were filled with a glittering scintillation of errors, some of which he’d cheerfully supplied himself.

“I hardly think myself worthy of the attention,” he said.

“On the contrary,” Batty said. “I’ve found you quite an interesting character, well worth the study. Of course I’ve had to make a few guesses concerning things not on the public record. And now that I’ve met you, I’ll be most interested to discover whether my surmises are anywhere near the mark.”

Maijstral laughed uncomfortably.. “I hope I won’t disappoint you.”

“I’m sure you won’t, however it turns out. Unlike so many of my species, I’m almost never disappointed in humans—even when someone does something that I can’t entirely approve of, it’s always for the most interesting reasons.”

Maijstral was at a loss for a response to this. He couldn’t I whether she disapproved of him already, or planned to approve in the future, or if the remark wasn’t directed to n at all, but rather to the general run of her biographical vices…. So he said the only thing available to him, which was, Lh.”

“And there are so many people here who have known u,” Batty went on. “Roberta, of course, and the Prince, io knew you at school. And Mr. Kuusinen-well, he’s a st-class observer, and I’ve already spoken to him.”

Maijstral felt a chill of alarm at the mention of Kuusm’s name. The man was far too first-class an observer. There ;re certain things he hoped Kuusinen never guessed atere was a little service he’d done the Empire, for one, that uld get him killed if certain parties in the Human Constellaon ever discovered it.

“Perhaps I could answer some of your questions,” he ,d, “and spare you the trouble of researching me through quaintances.”

“That’s very kind,” Batty said, “but it’s not my method. lo all the research first, then speak to the subject last.”

Speak to the subject, Maijstral thought. He wondered if rner the victim might be more appropriate.

The Haydn quartet drew to a close, the Bubber sawing ,ay with evident enjoyment. There was scattered applause, d then the sound of the dinner gong. With relief, Maijstral owed toward Roberta.

“May I take you in to dinner?”

“I believe Will is taking me in,” Roberta smiled. “But III may take in Aunt Batty, if you like.”

“A pleasure,” Maijstral said, and felt rather like the conmned man taking a stroll with his executioner.

Loud hosannas began to sound as Maijstral and Batty enred the dining room. Startled, Maijstral looked up to discover a music loft above the door, with an entire choir singing .

“I’d no idea we were going to be so honored,” Maijstral . “A chorus and a quartet.”

“Oh,” Batty said, a bit offhand, “we hear this every it. His highness supports a full complement of musicians singers.”

That, Maijstral reflected, was where adroit politics would you. Joseph Bob’s family had gained their initial wealth title through energetic support of the Khosali Empire; and r riches -and renown had only increased in the last few genions, since they’d been early and distinguished supporters he Great Rebellion.

Once Maijstral’s family had commanded wealth and stanearly equal to that of the Princes of Tejas. Unfortunately jstral’s grandfather had been a far more fanatic supporter he Khosali Empire even than most Khosali, and the family une waned with the fortunes of the Empire. Until a few rs ago Maijstral had spent his life scurrying from one hide.y to another, the bill collectors just behind. Fortunately burglary, once you reached Maijstral’s level, I well. And now that Maijstral had signed a number of ensement contracts, it looked as if he’d never lack for funds ‘in.

Maijstral helped Aunt Batty to her chair and sat in his z, between Batty and Roberta, half-expecting at any secto hear the crash of doors and the tramp of jackboots as .onel-General Vandergilt marched in with a warrant for his ~st for some crime he had neither committed nor even rd of. But nothing happened, so he turned to the Bubber, ;ed on the other side of Roberta, and said, “Perhaps, in aks for your music, I might offer a little amusement of my a. Perhaps you could send a footman for a deck of cards.”

rd tricks alternated with supper courses. Maijstral thought performed well, though the sight of Roberta’s bare shoulder next to him was a constant, if perfectly agreeable, distraction.

Maijstral squared his cards and paused in his patter while dessert course was brought in-Tuscan-style leaping uds, light and frothy, with warm jugs of coffee liqueur ice. The Bubber poured sauce on his dessert and picked up spoon.

“If you’ll pardon me, your grace,” Maijstral said, rose in chair, and reached across Roberta’s.plate to plunge his fins into the Bubber’s dessert. Princess Arlette gasped. The bber seemed at a loss for a response. “Would this be your d?” Maijstral asked, and raised the three of crowns from Bubber’s plate. Little dessert-cloudlets rained from the d, but it was perfectly recognizable.

“Yes!” the Bubber gasped.

“Another dessert, if you please,” Maijstral told the foot .n. “And another deck of cards-this one is soiled.” He )wed the card to the others, and there was a round of apuse, feet tapping the floor in the pattern for “surprise and )recition.”

Maijstral wiped his fingers and the card with his napkin i left the card faceup on the table, a reminder of his prow. He always possessed a certain sense of wonder himself at w the simplest effects produced the greatest reaction-the iers assumed he’d performed some master sleight right in ,nt of the Bubber’s nose, whereas in fact he’d merely had man bribe the footman to put a prearranged card in the bber’s dessert. Any actual skill lay in getting the Bubber to pose the three of crowns in the first place, but that was a rly elementary “force,” as the jargon had it, and hardly a challenge. He’d worked for years on much more sophisticated tricks that never made such an impression.

He turned to Roberta. “My apologies, once more, your ,race, for reaching across you so rudely.”

“You are entirely forgiven,” Roberta said. There was a glow in her violet eyes.

“Still, by way of apology, I’d like to offer to perform a trick where you, not I, am in command. As soon as they clear away the last course.”

She smiled. “One dessert on top of another, it would seem. I’ll strive not to bolt the first so as to get to the other quicker.”

“Let the first add savor to the second, your grace.”

Roberta gave him a graceful nod. “You are a master sautier, Maijstral. I shall trust your taste in dessert courses.”

After the last of the dishes were cleared away, Maijstral broke the seal on the new deck and shuffled it. It was a matter Df little moment to switch the new deck for the deck of identi~al pattern that he’d been carrying in his pocket.

“Your grace,” Maijstral said, “I would like, by way of example, to deal each of us a hand of court-imago.”

“I thought you said I was to be in charge,” Roberta said.

“But I want you to know why you shall be in charge, and to that end-six cards, so.”

The cards sped across the table. Joseph Bob and Arlette eaned forward in their chairs to peer at the action. Kuusinen watched with an expressionless face and an intense narrowing Af the eyes.

Roberta picked up her hand and sorted the cards. “Is it a passable hand, your grace?”

“I would wager on it, were I playing court-imago.” “Please lay it down.” It was a Little Prough. Maijstral

:urned his own cards over, showing a Big Prough.

“I win,” he said. “But it was unfair, was it not?” “Yes.”

“Why?”

“Because you dealt the cards, and you are a card manipulator.”

“True. Therefore, it would give you more of a chance if I to shuffle, and you were to cut the cards, yes?” Roberta considered this. “I suppose,” she said.

Maijstral reinserted the used cards into the deck, seemat random (but not randomly at all), and shuffled the with a theatrical flourish that served artfully to disguise ict that the order of the cards was not altered in any way ever. He placed the cards on the table.

“Cut, if you please.”

The Duchess obliged. Maijstral dealt her four tens and elf four princesses.

“Was that fair?” he asked.

“I think not.”

“Why not?”

“Because …” Her eyes narrowed as she considered the bilities, “you could have nullified the cut in some way. )mehow forced me to cut where you wanted me to.” Maijstral smiled. “Very good, your grace. I could have both, had I wanted.” He swept up the cards and put in his deck. “This time I will shuffle the cards, and then will shuffle the cards. I will deal a hand to everyone here, you may choose the best of them to go up against my

The cards were shuffled and dealt. The others at the table Jared hands, and Arlette’s crown stairway was chosen as ,est. “I’m afraid that isn’t good enough,” Maijstral said, turned over his own hand, six major powers in a row, a ouncil.

Roberta’s ears flattened. “You promised that I would be Large, Maijstral. All I have been doing is following your

11

“That is true,” Maijstral said. “I’ve been most unfairecause it was I who dealt the cards, and I’m a card manipula)r and might have arranged somehow to have the best hand.” fe pushed the deck toward Roberta. “Therefore, this time, )u shuffle, you deal a hand to everyone here, you choose hich of the other hands to match against mine. And we shall !e what occurs.”

Roberta smiled at the challenge, and reached for the cards. She shuffled and dealt. This time a pair of princesses was ie best anyone could manage. Roberta gave Maijstral an apologetic look.

“Not very good, I’m afraid.”

“No. I’m afraid not.” Maijstral turned over his own Lrds, a full court from the rover to the emperor of ships, the ighest possible hand in court-imago.

The Bubber, baffled, looked through his cards, then took ie deck and fingered his way through it.

“It seems,” Roberta said, “that I haven’t been in charge all.”

Maijstral fingered his diamond ring. “I’m afraid not,” he Lid. “My character, alas, is fatally flawed-I’m a liar. And a seat. And, of course,” he added, with an apologetic smile, “I eal.”

Roberta gave a smile. “I believe I am personally aciainted with that last facet of your character, somewhat to

Ly cost.”

The Bubber took Maijstral’s cards and looked at them in 3,pes of finding some clue to the mystery. “Maijstral,” he ,id, “how did you do it?”

Maijstral’s, eyes gleamed beneath their lazy lids. “With -eat skill and a mischievous if refined sense of diablerie,” he ,id. He reached for his glass of wine. “Perhaps we should let to servants clear the table.”

The company adjourned for brandy, coffee, and tobacco

.

to the Colt Drawing Room, named after the antique firearm that Joseph Bob collected, and which were displayed in artisti array on the wall. One weapon, however, was under glass in display case. “The first Colt revolving chugger,” Joseph Bol said.

“The wood pattern seems an odd design choice,” Kuus inen observed.

“That isn’t ornamentation,” Joseph Bob said. “The pis tol’s actually made of wood. It’s a model that Colt carved on sea voyage. Once he returned, he built a working chugger ou of metal and patented his process.”

“They built pistols out of metal?” Roberta said. “Tha seems as outlandish as a pistol of wood. Why would Mr. Co] use metal?”

“It wouldn’t do to admit this in certain political circles, Joseph Bob said, “but here among friends, I believe I migh observe that human technology was not always as advanced a it is at present.”

Roberta briefly touched her tongue to the corner of he mouth, a simulacrum of Khosali mirth. Maijstral had notice that the human residents of the Empire, where the Khosa were in the majority, more often used Khosali gestures tha humans of the constellation.

“Here aree a pair of chuggers you might recognize, Mai stral,” Joseph Bob said, and indicated a matched pair of pisto. on the wall.

Cold trickled up Maijstral’s spine as he looked at tf weapons. Years ago, when he was sixteen, he’d fought a du with those pistols, and the horror he’d felt at the time ha never left him.

“Oh yes,” Maijstral said unenthusiastically. “I recogni~ them perfectly well.”

“Back in our Academy days,” Joseph Bob told the oil ers, “Maijstral fought a duel with those pistols. I wasp

there—the seconds wouldn’t allow witnesses-but every said Maijstral was the coolest fellow imaginable.”

Maijstral looked at the assembled company and sweat gathering at his nape. What others mistook for coop had been, in fact, a pure, horrified paralysis.

“I’m sure the others exaggerated,” Maijstral said.

Joseph Bob pdt a hearty hand on Maijstral’s shout “Quite a feat, though, fighting a duel at that age-what s we? Sixteen? Seventeen?”

“Too young,” Maijstral said.

“I’ve always envied you . the experience. Here I at crack pistol shot and an exemplary swordsman, and I’ve nE once had an encounter! I’ve always wanted a chance, but eryone’s always been so polite to me.”

Arlette looked a little nonplussed at this evidence of husband’s bloodthirstiness. Maijstral raised a thin smile, ears pricked forward. “If I ever have another fight,” he s “you can substitute for me if you like.”

Joseph Bob gave a hearty laugh. “Oh,” he said, “I wi could!”

“We youngsters were jealous of you,” the Bubber fered. “And that girl of yours who was the cause of it allwere jealous of her, too. Quite a pippin, that Zoe.”

“Maijstral started quite a fad,” Joseph Bob ad( “There must have been a dozen challenges among the uni classmen before the term was out. We seniors had to supp them all, of course.”

Maijstral sincerely, wished someone would act to s press this topic of conversation. He didn’t care for his yoi ful follies being the subject of quite this much speculation. observed that Kuusinen was watching him with interest, Maijstral liked neither the intrigued tilt to Aunt Batty’s r nor the glitter in her eye. Probably she was planning on a ing another note to her three-volume biography.

And Roberta, he noted, was looking at him with an admiration that made him thoroughly uneasy. On Silverside Staion she had served as his second on a duel that, fortunately for im, had not actually come off. He didn’t want to leave any~ne with the impression he was a fire-eater happy to swashluckle his way through life in search of deadly encounters. A eputation like that could attract more danger than it would :eep away just look at the career of Pearl Woman or :tienne, to name two among the Three Hundred who were onstantly having to hack their way out of one lethal situation ~r another.

Perhaps, Maijstral considered, it was time for a bit of misdirection. “Say,” he said, turning to an intriguing-looking boulder weapon with Troxan markings, “what is that used or? Is that a harpoon of some sort?”

Annoyance flared in Maijstral as Joseph Bob clung to his eminiscence. “D’you know, Maijstral,” he said, “after I got he pistols back, I couldn’t hit a blessed thing with either one >f ‘em. Turned out the sights were out of true.”

Maijstral suppressed a jolt of alarm, and instead said, `Perhaps the seconds were careless in handling them afterward. Asad and Zah were pretty excited by the whole busiiess.”

“I wonder-d’you suppose it was one of the masters )ent on avoiding bloodshed?” Joseph Bob fingered his chin nalytically. “Perhaps if word of the duel got out, one of our iousemasters could have got into my room with his passkey Lnd twitched the sights out of alignment.”

It had been Maijstal, of course, far gone in the depths of error, who had crept into Joseph Bob’s room and tweaked he foresights with a handy pair of pliers. It had been his first ;uccessful breaking and entering, one of those painful, involintary milestones on his path to the present. How many other >eople, one could well ask, have discovered their own utter

wardice and the silent joys of burglary at the same time?

Maijstral affected to consider Joseph Bob’s theory. It ocrred to him that the notion was far too close to the truth, d probably ought to be discredited altogether. “I think your eory probably gives the masters too much credit,” he said. t was never my impression that they knew anything we °re doing, let alone anything we were trying to hide from em.” His lazy lids closed over his eyes, leaving only slits. ‘m inclined to suspect it was just careless handling by the -onds. Julian and I held the pistols only for a moment or -o, just long enough to shoot, but the seconds probably had em for hours.”

“Mm,” Joseph Bob conceded. “Very likely.”

“Now what is this-harpoon sort of thing?” Maijstral ked, once more attempting his diversion.

As Joseph Bob went on to explain that the harpoon gun us intended to anchor the wandering, homicidal trees that rched about one of the Troxan homeworlds, Maijstral awed the other guests from beneath his slitted lids. Arlette, e Bubber, and Roberta seemed perfectly willing to be dirted by the harpoon gun. Kuusinen’s polite expression, as er, revealed little. But Aunt Batty’s lace-covered ears were cked forward, and her tongue lolled in a smug little smileif, Maijstral concluded, some pet theory of hers had just en confirmed.

He wondered if there were some way he could read this ography.

Perhaps, it occurred to him, he could steal it.

ie string quartet’s rendition of a Frayng piece echoed up the .11 as the company made their way to their rooms. “I say-Maijstral?”

“Yes, Bubber?”

“Oh, call me Will, won’t you? I don’t care much for

meaningless titles, and I guess you don’t, either, considering you don’t use yours.”-

“Will. Yes. You may call me Drake, if you like. How lay I help you?”

“I was wondering if we might do a trade. I’d be most appy to teach you to ride a horse tomorrow, and-well, what want is-I, ah-could you teach me magic?”

A pause. “Well.” Another pause. “I would be happy to each you a few things, of course. But I won’t be spending that such time here in Tejas, and I won’t be able to give you anyIing but a few fundamentals.”

“Oh, that would be fine. I understand your time is limed. But I’d like to find out if magic is something I could rely master-you know, I’ve always lived with J.B., and he’s a erfectly splendid person, but he’s so good at everything. A etter shot than me, a better fencer, a better rider … and prob)ly a better lord, if it comes to that. And I can play the cello retty well, but I’m not as good as the fellow who’s normally :)t the job … so anyway, I thought if I could master someIing that J.B. isn’t good at, then … well, I’d like to give it a y, anyway.”

“I would be happy to teach you what I can.” “Thank you. Er-Drake?”

“Yes, Will?”

“Did I just say something-you know-pathetic?” “Not at all, Will.”

“Thank you.” A sigh. “I’m relieved.”

“Good night, Will.”

“Good night. And thank you.”

Dear?” Strolling up the stairway a few moments later. “Did ou really envy Maijstral his duel?”

“Oh, yes. Of course. It’s a chance to find out what you’re really made of, isn’t it?”

“Don’t you think you know what you’re made of, Joe?”

“Well.” A nervous laugh. “Not the way Maijstral does, I’m sure. I’ve done well, but then I started out with so many advantages that I would have had to work hard at doing badly in order to make a failure of myself. I certainly haven’t been tested, not the way my grandfather was in the Great Rebellion, nor the way Maijstral was before he was twenty.”

“You got me all on your own, Joe.”

The sound of a kiss.

“Well,” reflectively, “perhaps I haven’t done so badly, after all.”

The same stair. Another pair.

“Do things progress, Kuusinen?”

“Indeed, your grace. The mechanics of smuggling an obect as large as a coffin into the house without Maijstral’s uiowledge presented some difficulties, but now that he’s de-ided to go riding tomorrow, I believe we can use the window )f opportunity afforded by his absence.”

“And his servants?”

“His Highness’s butler has been instructed to divert :hem. They, and your servants as well, will be taken on a spe;ial picnic tomorrow morning.”

“Very good. Perhaps I will take exercise with Maijstral

end make certain he’ll be gone for a sufficient length of time.” “An admirable addition to the plan, your grace.”

“I don’t believe it will be any great sacrifice-it will be a

)erfectly pleasant morning, given good weather.” “Of course, your grace.”

Another pause. “Is that Snail they’re performing?” “Frayng, your grace.”

“Ah. I can never tell them apart.”

“Hardly anyone ever can. I believe that’s why they were )rovoked into their unfortunate duel-each thought the other vas imitating him.”

“They fought with bassoons, did they not?”

‘Yes. Bassoons, your grace. Not the most graceful of weaons, but then they both died, so perhaps there is some

en martial quality to the instrument of which we ate un

good grief!”

“Oh. Sorry, Mr. Maijstral. I really didn’t mean to startle

11

Maijstral contemplated the jutting finlike pompadour ,ing up above his rack of suits. “If you didn’t mean to starie,” he said, “why did you hide in my closet?”. Conchita Sparrow’s genial face worked its way out from Teen a pair of jackets. “One of your servants was in here a bit ago, and I didn’t want him to see me, so I just nipped a second.” She fondled a shoulder seam. “Nice suit, this on one. I like the cut.”

“Thank you, Miss Sparrow. Would you care to step into room now?”

“Only too.” Conchita left the closet, took a breath, and ned. “It was stuffy in there.” She looked around the room. n you give me a drink or something?”

Maijstral, ignoring this last request, folded his arms and regarded the intruder. “The matter of your being in my closet is explained, but we have yet to address the question of r being in my room in the first place. Have you dropped mother stolen art treasure?”

“Oh. No. I was just wondering if you’d had a chance to ew my recordings.”

“You needn’t have come in person. You could have sent. Or you could have knocked on the front door and inquired for me.”

“Well, yes,” Conchita admitted. “But I wanted to show how well I could neutralize the security in this place.” eyes widened. “Oh. The closet. One moment.”

She reached into the closet and removed the command override she’d placed on the closet’s command systems. “Close the doors, please.”

“I have been interfered with.” The closet’s tone was sulky.

“Close the doors, please.”

The doors closed with a final grumble. Conchita turned to Maijstral and grinned.

“Your technical ability is without question,” Maijstral said. “But I already employ a tech. The only work I could offer you is perhaps an occasional contract, and that only rarely.”

Conchita’s face fell. “Oh, come on, Mr. Maijstral,” she said. “Your life would never be dull with me around!”

This, Maijstral considered, was becoming all too plain. “Perhaps that’s so,” he said, “but I can’t fire a perfectly good employee just to relieve the tedium.” At that point there was a knock at the door.

He and Conchita looked at each other for a moment, and then Conchita turned to the closet.. “Open, please,” she said.

“I won’t,” the closet said. “You interfered with my mechanisms.”

“Open, closet,” Maijstral said.

“Well,” the closet said, “for you.”

The closet opened and Conchita ducked inside, jabbing her command override into the closet’s systems as she did so. The doors shut smoothly, and Maijstral went to answer the knock. -

Kuusinen’s head was cocked slightly in an inquiring manner. “I hope I do not interrupt, sir,” he said.

Maijstral unconsciously straightened his jacket. “Oh. Not.at all. Would you come in?”

“Thank you, no. I had only a single question to ask you,” Kuusinen said. “I hope you won’t consider it impertinent, but I’m afraid I’m compulsive in certain ways, and I wouldn’t be able to sleep unless I know the answer.”

“I will do my utmost to assume you rest, Mr. Kuusinen.”

“What do you call the technique you used in the trick sere the cards were hidden under the creamer? The one sere you substituted one card on the very top of the deck for other?”

Maijstral blinked. “I must have performed the trick very orly for you to have noticed.”

“On the contrary,” Kuusinen said, “your working of the trick was excellent, and I noticed nothing at the time. But, in inking about the trick afterward, I realized how it had to be one, and-I apologize again-I was consumed with a desire for the information.”

“I would be obliged if you refrained from sharing your to of reasoning with the others.”

“I won’t, I assure you. This is purely for my own satisfaction.”

“The technique is called a top change.”

Kuusinen closed his eyes and absorbed the bit of jargon ith an expression akin to bliss. His eyes fluttered open. Chank you, sir.”

“I hope you sleep well.”

“I’m sure I shall.”

Maijstral closed the door and was on his way to the closet hen he was interrupted by a gentle chime from the phone. e answered, and the visage of the Duchess of Benn appeared 1 the screen.

“If you’re looking for Mr. Kuusinen, “Maijstral said, “he st left.”

“I wasn’t, actually,” Roberta said. “I was hoping that I ight invite myself along on your riding trip tomorrow.”

“You’re most welcome,” Maijstral said, “but I’m afraid I on’t be a very challenging companion. I’ve never been on a horse in my life.”

“Neither have I. We shall learn together.” “I shall look forward.”

“Good night, Maijstral.”

“Good night, your grace.”

Maijstral turned from the phone to see the closet doe gliding open. Conchita appeared. “Was that the Duchess of Benn?” she asked.

“It was.”

“That’s fingo all right!”

Maijstral raised his eyebrows at this piece of can, “Sorry?” he said.

“I mean, mean, I’m impressed. You stole the Eltdown Shar from her and she not only still speaks to you, she looks fc ways to ride off into the sunset with you.”

Maijstral blinked. There was a lot more to the Eltdown Shard story than ever reached the public, and he intended

stay that way. “I believe you were leaving,” he said. “Well.” Conchita shrugged. “I suppose I was.” “Shall I open a window for you?”

“No thanks. I got in through the ventilation.”

She popped a grill off the wall, floated up off the floor entered feetfirst, and paused to give a wave before she disal peared into the ventilator shaft. Maijstral walked to the servic plate and touched it.

“Roman. Would you come in here, if you please?”

It was Drexler’s voice that answered. “Sorry, Mr. Mai stral. Roman left before dinner and hasn’t returned. May I be of service?”

Maijstral paused. It was most unlike Roman to be absei at this hour, when he was usually required to unlace Maijstr from his jacket and trousers. Maijstral would have to summc a robot to do the job.

“Did Roman say where he was going?” “No, Sir. May I help you?”

First things first, Maijstral thought. “Yes,” he said

Sparrow has returned. I don’t know if she left anything around, but if she did, I want it found.”

“I‘11 take care of that right away, sir.”

“Thank you, Drexler.”

Another long search of his own quarters, Maijstral fight wearily.

He hoped he wouldn’t have to get used to this.

Maijstral arrived for his ride dressed in what he believed to be the correct costume: wide Stetson hat, large banIanna, leather vest, fringed chaps, high-heeled proughskin boots with pointed toes, silver rowel spurs that gleamed in the sunlight, a stunner in the shape of one of Mr. Colt’s revolvers jn one hip and a waspish rapier on the other.

Will, the Bubber, regarded Maijstral with an expression A genial surprise as he stalked into the stables on his tall heels. “Very authentic,” he said.

“Am I … overdressed?” Maijstral said. The Bubber’s -ostume complemented his own only in the matter of boots.

“I don’t think we’re going to be attacked by outlaws,” he Bubber said, “but I’m sure that if we are, we’ll be thankful :or the hardware. And I wasn’t planning on riding through ieavy brush, either, though the chaps will be useful if we do.”

Roberta arrived, dressed casually, and looked at Maijstral n surprise. “I’ve seen that costume before,” she offered. “You wore it on the night of the Grand Ball on Silverside, when you Mole my necklace.”

52

“I hope the associations aren;,t too unpleasant.”

Roberta offered an ambiguous smile. “Quite the conLry. It was an exhilarating evening.”

“Perhaps,” said the Bubber, “I should introduce you to cur horses. And, ah, Drake-I’d take off those spurs if I were iu. There might be an accident.

Maijstral had fantasized himself flying along on a mid;ht steed, a lean animal, all clean streamlined angles and flymane and surging muscle, but his horse turned out to be a ntle, middle-aged grey mare named Morganna, who jogged ‘ng the path without any apparent need for direction on aijstral’s part. Even so Maijstral found the sensation a bit firming. The large beast moving beneath him gave him the zsation of being harnessed to a slow-motion earthquake, a tural force of sufficient power to cause injury if he made the -ong move. Still, he and the horse managed to get along well ough, and he found himself enjoying the experience.

Roberta was less successful. It became obvious from the st that she and her mount were engaged in a furious contest wills from which, very possibly, there would be but one rvivor.

“I can’t understand it,” the Bubber remarked, after °y’d been riding about ten minutes. “Ringo’s been a per:tly tractable animal till now.”

“If this beast doesn’t soon learn to obey,” Roberta said -ough’clenched teeth, “I’m going to break every single one its ribs.”

Roberta was a world-class racer, with the powerful legs -essary to negotiate the turns and leaps of the zero-gravity tze, and she might well have been capable -of carrying out r threat.

“Just try to relax,” the Bubber suggested..

Ringo regarded the Duchess from a red, rolling eye, ears ttened. “Relax?” Roberta cried. “How? With this wretched imal confounding my every…”

S3

Roberta urged it forward, and instead, out of contrariit backed. Roberta’s ears drew back in anger. She kicked horse to get it moving, those powerful racer’s legs driving the animal’s ribs … and Ringo took off with a bound, )st flinging Roberta over its tail, and raced top speed ass country. Roberta hung on gamely, crouched over the ;e’s neck, and hurled abuse into its ear as it carried her off. Maijstral watched in alarm at this development right out ne of his Westerns. The heroine’s animal had run off with and it was clearly up to the hero to do something about it. lvis had been here, or Jesse James, the course of action ild have been clear. But Maijstral, an equestrian tyro, was less to intervene. If he’d only worn an a-gray harness, he [d have flown after the Duchess and plucked her from the ale with ease.

Fortunately the Bubber was up to the challenge, and d off in pursuit. Maijstral peered anxiously after, but all he Id see were two swiftly moving clouds of dust aiming for a vergence on the horizon. After a certain amount of negotin with his animal he managed to work it up to a trot; and ounced along in pursuit, feeling as if life had just handed the sidekick role.

Eventually, emerging from the heat shimmer on the horicame the Bubber on his horse, with Roberta mounted beI and a lathered Ringo following on a lead. The Bubber grinning, and even Roberta had a smile tugging at her lips. “I trust you’re not injured?” Maijstral asked. “Not at all,” Roberta said. “Will was the perfect rescuer. ached me right out of the saddle and set me on his horse and as if I were a child.” She patted the Bubber on the .alder. “You’re stronger than you look.

The Bubber seemed pleased. “There’s a trick to it. You have to know how.”

“And how do you know these tricks? Do you go pluckLadies off runaway horses every day of the week?”

54

s

The Bubber flushed a little. “I used to do a little acrobatic g, but I haven’t done anything like that in years. Surprisiow the reflexes come back.” He shaded his eyes and ;d toward the sprawl of the Prince’s residence, still loomn the horizon, then turned to Maijstral. “I’m sorry to cut lesson short, Drake, but we’d best return to the stables.” Roberta looked firm. “I think not,” she said. “You and ;tral go on with your plans.” She kicked one leg up over ubber’s head-her athleticism was so effortless that it did urprise-and slid off the saddle to the ground. “I shall Ringo back to the stables,” she said. “And if the beast me trouble, I shall simply break the animal’s knees.” The Bubber looked dubious. “We’ll take you back,” he “I’m sure Drake doesn’t mind.”

“Not at all,” Maijstral said.

Roberta’s violet eyes flashed. “Maijstral,” she said. “Go ,ur ride.”

Maijstral blinked. He had encountered Roberta’s force of )efore, and on consideration it amazed him that Ringo aanaged to resist it for so long. “Your grace,” he said, “if nsist.”

` I do.” She turned to the Bubber, and her face assumed a tern expression. “I’m perfectly capable of walking the le of leagues to the stables. I’m a racer, after all.” “Well,” frowning, “if you’re sure…”

Roberta took her leave and began her walk, the exed, chastened horse following. Maijstral and the Bubber d their horses and began a trot back to the road. “Rather high-strung, ain’t she?” the Bubber said. “She has more reason for temperament than most,” tral said. “She is young, and has been to a strict school. oubt she wishes to prove herself worthy of all the trust Las been placed in her. And of course she has to be cony wary of people who want to take advantage of here hunters and so on.”

ROCK OP AGES 5 f

The Bubber’s ears reddened. “Well, yes,” he said, “famies can be a bother sometime. I find I’m glad I’m not the eir-I’ve much more freedom that way. I’ve got enough ioney to be comfortable, and J.B:‘s kind enough to employ ie at things I enjoy. Fortunately we get along.”

“My titles came with no money or property,” Maijstral ‘id, “only debts. It was hard to think of them as an advanige.

They rode along. pleasantly for a while, each with his wn thoughts.

“Drake?” the Bubber said. “When do you think you light teach me a little magic?”

“Right now, if you like.”

“Now?”

“A little theory, anyway.”

“Oh. Well. To be sure.”

“We have several varieties of effects to consider,” Maij:ral began. “All classic visual effects fall into one of a few itegoriesvanishing, production, transformation, transposion, restoration, penetration, and levitation.”

“That seems rather a long list.” Dubiously.

“Some effects are merely the reversal of another, vanishig and production for example. Allow me to give an example f each.”

Discoursing thus, the two rode on companionably. Behind them, out of sight of the two, a large transport

-aft descended onto the Prince’s lawn to unload its cargo. One large coffin.

fter luncheon the Prince, his family, and his guests boarded a rge flier and sped to the Grand Canyon, where, after a leiirely drift down the length of the Canyon at about medium titude, with the Colorado still far below and the canyon ails looming high on either side, the flier soared effortlessly )ward to a landing at Cape Solitude. There everyone disem-

f6

Lrked to observe the Colorado stretching on down the length Marble Canyon, and marvelled at the side canyon’s grand, inaccurately named, magnificence.

As the others absorbed the Canyon’s splendor, Maijstral refully watched Joseph Bob from beneath his lazy eyelids. e wanted to do a card trick that would astound everyone, it it required knowing the subject well. In the cant, it reTired “taking dead aim” at Joseph Bob.

But he wasn’t certain if he knew Joseph Bob well tough. Maijstral had, during their school years in the Emre, known the young princeling as well as anyone, but he Ldn’t seen the man since graduation.

But Joseph Bob seemed not to have changed at all. .atured a bit, certainly, but in essence he seemed the same >ung human Maijstral had known at the Academy.

Well, Maijstral thought, he might as well find out. If this dn’t work, he’d cover it with another trick.

The others were starting to drift back to the flier in Separation to moving to another vantage point. Maijstral ap-oached Joseph Bob.

“Would you mind assisting me in a card trick?” he asked. “Here?” Joseph Bob seemed surprised. “If you like.” “Perhaps we could use the table near that, ah, tree-ish

ung.”

“That’s a Jasperian Sprout Vine.”

“It is? So that’s what a sprout vine looks like.”

The others followed as Maijstral and Joseph Bob apcoached the table. They sat on opposite sides of the table, and [aijstral produced a deck of cards. He spread them expertly, ceup, in front of the Prince.

“If youu could point to a card?”

Joseph Bob pointed to the four of ships. Triumph coded Maijstral’s blood. He swept up the cards, shuffled, anded the deck to Joseph Bob.

57

“Find your card, if you please.”

Joseph Bob looked through the deck for the four of ships it failed to find it.

“Count them, please.” -

Joseph Bob counted the cards. Glancing around the_ Ae, Maijstral noted the little bobs of the spectators’ heads as ey counted along with him.

“There are only sixty-three,” Joseph Bob said. “The four ships is missing.”

Maijstral’s eyes glinted green from behind his heavy lids. Perhaps,” he said, “you might find the missing card in the ,ide left breast pocket of your jacket.”

Joseph Bob reached into his jacket experimentally, and en his eyes widened. He withdrew his hand and in it, the ar of ships.

“You were on the other side of the table from me the ene time,” he said. “How did you do that?”

Taking dead aim, Maijstral thought, and gathered up the As. He rose from his seat and looked out over the Canyon.

“Perhaps we might seek another point of advantage.”

“I don’t see why we should bother,” Joseph Bob muted, his ears pricking back in puzzlement, “since the advan;e is all yours.”

e afternoon was spent flitting from one part of the Canyon the next, and ended with cocktails and a light buffet in the dwall Cavern. Then the flier returned to the Prince’s estate, sere Roman helped lace Maijstral into his formal dinner ss.

Roman was feeling a warm, mild burning sensation preely in the middle of his broad back, where he couldn’t Patch it. All day he had felt mild fevers alternate with light ills. Phantom itches moved from place to place over his dy, and wherever he scratched, his fine black fur flew.

5^8

As he’d experienced this twenty-odd times before, he .new perfectly well what was going to happen. He was about o enter molt.

Roman hated molt. He was an exceptionally bad molter, nd his molts put him out of sorts for weeks. And the fact that ie molt meant he was a year older did not improve his umor.

Another year, he might have thought, in service to Maijtral. Another year of being an assistant thief, occasional legreaker, and general voice of responsibility in a most irregular rorld.

Roman might have thought that … but he didn’t. He was Ir too disciplined, too Khosali, ever to criticize his employer, ven mentally: The most he would ever allow himself was an ccasional diaphragm pulse of resignation.

“Did you have a pleasant afternoon, sir?” he asked as he id up the side-laces of Maijstral’s jacket.

“Very satisfactory,” Maijstral said. He looked at Roman

ver his shoulder. “A little looser in the armpit, please.” “Very good, sir.” Roman pried at the laces. “You were out last night,” Maijstral said.

“I regret I wasn’t back in time to unlace you,” Roman

aid. “I lost track of time.”

Maijstral tugged experimentally at his lapel, worked his rm in its socket. “I hope you had a pleasant time, wherever ou were.”

“I was at the library, sir.”

“Oh.” Maistral was surprised. “Well, I hope your readig was pleasant.”

“I was reading history, sir,” Roman said. “It was very ilfilling.”

Which was a. statement calculated to end Maijstral’s uestions. Roman, as well as the Duchess, had his own Special roject, one he had been working on for years, a project that ivolved Maijstral.

ROCK OP AGES S9

Last night, in the library in Rome, Roman had found the :ial bit of evidence that had brought the project to its clit. He just didn’t want Maijstral knowing about it yet. Roman handed Maijstral his pistol, which was promptly wed in the armpit holster, and then Maijstral, made his way vnstairs to dinner.

i

Relieved to be left alone, Roman went straight to the serplate and called for a robot to come to the room and tch the fiery itch in the center of his back.

iner featured pleasant conversation and no card tricksijstral understood that to be consistently amazing is, in the E; run,, to risk becoming consistently predictable, if not sistently dull. Besides, Maijstral was very pleased with the trick he’d performed that day, and had no desire to pern other tricks that weren’t as spectacular.

After dinner, Joseph Bob, the Bubber, and Arlette played free-sided game-of puff-sticks in the drawing room, while ijstral browsed along the bookshelves. There were a lot of Tories and biographies, many of which concerned members he Prince’s family. Maijstral browsed the pages of one of se-it concerned the great Flax-Seed Scandal that rocked Empire in the decade before the Rebellion, and the then)ber’s ambiguous role therein-and discovered that the rgins had been annotated in pencil. Most of the annotations -e in the human alphabet, and consisted of the letter “L” or letters “DL,” sometimes followed by an exclamation rk.

Maijstral waited for an auspicious moment to interrupt puff-sticks game, then asked Joseph Bob what the letters ant. The Prince gave the book a glance.

“Oh, that’s my grandfather’s notes,” he said. “He ansated all the histories that way. L stands for `lie,’ and DL for coned lie.”’

Maijstral smiled. “I am enlightened,” he said. “Thank

you.” As he returned to the bookshelf the Duchess of Bei approached, rustling in a silk gown of imperial purple that a mirably echoed her violet eyes.

“Maijstral,” Roberta said, “I was wondering if yc might join Kuusinen and me for a moment. There is som thing upstairs that might interest you.”

“Of course, your grace.” Maijstral closed the book at returned it to the shelves.

Feeling the sort of languid curiosity that is the best of can hope for after a large, well-prepared meal, Maijstral fc lowed after Roberta. Little warning spikes of pain jump along his thighs as he climbed up the stairs-the morning riding, he thought. Roberta’s gown plunged -behind, and I found himself enjoying, once more, the supple play of musc and shadow on the Duchess’s back.

. Roberta led Maijstral past her own suite, then opened door into another room and stepped inside. Maijstral fo lowed, saw what waited therein, and stopped dead. Kuusine almost ran into him from behind.

Maijstral’s first thought was that Conchita Sparrow ho really outdone herself this time-not only stealing a hul cryocoffin from somewhere, but sneaking it past Joseph Bob security and hiding it in the room-but then he began to rei ognize the coffin’s sweeping bronze lines, turned into list classical scrolls on either end, and he frowned and steppe into the room, a song of warning keening in the back of h head.

Aunt Batty, he observed, had been keeping the coffi company: she was well established in a rocking chair in or corner, surrounded by a little thicket of manuscript on whic she’d been working. Evidently the coffin’s appearance was n( a surprise to her, or to anyone in the Duchess’s party.

Maijstral looked at the Imperial Arms and Linea€

I

Rocx OF AGES 61

etched into the coffin lid, and it only confirmed his worst suspicions. His heart sank.

“Hello, Dad,” he said. “How did you get here?” A plaintive voice came from the coffin. “Is it time,for my cocoa yet?” it asked.

0 a 0

Maijstral had believed that he had kept his late father .thout enough funds to travel, and as his father’s legal guard-7 i he’d forbade his father to borrow. Well, he thought, his d had got the funds from somewhere, probably a little acunt he’d been hiding all these years, or maybe an old friend io’d been persuaded to make a loan; and Maijstral would ve to get the lawyers to start searching for the source … ter, Maijstral considered, the late Gustav Maijstral was ipped home to his tomb and safely reinstalled. in the home of s ancestors.

“Drake?” the corpse inquired. “Is that you, Drake?” “Yes, Dad,” Maijstral sighed. “It’s me.”

“I came here for a very good reason,”. Gustav Maijstral Ld firmly. “I want my cocoa!” And then added, “… I think. kink that’s why I’m here.”

“Dad,” Maijstral said patiently, “you can’t have cocoa. )u’re dead.”

Maijstral gave an apologetic look to the others while his ;her mulled this over.

63

“Oh yes,” the corpse remarked. “You’re right. I’m dead. forgot.”

It is impossible not to observe that the former Duke of )ornier, ex-Viscount Sing, onetime Prince-Bishop of Nana, .nd late Hereditary Captain-General of the Green Legion had tot been a particularly astute man while alive, and that death tad not improved him.

Kuusinen cleared his throat tactfully. Roberta took the unt and turned to Maijstral.

“Actually,” she said, “it’s my fault he’s here.”

“Oh yes!” the corpse added. “That’s right!” He sighed, vhich came out of the coffin’s speakers as a faint electronic izzle. “I keep forgetting these things….”

Maijstral turned his bewildered attention to Roberta. `He came to see you?” he asked.

“Not exactly,” she said. “I arranged for him to be krought here to see you, but…”

“I remember! I remember!” the corpse cried trium~hantly. “I remember why I’m here!” And then the voice railed away. “I thought I remembered . just a moment … aaybe it’ll come back.”

Roberta passed a hand over her brow. “This isn’t workrig out the way I’d hoped,” she said. “Kuusinen, can you help ae?”

Kuusinen nodded and turned to Maijstral. “As you now, I am her grace’s solicitor. Two years ago, her grace intructed me to undertake certain researches-having to do with Special Project she was undertaking in regard to her future. .‘ou and your family were among those to whom I devoted

,y efforts.”

Maijstral’s head was whirling, but he managed to pub his finger on at least one important point. “That’s why I keep unning into you;” he said. “On Peleng, and Silverside Staion,and…

“Just so,” Kuusinen nodded.

4 ‘

And what was the tenor of these researches?”

Iuusinen looked appropriately grave. “The contract of a lonial alliance,” he said, “between Her Grace the Ss Of Benn and…”

laijstral jumped as if stung. “No!” he said. ‘he others stared at him.

Absolutely not,” Maijstral said.

.oberta’s eyes were wide. Her lower lip trembled. “But ~y not?” she asked.

2aijstral folded his arms and looked stern. “I absolutely you to marry my father. He’s married’already, for one and for another he’s dead, and I don’t care what your xed relations told you would make a good dynastic allirou’d just be throwing your life away….” Iis words trickled away as Roberta’s real intent slowly i its way into his mind.

Oh,” he said.

n Maijstral’s defense it must be said that this really was a se. He’d been thrown off-balance by his father’s arrival, ade slow by a good dinner, and wasn’t operating at full

ill that said, he certainly proved a bit dense on this occa-lowever, one should remember that this sort of thing ns to the best of us, and usually, alas, where personal *s are concerned.

Well, yes,” Roberta admitted. “It was you I. was plan:) marry, Drake.”

4aijstral’s head whirled, but even through all his inner ;ion he couldn’t help but admire Roberta’s style … to Wusinen quietly case him for a year, to carry her valu~wels to Silverside Station as a way of bringing herself per with Maijstral, and then to arrange for all the necessithe formal betrothal as dictated by Khosali High Cusrepresentative from each of the families (his father for aijstrals and, he presumed, Aunt Batty on the Duchess’s

°), a meeting on neutral ground (the estate of the Prince of as), a neutral who had doubtless conspired with her to ak Maijstral’s father onto the premises while Maijstral was he Grand Canyon or on his morning ride. He wouldn’t be prised if there was an Imperial Recorder stowed away in next room, ready to transcribe all the niggling little details noble lineage and so forth on a formal betrothal written h a jade pen on the tanned hide of a grookh, proper for ismission to the City of Seven Bright Rings, where the osali Emperor himself, Nnis CVI, would give his formal. mission for the wedding….

Permission in these cases was never denied, of course. is CVI had retired to his cryocoffin long ago, and was bably in worse shape than Maijstral’s father.

Roberta had acted brilliantly, and in so doing had disyed a surprising amount of subtlety for one so’ young. ijstral was struck with awe.

He was also struck by the realization that he didn’t know ether he wanted to marry Roberta or not. She was young, was attractive, she was intelligent and interesting, she was ,geringly rich, and she was thoroughly worthy of admira… but yet.

But yet. She was not, in his brief experience, an easy perShe She was high-strung, she was quick-tempered, she was a ce competitor who raced in the highest amateur league. r force of will was prodigious. Maijstral admired her, but s far he’d succeeded in admiring her only at a distance. o knew what emotion might result from closer proximity?

Maijstral became aware that the others were watching i with their ears cocked forward in expectation. Clearly ie manner of reply was required. He bowed toward the chess and placed a hand over his heart without quite knowwhat he was going to say. Fortunately, his training came to fore.

The Nnoivarl Academy, ridiculous though its curricu-

66

might be in any practical respect, is at least good for see,ts graduates through a crisis of style.

“I am astounded by your consideration,” Maijstral said. ad never thought to look so high.” As he rose from his -, he regarded Roberta carefully through half-closed lazyed eyes-was that a trace of disappointment he saw mird in her face? Had she expected, he wondered, for him to w himself into her arms?

If so, he considered, she shouldn’t+ have surrounded herwith all these intermediaries.

Delay, he thought. He still had no idea what his response ild be-or, for that matter, cou14 be.

“I should consult with my father to determine his ies, ” Maijstral said, then gave the coffin a dubious glance. ;ofar as they can be determined,” he added.

“Drake’s going to marry the Duchess!” sang the corpse: at’s why I’m here! Wonderful girl! Imperial family! Good ch! When the Emperor comes back, we’ll all live like

,s!

Well, Maijstral thought, that sounded like consent.

The impulse to delay was still uppermost in his thoughts. turned to Roberta, his ears flicking forward. “Your grace,” aid, “may we speak to each other alone? Perhaps in the room?”

Roberta bit her lip. “There’s an Imperial Recorder in the t room,” she said.

Knew it, Maijstral thought.

“But we can use my parlor,” Roberta added. “It’s only a doors away.”

“The parlor will suit perfectly well.” Maijstral turned to it Batty and bowed. “If you will excuse us.”

He offered Roberta his arm and she took it. As he closed door behind them, she looked at him and bit her lip. “You’re not angry, are you?”

r

4

67

“Of course not. I’m … stunned.”

“You didn’t have any idea? Really?”

“I thought Kuusinen had been scouting me out on acount of your jewels. I’d no idea you had any … other interSt.”

She opened the door to her parlor and passed inside. laijstral sat down on a small settee, and Roberta sat next to im. His big diamond flashed as he reached to take her hand.

“How exactly … did this come about?” he asked.

Roberta looked at him with her violet eyes. “Well, the imily were pressuring me to marry. And you can’t imagine ne sort of candidates they came up with….”

“Indeed I can,” Maijstral said. “Elderly bishops, and awky schoolboys who can barely walk without falling down, fiddle-aged sportsmen gone to seed, a widowed duke looking :)r his fourth wife, lots of hopeful cousins who want your ioney, and an adopted human son of a Fifth-Degree Imperial :hosali Prince who is very fat and at least a hundred.”

Roberta smiled. “I can see you’ve met them.”

“On the contrary. I’ve met their sisters.”

Roberta gave him a knowing look. “I see. Well, you .now the situation, then. All the candidates were so hopeless .. and, of course, safe, in the purely dynastic sense, of course. o I decided that, if I had to marry, I would at least find a canidate who suited me better.”

“And I was chosen? Out of all our busy galaxy?”

Her ears reddened a bit. “I had a short list of about a ozen,” she confessed. “Paavo Kuusinen met all of them, over he course of a few, years, and sent in his reports, and I aranged to meet some of the more promising candidates myself, nd … well, I made my choice on Silverside Station, when I -iet you. Since then I had to travel back to the Empire to in~rm my family, and, well, to inform yours. Such as he is.”

68 ,

“You could have done far worse,” Maijstral said. “You ;ould have contacted my mother.”

Roberta bit her lip. “We don’t have to invite her to the wedding, do we?”

“Don’t ask her for my sake. But if we don’t invite her, ;he’ll probably crash the reception anyway, with an escort of :-his Majesty’s Secret Dragoons.”

“We’ll try to contain her somehow.”

They looked at each other for a moment, then self-con;ciously looked away. “I still don’t know how you fastened ipon me, ” Maijstral said. “You made your decision years ago, apparently, before I was-very well-known to the public.”

“I knew a few things about you,” Roberta said. “I knew tou would inherit an old title, which removed any objection )n account of birth. I knew your parents were dedicated Im)erialists, and your grandfather old Dornier was the most fanous human Imperialist of all, so that removed any objections )n account of politics and your citizenship in the Constella:ion. You were poor, of course, but I’ve got so much money :hat I certainly don’t need to marry it, and anyway you’ve eliminated that objection yourself by earning a fortune in the ast year….”

“But why me? There must be a thousand poor, virtuous, titled Imperialists out there.”

“Well.” A little smile crept onto her face. “If you stand :o inherit a fabulous gem like the Eltdown Shard, you spend a of of your girlhood trying to imagine who’s going to try to ;teal it from you. Trying to picture the romantic stranger who’s going to fly in the window some night. And, of course, tour family security people keep a list of all the top burglars, rnd you get dossiers … your face crossed my desk when tou took out your burglar’s license, and I remember thinkng, Well, there’s one I wouldn’t mind meeting some dark

light…”

69

“I took out my ticket ages ago. You must have been just girl.”

“Oh yes. Red hair and freckles and a school uniform th wouldn’t fit. I’m glad you didn’t know me then.” “I’m pleased to know you now.”

“Are you?” Her eyes sparkled with interest. “Had yc considered me a marriage candidate?”

“Frankly, no. I hadn’t thought of myself as suitable Maijstral touched his chin thoughtfully with a forefinger ar regarded her, absorbing the creamy shoulders, the intrigue shadows about her clavicles, the gems that sparkled about h neck.

“I had thought about trying to get you into bed,” I said, “but on Silverside we were both busy, and we had a bus ness relationship besides,, and since I’ve arrived here the hasn’t been time.”

She flushed becomingly. “Well,” she said. “At least yc noticed I was trying to make myself attractive.”

“Your grace,” Maijstral said, “I would have had to be inhuman as a Drawmiikh not to notice.”

Roberta smiled a little. “That inhuman, eh?”

There was a moment of silence as the two shared a men ory. A Drawmiikh, they had once discovered, was more ui forgettable, and inhuman, than either anticipated.

“Your grace,” Maijstral finally said, “this whole ma riage situation seems impossibly complex. Couldn’t you ju be my mistress for a while?”

She gave a little smile. “I could,” she conceded, “bi they’d probably make me marry someone else first.”

“I suspected as much,” Maijstral said. There was anothi little pause. “You saved my life,” he added, apropos perhal of nothing. “When that madwoman attacked me.”

“Yes. I did, didn’t I?”

He looked at her. “Have I ever thanked you, properly?

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Kissing Roberta, Maijstral discovered, was very pleasant, ie prolonged this pleasure for some little while. When was a pause, Roberta said, “What do we tell everyone?” “Tell them,” Maijstral said, “that negotiations are on

Negotiations Negotiations onwent a while longer, and then Maijstral Roberta returned to ‘his father’s room holding hands. ;inen and Aunt Batty looked up expectantly. “We have more talking to do,” Maijstral said.

“What’s the problem?” Gustav Maijstral demanded. “Is irl ugly or something?”

“No, Dad,” Maijstral said. “Her grace is very beautiful.” “I order you to marry her whether she’s ugly or not!” :orpse said. “Gad, son, the girl is rich! Think of all the ey for the Cause!”

Maijstral offered the Duchess an apologetic glance. ey and the Cause were two of his father’s favorite topics, >nce the old man had broached either subject it was diffito keep. him from enlarging upon it. Maijstral spoke up

ply.

“Time for your cocoa, Dad,” he said.

lour or so later Maijstral returned to his own room and d for Roman to unlace him. The tall Khosalikh arrived a thick leather tube under one arm.

Maijstral looked at the tube, then at Roman, and then at >are patch of pink flesh on the underside of Roman’s muzHe thought he recognized the dangerous red-rimmed smouldering in Roman’s eyes, and ventured a cautious tion.

“Are you molting again, Roman?”

“It has been a year since the last molt, sir.” Roman put :ube on a table and turned to attend Maijstral. “That long, eh?”

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Maijstral made a mental note not to overstress Roman in next week or so, and not to send Roman on one of the ends that sometimes proved necessary in his line of workaking the odd leg, say-not, anyway, unless Maijstral ited the leg well and truly broken. Roman was not a good lter, and during the height of molt his normally moderate iper tended to veer unpredictably toward the savage.

“Sorry,” Maijstral said. “If you want to just take a week I can get along with Drexler and a few robots to handle the ng and unlacing.”

Roman’s ears flattened. “I am perfectly capable, of disrging my duties, sir,” he said.

Maijstral recognized the finality in Roman’s tone. “Of irse,” Maijstral said. “I never had any doubts on that score atever, I merely wished to make you as comfortable as posle.”

He raised his arms to give Roman access to the side-laces. man picked at the lace-points expertly. “Was the evening oyable, sir?” he said.

“It was eventful, at least,” Maijstral said, and gave his vant a sly, sidelong look. “Her Grace the Duchess of Benn de me an offer of marriage.”

Roman’s ears stood straight up, as did the surprised hair top of his head. “Indeed, sir?” he said.

Maijstral smiled. He hardly ever saw Roman nonplussed. ie even arranged for my father to come here to Tejas to put blessing on the union.”

“His late grace is here?”

“Yes. You should probably pay your respects tomor

“I will not fail to do so, sir.” Roman smoothed down his ~-hair, and a swatch of it came away in his fingers. His far had served the late Duke with the same resigned, half;pairing dedication with which Roman served Maijstral,

72

his grandfather had served Maijstral’s grandfather, and so back to the first Baron Drago, the Viceroy of Greater Italia he early days of Imperial conquest.

Roman looked at the tuft of hair in his fingers with dise and, rather than let it fall to the carpet, stowed it in his ket. He returned to picking at Maijstral’s laces.

“May I inquire as to the nature of the reply with which i favored her grace, sir?” he asked, his feigned casualness so lied that Maijstral was forced to turn away with a smile. “Her grace and I,” he said airily, “are still discussing the tter.”

ll might Roman’s diaphragm pulse in resignation at this anr. Despite the familiarity brought on by years of associai, despite all the adventures shared and obstacles overcome, :n all was said and done Maijstral was, quite simply, iniprehensible.

“Very good, sir,” Roman. said. Dutiful, as always. Roman was all too familiar with the defects of Maijstral’s ation. They could be summed up as follows: Money. For most of his life, Maijstral had been despery short of money. This situation was not, Roman knew, jstral’s doing, but that of his father, who had spent such of family money as survived the Rebellion in crackpot Impest political schemes and who on his death had left Maijstral nothing but debt.

Maijstral’s response to his fiscal dilemma was reflected in ect Number Two, to wit:

Profession. What better way to get money than to steal it? )wed Burglary was legal-though barely, in the Human istellation-and it was, thanks to its regulation by the Imal Sporting Commission, a profession that a gentleman Id adopt without danger of losing his position in society. But some respectable professions were still more respect-

73

e than others. Allowed Burglary was lumped in with variother wayward callings, like drunkenness, banking, and composition of satires, that were permitted but not prely overwhelmed by the honors and distinctions given re respectable characters like civil servants, courtiers, great Drs, military officers, or Elvis impersonators.

If one was a burglar, one was compelled to associate with ny of the wrong sort: fences, enforcers, people willing to their employers’ secrets, the agents of insurance compas (parasites of parasites, in Roman’s view). Allowed Bur.-y required an irregular life, and constant travel both to aid _the police and to find new objects to steal. Often bur.-y was dangerous. It was irregular. Sometimes it was sor

But, Roman was willing to concede, it was necessary in ijstral’s case. It was where his master’s talents lay, and his ster, alas, needed to earn a living. His attempts to do so, and ive in the social stratum to which he was born, involved Eect Number Three:

Position. Though he preferred not to use his title, MaijIl’s theoretical social position was perfectly on a par with Duchess of Benn’s, if not slightly better: he was descended n one of the oldest human families ennobled by the Impen-which wasn’t much compared with an old Khosali title t might go back tens of thousands of years, but it was tty good as humans go.

But, due to the misfortunes of his recent ancestors, the ~s were empty of anything save honor and debt. Someone he exalted rank of the Duke of Dornier should move of:lessly in the highest society (without, needless to say, havto steal), should grace -government ministries with his nts, should endow foundations and pioneer planets-and, ie political situation should call for his employment as the -editary Captain-General of the Green Legion, he should

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sionally go out and conquer something.

But none of this was possible without money. It cost a

live in the highest reaches of society, and Maijstral had D-urces of income not connected with burglary-even the ~n Legion was mothballed, its existence memorialized by a few ancient battle flags hung in a side chapel in the of Seven Bright Rings. Thanks to a devoted attention to >rofession and the fame this had brought him, Maijstral only now beginning to enjoy the pleasant and civilized e of life which should have been his from the beginning. Allowed Burglary was a precarious existence at best, with ;t always a possibility, and though Maijstral’s income was a comfortable one, it wasn’t anywhere near the state that Id have permitted him to live as effortlessly and gloriously e Duke of Dornier, in Roman’s estimation, ought. Marriage with the Duchess. of Benn solved every single A Maijstral’s problems. He would have access to as much ey as anyone would desire. He would no longer have to a living as a burglar. And he would be able to live fully up s position.

It was, in Roman’s view, nothing less than Maijstral’s to marry the. Duchess. Personalities and the complicaof of human character didn’t enter into it-as far as Roman d tell, they were unintelligible anyway, even to humans. Roman finished Maijstral’s side-laces and deftly pulled vlaijstral’s jacket and put it in the closet. Maijstral began {ing at the side-laces of his trousers.

“I would like, on this auspicious occasion, to make a 1 presentation,” Roman said. He shifted his shoulders in icket. That itch between his shoulder blades was back. Maijstral’s ears pricked back in surprise. He looked at eather tube, then back to Roman.

“Pray go ahead,” he said.

Roman retrieved the tube, uncapped it, and drew forth a

75

oll. The scroll had been made of grookh hide of the finest ality, thinner than paper and more resilient than steel, suitle in fact for a Memorial to the Throne.

But whereas a Memorial would be written with a jadeped pen in large, florid handwriting-emperors and their visors have to read a lot of documents, and they appreciate ge print-the-writing on Roman’s scroll was quite literally croscopic. There was a device in the lid of the scroll case it enabled one to read it.

Roman felt his heart swelling with pride as he laid the .o11 out on a table. “This.is the culmination of years of reirch,” he said. “A kind of hobby of mine.”

This was Roman’s Special Project. Many long hours in

composition, he hoped it would prove decisive in this siness of marriage. Reminding of the awesome weight and jesty of his ancestors might inspire Maijstral to prove worof them.

The itch burned in the center of Roman’s back. Inwardly snarled in annoyance.

Maijstral looked at the endless lines of tiny print in beIderment. His trousers were unlaced and he had to hold °m up with one hand. “There’s certainly a lot here,” he said.

“I have taken the liberty of tracing the history of the aijstral family,” Roman said.

Maijstral’s ears cocked forward. “Really? My family?” “Indeed, Sir. You will observe-” `

“Why not your own family?” Maijstral asked.

Roman’s ears flicked in annoyance. The itch brought a )wl to his lips. “My family’s history has already been very ill documented, sir,” he said. Like most Khosali, his ancescould be traced many thousands of years past the Khosali nquest of Earth …. though, also like most Khosali, he was polite to mention it.

“If you will observe, sir,” Roman began, and deployed

i

ding mechanism, “I have made some rather interesting °ries. Your ancestors are far more distinguished than eius had any reason to suspect.”

Yes? That Crusader fellow you always talk about-you ned him?”

(ean Parisot de La Valette,” Roman said. “Indisputably. rary researches took me, last night, to Rome, where I e honor of personally inspecting the records of the :s of St. John. I found undisputable confirmation, which 11 observe …” He placed the reader. “Here.” Most interesting.” Maijstral manipulated the reader ne hand and hitched up his pants with the other. “The side of the blanket, of course,” he noted. “Typical of rely, I suppose.”

.Oman’s diaphragm throbbed. He wished Maijstral n’t disparage his ancestors in that fashion. )ne of Roman’s hands crept around behind his back and ly began to scratch. No good-Khosali spines are someess flexible than those of humans, and he didn’t come sere near the itch.

You will also observe Edmund Beaufort I, Earl and Less of Dorset,” Roman said. “His fourth son married a a of Denmark, who was descended from Henry the You are thus a descendant not only of the Welfs, but

ck Barbarossa, the Plantagenets, the Tudors, and all the houses of Europe.”

You don’t say,” Maijstral murmured.

And on the Asian side,” scratching furiously, “there is Khan and the Vietnamese emperor Gia-Long, not to >n

4aijstral was peering at the top of the list. “Who’s this i person?” he asked. “He seems to be right at the head of t, but he doesn’t have any dates.”

Ah.” Roman’s diaphragm pulsed again, and he gave up -atching. “Allow me to explain, sir.”

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s

“Thank you, Roman,” Maijstral said. “It is a wonderful treasure.”

“Thank you, sir.”

“It must have taken you many hours. I’m impressed, as always, by your dedication.”

Roman’s black fur rippled with pride. A few little tufts gifted toward the floor. “Thank you,” he said. “It was a privilege to work on such a project.”

“My trousers,” Maijstral said, and handed over his pants. Roman hung them in the closet and retrieved Maijstral’s Iressing gown. Maijstral shrugged into the gown and sealed it.

“That will be all, Roman, I think,” Maijstral said.

“Very good, sir. Shall I leave the genealogy on the table?”

“Please do. I may wish to look at it.”

“Very good, sir.”

““Thank you very much for the gift,” Maijstral said. “It was entirely my pleasure, sir.”

Roman bowed and left the room. Maijstral walked to the table and sighed as he looked at the scroll.

As if he didn’t have enough to do with ancestors today, he thought. Not only was his father here to urge him to do the right thing, but now Roman had brought in the kinfolk all the way back to Wotan.

Maijstral had really done his best to ignore the fact that he was heir to a dynasty, and now the whole business had cropped right on his head like a sandbag flung from Heaven.

It wasn’t that he disliked the Duchess. It wasn’t that he isliked the thought of marriage. But somehow it was all too pat, all too … foreordained.

Oh well, he thought glumly, maybe it was time to marry and settle down and produce more Maijstrals. Though why :he universe needed more Maijstrals was beyond his capacity :o explain.

78

Idly, he glanced at the genealogy-there was a complid bit of business involving a Prince Boris of Gleb, who Irently married his aunt, and Maijstral couldn’t help but der what the family had said about that.

He very carefully rolled up the scroll and stowed it away s tube. There was all too much to think about without tying about Prince Boris’s problems.

He took a casual stroll about the room, making certain neither Conchita Sparrow nor Colonel-General Vanderwas hiding in the-closet or under the bed, and then climbed bed and told the lights to extinguish themselves.

The situation revolved slowly in his mind. He would )ably not sleep tonight.

There was a gentle knock at the door. Now what? Maijthought.

He put on his dressing gown and approached the door. y force of habit made him keep well to one side as he said, io is it?”

“Roberta. May I come in?”

Maijstral opened the door and revealed Roberta silhouetn the hall light. She wore a dressing gown and a somewhat ve expression. She stepped in, and Maijstral closed the r behind her.

“Well,” she said.

Maijstral regarded her in the dim light. She was standing close, and he could feel her body’s warmth. “Well,” he echoed.

“I was just in my room thinking-” she began, and then ped. “Look, Drake,” she finally said, “would you mind ng me again?”

“No. Not at all.”

Maijstral put his arms around her and performed as re~ted. The kiss was a pleasantly lengthy one.,

“Oh good,” the Duchess murmured. “That helps.”

79

“I am happy to oblige.”

Her eyes, dark in the unlit room, looked up at his. “Do (ou remember earlier this evening,” she said, “when we were done, and you asked if I could just be your mistress for a vrhile?”

Maijstral smiled. “I believe I recall that remark, yes.” “Well …” she drawled, and gave a little laugh. “Here’s tour chance.”

Maijstral’s ears flickered in surprise. “I see,” he said. “This one’s free, you know,” Roberta added. “It has

iothing to do with whether you should to marry me or not.” “You are…” Maijstral searched for words, “remarkably

lirect, your grace.”

“Roberta.”

“Roberta.”

“Bobbie, if you like,” she said. “But only Aunt Batty ;alls me that anymore.”

“I think I prefer Roberta.”

“Sp do I.”

Maijstral contemplated the woman in his arms. Roberta ussed his chin.

“Can we go to bed now?” she asked.

“Certainly.”

Well, Maijstral thought, no doubt Prince Boris and Altan (han would approve.

He drew her bedward. “I’ve had a very active life, you :now,” she remarked. “Going to school, and racing, and runiing all the planets I’ve inherited…” ‘

“No doubt,” Maijstral murmured. He kissed the juncure between clavicle and neck, and Roberta shivered.

“And of course I’ve been very thoroughly chaperoned, he went on.

“How frustrating.”

“Yes. So what I’m trying to say is-Wow!” Maijstral’s

ies had encountered a particularly sensitive point. I’m trying to say,” she repeated, “is that I’m not very d at this.”

will bear that in mind.”

‘m not practiced at all, in fact.”

)h.” Maijstral halted in surprise and looked at Ro

have a very good imagination,” she added. “I hope 1 help to make up for any lack of genuine experience.” do doubt,” Maijstral “said, half to himself. And then, ,race, are you absolutely certain you want to do this?” )h good grief yes,” Roberta said quickly. “It’s about )n’t you think?” She laughed. “If we’re to be married, :e the long engagement go more quickly.. And if we’re east I’ll have had the man of my dreams.” Iijstral nodded. A glittering midnight gleam entered eyes.

Jell,” he said finally, “I hope I prove worthy of that tion of yours.”

it was awakened by an authoritative knock on his he situation-loud banging on door, girl next to him in -awakened a long-standing reflex of many years’ du=ie made a smooth vault from the bed, snatched dressn and pistol, and was halfway to the window before he ught up short by a bolt of pain that seized his nether in a grip of iron.

Lggered, he leaned on a table for support and looked im. Roberta was blinking at him lazily from her pill the knocking continued.

took a step toward the door and the pain clutched .in. What, he tried to remember, had he and Roberta ;t night?

A then he realized that the pain probably had a lot

81

nore to do with his first horseback ride than anything he and Roberta had got up to in bed.

“Just a moment,” Maijstral called, and put on his dressng gown. He found Roberta’s gown and gallantly held it out :or her. She rose gracefully from bed and slipped her arms into :he silk-lined sleeves.

“This way,” Maijstral said, and turned to the closet. `Closet,” he said, “open.”

The closet obliged. Maijstral escorted the Duchess inside, tnd observed that Conchita Sparrow’s command override, which she had left behind, was still in place, a fortunate acciient in that it would allow the closet door to close with someD,ne inside. He kissed Roberta, who looked up at him with amusement glittering in her eyes, and then he told the closet to -lose.

The hammering on the door recommenced. Maijstral looked down at the gun in his hand and wondered how it had -ome there.

Perhaps, however, it was best to be cautious. “Who is it?” he demanded.

“Joseph Bob,” came the answer.

There was a knock on the inner door that led to his sitting room, and Drexler stepped in, his ears cocked grimly forward. “Trouble, boss,” he said. “There’s a fleet of police fliers dropping on the lawn.”

“Ah,” Maijstral said. “I see. Someone must have stolen something, somewhere, and the cops are trying to pin it on us.

“Roman’s making sure the rooms are clean,” Drexler said.

The hammering started again. Maijstral hobbled toward the door and opened it. Joseph Bob, Arlette, and the Bubber were outside, each looking hastily dressed, and each wearing a grim expression.

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“What’s the problem?” Maijstral asked.

“There’s an item missing,” Joseph Bob said. “And ugh we’re quite sure you have nothing to do with its disap.rance …” Words, or perhaps tact, failed him, and he ked around for support.

“We’re sure you will want to demonstrate your inno“ce,” Arlette filled in, “and won’t mind if we search your >ms.

Behind Maijstral the window darkened as a pair of police a-gray harness took up position. Maijstral turned to the idow and cocked an eyebrow.

“Did you have to invite the cops?” he asked.

Joseph Bob frowned. “I didn’t,” he said. “One of the vants must have called them.”

“Well,” Maijstral said, “I’m sorry, but neither you nor y can search my rooms. I stand on my rights as a citizen of Human Constellation. Good morning.”

He shut the door in Joseph Bob’s surprised face, then bled toward a chair and sat down. Pain shot through his ghs.

“Maijstral,” came a muffled voice. “Be reasonable, now. oen the blasted door.”

“Citizens of the Human Constellation can be unreason” if they want,” Maijstral said, and adjusted his position to attitude that only caused pain if he happened to move or Bathe. He turned to Drexler. “I don’t suppose you can pro:e some coffee?” he asked.

Drexler look at him in surprise. “I’ll see what I can do.” Drexler headed for the sitting room. There was a pound

on on the door, followed by Joseph Bob’s voice. “Maijstral!”

said. “Open the door! Damn it, I own this door!”

“I’d advise you not to dent it, then,” Maijstral said.

He could hear the tramp of ‘boots out in the corridor, and

!n a muffled conversation. “We’re getting a warrant!” Jo

,h Bob called.

ROCK OP AGES 83

“I hardly think you’ve got grounds,” Maijstral said. nebody stole something. You’ve got no reason to think it me.”

“We’ll find grounds,” promised another voice, and Maijwas not surprised to recognize that of Colonel-General dergilt.

“If you can get a warrant on these grounds,” Maijstral “it won’t stand up in court, and you know it.” Pure bluff of course, but he hoped it was true.

Maijstral had dressed-a painful operation-moved to sitting room, and finished half his coffee by the time the rant arrived. Drexler and Roman had joined him. Roman n’t looking his best, with patches of grey skin where his had fallen out ‘and a dangerous red-rimmed look to his

Those in the corridor pushed the warrant under the r. Maijstral nodded to Roman, who picked the warrant up looked at it. He looked at Maijstral and snarled. Maijstral was not accustomed to seeing his servant l-Roman was fairly mild-mannered, and broke legs and s only with reluctance. It took Maijstral a half second or so vercome his surprise, and then he shrugged. He’d done his to preserve decorum.

“May as well open the door,” he said.

Joseph Bob and his family entered on a flood of unined constabulary. The Prince of Tejas looked apoplectic as stalked toward Maijstral’s chair. The police deployed pons and detectors.

“Blast it, Maijstral!” he said.

“You might have given me time for coffee,” Maijstral . He put down his cup and managed to rise to his feet lout more than a wince of pain crossing his features. There was a crash as a policewoman knocked over a 11 table and dropped a six-hundred-year-old Pendjalli vase he floor.

84

“I’ll assume responsibility for the damage, sir,” said Col:l-General Vandergilt as she marched into the room. “My oartment will pay.”

“I didn’t know your department had that much money,” ijstral said. Vandergilt looked doubtful for a moment. ijstral began to lurch toward the bedroom. He wished to be sent when Roberta was discovered, and offer such moral ,port as was possible.

“Not so fast, Maijstral,” said Colonel-General VanderShe stepped forward in her black uniform, silver buttons ring. “You’ll have to be searched.” So eager was she to get )ut the searching that no less than three separate strands of r had escaped her helmet and were dangling in her eyes.

“You can search me in the bedroom as well as anyere,” Maijstral said, and kept moving.

“Life form in the closet!” called a policeman from the looom, -and suddenly there was the businesslike clacking of apons being readied, and the cops began to deploy into atk formations.

Alarm flashed through Maijstral. “Put the guns down!” said hastily. He had arrived in the bedroom door and was itely aware that anyone firing would probably have to )ot right through him. He gingerly stepped to one side.

“Closet,” he said. “Open.”

Roberta looked quite cool as she stepped into full view, aring her dressing gown as if she were making her grand :rqnce at a ball, and if Maijstral hadn’t been quite so conned about all the guns levelled at his spleen, he might have Lred a moment or two for admiration.

No guns crackled, and Maijstral breathed a fervent sigh relief. “Ah,” he said, and stepped into the bedroom. “Las and gentlemen, allow me to introduce my alibi, Her ace the Duchess of Benn. Your grace, this is Colonel:neral Denise Vandergilt, Constellation Special Services.”

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onel-General Vandergilt stuffed stray hair into her id stalked into the center of the room, followed by ob and his family. Vandergilt looked coldly at the while the Prince and his family looked in surprise at r.

hat’s your real name?” Vandergik said. “I don’t use

titles?” Roberta said. Her eyebrows rose. “Fine -Denise. My name is Roberta Altunin.” dergilt looked as if she was adding the name to some )ssier, which she probably was.

jstral turned to Joseph Bob, who was beginning to ;hed. “I would have let you in earlier,” he said, “but certain things a gentleman-“

‘eject in the ventilator!” called a policeman.

jstral threw up his hands. This was going to be a long

> the right wave pattern,” the policeman, added, peerdetectors.

ventilator was pulled away, and Colonel-General it produced a “fingerprint handkerchief,” which, deiame, was a handkerchief guaranteed not to remove its, and which could be used for holding and transvidence. She reached into the ventilator and took out c therein. When she showed it to the assembled comre was a triumphant glow in her eyes.

this your property, sir?” she asked the Prince.

room reeled about Maijstral. He wanted to clutch fall to his knees, and (were ashes only available) pour his head. , )layed on the white handkerchief was the prototype ‘evolver of Colonel Samuel Colt.

idn’t do it!” Maijstral said.

onel-General Vandergilt smiled thinly. “That’s what

86

all say.” She handed the pistol to an underling. “Have checked for fingerprints,” she said.

Had not Maijstral been preoccupied by visions of the fate awaited him-red-robed judges, unfriendly prison wars, overly friendly fellow inmates, fetters, thumbscrews, so on-he would have noticed Joseph Bob turning a dan)us shade of red.

Vandergilt puffed her cheeks and blew a strand of hair of her face—she didn’t want to spoil her big momentthen looked stern and dropped a black-gauntleted hand 4aijstral’s shoulder.

“Drake Maijstral, you’re under arrest!” she proclaimed, i turned to Roberta. “And so are your accomplices,” she ed, and smiled.

-“Accomplices!” Roberta said, outraged:

“Accomplices,” Vandergilt repeated, and then she ied to Joseph Bob. “Sir, if you will accompany us to the ce station, you can make a formal identification of your perty and sign a complaint.”

“I didn’t do it,” Maijstral said again, but no one seemed e listening to him.

“Complaint?” Joseph Bob muttered. He was bright scar“Complaint? Damned if I’ll sign a complaint! A guest in home!”

Maijstral looked at Joseph Bob in sudden hope. Joseph i was going to save him! he thought. His old school chum! >d old J.B.!

The Colonel-General looked puzzled. “Sir,” she said, “if don’t sign the complaint, I won’t be able to arrest Maij1 and his gang.”

“I’ll be signing no complaints!” Joseph Bob said, and i he turned to Maijstral, and Maijstral’s heart stopped at fury in the Prince’s eyes. Joseph Bob shook a finger in jstral’s face. “A guest in my home, and you steal from

88

weapons of a dozen or so police that were suddenly thrust up under his muzzle.

“Roman,”. Roberta warned. “Don’t.”

Roman fell back, but the snarl remained on his face. He really was a bad molter.

Maijstral, to this point, had been too stunned by Joseph Bob’s punch to be able to react to any of the subsequent events. He tried to sit up, then decided that remaining prone might prove a course easier to sustain. Roberta dropped to his side and cradled his head in her hands. “Are you all right?” she asked.

“No,” Maijstral said, and felt a certain pride at retaining his grip on both speech and reality.

“Shall I stand as your second?” Roberta asked. “I’ve had practice at it, after all.”

Maijstral, who didn’t at this point wish to attempt more syllables than absolutely necessary, nodded his answer. She turned to the Bubber.

“Will,” she said, “I’ll talk to you later.” She looked at the others. “I believe the rest of you no longer have any business here.”

Joseph Bob was unable to regain his feet, and he was carried from the room by the police. When Roman kicked someone, the someone stayed kicked.

Maijstral, the chimes in his head subsiding, realized that he’d been saved from the prison by virtue of the fact that he was about to die in a duel with the finest swordsman and pistol shot in the Principality of Tejas.

a

Roman, Drexler,” Maijstral said, “I want Conchita )arrow brought to me. I confess I do not care how this is ;complished. But as I intend that she confess to framing me, I ould prefer her conscious, or at least capable of consciousess, by the time she actually arrives.”

“Very good, sir,” said Roman.

“Take any recordings you may find. When she stole the istol, she may have recorded her mission to sell on the mar

“Yes, sir.”

“Go at once.”

“Very good, sir.”

Drexler and Roman bowed and, after stuffing their [othing with weapons, made their exit, Roman trailing a fine loud of black hair as he left. Maijstral fingered the large semife patch that was extending its anaesthetic tendrils into his amaged flesh and considered that, if he were Conchita Spar)w and saw Roman in his current state coming toward her pith evil intent,, he’d confess on the spot.

go

He rose stiffly from his chair and lurched toward the s vice plate, where he summoned robots to carry his belongi: to his rented flier. It. was now impossible to stay at Jos( Bob’s estate. He would be moving to the next place on his 11 erary, the Underwater Palace of Quintana Roo, where he I been invited for a weekend. He would be arriving a few d early, but fortunately that was all right with Prince Hunac, host, who already had many guests in residence.

There was a knock on the door, and Roberta stepl in without waiting for a reply. She kissed Maijstral’s chi thoughtfully choosing the undamaged one. “I’ve been talk to the Bubber,” she said. “I thought he and I had best estab’. a few protocols at the start.”

“Very sensible,” Maijstral said. He was all in favor protocols and technicalities, anything that would delay complicate the situation long enough so that Maijstral co either find the real culprit and get the duel called off, or al, natively somehow fix the encounter’s outcome. Either way far as Maijstral was concerned, would prove satisfactory.

He hobbled to the sofa and sat down with a sigh of p Roberta joined him. The latest-model Windsong robots tered the room on silent repellers, and on Maijstral’s instl tions picked up his luggage in their invisible grapplers carried it off.

“Will doesn’t think you did it, either,” Roberta s “He ventured the opinion that you’re a sufficiently good ; gician that, if you’d known the pistol ‘was there, you cc have kept anyone from finding it. So he’s inclined to help seph Bob see reason.”

“And Joseph Bob?”

“Disinclined to see any reason whatever, I’m afraid. J Roman’s knocking him silly didn’t help matters.” “Hmm.”

“He insists that you’re at fault for `permitting your

c

vant to attack him,’ as I believe he phrased it.”

Indignation flamed in Maijstral. “I don’t know could have stopped Roman, since I’d just been floored Highness’s sneaky punch,” he said. And then he reali was being indignant and made an effort to suppress it. torn by indignation didn’t wriggle out of duels, and t reminded himself, was what he was after.

“It occurred to me to point this out,” Roberta sai4 I decided it wouldn’t improve matters, so I didn’t.”

“Quite rightly,” Maijstral said.

Roberta smiled. “Thank you,” she said. “Now, pose, we ought to discuss weapons.”

Oh, why bring them into it, Maijstral thought.

Still, best to get it clear. The array of duelling w, permitted by Khosali High Custom was truly staggerii there had to be some that would give Maijstral an advai

“Joseph Bob is an expert pistol shot, and a fine s, man,” he said. “I would prefer to leave those out of the I entirely.”

“Very well.”

“I’d also like to delay the whole business,” Maijstr “Give tempers a chance to cool, and give me a chance i the real culprit and prove it was she who stole the pisto

“She?” Roberta’s eyebrows lifted. “Do you knot did it?” ‘ ,

“A licensed burglar named Conchita Sparrow. been trying to get herself hired as my tech, and I turn down. By way of demonstrating her abilities, she br here two nights ago, interestingly enough by way of the ventilator shaft in which Colonel Colt’s pistol was four

Roberta cocked her head to one side as she cons this. “It sounds plausible, at least. You don’t have any idea who might have been responsible?”

“So far as I know, I don’t have an enemy in the,

92

Unless it’s one of your beaux,” he added, “mad with jeali,usy.” He tried to smile, but pain stabbed his jaw, and he winced instead.

“Poor Drake.” She patted his uninjured cheek again. “What, by the way, do we tell the family?”

“Tell them the whole thing’s a misunderstanding.” “No.” She smiled patiently. “I mean about us. “

“Oh.” Maijstral blinked. Preoccupied with his own

problem, he’d quite forgotten the whole matter of his be

trothal.

“Well,” he said, “it seems to me that it would be unfair of me to, make you a widow before we’re even engaged. Why lon’t we tell the family that we’re postponing any announcement until my business with Joseph Bob is resolved?”

A shadow of disappointment crossed Roberta’s face. “Very well,” she said, and rose. “I’ll go tell them now.”

She walked toward the door. “Roberta?” he said.

She turned. “Yes?”

“Thank you.”

She smiled. `.`You’re very welcome.”

“And will you do me another favor?”

“If I can.”

“Will you ship my father down to Quintana Roo for me? [‘11 look after him from there.”

“Of course,” she said, and made her exit.

” I didn’t do it!” Conchita Sparrow yelped.

Drexler advanced menacingly, a hi-stick dangling from his muzzle. “Pull the other one,” he said, demonstrating a surprising grasp of Human Standard vernacular. (In Khosali it would have come out “Drag the remaining unity,” which would have lacked the colloquial verve of the original.)

In any language it was purely a figure of speech, since Conchita Sparrow was in no position to pull anything.

. Rocx OF AGES

93

Roman, by contrast, was in a position to pull all the legs quired, as he was holding her by one ankle over the edge Kanab, one of the Grand Canyon’s more impressive side c, yons.

“Honest!” Conchita said. “I didn’t do it!”

“I bet Roman is getting tired,” Drexler said. “Are you, Roman?”

“I could lose my grip at any moment,” Roman warn He loosened his grasp slightly, just enough for Conchita fall a few inches, and then caught her again. Conchita gav strangled shriek.

Drexler took a languid draw on his hi-stick. “Caret Roman,” he said, relishing the opportunity once again demonstrate his grasp of slang, “you might do the lady a m chief.”

Maijstral contemplated this picture with pleasure. P man, a menacing piebald giant big even for a Khosalikh, h, Conchita, small even for a human, at arm’s length,-with rat] more ease than Maijstral could hold a child. Media glob controlled by the proximity wire in Maijstral’s collar, circa the pair like orbiting satellites, ready to record any revelatic that might drop from Conchita’s lips.

“Give a moment to your surroundings, Miss Sparroo Maijstral said. Walking bowlegged to minimize his pain, approached the. edge and regarded the deep canyon below. I took a deep, appreciative breath. “Consider the eons that mi have gone into the creation of this magnificent sight ii which, at any instant, you may take flight. Consider the we of millennia, as erosion, as vast landslides, as the uplift of i local geology all did their work. Consider its glory in comp ison with the alteration in the local formation you will ma when you strike the ground below. Whieh is to say-” 1 looked at her meaningfully. “None at all. “

Maijstral threw out his arms to glory in the Canyo.

94

tness. “Consider the gorgeousness that will be your last ng vision-will you appreciate it as you fall, I wonder?”

“I’ll be too busy screaming my head off,” Conchita said.

“Tell us what we want to hear,” Maijstral said, “and re will be no need for screaming at all.”

” I didn’t do it!” she screamed. Which was followed by a aewhat less coherent scream, abruptly cut off, as Roman’s relaxed, then firmed again.

“I can prove it!” she said. “I was out stealing last night! I arded everything-it’s in those spheres your goons caper!”

“His what?” Drexler growled, his bristling. “Assistants! Associates! Whatever!”

Annoyance crackled along Maijstral’s nerves. He really n’t want to credit the notion that Conchita actually had an U.

“Stealing where?” he asked. “And what?”

“In Australia. An entire consignment of rare pink and en Australian diamonds from the Nokh & Nokh deposiy. No style points, but I needed the cash.

Maijstral frowned. Conchita’s story had the discouragring of truth.

It must be admitted that sometimes even Allowed Bur-s-whose calling glorified, nay demanded, the search for

acquisition of the rare, the wonderful, and the celeted-sometimes even Allowed Burglars demonstrated a re:table lack of regard for the possibilities of their profession merely stole things for the money. Usually, it must be L, in bulk, Conchita’s vaultful of diamonds being a good mple. Because these jobs were rarely granted anything like full ten points awarded for style, many were never submitto the Imperial Sporting Commission for rating, but

ly went to support the burglar in maintaining the high e with which he floated from place to place, looking for r forms of plunder.

ROCK oP AGES 95

Maijstral, particularly in his early days as a burglar, had known to plunder the odd diamond vault himself. And Ralph Adverse, the most legendary burglar of all, Ralph rse of the Losey Portrait, the Manchester Apollo, and the wn Shard itself, was said to have knocked over a bank or then the opportunity presented.

‘Drexler,” Maijstral said, “go to the flier and check the bulletins. Find out if Nokh & Nokh had a robbery in the ay or so.”

Drexler snapped his hi-stick in two and tossed the broits into the Canyon. “Whether she’s telling the truth or he said, “she still called me a goon. I think we should her in just for that.

`Sir,” Roman said, as Drexler walked toward the flier, )uld have been daylight in Australia when the pistol was t. Hardly an ideal time to break into a vault.” Ylaijstral brightened. “Daylight, eh?” he said cheerfully. rued to Conchita. “What do you say to that, Miss Spar

It was William Bligh Day,” Conchita said. “A holiday. the whole day to plunder the vault.”

Vlaijstral scowled. He was vexed with William Bligh, and ln’t even know who Bligh was.

This was unfortunate, for had Maijstral only known it, had much in common with Maijstral’s family, specifiMaijstral’s grandfather. Both Bligh and Governor His Robert, Duke of Dornier, had the misfortune to suffer ties and handle them badly. Bligh suffered no less than nutinies during his naval career, and then suffered the nartyrdom when the entire continent of Australia mutiagainst his administration. Duke Robert had only one ty to deal with, but he mishandled it so spectacularly that Me, and that of his descendants, were blighted forever

[t is instructive to observe how the Khosali dealt with

96

each of these unfortunate officers. With their passion for law, discipline, and regularity, the Khosali were sympathetic to Bligh, viewed him as a martyr to Order, and created a holiday for him. Statues were built to him throughout Oceania. Duke Robert, by contrast, had acquired such an infamous reputation that the Khosali preferred to treat him gingerly, when they treated him at all. No mention was made of him, no statues built, no holidays declared. No posthumous decorations were ordered. The Green Legion was mothballed, and any mentions in the official histories were as terse and uninformative as possible.

Even the Khosali quest for Order has its-limits.

“Bad news, boss,” Drexler said from the flier. “Nokh & Nokh got knocked over.”

Maijstral took the bad news stoically. He turned to Roman. “You might as well let Miss Sparrow down, and she can show us her recordings of the happy event.”

“Do I have to?” Conchita said, rising and dusting herself off. “I didn’t exactly cover myself with glory on this one.”

Which proved to be an understatement. The burglary had begun quite well, with Conchita’s black boxes successfully overcoming the vault’s alarm systems, defense robots, and. locking mechanism. She walked into the vault looking very pleased with herself, and then carefully closed the vault door behind her so that no passing guard might see that the huge round door was open.

At this point Drexler’s tongue flopped from his mouth in uncontrollable mirth. Maijstral turned away so that Conchita wouldn’t see his smile. Only Roman managed to maintain his previous demeanor-which was not in his case difficult, considering that he was nearly psychotic with surging hormones, continual itching, and persistent shedding.

For Conchita had just locked herself in the vault. With all her vault-springing mechanisms left outside.

97

The video-Conchita, however, took some time to realize s. She emptied the vault of its contents, packed everything qtly into the levitating luggage she’d brought with her. She s looking quite relieved that she hadn’t bungled anything a change … and then she turned to leave.

She looked at the door. Frowned. Frowned some more. exler began massaging his diaphragm, which was cramping h pleasure. “I can’t look,” he moaned.

“All my black boxes worked,” Conchita said defen ely. “That’s my specialty.”

“How did you get out?” Maijstral asked.

“Vaults aren’t constructed so as to prevent people from aking out,” Conchita said. “I had to improvise some tools m bits of my luggage and some things I’d found in the [Its.”

“And how long did this take you?” Maijstral asked.

“Nine hours,” Conchita said in a small voice.

“I think,” Maijstral said as he turned off the display, Lat we may spare ourselves the next nine hours of video.”

“Perhaps we could just skip to the end,” Drexler sugted cheerfully.

Maijstral turned to Conchita. “I apologize for the hasty imptions that led me to bring you here. My associates will .irn you to your home.”

“Thank you.” She gazed at the surrounding countryside :)ugh the flier’s transparent top. “It was nice to get a chance :ee the Grand Canyon. Even though I’ve lived on Earth all life, I’d never come here.”

“And you were favored-with a unique perspective of the iyon that few others will ever have experienced.”

She giggled. “True.” Her brow furrowed. “What is it all ut, anyway? What exactly was I supposed to have done?”

“Well,” Maijstral sighed, “I suppose after all this I might I owe you an explanation.”

He told her, briefly, the facts of the case. She whistled.

98

“You’re in the soup, all right. And that explains how you e to have.a semilife patch on your face. But how did you .e it was me that did it?”

“I’d turned you down when you applied for a job.” “What-you don’t have any worse enemies?”

Maijstral frowned thoughtfully. “It would appear that I

“Any idea who they are?”

Maijstral flattened his ears in perplexity. “No one really es to mind,” he said. “Colonel-General Vandergilt, of se, but I don’t know whether she’s fanatic enough to t evidence, or for that matter whether she or her associates the skill to do it. Putting the pistol in the ventilator of the a I was sleeping in would have taken no small ability.” “But Vandergilt’s a member of the Special Services )s, right?” Conchita said. “Then she’s a spy, or at least vs spies. That pistol might have been planted by a governburglar, burglar, not one of us stylish amateurs.”

Maijstral considered this and felt a nebulous, creeping of gloom float into his mind, like a low cloud casting cold ows on his thoughts.

“Or possibly the burglar was one who’d been arrested, was given special consideration if he agreed to set you Conchita added. “Maybe you should check to see which lars have been arrested lately and then let loose. :ler”-smiling over her shoulder-“can you spare a hi

?A,

Drexler scowled as he forked over the intoxicant. “Roman…” Maijstral began.

“Very good, sir. I’ll check the arrest records as soon as I the young lady home.”

Conchita turned to Maijstral. Her eyes sparkled. “May,ou1d help,” she said. “I have some contacts among Earth tars. I’ll make a few calls and see if I pick up any rumors.”

Vcx Ur U S

99

99

“I would appreciate that,” Maijstral said.

“I told you I. could prove useful.”

“So you did.” Maijstral opened the flier and stepped out.

`I thank you in advance for any information you may dis:over.” c

“I say we still chuck her in,” Drexler growled. “She

:alled me a goon.” C

Conchita stuck out her tongue at him, but Maijstral gave

io sign that he had heard. He hadn’t. I

An image was repeating itself in his mind over and over

igain: Joseph Bob pointing a pistol at him, squeezing the trig

;er, and firing. The image recurred with minor variations, all € )f which involved the pistol’s muzzle getting larger and larger.

Cold sweat trickled down Maijstral’s neck.

He was going to have to think of something fast.

· · ·

T

Hunac, and for the most part he did a good job of living up to

them. He was, for starters, the direct descendant of the Kings

of Palenque, whose descent and lineage had been carefully

hidden away during the Spanish and Ladino occupation, but

which were nevertheless fully documented by records im

maculately kept in their original Mayan script. When the

Khosali had conquered the Ladinos, and for that matter every

one else, and when subsequently the black-furred conquerors

had proved to be such thoroughgoing legitimists as to restore

to at least some of their former glory various Habsburgs and

Bourbons and Wittelsbachs and all the other smug, dreary

royalty from which humanity had after bloody centuries fi

nally unsaddled itself, the lords of Palenque had emerged from

seclusion to present their credentials. The City of Seven Bright

Rings had been pleased to recognize their legitimacy and made

them Dukes of Palenque and later Princes of Quintana Roo.

During the Great Rebellion, Prince Hunac’s family had

101

r taken both sides, some fighting with the Emperor, with the rebellious humans. After the Rebellion’s sucince Hunac’s grandmother, a rebel leader, had been ap heir, and the family thus retained its land and wealth e establishment of the Human Constellation. cough Maijstral had never met Prince Hunac, he’d nateard of him. Leaving behind a fine record as a dashing c and sportsman, Hunac had graduated ten years d Maijstral at the Nnoivarl Academy. (Just because s ancestor had fought for the Rebellion was no reason family to turn up its noses at the social advantages of a ;hgoing Imperialist education.) Hunac had become irig of a legend at the school because of his adoption of ish dress of the Khosali Al-Ashi Dynasty, which inelaborate feathered cloaks and headdresses similar to unac’s royal ancestors might have worn on formal ocHe had-kept quetzal birds in his rooms, and was al conduct elaborate religious rituals in secret, not only rain his own status among his subjects but, it was said, rain the integrity of the universe.

ice leaving the Academy, Hunac had sponsored hunarchaeological expeditions in his native Yucatan. He sated tens of thousands of items to museums, kept ds of others in his collection, and contributed greatly aderstanding of the native cultures of the area. He had le a name for himself as an oceanographer, in which ;harted any number of obscure ocean depths, restored ulations, and, of course, built the fabulous Underwa:e on, or rather in, the reefs of Cozumel.

t Hunac was. most famous as a host. His week-long arties rolled on for half the weeks of the year, and to ith anxieties over their status in the ton, it was a com:onfirmation of one’s social arrival to receive one of invitations.

102

Celebrated and renowned though the Prince was, Maijil hadn’t been prepared for one aspect-the Prince’s size. nac was short. Shorter even than Conchita. Almost as short i Troxan.

Short. Hunac was very, very short. Maijstral had not ~n prepared.

Maijstral advanced, clasped hands-two friendly fingers h-and then Maijstral bent a surprising distance to sniff the nce’s ears. Hunac smiled up at him and spoke in Khosali ndard. “The Show Business Party is still under way,” he i. “The Glorious Achievers’ Party, which was to be yours, n’t be on for a few days, but I imagine you’ll find people to to in the meantime. The fellow who plays you on video, one.”

Maijstral looked around at people drifting through the eption area. “Anaya’s here?” he said.

“That’s the old video Maijstral. Laurence is the new one. n’t you keep up with your own exploits?”

“I’m afraid I haven’t seen either one.”

Hunac cocked an eyebrow. “Really? How modest of 1.

It wasn’t modesty, Maijstral wanted to explain, but pure

of interest. After living with Nichole for several years, d had all he needed of actors and their concerns. And he :w that though the thefts in the videos themselves were ed on his own professional recordings, with his image elecnically altered, the fictional dramas surrounding the thefts re so contrived and awful he didn’t want to be caught tching them.

But it didn’t seem the sort of thing to admit at a show ;iness party. Where there were celebrities, there were re-ters, and where there were reporters, there were usually rering media globes recording conversations and replayiri m for Empire-wide audiences.

ROCK OP AGES 103

Maijstral hadn’t seen any so far, but that didn’t mean r weren’t there.

“Please have a drink,” Hunac said hospitably, “and meet ie people. If you want to go out and tour the reefs, we can ip you with a submarine or diving gear-whichever is to r taste.”

Maijstral gazed out at the reefs surrounding him. “Thank ,” he said. “I’d like that.”

Celebrated though Prince Hunac was, the majesty of his ;on was somewhat overwhelmed by the aquatic glory of surroundings. Cozumel’s reefs-huge coral castles, honeyibed with tunnels and alive with blazing color-loomed on er side, visible through the reception room’s transparent te. Mayan steles from the Prince’s collection stood in a ciraround the reception area, looking like an underwater 7age to Stonehenge. Ideograms for “ocean world” and lace of the lord” floated holographically in the air. Hunac took Maijstral’s arm and began strolling toward bar. “I was wondering if you might give me some advice Lrding security matters,” he said. “I have so many rare and cable things, and it’s only a matter of time before a real -rate burglar takes a crack at them.”

“Your palace is secure by its very nature,” Maijstral said. s accessible only through the tunnel from the mainland or submarine. I would hate to try to steal anything hereing away would be a challenge.”

“It’s a complication, admittedly-have some of this nish, it’s splendid-but for someone as inventive as yoursurely it’s only a matter of false credentials or flummoxin airlock. Child’s play, I’m sure.”

Maijstral sipped his wine. “Hardly that.” He gave the :er thought. “A place like this would be a major operation. would need many assistants, which multiplies the numA misunderstandings or mistakes that could occur. If. one

submarine, one would have to take immense trouyour underwater sensors from seeing it-I take it underwater sensors?”

yes.”

l, the cost of preparing the submarine would be h would necessitate stealing a whole submarineful in order to make a profit, and the sheer size of the would make it dangerous.”

it isn’t always the motive for Allowed Burglary, is said. “Sometimes you steal for the sheer glory of blicly surmount an obstacle, or because there’s simting you want to possess. Ralph Adverse, for exam)le the most beautiful objects, but he died bankrupt, wanted them for their beauty alone, and not for the y could bring him.”

won’t find many Ralph Adverses in the burglary ~ese days,” Maijstral said.

disappoint me, Maijstral.”

tral thoughtfully sipped at his drink. “I would id, “that your chief danger comes, as you say, from ntering under false credentials, stealing something at fairly portable, and then just riding the train to through the tunnel.”

‘ Hunac smiled, “I could invite someone into my is a burglar, simply because I thought he would nteresting guest. And he could take something, tat my hospitality would extend to such a thing. In ption, of course, he would be wrong.” td shifted to High Khosali, unmatched for both difparsing and precision of communication, as each vented on the word before it, thus adding cumulato the entire statement.

d current wafted up Maijstral’s spine at the whitenac’s smile.

IOf

Naturally the burglar would be wrong,” Maijstral said, iding after a moment’s hesitation in the same difficult g. He added a commonplace aphorism of the sort that equently found in High Khosali, because it saved the e of constructing something original.

Hospitality should at all points be respected,” he said. lunac’s smile whitened. “I have heard something of problem with Joseph Bob.”

laijstral felt himself stiffening. “It is a misunderstandie said.

I am pleased to hear it. I mention the matter only to :ertain that no such misunderstandings ever plague our ;hip.”

I am certain they will not.”

lunac shifted back to Khosali Standard. “Very good.” tted Maijstral’s arm, then turned to an approaching The guest looked remarkably like Elvis Presley, white weled wrestler’s belt, and all.

Maijstral, have you met Major Ruth Song?” I have not had the pleasure. Charmed.”

laijstral offered Major Song two fingers in the hand-everyone knows Elvis, after all-and received a single finger in reply. She stiffened a bit as he sniffed her ears. os, he thought, she did not wish him to inspect her cosob at such close range. No need to be so nervous, Maijiought: the work was very good, and had turned her remarkably successful facsimile Elvis.

[ hope to persuade Major Song to perform tonight,” remarked.

[ will look forward with pleasure,” Maijstral said. Thank you,” Song said. “I need to stay in practice, with !mphis Olympiad coming up.”

ne replied, oddly, in Human Standard, not Khosali, and -al and Hunac obliged her by switching languages.

io6

“Major Song is ranked very high by the cognoscenti,”

nac said. “She stands a very good chance of winning.”

“I hope to attend the Olympiad myself,” Maijstral said.

wish you the very best of luck in the competition.” “Thank you. If you’ll excuse me?”

Major Song made her conge, swirled her cape, and left. nac frowned. “How odd.”

“Sir?” Maijstral said.

“She obviously intended to order a drink. But now she’s without one.”

Maijstral flicked his ears. “Perhaps she forgot. Or rembered an errand.”

“Perhaps.”

“I see the riding lights of a new submarine arriving at the -t-red, white, green, I’m afraid I don’t know it offhand. 1, whoever’s inside, I should offer my greetings-Maijstral, )pe you will have a pleasant stay.”

Hunac made his way toward the airlock. Maijstral reed the impulse to gulp his drink-the reminder of his trouwith Joseph Bob had not been pleasant-and then drifted Dugh the reception area, looking for someone he knew. A of the faces looked familiar, and he knew he’d seen them on eo, but he couldn’t remember precisely where, and he ildn’t remember their names.

There was one young man, unfamiliar to Maijstral and ssed rather dramatically in black, who was looking at him f he were undecided whether to approach and introduce iself. Maijstral assumed he was some sort of burglary fan, L, as he didn’t feel like talking to fans at the moment, he ned away and wandered on, and then recognized someone I approached to sniff her ears.

“Hello, Alice. Congratulations on obtaining your freen.

Each gave the other two fingers: they were professional uaintances, but not intimates.

107

Alice Manderley was a woman of middle years, darkired and slender. She was also one of the best burglars in the axy, a consistent high performer who always outpointed iijstral in the ratings. She had been rated third, and was a contender to succeed Geoff Fu George as first in the ratings, til she encountered ill luck while attempting to steal the fabulous Zenith Blue.

“I hope prison was not too bad,” Maijstral said.

“It was prison,” Alice said. “Of course it was bad. Even nicest conceivable prison is bad.” Her brow furrowed and r voice grew harsh. “And to think I was put there by an amlur. She was on her way to school, saw the shimmer of my rksuit, and hit me with a briefcase full of study materials. locked me unconscious. I can’t believe my luck.” She Med. “They gave her the Qwarism Order of Public Service !cond Class). Second class! What kind of insult was’ that, I you!”

Alice seemed likely to continue in this vein for some ie, and Maijstral thought it a good idea to change the subt. “It is a surprise to see you here among the actors, he d, “though of course a delightful one.”

“I’m with Kenny. There’s a producer here he wants to k to.”

“Oh. Of course.”

Kenny Chang was Alice’s husband, a notably unsuccessactor whose personal charm seemed unable to translate properly to video or the stage.

Maijstral was nearly as disinclined to talk about Kenny’s eer as he was to chat about the features of Alice’s prison.

“Are you going to get your ticket renewed?” he asked.

Alice sighed. “I already have. I must admit that burglary lost much of its appeal, but while I was in stir Kenny took ier on Forthright bonds, and now I need to get us out of At.”

Maijstral had been offered the same bonds less than a month before

and had walked away with a loathly shudder. The Company had been such an obvious swindle (the ‘s chairman, Xovalkh, was ranked near the top of rial Sporting Commission’s ratings for confidence the only investors likely to actually turn over their -e either the brain-damaged or those who purchased solely for their entertainment value-Xovalkh was performer, for those who appreciated that sort of swindle

majistral suspected that Kenny did not, however, belong to the later category of investor.

X11,” he said, “if you have any plans for the near guild offer you logistical support. I’m on vacation, and don’t want my crew to get rusty.”

he looked at him with a peculiar expression. “That’s true, Maijstral,” she said.

drexler in particular has been complaining I don’t give him enough to do.”

I have my people already picked out. But thank you.” well. If I can give help of that sort, let me know.” thanks.” She looked over Maijstral’s shoulder. a young man who keeps staring at us.”

dressed in black? I noticed him earlier.”

looks familiar, but I can’t place him.”

I hope he is not a connoisseur of burglary statistics.”

he made a face. “I will make a point of avoiding him.” istral glanced to his right, and was surprised to see ty making her way toward him. He sniffed her lace ears and touched his tongue to his lips in a subdued smile.

was that was your submarine that just arrived?” it is, indeed.”

is Her grace with you?”

no, I’m afraid she’s still in negotiation with the Bubber. ie and your father_.”

109

`Your father is here?” Alice asked. “Didn’t I hear he’d

`Yes, on both counts,” Maijstral said. “We’re having a -f a family conference. Alice Manderley, may I pre-” He looked at Aunt Batty and blinked. “I’m afraid I now you as Bathsheba.”

batty took Alice’s hand and sniffed her ears. “I’m the honorable Bathsheba sar Altunin,” she said, indicating her live family, “but you can call me Batty.”

`How do you do?”

`I am sorry to have saddled you with my father,” Maijaid. “But I’m afraid my life has been more disorganized is usual-“

`No need to apologize. Gustav and I havee been having a aly fine time, just chatting away.”

maijstral’s ears pricked forward in surprise. “Indeed? vhat do you chat about?”

`You, mostly.”

‘Ah. For your work.”

batty lapped daintily at her drink. “Yes. I think the third ie is shaping up in a most interesting fashion.”

when all this was over, Maijstral thought, he would steal manuscripts.

‘I’m not certain I would trust this particular source .uch,” Maijstral said, “given the state of his memory. He forgetting he’s dead, for one thing.”

aunt Batty’s tongue lolled in a smile. “I have noticed never fear, yes. But I do try in my best historian’s fashion to verify everything with another source.”

Very good.”

For example, was your stuffed bear’s name really Peter pajamas?”

‘Maijstral blinked. “Do you know, I believe it was. This is st time I’ve thought of that in-well, decades, I suppose.

110

Alice had been watching this dialogue with little indicaAf interest, but smiled at this last. “I perceive my own teddy bear approaching,” she said. “Batty, may I present my husband, Kenny.”

“Hi,” Kenny said.

He was a handsome man with long, fashionably careless He had, to a discerning eye, rather overdone the fashion carelessness, with”his falling bands partially undone, his turned up, his day’s growth of beard, and his hands in pockets, but perhaps this was a matter of taste.

Maijstral, considering for a moment Kenny as stuffed concluded that Peter Pajamas had a decided advantage in taste.

“I talked to Winky,” Kenny informed Alice, “and he ‘d fit the part hand in glove, but it’s not up to him, it’s up e people with the money, so who knows? He says he’ll call

“Perhaps he will,” Alice said.

Probably, Maijstral thought, he wouldn’t, even though he seemed to be on nickname terms with him five minutes acquaintance.

He really didn’t know anyone who’d call Kenny voluntarily

“There’s such a lot of deal-making going on here,” y said. “I’ve really got to stay on the jump. Have you that Elvis? Major Song?”

Alice’s ears flattened. “Yes,” she said shortly. “Loathsome little weasel, but there’s money there. >e if I just sing the praises of the Security and Sedition Ind pretend to hate the rats long enough-” Alice put a hand on his arm. “Stay away from her, dear. not an association that would do you any good. Not in mg run.”

Kenny considered this, scratching his day’s beard. “Well,

III

if you say so. Plenty of other mammals in this terrarium.” He ;rinned. “Hey, that was pretty good, wasn’t it? ‘Cause we’re in a kind of a reverse fishbowl here, right? And it’s the fish that are looking in. Get it?”

“Very good, Ken,” Alice said.

“Well, I’m off to corner myself a-” He started to leave, then seemed to notice Maijstral for the first time. “Say, Drake,” he said, “you know Nichole’s going to be here?”

“So I understand,” Maijstral said.

“You and she are still friends, right? I mean, no hard feelings or anything.”

“No.”

“Not after she took up with you on that what’s-its-name planet, Peleng, and then dumped you for that fellow she’s living with now.”

“It didn’t happen,” Maijstral said.

“Hm?” Kenny looked surprised. “No, really. She’s living with him. It was in the news and everything. He’s her set designer or something.”

“I mean,” Maijstral said patiently, “that Nichole and l were not involved on Peleng, and, insofar as we weren’t involved, she didn’t jettison me when she took up with Lieutenant Navarre.”

“Oh.” Kenny took a moment to process this-the thought that something reported in the media might be a falsehood was obviously a difficult one for him-and then he brightened. “Well, good. You’re still friends, then. You wouldn’t mind introducing me to her, would you? I’d love o chance to work with Nichole if I could. Associating with the Diadem never hurts a fellow’s career.”

Poor Nichole, Maijstral thought. Still, celebrity wa, something she had chosen, along with all the little annoyance! that went with it. Annoyances with names like’ Kenny of Winky or Vang-Thokk.

would the opportunity present itself,” Maijstral said, ke the introduction, yes.” he looked over Maijstral’s shoulder and frowned. fellow in black keeps staring at me. He probably autograph or something, the vermin. I’ll just roll I, and keep out of his way.”

Maijstral said.

he’d been living with Nicole, he’d had many conjust like this one.

i believe I’ll accompany Kenny,” Alice said, and made

and Maijstral looked at one another.

such a … forceful young man,” Batty said.

could be worse,” Maijstral said. “He could drink.“your father,” said Batty, “has been put in my room.“that is exceedingly good of you,” Maijstral said. “We him to my suite later, and I can engage someone to him.”

you like, dear, but that really won’t be necessary that you become accustomed to him, and as it was our family that im here in the first place, I have no objections to ter him until you get over your trouble with Joseph

the expense, Maijstral considered, of having Batty dig over his life history. Still and all, his father didn’t really thing likely to prove too embarrassing-since he’d e age of reason, Maijstral had kept his family strictly anything important and so all the little gems likely to discover would be of the Peter Pajamas vaLestic and perhaps even endearing.

les, sharing digs with a dead man, even a father, was his taste.

ou truly don’t mind,” Maijstral said.

that young man is still staring at us,” Batty observed. A Silver sphere descended from somewhere near the ceil-

ROCK OP AGES 113,

ing and swooped closer to Maijstral. Following it, on foot, me a young woman with an unusually sculptured hair arngement and a peculiar bell-shaped skirt.

“Mr. Maijstral?” she said, in Human Standard. “I’m angula Arish from the Talon News Service.”

The appearance of such a person was inevitable, of urse. Maijstral’s lazy-lidded eyes half closed as they rerded the journalist.

“How do you do?” Replying in the same language.

A second media globe joined the first, recording the sub;t from another angle. “Has your journey to Earth been oductive?” Mangula asked.

“No,” Maijstral said, “but then I had not intended to oduce anything while I was here.”

“I meant,” patiently, “will we see the disappearance of y of Earth’s finer artworks or gemstones while you are oninet?”

Maijstral sighed and once again told the truth, perfectly rare that no one would ever believe him. “I am here on vaca0, and to attend the wedding of some acquaintances. If anymg disappears, it won’t be my fault.”

“Is this restraint motivated by any ‘regard for Earth’s eat history and. its priceless collection of treasures?”

Maijstral’s eyes narrowed to slits. “It is motivated by the ;t I am on vacation.”

“Do you intend to offer an apology to the people of rth while you are here?”

Maijstral’s eyes opened in surprise. “Apologize?” he d. “What have I to apologize for?”

“It was on Earth that your grandfather, the Imperial offiI better known as Robert the Butcher, committed the great ijority of his crimes against his own people.”

Maijstral’s ears cocked forward as he feigned puzzle.nt. “And therefore?”

“And therefore,” the journalist went on, “you, as his de-

114

scendent, might be expected to apologize for his behavior.”

“I was not even alive at the time, miss,” Maijstral said, “and had nothing whatever to do with my grandfather’s decisions, the actions that resulted from them, or any of the consequent suffering. But if anyone can receive comfort by an apology from someone who had nothing to do with the acts being apologized for, then I will happily offer mine, for whatever good they will do.”

He was tempted to apologize as well for the acts of other bad eggs such as Jesse James and Mad Julius, considering that he had about equally to do with those, but some, lingering sense of diplomacy kept his mouth shut.

As for Mangula, it took her a moment or two to disentangle the grammatical complexities of Maijstral’s last statement. She blinked. “So you do apologize?” she asked.

“I thought I already had.”

Mangula blinked again. The whole apology question had been one she’d raised herself on the assumption that, however Maijstral answered, she’d be able to turn it into something provocative, but it hadn’t turned out quite the way she’d wished, and so she plunged ahead, hoping to be able to provoke a bit of sensation out of the jumble.

“Do you disavow the Cause for which your grandfather fought?”

Maijstral thoughtfully fingered the semilife patch along his jawline.

“Miss Arish, I believe history has disavowed my grandfather’s Cause more than I ever could. I wish everyone well, and I desire peace for all, regardless of their politics, and really, what more can I say?”

It would require a fair degree of context removal-“editing,” in the journalistic sense-to make anything remotely sensational out of this, and Mangula decided to end the interview and let her news director decide what to do with the results.

115

As a consequence, she completely forgot to inquire as to ignificance of Maijstral’s semilife patch, which by now )ecome rather prominent in view of the, swelling its d tendrils were sopping up—and that inquiry would given her a scoop indeed.

“Thank you, Mr. Maijstral,” she said, and made her exit, globes swooping after her.

“Does that sort of thing happen all the time?” Batty l.

“Oh yes,” Maijstral said. “More now than ever.”

“What a strange life you must lead, I’m sure.”

“One must be sure to always make one’s answers to the a as complex and laden of context as possible. They can make a simple, sensational story out of it that way. Not )ut a good deal of effort, anyway.”

Batty’s eyes shifted over Maijstral’s shoulder again. .t young man in black is approaching. And he’s got a 3 with him.”

Maijstral sighed-the last two people who spoke to him )een rather a trial, and there was no guarantee that this would be any different. Still, he turned to face the new:rs with as civil a face as possible.

The young man in black had long hair styled similarly to stral’s, and Maijstral observed he wore a large diamond ne finger-the same finger as Maijstral’s own diamond, i very similar diamond at that. The man’s friend wore a e green coat and gold jewelry.

“Maijstral,” the man in black said, offering Maijstral fingers in the handclasp to Maijstral’s one, “I’m Lau

Maijstral sniffed the actor’s ears. “Pleased to meet you,” .id. “I’m told you do me rather well.”

The’ actor stepped back with a look of surprise. “It ds as if you haven’t seen me.”

Maijstral probably should have assured the young man

ii6.

Ie’d seen him scads of times, and thought him very good, hat his opinion really counted, but fortunately it was d by all the very best critics, and Laurence must surely be ed-after which Laurence would have gone off a happy But events had thrown off Maijstral’s social timing, and dready had to deal with one actor today and his patience probably shorter than usual, and so he did the worst thing ble, which was (once again) to tell the truth. “I’m sorry to say I haven’t,” he said. “My life is rather ing and I have little time for video. But I’m told that people prefer you to that, ah, other fellow.” “Anaya “

“Quite so. My apologies, anyway, for not recognizing ‘ Laurence frowned, and his ears were pinned back, but rued to his friend and made the introduction. “This is Deco, my companion.”

“Pleased to meet you,” Maijstral said. He had discerned is point that he’d made a gaffe, and in amends gave two rs to Deco’s one, then mentally sighed at how it did not possible to.achieve social attunement this afternoon no x how hard he tried.

Maijstral introduced. Aunt Batty, and then the four i at each other for a long, uncomfortable moment. “It is a most-attractive dwelling, is it not?” Batty finally “Most underwater environments give one such a sense of nement, but Prince Hunac has made everything here so :)us that one’s sense of claustrophobia is quite underned.”

`“True,” Deco said.

“Very,” said Laurence.

Silence reigned once more. Aunt Batty concluded that done her best.

Laurence, it should be observed, did not actually play ~tral on video. He played a character superficially similar

117

ujstral, or at least similar to who Maijstral might have if he were the hero of a video series-brave, stalwart, rous, handy with his fists, and staggeringly successful women. The company that made the series had (after the -ial Sporting Commission) first call on the videos Maijnade while stealing, and mixed Maijstral’s videos with own, altering Maijstral’s image to that of Laurence. It nderstood that Laurence was playing Maijstral, even if Laracter had a different name, and it was suggested that all deo adventures, preposterous though they were, were in sense true, that they all offered details of Maijstral’s life iad not been made public. And since Maijstral could commit as many burglaries as a character in a weekly the producers bought videos from other burglars who unlucky enough not to have series characters designed them, and likewise altered the image to that of Lau-and in the end Maijstral got the credit for a lot of specir capers that he had never actually performed. `I see you wear a diamond ring,” Maijstral observed. `Yes.” Laurence brightened. “It’s just like yours. I use it ocus, when I’m acting-I look at the ring, and I say to if, I’m Drake Maijstral, I’m the greatest burglar ever. . :hen I do my scene.”

“`But you wear the ring when you’re not acting,” Maijsaid. “Doesn’t that cause confusion? When you look at your plate at luncheon, for example, and see the ring, you say to yourself, I’m a burglar, and then have to fight a crisis of identity along with an impulse to slip the silire up your sleeve?”

“But Laurence is a terrific burglar,” Deco said. “He’s )ts of practice.”

Maijstral looked at Laurence in surprise. “Do you actuteal?” he said.

Laurence flushed. “Well, no. My contract doesn’t per-

uldn’t do for the star of a series to end up in prison. >ne everything but steal.”

s got a very good darksuit,” Deco said. “I made it ve studied how all the tech is done. Sometimes he night, just being a burglar, you know.” really helped my interpretation of the role,” Lau

;tral looked from one to the other and decided that, s intended to be impressed by this. He was trying to w to respond when one of Hunac’s servants ap

a message for you. Miss Nichole. There is a privacy he corner.”

;tral manufactured an apologetic look. “My apoloemen,” he said, and moved away.

im,” Laurence called after him. “You know-I re~d to talk to you about Nichole

stral escaped to the privacy booth and activated the sealed him off from any eavesdroppers and lip-readommand Nichole’s face appeared before him. was a tall blond woman located ambiguously on the Teen mid and late thirties, and “she was one of the ndred who were so famous they bore only a forewas, technically speaking, an actress, but her real i was so far above a mere actress, above celebrity, e star, that only a place in some fairly all-embracing could probably do justice to her standing. n she spoke, entire planets hushed to hear her ople she had never heard of, and never would hear itted suicide at the thought they were unworthy to universe with her. Obscure alien races knelt at her spit up, with appropriate ritual obeisance, offerings y best regurgitated fish-liver wine.

was, so to speak, colossal. Even for a member of the he was big.

119

Maijstral had once turned down a chance to join the uman Diadem and live on the same plateau as Nichole. The fusal had made him, briefly, more famous than if he had acpted, but the industry that was Nichole rolled on without m, generating more fame, more glory, more worship, while e comparatively small enterprise that was Maijstral, denied e constant barrage of publicity and glory granted members the Diadem, was compelled to sneak up on success and win by strategem rather than bag it in one grand rush.

But when Nichole’s image appeared before Maijstral, it as not that of a distant goddess, but rather that of an old iend. It did Maijstral’s heart good to see, her. In this crisis, it as good to know who one could trust, and Nichole was a ue and’tested comrade in adversity.

“Hello, Nichole,” he said.

Nichole’s superb eyes glittered with concern. “Drake,” ie said, “what’s this I hear about a duel between you and the rince of Tejas?”

“I see that I can spare you a certain degree of exposian,” Maijstral said. “How did you hear about it?”

“Diadem security, of course,” Nichole said. “Back

und checks on everyone at the party.”

“Of course,” Maijstral agreed.

Members of the Diadem floated through existence in ieir own perfect world, with no stray locks out of place, no ittons unfastened, and certainly no rude interlopers trying crash the party. Diadem security, smooth, efficient, and allnbracing, was the envy of all people of prominence, includ.g the-Constellation’s President. His own security problems ere never dealt with in such a seamless way.

Of course, he didn’t pay his own guards nearly as much. nd for that matter he wasn’t nearly as famous as Nichole, >mething he found just as galling as the difference in service.

“What in heaven’s name provoked this?” Nichole asked.

Maijstral told her. Her look softened.

!O

Ah, Drake,” she sighed, “and I thought, when we met, vas going to unburden my problems on you.”

[‘his may be your last chance,” Maijstral muttered

Who’s acting for you?” Nichole asked.

[aijstral told her. Nichole frowned. “Isn’t she awfully

;he’s quite mature for her years.”

hill, it’s your life that’s at stake.”.

[aijstral winced. He did not need reminding.

You have no idea who provoked this?” Nichole went

vo. I’ve been racking my brains, but I can’t think of ! who would really want to-“

[ will have Diadem security begin an in-depth survey of ne you know.”

ratification sprang warmly to life in Maijstral’s heart. k you.” A cold little icicle, of suspicion touched his lts. “Your people keep track of burglars, yes?” - vlore or less automatically, yes.”

You might have them concentrate on Alice Manderley. the status of her bank accounts.”

[ichole nodded. “Right away. And I’ll advance my le and arrive tomorrow morning, so that we can conlichole said. “I’d come sooner, but there’s a reception ening I can’t escape-the King of Libya.” A frown I her face. “I think it’s Libya. I haven’t had my briefing

[‘m sure he will be pleasant, whatever he’s the king of,” -al said. “Kings have every reason to be pleased with At. And in the meantime, I will be very pleased to see morrow.”

ioubt entered Nichole’s voice. “Drake?” she said. if they do it again?”

Rocx OF AGES 121

Maijstral stared, his blood running chill.

He would have thought of this himself if he’d not been so apletely distracted.

“Why would they?” he asked in desperation. Nichole’s ears flickered. “Why did they do it once?” “I will arrange for security.”

“That would be advisable.” She smiled. “Please give my t to Roman, by the way.”

Maijstral fled to his chambers as soon as the conversation led, striding past Laurence and his companion, who seemed want to converse again.

When Maijstral arrived, the room was empty save for the f fish under the room’s bubble aquarium dome. Maijstral nt to the service place and touched the ideogram for “sere.

“Roman?”

“At once, sir.”

When Roman arrived, Maijstral was shocked at the nsformation. Roman was bald, grey-skinned, red-eyed, and scratched continually, his hands moving, void of volition, m one bodily torment to’the next. Maijstral had never seen man this bad.

“It has occurred to me,” Maijstral said, “that whoever nted the pistol on us might well try again.”

Roman growled, a long, ominous sound. Maijstral oothed down the hairs that had just risen on his neck.

“I want maximum security on our rooms,” Maijstral d. “Every alarm and detector we can acquire. Every nasty le surprise that we wouldn’t want to encounter ourselves in course of our business. Plant them all. “

A grim light of satisfaction entered Roman’s agate eyes. ery good, sir,” he said.

Another cold suspicion lodged in Maijstral’s breast. ou might check all the alarms personally,” he added. “I’d

122

her you arranged things, rather than Drexler.”

Roman stiffened. Another low growl rolled from his -oat. “Am I to understand that we are no longer trusting r. Drexler, Sir?”

“We are trusting no one, Roman. Drexler was working - Fu George on Silverside Station, remember, against our inests. It’s possible, if unlikely, that he may have conceived an borate plan of revenge. Or someone may have conceived it him.”

“Vanessa Runciter, Sir?”

Maijstral’s brow darkened. Now there was someone for chole’s people to look into. “I wouldn’t put it past her,” he d. “So when you have no other duties, you might simply eke it your business to keep tabs on Drexler.”

“Very good, sir.”

“One other thing,” Maijstral said. “Nichole sends her

love.

Roman’s ears flattened in pleasure. He and Nichole had nays had a most sympathetic relationship.

“I hope we are still trusting Miss Nichole, he ventured. “Of course we are.”

Roman’s tongue lolled in a smile. “Very good, sir.”

Maijstral had just finished dressing for dinner when Roberta led. His insides quailed as he saw the grim expression in her )let eyes.

“What news?” he said, and hoped his voice didn’t qua

“Joseph Bob continues to insist on the fight, and contin> to insist that it be soon. There’s no getting around it, and ‘s_got the right. Unless you’d rather he called in the cops, of arse.”

Maijstral sat down and suppressed an instinct to swab ay the sweat that had just appeared on his brow.

How soon?” he asked.

the day after tomorrow. The meeting is on an island in Tortugas. The Prince wanted pistols, then swords, I no to both.”

very good.”

we’ve settled on a weapon with which neither of you experience. It’s called a dire staff “

ijstral quailed at the very name. He tugged at his ice. “I don’t believe I’m familiar with that weapon he managed.

roberta’s hands waved near the phone’s service panel, to her image appeared the staff, a long steel pole with cated knot of interwoven steel blades on one end and rotrusion on the other.

was used in ritual combat by the Hennese,” Roberta has blades at one end and a low-level stunner at the ie combatants are placed within reach of one another he start, so that anyone attempting to use the stunner -iimself to a possible attack from the bladed end. And ier is, as I said, low-level, so it will only slow the tari, not actually drop them.”

the point of combat with this weapon is to slow the ith the stunner, then butcher him with the other end :an’t defend himself.”

apparently.”

how charming.” Maijstral was appalled.

roberta’s eyes flashed. “Well, what could I do, Drake? o settle on some weapon or other. They’ll all kill you messily one way or another, but at least Joseph Bob er had time to practice with one of these, so you’ll have even chance.”

majstral took a deep breath. All was not lost. He could fix this somehow, just as he fixed his last fight when the Nnoivarl Academy.

124

“I’m sorry if I sounded upset,” Maijstral said. “I am upset, of course, but not by you.”

Her look softened. “I will have a staff sent to you tomorrow so that you can get the feel of the thing. We’re borrowing some from a collector on Mars. He made it a condition that he witness the fight-he’s always wanted to see the things used.” She frowned. “The rules call for an objective witness anyway, so that seems all right.”

Maijstral’s mind raced. So, he thought, Joseph Bob would be practicing with his own dire staff as soon as it came down from Mars. Which meant that Maijstral could get to ii and sabotage it somehow.

“Who did you say used these things?” he asked. “I didn’t catch the name.”

“The Hennese.”

“And what are they? A religious sect of some sort?” “No. A minor race. The Empire conquered them a few

millennia ago, but they’ve subsequently become extinct.” Cold foreboding squatted heavily on Maijstral’s breast

“And why did they all die off?” he asked.

“Well.” Roberta reddened. “They kept fighting eact other with dire staffs, for one thing.”

“I thought as much. Thank you.”

Cowards die many times before their deaths, as Shaxpui remarks in his newly translated play, Tsar Iulius, “the valian, never taste of death but once.” After the conversation ended Maijstral sat in silence for a long, endless moment, dying man3 times.

He could fix the stunner, he thought, but how could h4

fix a nest of glittering, sharp blades on the end of a stick? This was going to take a lot of thought.

He rose and went to the service plate., “Roman,” he said

“come and unlace me. I won’t be going to dinner after all. He seemed to have lost his appetite.

· 0 0

The glories of Palancar towered toward the distant in, layer after layer of coral and sponge, anemone and fans ad gorgonia, every form and color in the world piled atop ne another and reaching toward the sky. Among all this richess swarmed the fish, as brightly colored as the corals: grouer and barracuda, squirrelfish and angels, trunkfish and arrot fish and triggerfish.

Nothing was visible that was not alive.

Turn 180 degrees and there was only one ocean, a clear rid perfect Cherenkov blue, reaching straight down a thouind meters and going on all the way to the mainland. The olor was so blue that, looking at it, you could feel blueness rickling all the way along your skin.

Nothing alive was visible in that blue, nothing at all.

Nichole and Maijstral floated along the wall, hovering in ie interface between the lonely blue and the bright, bustling warm that was the coral wall. They communicated with one nother along a cyphered link.

i

WALTER JON WILLIAMS

s the only way, given the circumstances, they could y degree of privacy.

onder if we will find a splendid toadfish,” Nichole supposed to be the best. Quite rare.”

i heard that in your briefing, yes?”

. Of course.”

bers of the Human Diadem were briefed before ~arance in order to give them something to view and 1. They learned about the best people, the best art, )od, the best architecture, the best sights, and-ap-the best toadfish.

ist they were the best in the opinion of the Diadem’s staff, who were, of course, the best researchers uld buy.

;tral had lived without these briefings for several , and found himself perfectly content to exist with!ry opinion being scripted ahead of time.

n surprised that the Diadem’s researchers didn’t td a toadfish and tag it so that you could locate it and it properly,” Maijstral said.

y did. But I thought we’d prefer privacy.” nk you.”

wo floated along a narrow passageway between two 1 ramparts. Bright swaying tendrils trailed above e strong current like old friends waving good-bye. ive narrowed somewhat your range of suspects,” Lid. “Alice Manderley arrived on Earth only yesteriner from Qwarism, where she was released from month.”

bank account has registered a substantial increase researchers weren’t able to account forfive hun>-but she may have signed some endorsement deal, id for a commission that hasn’t become public. The 3 will continue their efforts.”

ROCK OF AGES 127

“They may as well not, since Alice is no longer a sus

11

“Drake,” severely, “that’s what they’re for.” “Well then. If you like.”

Nichole continued. “Vanessa Runciter is in the Empire her new consort, Lord Pasco.”

“The foundation garment fellow?”

“Yes.”

“I wouldn’t have thought Vanessa would need that as

“She has expensive tastes. I doubt it’s the underwear she

s.

“True.”

“Being in the Empire, of course, doesn’t rule out, the posity of Vanessa’s hiring it done, but it puts her so far out of munication with any hireling that it would make it imposto coordinate anything.”

“True.”

“And your mother is also in the Empire, a guest at Lord h’s hunting lodge.”

Maijstral’s relations with his mother were such that he no objection to her inclusion among the list of suspects. His mother held many grudges. That she would hold a it grudge against her only son was not absolutely out of luestion.

A flash of deep paranoia lit Maijstral’s brain. “She’s nore near Vanessa, is she?”

“No. Pasco and Vanessa were clean on the other side of mpire from Mothholm, on Krpntsz.”

“Krpntsz? I heard the fishing is good.”

“According to our researchers,” airily, “the place is

11

e.”

The water brightened as they passed from the shadowed ‘y to a plateau of white coral sand. Nichole looked about,

128 WALTER JON WILLIAMS

Tned, and commanded her repellers to move toward the est coral castle.

A grouper, long as Maijstral’s arm, floated nearby and dered whether or not to ask for a handout.

“Have you considered Joseph Bob’s brother?” Nichole d.

“The Bubber?” Maijstral blinked. “No, I haven’t.”

“I presume he is his brother’s heir, since Joseph Bob has recently married and hasn’t yet fathered a child. If you the Prince, the Bubber gets the title and everything else. I be one of the richest people on Earth.”

“And he might be under the impression that I’m quite lashing blade,” Maijstral said. “Joseph Bob spent the evetalking about that stupid encounter I had in school-he e me sound perfectly heroic. Will might think I could kill irother with a snap of my fingers.”

“Think about it, Drake. He’s the only person I can think ho would actually benefit from this situation.” Maijstral did just that, coldly considering the Bubber in role of blackhearted conspirator. He didn’t quite think the Will he’d met was entirely up to the role, but then i true blackhearted conspirator would seem perfectly in~nt, wouldn’t he?

Perhaps it had been the Bubber who’d suggested the dire the ghastly weapon that, would give Maijstral a good c at killing Joseph Bob. And probably the Bubber could opened the display case and removed the revolver simply iving the proper codes. The only question was whether he the ability to silently place the revolver in the ventilation and Maijstral rather suspected the answer was yes. And if Will was really behind the-whole thing, how could stral prove it?

Tempting though it was to hang the Bubber upside down the Grand Canyon, he suspected that if Will were really

ROCK OF AGES 129

lackhearted as all that, not only would the Bubber not con!SS, but he’d probably end up challenging Maijstral to a secnd duel following the first.

Of course, Maijstral thought, a bit cheered by the idea, he )uld always let him fall…

Thinking these thoughts, Maijstral followed Nichole ito a downward-slanting cave. A wall of bright silver fish ashed on and off ahead, turning to and fro in unison, as if iey were a form of living heliograph sending a message.

“I also wonder about the Duchess of Benn, Drake,” Nizole said. “You stole the Shard from -her, after all. I wonder if iere’s any ill feeling.”

Thoughts of the Bubber fled Maijstral’s mind as paranoia osed in once again. Roberta-a force for evil! The Black 7idow-luring a man into her embrace, then destroying him!

The dire staff. his brain yelped. It was all part of her plot!

But after a brief, giddy moment in which the ocean did ackflips, rationality managed a cautious, delicate return.

“I think not,” he said. “The circumstances of the theft of ie Shard were not such as to create a grudge. And besides, her -ace has favored me with an offer of marriage.”

Nichole’s perfect blue eyes, the exact shade of the great eep, widened in surprise.

“Congratulations,” she said softly.

“Thank you.”

“It’s a brilliant match.”

“I wish I knew whether my brilliance was sufficient to ie occasion.”

Her brows lifted in surprise. “You told her no?”

“I haven’t given her an answer at all.” When Nichole )ntinued looking at him, he added, “The matter of the duel ime up immediately afterward.”

“I see.” She looked away. “Perhaps someone in her famy is opposed to the match.”

D WALTER JON WILLIAMS

~ijstral could hardly see Aunt Batty climbing about in )rs, but then there was also Paavo Kuusinen, a fellow med to have hidden resources.

aavo Kuusinen is here,” he said. “You remember him leng. He’s the Duchess’s attorney. And spy.” [e helped us on Peleng.”

[e may have changed his mind.”

.nd the Duchess has a large family. There might be warted suitor hanging about.” She looked thoughtful. ‘e the researchers get to work on them.”

_ny other suspects?”

he researchers have only had a few hours, Drake.” may have only a few hours.”

will tell them to make haste.”

e profound blue of the great deep beckoned ahead, ded by rust-colored coral fronds. Nichole and Maijited from the dark cavern out onto the coral wall, into :, the blaze of color.

erhaps,” Nichole decided, “I shall tell them now. Shall rn to the palace?”

.s you like.”

ey floated back along the wall, each wrapped in The ever-hopeful grouper followed, its own thoughts y visible on its face. The magnificence of the reef, the )f the water, the warmth of the sun, made even Maijredicament seem remote.

angely, Maijstral found himself wanting to get wet. and Nichole were cloaked in their own private force Thich kept air in while screening out both water and

Air was provided through a little bottle and freshrough a rebreathing unit that clipped to the belt. Prowas provided by the same repeller units that powered

I fliers and MaijstraYs darksuit.

is arrangement was convenient, and prevented both

Rocx OF AGES 131

he bends and nitrogen narcosis, but it lacked intimacy. The oral castles and darting fish that surrounded them were inpiring Maijstral to attempt a closer acquaintance.

If he lived, he reminded himself. If he lived.

The lights of the Underwater Palace were in sight when wo other divers floated toward them.

“Why, hello!” said Laurence.

“What a coincidence!” said Deco.

Maijstral, certain that no coincidence obtained, neverthe°ss put on a civil face and introduced the two to Nichole.

“We’re just going out to view the reef,” Laurence said. ‘Shall we join you?”

“Alas,” Maijstral said, “we were just going in. Don’t let is keep you.”

The two could not keep their dismay from reflecting on heir faces. Maijstral and Nichole smilingly said their adieux nd made their way to the airlock.

“I say,” Laurence called after. “Were you lucky enough o see a toadfish?”

ifter entering through the airlock and turning in their diving ear,Maijstral and Nichole strolled to her suite, and the invinible. Diadem security closed softly, silently, and inscrutably ,ehind them.

Maijstral felt a knot of tension ease within himself. It felt o wonderfully safe here.

“Wine?” Nichole asked. “Coffee? Rink?” “Rink.”

“Rink for two, Daphne,” Nichole said, speaking to a serant so professionally unobtrusive that Maijstral hadn’t even ealized she was present. Daphne poured drinks, served them, nd at Nichole’s command vanished into the aether from vhich Diadem servants came.

The only problem with the discreet, efficient servants

132 WALTER JON WILLIAMS

came with the Diadem, Maijstral reflected, was that they e working for the Diadem, not for oneself. One -couldn’t a private little fit of anger, a minor nervous breakdown, silent moment of drunken obliteration in the privacy of s own salon without everything being reported to the is titans who controlled the Diadem, and whose job it was cploit any of these perfectly understandable human vagafor the entertainment of billions.

Maijstral and Nichole sipped and sat beside one another small sofa. Nichole kicked off her. shoes and held out her

“Do you like my feet, Drake?” she said. “I had them on Cornish.”

1lRhey are Ane feet, Nichole.”

She frowned at them critically. “I loved them at first, but … well, perhaps the nail area could be slightly reduced, t you think?”

“They’re your feet. I don’t think it proper to express an ion other than to say that in their present state they seem, ;ctly desirable feet to me.”

She laughed. “You see what trivialities I concern myself

“Not entirely trivial, I suspect,” Maijstral said. “Have I selfish, talking only of my problems?”

Nichole sighed. “My problems are rather less urgent yours.”

“Nevertheless,” Maijstral said, “you sent me a message a I was on Silverside.”

“I was not happy then.”

“Are you happy now?”

She bit her lip. “Navarre is going to accept Diadem memhip. His designs are reaching a huge audience.” “Please give him my congratulations.”

“And I have decided-I think-to leave the Diadem.”

ROCK OP AGES 133

How many goddesses, Maijstral wondered, have chosei to abdicate?

“Are you certain?” he asked.

“I think so. It was that last play that did it, I thinkhave discovered that I would rather be an actress than a celeb rity.”

“It has always been my impression that you were noth ing less than superb at being both at once.”

She smiled, touched his hand. “Thank you, Drake. But i one is a member of the Three Hundred, one is encouraged t( take only those parts that enhance one’s celebrity, that con tribute to one’s mystique and glamor. Any touch of the real i discouraged. And I find myself increasingly interested in th, real.” She looked thoughtful. “One is always attracted b; what one does’not possess, and whatever the many attraction of my current existence, reality isn’t numbered among them.’

“You were very fine in that play.”

“The Diadem didn’t like it. Neither did a lot of my fans.’ “They will grow to adore it, given time. They just nee( to grow accustomed to your range.”

Nichole sipped at her rink, tilted her head, looked a Maijstral. “You were offered Diadem membership,” she said “and turned it down. I’m afraid I was offended-at the time interpreted it as a rejection of me … and so I rejected you.”

“Things end,” Maijstral said, “and it doesn’t have to b anyone’s fault.”

“That’s generous of you, Drake,” Nichole said, “but i remains that the Diadem came between us. That barrier ma, soon be removed. And the Diadem may soon become a barrie between me and Navarre.” She sighed. “The fact is, I’m a fev days too late. Because if your unforgivably young and attrac tive Duchess hadn’t beaten me to it, I would have propose( marriage myself.”

Maijstral’s lazy-lidded eyes opened to their widest possi

4 WALTER JON WILLIAMS

mt. Only through force of will did he manage to keep from dropping.

ichole’s divinely blue eyes moistened. “And damn it,” 1, “now that girl could get you killed. “

aijstral’s social antennae might not have been functionheir best in the last few days, but at least he knew when a woman into his arms and kiss her.

he was, he thought to his amazement, perfectly safe lot ever Colonel-General Vandergilt would be likely to )ugh the perfect wall of Diadem security.

my one thought clouded his mind. “Where,” he asked through haze of kisses, “is Navarre?”

Jne of the moons of Jupiter. Designing someone’s

at least this spared Maijstral from the possibility of challenge.

safe, he thought. Safe, safe, safe.

made Nichole all the more desirable.

0 0 0

Some hours later Maijstral left Nichole’s suite in order dress for supper. There was to be some manner of spectacle eforehand, in the Shrine Room, with Prince Hunac and his ;sistants carrying out one of the rites he was permitted to erform in public.

Maijstral stepped into the central reception area and felt a old hand touch his neck, the uneasy sensation that he was out f Diadem security and anything could happen to him now.

“Sir.”

It was Paavo Kuusinen, wearing a green suit of the latest ;onstellation cut and looking, as usual, perfectly inscrutable.

“Mr. Kuusinen,” sniffing his ears, “is her grace here?”

“No. She and the Bubber are still making preparations >r the encounter tomorrow. It is a surprisingly complex busiess.

Maijstral’s blood curdled at this reminder of the followig dawn. He continued moving across the reception area torard his own apartments, and Kuusinen followed.

136 WALTER JON WILLIAMS

“I am charged,” Kuusinen said, “along with the other ,n for being here, with sending you her loving regards.” “And your other reason?”

“I have brought your dire staff, sir, along with a mockcapon should you desire to practice. I would be honored your partner in that practice if you should so desire.” Maijstral could feel sweat popping out on his brow at the 4ht. “I suppose a little practice would not be amiss,” he At least it might give him some idea how to sabotage JoBob’s weapon.

“Perhaps after supper,” Kuusinen suggested. “Perhaps.”

“I had the weapons delivered to your rooms.”

Where, no doubt, they would stand propped up in the °r like sentinels at the gate of the Beyond, grim reminders e fate to come.

“Thank you,” Maijstral managed., “I wonder, Mr. Kuusif-“

“Maijstral! Oh, Maijstral!” Laurence approached, smil His diamond winking. “I was wondering if-“

“I beg your pardon,” Maijstral said without breaking -, “but I have no time at present. Perhaps later-?” “Ah. Oh.” Laurence blinked, left behind in the dust. y well.”

“Mr. Kuusinen,” Maijstral continued, “I wonder if you d apply your splendid mind to the matter of the Bub

“Yes?” Kuusinen was all attention.

As they walked down the corridor toward Maijstral’s is, Maijstral outlined Nichole’s notion that the whole less of the duel might be the result of a plot by the Bubber berit the Princedom of Tejas.

“A provoking theory, Sir,” Kuusinen said. “But if it is how may it be proved? And proved by tomorrow morn-

ROCK OF AGES 137

“Proving is precisely the matter to which I hope you tight turn your mind.”

Kuusinen gave it a few seconds’ thought. “Amateur zieves often make mistakes, I should imagine,” he ventured. Leaving fingerprints, say. But there would be no surprise could the Bubber’s fingerprints appear, on the stolen reolver. He may have handled it frequently.”

A thought-a wonderful, glorious thought!-occurred D, Maijstral. “There are other places to leave fingerprints,” he aid. “Inside the duct, for example.”

“Ah.” Kuusinen nodded. “But did the police examine he duct for fingerprints? Or gather any other kind of forensic vidence?”

“No. His Highness declined to sign a complaint against ne, and they terminated their investigation. But ” Maijstral ound himself growing cheerful. “But I could go into the duct, onight, with methods of detecting fingerprints, to see if I ould find any latent evidence.”

Kuusinen gave this further thought as well. “I’m’ afraid hat you’re hardly an unbiased witness,” he said. “One might lo better at asking the Prince if he would be willing to hire a >rivate firm to examine the duct.”

“I’m scarcely in a position’to do that.”

“Perhaps her grace, however, is. In her capacity as your econd.”

Hope blossomed in Maijstral, and he found himself walking for a moment with buoyant tread, but further hought cast him down again.

“But, acting as my second, she’d have to ask through the 3ubber,” he pointed out. “And if he’s guilty, he won’t let it

happen.”

“Ah.” Kuusinen frowned., “Well, perhaps it will work ind perhaps it will not. I will communicate with her grace on :he matter nonetheless.”

` “I would be very appreciative.”

138 WALTER JON WILLIAMS

Maijstral went through the complex procedure necessar to enter his booby-trapped room without tripping ever alarm within a hundred leagues, and then he and Kuusinen en tered.

“I see the dire staff is here,” Kuusinen said. “Would yoi like me to demonstrate?”

Panic throbbed in Maijstral’s heart at the very thought. “Oh,” he said, “there’s plenty of time for that.” Kuusinen seemed a bit surprised. “Very well,” he sai

smoothly. “Perhaps I should take my leave and give you

chance to dress for supper.”

“I thank you for your efforts. And when you speak ti her grace, please give her my love.”

“I will.”

Did he love the Duchess? he wondered as he saw’Kuus inen to the door. Did he love Nichole? The answer to the firs question, he suspected, ranged from quite possibly to ver likely, and to the second yes, probably, but that provided n solution to the question of whether he wanted to marry eithe of them.

It was legally possible to marry both, of course, but h suspected the women in question would not be open to th suggestion, and in any case the solution was more likely t double, rather than answer, his dilemma.

He glanced over his shoulder at the dire staffs and shuc dered.

The staffs, he realized, did offer a solution to the que! tion of marriage, but one he would rather not consider.

In a mood to break bones and bang heads, Roman entere Maijstral’s room. His naked skin was a shedding, flakin burning torment, and he felt as if molten metal were coursirr along his Nerves. His muzzle, where the new agering ws growing, was on fire.

ROCK OF AGES 139

Annihilation seemed a worthwhile alternative. Lacking iat, he would have happily settled for the cheerful oblivion of sychopathic violence.

Unfortunately neither seemed likely. Instead Roman )und Maijstral in a contemplative mood, studying the genealgy that Roman had prepared.

“You called, sir?” Roman said.

Normal words for a servant to address to his, employer, ut there must have been something odd in the inflection, beause Maijstral gave a start and looked wildly at Roman for a foment, as if a threatening stranger, had just entered and rowled out a threat. But Maijstral’s heavy-lidded eyes shut,red again, and he looked again at the long scroll.

“I observe you have left room for my descendants,” he aid.

“Yes,” Roman said. Normally he would have said someZing more polished, along the lines of, Indeed, I hope to be ble to inscribe each happy event, and soon, appropriate sentiient mixed with a decided hint that it was high time Maijstral of betrothed to his duchess. But in his current crazed condion, complex sentences were rather beyond him, and simple eclaratives were more the thing.

Maijstral continued gazing at the scroll.

“I have spent the day with Miss Nichole,” Maijstral said.

I trust the sojourn was pleasant would have been someling along Roman’s normal lines at this point, but the fought of Nichole-he had always been passionately fond of lichole-sent his thought-impulses veering, off into any umber of unexpected byways, and he managed no reply at 11.

Maijstral, who had raised one eyebrow in anticipation of reply, waited for a moment and then lowered it. He pursed is lips and gazed at the scroll again.

“She tells me that she is considering leaving the Dia-

140 WALTER JON WILLIAMS

em,” he said. “And she has also favored me with a proposal f marriage.”

Roman’s ears flattened in amazement and his tongue .opped from his muzzle. His thought-impulses scattered, re)rmed, scattered again. Nichole! Always his favorite-the my human to cause him to forget his usual prejudice against ctresses and celebrities. But … but … duty! It was Maijstral’s uty to marry the Duchess.

Nichole!

Duty!

Nichole!

Duty!

The conflicting notions volleyed away in his head for a ~w seconds, and then he managed to pull himself together and roak out a question.

“Did you give her an answer?”

Which was pretty good, under the circumstances, though His normal line would have been, Did you favor her with a eply, sir?

“The matter,” Maijstral said, “is still under discussion.” “Hrrrr,” said Roman, a sound of frustration much like a ;rowl.

Couldn’t his employer make up his mind about anybing? The Duchess was clearly a perfect, brilliant match, but f Maijstral was determined to be feckless and irresponsible, hen running off with an actress was the perfect way to do hat, and Nichole, to Roman’s way of thinking, was the perect actress.

Pick one or the other! he wanted to roar. Either one will

io

He stifled these thoughts, though the effort cost him. -lence, “Hrrrr.”

He would have apologized, but Maijstral seemed not to sear. Maijstral rose from his chair and held out his arms.

ROCK OP AGES 141

“The supper costume, please,” he said. “The white suit tonight, with the gold braid. If I must spend the evening mirroring Nichole’s glory, I may as well wear the most reflective thing I’ve got.”

The Shrine Room featured stone tablets of intricate workmanship that prescribed the rite now being performed by Prince Hunac. There were chants, the drinking of ritual intoxicants, offerings of quetzal feathers, flowers, and fruit, and blood drawn via a silver needle in the shape of a stingray spine-the genuine article would have been used by Hunac’s ancestors, but fortunately the concept of hygiene had entered the life of humanity since then.

It was difficult to see Hunac, partly because of his short stature, partly because he was enveloped by a feathery ritual costume. Fortunately, media globes floated overhead at all the best angles, and the results were transmitted to screens set in the back of the room.

The crowd watched respectfully from the sidelines, facing either toward the ceremony itself or the handy video screens. Nichole stood in the very front of the crowd-it was her due as a member of the Three Hundred-and Maijstral stood at her side and paid as much attention to the crowd as to the ceremony itself.

He was beginning to develop a morbid interest in ritual bloodletting.

Alice Manderley hovered in the back of the room, watching neither the monitors -nor the ceremony itself. Perhaps, Maijstral thought, the sight of blood was unappetizing to her. He felt a certain sympathy for a kindred soul.

Or perhaps she was looking for her husband Kenny, who was not present. Doubtless he was advancing his career somewhere else in the palace.

Aunt Batty stood opposite Maijstral in the front row and

142 WALTER JON WILLIAMS

atched with an expression of polite attention. Maijstral uld only guess what a Khosali gentlewoman would make of is sort of ritual. Probably, he concluded, nothing very posire.

Standing next to her in his green suit, Paavo Kuusinen atched everything very carefully and, as was his wont, let no :tail escape his eye.

Midway back in the crowd, Maijstral could see Major ith Song, who still looked very like Elvis Presley. Next to ~r was a red-faced man in a uniform that Maijstral didn’t rec;nize. As he glanced over the crowd, Maijstral accidentally cked eyes with the man and received a glare of hatred and ;fiance, a stare of sufficient emotional violence to cause a till of alarm to travel through Maijstral’s nerves.

Maijstral looked away. He didn’t even know the man. ;rhaps, Maijstral thought, he had intercepted a glare meant ~r someone else.

Laurence and Deco, Maijstral observed, were purposelly making their way through the crowd toward him, or ther toward Nichole. Maijstral sighed. Introductions, at this age, were inevitable.

The intoxicants, whatever they were, had Hunac fairly opy by the end-he was swaying on his feet and there was a -oad, white, lopsided grin on his face. As the ceremony conuded the crowd tapped their feet in the pattern for reverence, Lough a few of the humans in the group banged their hands ,gether in applause, a startling sound that the Constellation radices Authority recommended as a more human custom tan the Khosali practice of foot-tapping. The uniformed man ith Major Song, Maijstral observed, was one of the more instent hand-bangers.

Nichole turned toward Maijstral. “That was most en;htening,” she said. “Did Hunac get up to all that at :hool?”

ROCK OF AGES 143

“Legend says he did. I never knew anyone who saw anying, though.”

“Maijstral,” said Laurence, who, now the crowd was dis:rsing, had finally reached his goal. “That was enthralling, )n’t you think? A link to our barbaric past.”

“Odd to think of the universe being maintained in such a anner,” Maijstral commented, and then turned toward Niiole to do his social duty. “Nichole, may I present-“

At this point a large fist filled Maijstral’s eye and he went )wn. He blinked up from the floor in amazement and saw le large red-faced man standing over him and glaring at him. [ajor Song tugged at the man’s uniform sleeve.

“You’re a dirty rat-lover!” the man proclaimed. “That )ology-hah! I’ve never seen anything so insincere.”

“Milo,” Major Song said, tugging, “don’t do this!”

Maijstral could think of nothing better to say than, Who are you?”

“What you said was an insult to everyone who died in ie Rebellion!” the man went on. “I challenge you, you ratwing thief!”

Major Song gave up her tugging. “He’s drunk,” she said )ologetically to the crowd at large, accompanying her comient with a hands-up boys-will-be-boys gesture.

“Who are you?” Maijstral asked again.

“Robert the Butcher was a disgrace to humanity, and so re you,” the man opined.

At this point the crowd, which had been agitated, sudenly fell silent. Prince Hunac had arrived, surrounded by his ssistants. Maijstral observed that the assistants were dressed i full-feathered regalia and carried wooden swords edged ,ith obsidian as well as large clubs consisting of a suggestively haped stone lashed into. the crotch of a stout stick.

The assistants were rather short, but their demeanor was f an intense, ominous, and unfriendly nature.

144 WALTER JON WILLIAMS

“Who profaneth the rites?” Hunac demanded, speak ing-oddly enough-with the full majesty of High Khosali.

Maijstral knew a cue when he heard one. He pointed a Milo.

“He profaneth them!” he said.

Prince Hunac snapped his fingers, and Milo, whoever 6 was, was promptly engulfed by Hunac’s feathered entourage Thumps, thuds, and yelps of pain accompanied his exit fron the Shrine Room. Major Song followed, waving her arms an( asking them, please, to stop. Which, it should be pointed out they did not.

Kuusinen and Aunt Batty broke through the crowd Maijstral looked at Prince Hunac.

“Who was he?” he asked.

Prince Hunac grinned broadly and giggled as the intoxi cants caught up with him. His pupils were wide as saucers Considering what he’d been drinking, it was a significant ac complishment to have managed High Khosali at the height o the crisis. He dropped into the simpler forms of Khosali Stan dard. “Never saw that man before,” he said. He offered ; hand. “Would you care to stand?”

“Thank you.”

Mai)stral accepted Hunac’s hand, but Hunac was un steadier than Maijstral, and there was a certain amount of tug. ging back and forth before Kuusinen intervened to help Maij stral rise. Nichole’s welcome arms steadied him as he founc his feet.

“Are you all right, sir?”

“A complete stranger!” Maijstral complained to thi world at large, and then, “I’m getting tired of being punched.’

“So is your attacker, I imagine,” Hunac said cheerfully “You’d best get some patches on that shiner.”

“Yes, I suppose.” Media globes were swooping in, and i was clearly time to leave.

i

ROCK OF AGES 145

“Let me go with you, Drake,” Nichole said. “Gladly.”

“I say. Maijstral,” Laurence began, submerged in th, crowd, “I believe you were about to introduce me-” Maijstral and Nichole were already gone.

“I wonder if you underestimated the strength of public feel ing,” said Mangula Arish, “in regard to your controversia statements yesterday.”

“What controversial statements?” Maijstral snarled.

Now that he was physically safe, Maijstral found himsel with the luxury to grow angry. How -dare these people? Wh( did they think they were?

He and Nichole were hastening down a palace corrido to his rooms. Only a reporter, it seemed, would have the new to interrupt them. She had to hop alongside in order to keel up with their rapid pace, a form of locomotion that made the bell-shaped skirt look as if it were being rung repeatedly.

“Your alleged apology for the acts of your grandfather There are those who have found it wavering and insincere even mocking.”

In truth, Mangula’s editor had done an outstanding jol with the unpromising material-it had been a slow news day otherwise he wouldn’t have bothered. He’d edited Maijstral’ words to maximize their potential, then sent the edited ver sions to the usual political hotheads, who were always eager a get their faces on video.

He had succeeded beyond his own cynical expectation. though he didn’t think the controversy was good for mot than a day’s play. If Maijstral actually ended up in a duel an got killed, however, he could count on running the story for, least two or three days.

By then there might be some real news to broadcast. “There are those who claim that you should be forced t

146 WALTER JON WILLIAMS

ologize again for the nature of your remarks,” Mangula ant on.

“Apologize for my apology?” Maijstral said.

Everyone, he realized, simply everyone, was trying to 1 him. He was going to get a few necessities from his room, decided, and move into Nichole’s suite and never come out. would be surrounded by Diadem security until he left the tnet. And then he’d recruit his own .guards, a solid wall of iscle to stand between him and an inexplicably hostile unirse….

“Perhaps in view of the fact that you’ve been set upon by outraged citizen,” Mangula led on, “you might consider an ology of greater depth and sincerity.”

“He was set on by one drunken man,” Nichole pointed t. “That’s hardly a lynch mob.”

Maijstral turned the corner just before his room, intent ly on escape from this inquisitorial nightmare, and then w, silhouetted against the distinctive, intricate design of the llway’s Bludarsian Seawood panelling, a peculiar shift of ht, of color, of pattern. A perfectly familiar shift, though ually he only saw.it when he was stealing something and fight a glimpse of himself in a mirror, cloaked by his darkit….

Triumph sang in his nerves. Got you! he thought.

Anger and exultation mingled in Maijstral’s nerves, a rfectly dangerous combination. The spitfire slid from his npit into his hand with practiced ease. He flung himself one on the carpet, and-as Nichole and Mangula yelped in .rm-Maijstral opened fire.

Got you got you got you!

Stylish energies flamed off invisible shields and scorched walls. Alarms clanged. Bright purple fire-retardant foam ured from the ceiling fixtures. Whoever was in the darksuit d as Maijstral poured fire after.

“What … ” Mangula got out, and then there was the

ROCK OF AGES 14;

hum of a stunner-the burglar returning fire-and Ma flopped to the carpet, suddenly unstrung. Her sculc hairstyle was melting rapidly. Her silver media globes ded to the ground like overripe metallic fruit. The mystei ure disappeared around the L-intersection at the end i corridor.

Mangula spoke with great effort and severity as Ma rose to his feet.

“Gleep,” she said.

“Call security!” Maijstral told Nichole-perfectly 1 less after all this, but it would give her something to d keep her out of the line of fire-and then he sprinted aft intruder, for all the world like the character that Lau played in the vids.

His feet, slicked by the foam that was pouring fro: ceiling fixtures, promptly slid out from under him ai crashed face-first onto the purple billows.

Laurence’s character never had these problems. . cially not when he was wearing a white suit.

“Fnerg,” Mangula said with satisfaction.

Maijstral rose and slid, slipped, and skated down the way. Presumably whoever was in the darksuit could fl3 would have got a good lead on him by now.

“Snerk,” Mangula commented.

As he approached the L-intersection he won whether to charge ahead or slow down and proceed cauti in case the stranger was waiting there with a weapoi opted for the better part of valor, but then to his alarm f that the slick foam under his feet wasn’t about to let hii on the brakes. His momentum carried him inexorably ou the intersection, and so he raised the spitfire and squeez4 a few more shots-suppressive fire, he hoped desperat and then he slammed into the wall hard enough to mal teeth rattle.

“Yibblel” Mangula shouted triumphantly.

148 WALTER JON WILLIAMS

The intruder had long since fled. Maijstral’s shots had only caused more foam to rain down.. He charged down the corridor, banged through a series of doors that looked suspiciously ajar, and then found himself in the submarine pen, a cavernous dome built on a plateau of white sand, with a tunnel leading downward and opening onto Palancar Wall.

There was a small private submarine diving into the tunnel amid a gush of bubbles.

Maijstral fired, causing a cascade of steam but no visible effect on the submarine other than to vaporize one of its running lights. The villain was getting away! Desperately he looked about for a submarine he could call his own.

“Submarine!” he shouted. “Open!”

Three unlocked canopies obligingly popped open, all small subs that Prince Hunac kept for the convenience of hip guests. Maijstral hopped into the nearest, a colorful green two-seater with a transparent canopy.

“Power up!” he said. “Close hatches!”

“Very good, sir,” said the submarine. The instrument panel flickered to life. The controls seemed similar to an aeria flier-not surprising, considering that a submarine was just ar aircraft adapted to another medium.

“Follow the submarine that just left,” Maijstral said “Top speed.”

“Flank speed is not possible in the docking area.” Maijstral clenched his teeth Hard-wired’ safety mech.

anisms, in his experience, always led to frustration. “As fast as possible, then.”

“Very good, sir.” The submarine cast off and thrashes toward the tunnel entrance. Air bubbled out of ballast tanks a it began to submerge.

“Do you carry any weapons aboard?” Maijstral askec hopefully.

Artificial intelligences are incapable of surprise.

ROCK OF AGES 149

“No, sir,” it said.

So much for the cheerful fantasy of a volley of torpedo.,

to precede the submarine out of the tunnel.

The surface closed over Maijstral’s head. The submarinc

angled down toward the brightly lit tunnel. “Hurry,” Maijstral urged.

“I am proceeding with all-possible speed in view of necessary safety precautions.”

Maijstral could only hope that the intruder’s submarin< was as obstinately safety-minded as his own.

The submarine entered the tunnel. The engine noise magnified by the close quarters, throbbed in Maijstral’s head He wiped purple foam from his white dinner jacket.

“Is there any possibility of establishing communication with the palace?” he asked.

“I could surface to extend a radio aerial,” the submarinc offered.

“Never mind. Is there any way I could keep the palao informed of my location?”

“I could use active sonar.”

“Please do so.”

“It would be unsafe to use sonar in the tunnel. I wil commence pinging as soon as we reach open water.” “Where is the other sub?”

“I have no readings on my sensors.”

The submarine floated effortlessly from the tunnel anc into the astonishing blue of the open water. A horrid groanin noise ensued, causing metallic objects in the submarine to rat tle alarmingly. Maijstral’s nerves leaped.

“What was that?”

“A sonar ping, sir. Shall I discontinue active sonar?” “No. Follow the other sub and keep on pinging.” “Very good, sir.”

Another groaning noise rumbled through the sub’

150 WALTER JON WILLIAMS

me. Why, Maijstral wondered, was it called a ping when it ended more like a cetacean in the depths of some unmennable gastric agony?

Running lights appeared ahead. “I see a submarine!” iijstral said. It was getting closer.

“That is the craft you have asked me to follow. It has sufed damage to one of its running lights, violating safety regLtions, and its autopilot is returning it to the docking bay.”

Delight filled Maijstral. He had never felt like cheering a rd-wired safety mechanism before.

“Follow the sub into the dock, please,” he said cheerly.

“Very good, sir.”

The two submarines passed each other, Maijstral’s sub )aning in welcome, and Maijstral peered from his cockpit a glimpse of the intruder. He was disappointed: the stranwas was still wearing a darksuit, and all Maijstral could see in other cockpit was a camouflage hologram the color of the ie ocean, marred here and there by clumps of purple fire re

ant.

The submarine itself was the same two-seater sport ~del as Maijstral’s, bright blue. Apparently the intruder dn’t planned to make an escape by submarine and had been -ced to grab the first sub available.

Then the intruder’s submarine gave a lurch, banked in an rupt change of course, and sped off in a northward.direc,n, increasing. its speed.

“What happened?” Maijstral demanded. “I thought the -ier sub was returning to dock.”

“Someone must have overridden the submarine’s safety :chanisms. I will report this violation as soon as we reach. r destination.”

“Follow that sub!”

“Very good.”

ROCK OF AGES 1 f 1

The stranger presumably had a full complement of bur glar tools and the ability to override the programming of arti ficial intelligences. All Maijstral had were his pistol and couple of knives he hadn’t as yet removed from their sheaths Still, if he could keep the enemy in sight, marking his locatior with active sonar, he :should be able to attract rescuers whc would help him overcome the intruder.

Maijstral’s submarine appeared to be gaining on the in truder. Perhaps the intruder was not as good a pilot as Maij stral’s autopilot. Maijstral’s heart cheered.

Then -the intruder sub peeled away from the reef, divin! and circling simultaneously. “Follow!” Maijstral commanded Diving planes made adjustments and the submarine heele< over like a falcon stooping, in slow motion, on its prey.

The submarines spiralled down into the deep, one afte the other. Blackness surrounded them. Maijstral had to crane his neck left or right to keep his target in sight.

He peered out to starboard and saw the other sub slit under them, still heading for the bottom, and then leaned ou to port and, after a few seconds, saw the intruder reappear. Bu its orientation seemed different somehow, and Maijstral’ brow furrowed as he tried to work out what had changed.

“It’s coming up!” he said.

Maijstral’s own submarine lurched as diving plane moved to a new attitude. “The other submarine is not follow ing safe proximity procedures,” the sub said. “I will report i at the first opportunity.”

Maijstral’s heart gave a lurch. “What do you mean b;

safe proximity-” he began, desiring clarification.

“We are in danger of collision,” the submarine an nounced.

The other submarine’s silhouette narrowed as it, pre sented its bow toward Maijstral. “It’s trying to ram us?” Maij stral yelped.

152 WALTER JON WILLIAMS

“Yes, sir,” the sub remarked conversationally. “I am mencing evasive-” Its tone changed radically as a clangdarm began to sound. “Collision alert!” it shouted. “Prefor impact!”

“Prepare how?” Maijstral demanded, his heart flailing as aw the other submarine’s bow growing larger. “What am I )osed to-“

Bright yellow foam exploded suddenly into the cabin i a dozen inlets, covering everything and hardening alt instantly. Maijstral was frozen in mid-complaint, mouth -open. Frantically, he tried to gulp air. There was a hidcrash and jarring that ran up Maijstral’s spine, and he felt ;ubmarine roll alarmingly.

Maijstral tried to move, but he couldn’t. The foam had en him in place. He couldn’t see anything, but his sense of nce suggested that he and his submarine were inverted and ling for the bottom.

“Collision foam has been deployed,” the submarine said, e muffled by foam. “It should be possible to breathe ugh it with effort, but it will dissolve in a few seconds.” “Hwa hoing hon?” Maijstral demanded, mouth frozen foam. The submarine nevertheless seemed to understand Lemand.

“We have suffered damage to the diving planes,” the subne said. “We are compelled to continue at a downward until we reach the bottom.”

Terror clawed at Maijstral’s heart. “He’re hinking?” “Hull integrity is at one hundred percent,” the computer rted. “We will wait at the bottom until rescue can reach ‘lease try to remain calm.

“Halm?” Maijstral demanded. They’d been rammed by enemy and were sinking, and Maijstral had been frozen a block of quick-hardening foam, and he was supposed to in calm?

Rocx·oF AGES

‘53

z?” he demanded again.

)am was beginning to loosen its grip. Maijstral -ee one arm, then tore away bits of foam until he ve the pieces around his mouth.

about the other sub?”

also sustained damage. It has undergone an emering of its ballast tanks, and has made an unconnt to the surface.” The computer adopted a bitter ilot will be severely disciplined when word of this authorities.”

ral could only hope so.

mself, he suspected that the first person he was would be Colonel-General Vandergilt.

1

he first person Maijstral saw, as his submarine was back into dock, was in fact Colonel-General Vandersecond was Prince Hunac, still in his feathered cosd the third was Mangula Arish, who seemed pale and but whose media globes gleamed bright and fero

hole was not to be seen. Probably Diadem security nder lock and key.

sub nudged up to the dock, and the canopy hissed ijstral stepped onto the dock, and Prince Hunac ran It him on the chest. The clenched hand bounced off raking much of an impression.

?” Maijstral said, puzzled.

ac thumped him again. He kept bounding up and the balls of his feet, and his bright pupils looked bigits fists. “You abused my hospitality, you thief!” he

“I challenge you!” He had lost his grip on High and spoke in Human Standard.

ROCK OF AGES 155

Maijstral realized that Hunac was only hitting him in the L because he couldn’t reach his face. “Thief?” Maijstral He turned vaguely and pointed at the submarine. “But got your sub back,” he pointed out.

Hunac kept bouncing up and down. Somewhere in his I Maijstral registered the fact that he had never before seen one who was literally hopping mad.

“I’ll cut you to pieces!” Hunac said, and punched Maij‘s chest again.

Everyone, Maijstral was reminded, was trying to kill Or marry him. Or maybe both. There didn’t need to be a )n, it was just this thing everyone had agreed to do at secret meeting to which Maijstral had not been invited. “You’ll have to stand in line,” Maijstral said. He picked e Hunac up bodily and moved him out of the way, and began his weary trek to Nichole’s quarters. It was safer than anywhere else he could think of.

sole’s household, of which Maijstral’s soon became a subnoved within the hour to an exclusive resort hotel outside ana. Diadem security, appalled at their precious human rnodity becoming involved in a firefight in a presumably re place like the Underwater Palace, had called in the re;s, and soon squads of large, grim humans and even larger, mer Khosali were patrolling the corridors, the roof, and public areas doing the things that security people normally -talking into their sleeves, patting the hidden pockets that ealed their weaponry, and scrutinizing hapless tourists were left to conclude, from their somber and ominous arance, that there was some kind of international crime ‘ention in town.

Maijstral, once he’d showered off the foam and changed a dressing gown, merely lay on the bed in the darkness of oom and stared at the ceiling. He’d slammed down three

156 WALTER JON WILLIAMS

idies, but never felt less drunk in his life. Adrenaline had ied off the alcohol the second it reached his system.

He was, he realized, doomed. Three challenges in three >, and all for things he hadn’t done, and there was no hly reason why the challenges should stop now. The stranger, of course, had got clean away. Summoned a :ing flier once the submarine surfaced, and was last tracked the mainland, flying low to avoid detection. Maijstral had, eventually, found out why Prince Hunac mad at him. One of Prince Hunac’s priceless prehistoric °s had been found under Maijstral’s bed. The intruder had Lted it there, clearly, just before Maijstral arrived and in shooting. Maijstral had encountered the perpetrator :ing an exit, not as he’d assumed during the breakin itself. Prince Hunac, whose reasoning faculties had not been at r best following his consumption of whatever was in his 11 beverage, had assumed that Maijstral and the stranger e partners, that something had gone wrong with their plan, that.Maijstral and the stranger had been attempting their ways when their submarines collided.

There were any number of problems with Prince Hus theory, but he wasn’t in any condition to make a more cal construction, and Colonel-General Vandergilt, happy I seeing Maijstral again in trouble with one of his hosts, not been inclined to change the Prince’s mind. Three challenges, Maijstral thought despairingly, in three

s.

He was the Hereditary Prince-Bishop of Nana! he prod. How dare these people challenge a man of the cloth! He tried vainly to visualize a strategy that could get him of at least some of thefights. But every thought was interred by the chilling image of Joseph Bob raising the bladed of a dire staff for the coup de grace.

The dire staff. He was going to have to do something at that.

ROCK OF AGES 157

3e sprang from the bed, ready to don his darksuit and or his burglar equipment, but at that moment the phone d. He went to the service plate and touched the ideofor “phone,” then another for “image.”

‘Hello, Drake.” The Duchess looked at him with level eyes. “I hope I’m not interrupting your rest.” I wasn’t sleeping.”

he didn’t seem surprised. “I had a hard time finding you were. And then I encountered some functionary idn’t want to forward the call.”

I’m hiding out. Nichole has much better security than I 1-well-it seemed the best thing to make use of it.” He d toward the bed and sat on it so as to make it clear berta that if he was not-sleeping tonight, he was notig alone.

t wasn’t that he was immune to the thought of Nichole’s rt, but he had never felt less erotic than he did right ‘lus, he needed to be alone in order to skulk. I’m sorry if I neglected to communicate with you,” he My life has been… overwhelming … of late.” So Kuusinen told me. It’s obvious that you are the vica conspiracy.”

le forced a haunted smile. “I would like to think so. If .re all random occurrences, then the universe is far more than I’d ever suspected.”

.oberta showed no sign of amusement. “Kuusinen said )u suspected_ the Bubber.”

Yes.”

he gave a little shake of her head. “I don’t think your holds water. He can’t be responsible for what hapat the Underwater Palace.”

le can if I say he is, Maijstral thought, but there was too ,ense in what Roberta had just said.

.oberta’s look softened. “Besides,” she said, “he’s been ig constantly to prevent the duel. I’ve seen him try, but

158 WALTER JON—WILLIAMS

Kph Bob won’t see reason. Will’s terrified that his brother be hurt.”

“A good sociopath would be able to imitate those emo~s quite well,” Maijstral pointed out.

The Duchess looked doubtful. “If you say so,“she said. “I’m open to any other theories,” Maijstral said.

She bit her lip. “I don’t have one. And we’ve only got a hours.”

“Yes.”

Doomed, Maijstral thought. The word, rolling about in brain, had a certain orotund majesty, likeea tolling bell. Doomed, doomed, doomed.

Roberta cleared her throat. Her eyes were shiny and she blinking hard. She tried to make her tone businesslike. re arranged for a medical team to be present. There will be iia globes recording the event to show that it will be fair. asinen said that you accepted his offer to practice with the fs, but that there wasn’t an opportunity.”

Roberta’s tearswere beginning to have their effect upon ijstral. His own eyes stung. He wanted to sit in the dark have a good long cry.

“I’ll pick you up half an hour before sunrise,” Roberta l.

“I will look forward to seeing you,” he said. For the last time, his inner voice added.

They both rang off before the call got too soppy. Maij1 dried his eyes and got his darksuit from the closet. He put n and felt better at once.

He’d fixed one duel, he thought, and by the Active Virs he’d fix a hundred if he had to.

Bubber frowned into the phone pickups that were transting his image to Joseph Bob. “I think Maijstral has a good e,” he said.

ROCK OF AGES 159

“For stealing from me?” Joseph Bob asked. The Prince in the act of practicing with his weapon. Light glinted off wicked blades of the dire staff as he advanced, whirling the f before him.

“Maijstral’s got two more challenges in the last two s.

Joseph Bob halted, frowned, grounded his weapon. iey’re not going to fight him first, are they?” “No. Of course not.”

“So what’s the problem?”

“It bolsters Maijstral’s case that there’s some murderous ispiracy involved.”

Joseph Bob hoisted his weapon again. “Well, I’m not a aspirator,” he said.

“Of course, not. But if it were to turn out that you were dupe of a conspirator, it wouldn’t look good for us.”

Joseph Bob thought about this for a moment, twirling staff idly.

“I’m just looking out fcy our interests, J.B.,” the Bubber led.

Joseph Bob nodded. “You’ve a point there,” he conled. “But it also doesn’t look good if I let people steal from .” He gave another brisk nod as he came to a decision. “Tell a what if it turns out there’s a conspiracy involved, I’ll illenge the conspirators, too, for daring to use me in their ns.” He gave a boyish grin. “That’ll take care of it.”

Still grinning, he lunged with the weapon, meanwhile ing out the paralyzing Yell of Hate recommended by the >t combat instructors.

The Bubber sighed. “Well,” he said. “If you’re sure.” “Of course I’m sure,” Joseph Bob said, falling briefly on

ird, and then he attacked again. “Yaaaaaah!” he shouted. The Bubber terminated the call and walked into the other

)m where Her Grace of Benn waited. In order to have neu-

76o WALTER JON WILLIAMS

al territory in which to conduct negotiations, they had nted a room in Key West, and the place suffered from an rerindulgence in the rustic and picturesque: woven palm and lampshades,. fishnets drooping from the ceiling, an ashay made to resemble a starfish. .

“Didn’t work, I’m afraid,” the Bubber said.

Roberta made a face. “It was worth a try.”

“It was a good argument. I would have been convinced. ut J.B. is having too good a time to really pay attention to nibbles.” He sat next to Roberta and patted pockets for his .garet case. “He’s enjoying this belated discovery of martial -dor far too much,” he said glumly. “It’s being. brought up in house full of weapons, I suppose, and early exposure to all ie stories about our ancestors’ prowess … the warrior spirit ras bound to break out sooner or later. I’m just sorry it’s rrecking your engagement.”

“If it is an engagement,” Roberta said, equally morose. ‘he Bubber produced his cigaret case and then looked at it for moment as if he couldn’t remember why he’d been searching :)r it.

“Could I have one of those?” Roberta asked. “It’s bad 3r training, but occasionally one has cravings.”

He handed her a cigaret and began a search through ockets for his lighter, but Roberta found hers first. They uffed in somber silence for a moment.

“He’s run off to Nichole,” she remarked. “I suppose ‘here’s nothing in it she’s an old friend and everything-but ‘d much rather he’d run off to me.”

The Bubber did his best to be helpful. “Well, he couldn’t, ould he? I’ve been taking up all your time.”

Roberta rose from her cane chair. “There’s nothing left arrange, is there?” she said, and walked toward the door. “.I tight as well try to get a few hours’ sleep.”

“You think you can sleep?” the Bubber asked in sur-

ROCK OP AGES r6r

prise. “I know I won’t catch so much as a wink.”

She hesitated by the door. “Well,” she said. “I supp you’re right.”

“There’s an all-night bistro down the street,” the Bub said. “Perhaps we could have some coffee and a pastry.”

“Oh.” Roberta tilted her head and considered. “I s pose I might as well join you,” she said. “The coffee will welcome,-but I don’t think I could eat anything.”

The Bubber flicked ashes into the starfish ashtray rose, then hesitated on his way to the door. “I say,” he s “Would you mind if I asked you a question?”

“Go ahead.”

“I haven’t-er-bungled this horribly, have I? I hav, got my brother -killed without realizing it?”

Roberta smiled and patted his arm. “You’ve done s well,” she said.

“Oh.” A surprised look crossed the Bubber’s f “Well. That’s all right, then.”

Maijstral left the hotel after telling the security people needed some time alone, and flew off with the impression t were happy to see the back of him. Once in Tejas, he scoff the perimeter of Joseph Bob’s estate, then left the car, tivated his darksuit, and flew on silent repellers to the Prin huge manor house.

His plan was simple. He’d sabotage the stunner on one end of Joseph Bob’s dire staff so that it wouldn’t wor all, and then take care of the bladed end through the use resonance ring, a clever bit of burglar’s paraphernalia inter for use on barred windows. The ring would snap around bar in question, then find the frequency of the metal. A r nance effect would be set up that would shatter the crystal bonds holding together the metal’s molecules. The rr would weaken, then come apart.

162 , WALTER JON WILLIAMS

Maijstral planned merely to weaken Joseph Bob’s staff ,ar its bladed head. Then, first thing in the fight, he’d take a wipe at the blades, and the thing would come off.

Everyone, he hopefully presumed, would believe that the d weapon suffered from metal fatigue, or perhaps just conude thatMaijstral was a far stronger warrior than he looked.

After disabling Joseph Bob’s weapon, Maijstral would °ep hitting away until he’d either won or the seconds put an id to it. Either way, honor wass satisfied, and he would deine any challenge to a second encounter.

Maijstral broke into Joseph Bob’s house easily enough, yen headed for the exercise room, where Joseph Bob might the been practicing with his weapon. No dire staffs were to found. He went to the study, in case the dire staff was hung n the wall with Joseph Bob’s other weapons, but it wasn’t sere, either.

Good grief, Maijstral thought, is he sleeping with the imned thing?

He floated up to the regal apartments and glided to the oor of the Prince’s room. He deployed his scanners, but the zdio scanner failed to report the sound ‘of breathing, and to infrared scanner detected no body temperature.

Maijstral peeled the lock and entered. No one sleeping ere: the bed had not even been turned down. No dire staff.

An uneasy feeling began to creep up Maijstral’s spine. lo, Maijstral thought, the Prince was just spending his last ight with his Princess. Where was Arlette’s room?

Arlette’s room proved empty as well. Maijstral felt his Louth go dry. He flew along the corridor, peeling locks and ntering rooms. The whole family had left, and Maijstral idn’t know where.

Terror beat a tattoo in his heart. He wiped his forehead rid tried frantically to guess where the family might have one. Somewhere closer to the site of the duel, perhaps, Key

ROCK OF AGES 76j

(lest or Miami or even Havana. They might be in the same esort as Maijstral and Nichole!

The point was, he didn’t know. He had no knowledge of vhat holdings the Prince or the Bubber might have in the ;aribbean, and he had no idea, on such short notice, how to ind out.

What, he considered, would happen if he just got back in its flier and zoomed off to continue his life as if nothing had iappened? Live off his loot, or perhaps check into a New Pu

tan monastery and announce that he’d found God.

He would be disgraced, of course. Most if not all of his :riends would drop him. There would be no question of mar.-iage to the likes of Roberta or Nichole-they’d flee in disgust it the very mention of his name. He would no longer be able to float about at the top of society, picking his scores and earning a good living from commissions. The Imperial Sporting Commission might well revoke his license, which would mean that he could be arrested much more easily. If he ever needed money, he’d have to sneak about, travel incognito, and take down vaults and storehouses just for the money, and he’d be very, very vulnerable to the police.

And all because he didn’t want to get killed. How fail was that? he wanted to know.

But the thing that really chilled his blood was the realiza. Lion that Roman might leave his employ. Roman had Stan; lards. Roman was devoted to all the ideals implied by that scroll he’d created: family and honor and nobility. Maijstra didn’t believe in any of these things, but Roman did, and i. Maijstral betrayed them all in one fell swoop, then Roman, h, was sure, would be compelled to leave him.

How could he survive without Roman? Roman was hi prop, his anchor, the one certain, unequivocal thing in his dif ficult and equivocal life. Roman was home.

Roman had saved Maijstral’s life a dozen times. I

764 WALTER JON WILLIAMS

)man left, Maijstral might as well be dead anyhow.

And if he was going to die, the duel was as good a place as Y.

But still, there had to be an escape. He gave desperate Dught to the matter.

Well, he thought, he was here in Joseph Bob’s house; he d sufficient gadgets to get him access to Joseph Bob’s com.ters; and they could very likely get him a list of the family ldings. It might be possible to find that dire staff yet.

He might as well get busy. He had nothing else to do an die.

,oberta?”

“Yes?”

“It’s time to get in our aerocars and pick up our duel,,,

“How far do you have to go?”

“Only as far as Key Largo. My brother’s staying at the tate of Lord_ Pony. J.B. wanted to be able to practice with the Iff and not have to deal with any interruptions. He hasn’t Id anyone he’s there except family.”

“Well, I don’t have much farther to fly myself.” “Havana, yes?”

“Yes.” .

“A lovely place. You might stop there on your honeyoon, if things work out.”

Beat.

“Was that a really tactless thing to say?”

A sigh. “I don’t think so. But I’ll give it further thought, you like.”

oomed, doomed, doomed.

The word rang through Maijstral’s head as he stood rapped in a cloak on the verge of the sea.

Doomed, doomed, doomed.

ROCK OF AGES 765

He had found a list of all of Joseph Bob’s possessions in ‘ae Caribbean. He had flown to every single one of them, his esperation increasing with the cumulative realization that either Joseph Bob nor his dire staff was in any one of them.

Doomed, doomed, doomed.

Finally he’d run out of options. He had nothing to do ut return to Havana, pick up his staff, head out to the Dry ortugas, and die like a gentleman.

Doomed, doomed, doomed.

He shifted his weight on the sand and gazed out to the ark, predawn sea, hoping that someone would sail over the orizon to his rescue-smugglers, pirates, Colonel-General ‘andergilt, anyone.

Doomed, doomed, doomed.

After his return to Havana he’d figured he might as well ive fighting a chance, and he’d had Roman give him a lesson rith the dire staff. It had been a disaster. The staff was solid .eel and immeasurably heavy-every movement seemed to ike forever and left him panting for breath. The wicked nest f interlaced blades on the end of the staff were appallingly harp. He’d fired off the stunner once by accident and put his wn foot to sleep.

He could not rely on martial prowess. And his only hance to rig the outcome had failed.

Doomed, doomed, doomed.

“Drake? It’s time.”

Roberta touched him lightly on the shoulder. “I need to do your hair.”

He gazed at the sea while Roberta tied his hair back with ribbon. Then he turned and followed her to the designated aot. He took off the cloak, and Roman approached and anded him his staff.

“Remember,” Roman said. “Get inside him. Hit left and .ght.”

Maijstral didn’t understand a word of it. It all sounded

166 WALTER JON WILLIAMS

the most inane babble in the world. “Y s ” he said. lank you.”

“Don’t forget the Yell of Hate.”

Maijstral nodded.

Roberta squeezed his arm. He felt the moist touch of her on his cheek. “Come back to me,” she said. Doomed, doomed, doomed.

Joseph Bob marched toward him confidently, the rising i gleaming on his perfect blond hair. He looked utterly at ne in this circumstance, and he carried his dire staff with ifident ease. His lips were turned up in a slight smile. He ked as if he were on his way to a game of cards.

The only imperfection was the slight swelling around the )ken nose-he’d removed his semilife patches so that they uldn’t interfere with his vision during the fight.

Doomed, doomed, doomed.

It was at this point, viewing his opponent, that resentnt rose in Maijstral. How dare the man smile! How dare he & so perfectly at ease, so sans pear-et-sans-reproche, so nned happy to be here! The man was a fool. A dupe. He was ng used as a puppet by a legion of conspirators, and he neir knew nor cared.

“Ready!” The Bubber’s voice broke and squeaked on the and syllable.

Combats with the dire staff begin corps-a-corps, with :h staff held crosswise in both hands and touching, so that ther side could get off an easy shot with the stunner right at start. Maijstral braced himself and pushed his weapon forrd, felt Joseph Bob’s weight as the two staffs came into cont.

Joseph Bob gave a little grunt of satisfaction as he leaned mass into Maijstral. He was bigger and stronger and had iger arms, and the advantage was all his. Maijstral felt Jo= & Bob’s weight driving him into the ground like a tent peg,

ROCK OF AGES 167

and dug his heels into the sand to arrest his backward movement. His arms were already tired.

“Begin on the count of three!” the Bubber shouted. “One… “

In the corner of his eye Maijstral could see media globes winking in the sun. This whole fiasco was being recorded in order to demonstrate to the authorities that it was fair.

Fair. The whole notion made Maijstral’s blood boil. What was fair about a big, strong idiot being permitted to butcher a smaller, far more intelligent man?

“Two!”

Joseph Bob was a moron! A simpleton! How dare he be so casual about this?

“Three!”

Maijstral’s resentment and indignation burst from his throat in a shattering scream.

“Yaaaaaaaah!” he yelled.

e

l laijstral opened his eyes and blinked lazily at the ceiling. He yawned. He stretched. He rose from his bed and alanted his bare feet on the floor and clenched his toes in the :hick nap of the carpet.

He looked down at his knuckles. They were reddened ind swollen and a bit sore. He flexed them in time with the -lenching of his toes.

Voices were heard from the. drawing room adjacent. Vlaijstral padded to the door, opened it, and entered the room.

Roberta, Nichole, and Kuusinen were watching a video ind chatting. Glasses, bottles, and dirty dishes were strewn on sables. It was perhaps the twentieth time they’d seen the video, ind they hadn’t tired of it yet.

“Do you know,” Roberta said, “I believe this is the first ime I’ve ever seen one human being climb another.”

In the video, Maijstral and Joseph Bob were facing each )ther, each with dire staff braced. The Bubber called out comnands. And then, before Joseph Bob could move, Maijstral

screamed, batted the Prince’s dire staff out of the way, then hrew down his own weapon and launched himself at his foe.

“Clever,” Kuusinen commented. “Butting His Highness >n his broken nose that way.”

Maijstral couldn’t remember any of it. He could view the video almost as if he were watching Laurence play some Maij7tral-analogue in a fictional adventure. He was fairly certain :hat his head butt to Joseph Bob’s nose was an accident, but he .ouldn’t swear to it.

On the video, the Prince lurched as Maijstral climbed his :ront like a squirrel climbing a tree. Maijstral bit, punched, Jutted, and-gouged. He screamed aloud the entire time. The Prince staggered, dropped his staff, and fell backward to the ;and with Maijstral on top. Maijstral, still screaming, sat on his :hest and hammered his head into the sand with his fists until [.oberta and the Bubber dashed in to seize him and drag him )ff his prey.

“That’s quite a Yell of Hate,” Roberta observed.

“Drake looks like an animal;” Nichole said, a bit wideeyed. Despite their long acquaintance, this was clearly an aspect of Maijstral that was new to her.

“Is it feeding time at the zoo?” Maijstral asked. They all turned to him in surprise. Nichole flushed with embarassment at being overheard.

Silent entrances were a signal feature of Maijstral’s profession.

“Slept well?” Roberta asked.

“I think I can safely say it was the sleep of the just.”

He sat beside Roberta on a settee and she took his hand. “We’ve been discussing you,” she said. “And we’ve come to some conclusions.”

“Other than the observation that I’m. an animal?” “That, too.”

Maijstral flexed a hand and wondered a bit at the video

°‘d just seen. His astonishment at himself was still in a very nder state. He had some years before concluded that he no nger possessed the ability to surprise himself, and over time !‘d managed to reconcile himself to the idea that he was inca~ble of facing physical danger;, but the video was clear evi,nce that his notions of himself needed an overhaul.

If only he could remember. He couldn’t recall a thing :)m the moment the Bubber counted three till Roberta and e Bubber hauled him off the Prince’s splayed and hapless rm.

Nichole turned to Kuusinen. “Mr. Kuusinen, I think, n outline the substance of our conversation.”

“Could you call for dinner first?” Maijstral asked. “I’m irving.”

He hadn’t, he realized, eaten in days. His meals kept getig interrupted.

Maijstral’s dinner was ordered from room service, then poured himself champagne from a half-empty bottle that is sitting convenient to hand in a silver bucket. Kuusinen )wned, settled himself in his chair, and began his summary.

“It’s obvious enough that you are the victim of a coniracy,” he said. “Our difficulty is that, while we can elimite any number of suspects, we still have no firm idea who is hind it all, or what that person’s motive might be.

“The conspiracy would seem to be aimed at getting you allenged by those people who have consented to be your Sts while you’ve been staying on Earth. The first attempt, at e home of the Prince of Tejas, was successful-“

A memory bubbled, like champagne, to the surface of aijstral’s mind. “It wasn’t the first,” he said suddenly. (Then I was staying with Lord Huyghe, Conchita Sparrow v someone in a darksuit hovering outside my window. The :ruder fled, and I’ve assumed all along it was a police spy of me sort, but now it seems likely the stranger was a member the conspiracy.”

ROCK OP AGES 171

Kuusinen nodded. “That datum somewhat alters the me scheme,” he said. “Your enemies are very well organized. erhaps we should begin by itemizing their knowledge and ipabilities.”

He held up a finger. “First, they’re aware of your travel ,hedule, and have laid plans in advance.” Another finger. Second, they include in their number a burglar of considerale prowess-Roman informed us that he had booby-trapped our room in the Underwater Palace such that it would have iken a burglar of no small competence to break in unetected, and of course it would have taken an extremely capale burglar to have stolen Prince Hunac’s stele in the first lace.”

“That leaves out the Bubber,” Roberta said. “Will prob)ly could have stolen and planted the pistol, but he wasn’t zywhere near the Underwater Palace, and nothing in his ackground suggests he could at any point in his life have acaired any competence as a thief.”

Maijstral frowned into his champagne. “I have. given )me consideration to the notion that Drexler might be re)onsible,” he said.

“Roman informs us,” Kuusinen said, “that he and ~rexler were dining together in the servants’ hall of the Un°rwater Palace when you came across the burglar.”

“Oh.”

At this point the door chime gave a soft, shimmery noise; id three individuals, uniformed as splendidly as fleet admiIs and operating in efficient silence, delivered Maijstral’s nner and swept away the dirty plates. The conversation susmnded itself while they were in the room. It was always possie that one of them had been corrupted by the media.

As the grand potentates of room service bowed their way It, Maijstral applied himself to his plate. Sea lion Provencal, ie of his favorites, mixed vegetables in season, and little ;ads of khronkh, fried crispy.

Kuusinen frowned and looked at his hand, with the first ro fingers extended, and quite visibly rewound his summary, entally replayed his earlier, _ remarks, and then, once he Gated himself, recommenced. He thrust out his third finger.

“Three,” he said. “The conspirators seem possessed of undying, obsessive, seemingly irrational hatred toward you ~urself, Mr. Maijstral. Who do you know that hates you so uch?”

Bewilderment settled about Maijstral.,“I can’t think of yone I’ve offended that badly,” he said. “Fine, I’ve stolen ings from people, but still…”

“I still wonder,” Nichole added, “if perhaps the two . irglaries are unrelated. Perhaps. the first was planned for me perfectly rational reason-by the Bubber, say, as a zeme to get his brother’s property-and the second was finned by someone who had heard about your problem with seph Bob and wanted to exploit the situation somehow.”

“Who?” Kuusinen asked.

“Alice Manderley, perhaps?” Nichole ventured. “She is a st-class burglar and is, I presume, capable of breaking into -ake’s room….”

“But why would she do it?” Roberta interrupted. “What uld her scheme have been?”

“Who knows? Drake interrupted it. Perhaps she wanted steal a whole lot of steles, and planted one under Drake’s d so he’d be the one to bear the blame.”

Kuusinen looked at Nichole levelly. “You pointed out, I Lieve, that she was in attendance at Prince Hunac’s cere>ny, and therefore unable to break into Mr. Maijstral’s )m.”

Nichole’s face fell. “Oh. I did say that, didn’t I? I for

Maijstral cast his mind back to the ceremony. “I luldn’t write her off entirely,” he said. “I saw her at the cer-

ROCK OF AGES 173

zony,.but she was wandering in the back of the room, away. D,m everyone. And her husband was not with her.”

“You believe her husband capable of taking the stele?” uusinen asked.

“I don’t believe Kenny is capable of tying a bootlace ithout her help,” Maijstral said. “But Alice might still have anted the stele while Kenny wandered about the ceremony caring a hologram of Alice. It’s misdirection, a basic element magic. The fact that Alice wasn’t a part of the crowd, and asn’t talking to anyone, might serve as evidence.”

“It’s a common tactic burglars use to mislead people,” fichole added. “Drake used to do it all the time.”

“I still do.”

“I’ll keep my researchers busy regarding Alice Mandery,” Nichole said. “And her husband.”

“You might check again the list of high-rated burglars on arth,” Maijstral added. “There can’t be many who are capale of leaving something the size of a Mayan stele in my room -ithout setting off at least one of the traps I’d set.”

“We’re also checking everyone at Prince Hunac’s party.”

“And speaking of the party,” Maijstral said, and felt his ijured eye give a twitch. “Who was that Milo person?”

“Captain’,Milo Hay,” Kuusinen said promptly. “He is ie fiance of Major Ruth Song, the Elvis impersonator.”

“I didn’t steal anything from him,” Maijstral said. “Is he participant in this conspiracy or not?”

The others looked at each other. “We don’t know,” .uusinen admitted.

“He called me a ‘rat-lover,”’ Maijstral said, “and this ras the second time I’ve heard about rats, the first being from :envy Chang, of all people, and in connection with the Secuity and Sedition Act. What is a rat exactly, and why is loving ne supposed to be so bad?”

The others looked at each other uneasily again. “A rat,”

Kuusinen said finally, “is a scavenging Earth animal widely I garded as a destructive pest. On account of a fancied reset blance, certain organizations in the Constellation have appli, the term to the Khosali.”

Distaste narrowed Maijstral’s heavy-lidded eyes. “Ti ‘prohuman’ element, I presume,” he said, deliberately inset ing the quotation marks in his tone.

“Indeed,” Kuusinen agreed. “Not coincidentally, tl same people who are the most loud in support of the Securi and Sedition Act, which will prevent nonhumans from a, vancing past a certain rank in the military and civil service, ai subject the rest to random, intrusive investigation.”

Roberta smiled grimly. “Investigation, one gathers, the hands of our friend Colonel-General Vandergilt.”

Kuusinen nodded. “Her among others.”

Maijstral fingered his diamond ring. “Is Captain Hay a, other pillar of the Constellation’s security establishment? didn’t recognize his uniform.”

“Captain Hay did not in fact receive his rank from t1 Constellation military,” Kuusinen said. “He is a member, something called the Human Guard, a paramilitary organiz tion devoted to protecting the Constellation from alleged en mies foreign and domestic.”

Maijstral nodded. “And Captain Hay-Milo-perceiv me as an enemy of the domestic variety.”

“As we can detect no connection between him and yc or your family, we suspect his aggression toward you m, have been motivated by ideology, yes.”

“And drink,” added Nichole.

Maijstral ground his teeth. He had encountered this so of fanatic before-on Peleng they called themselves Humanii Prime-and he had found them a severe and constant trial.

Of course on Peleng he’d also got a lot of money out 4 them, so the encounter hadn’t been all bad.

Maijstral looked down at his plate and realized that his meal was gone. He didn’t remember eating it.

Perhaps he was beginning to suffer from random outbreaks of amnesia.

He was still hungry. He ordered another dinner identical to the first.

“Do I really have to fight this Milo person?” Maijstral asked. “I’d think ax handles in a dark alley would be more his style than a fair combat.”

“He hasn’t been heard from since his challenge,” Roberta said. “Nor has any second. He may have sobered up and decided not to pursue the matter.”

Nichole’s face settled into a satisfied smile. “Or,” she added, “Prince Hunac’s guards are still pursuing him.”

“Major Song tried her best to excuse Milo’s actions,” Maijstral said. “I take it she is also a member of the Human Guard?”

“No,” Kuusinen said. “She is in fact an officer in the Constellation Marines, though she is on extended leave to prepare for the Memphis Olympiad. Her grandfather, incidentally, was the late Fleet Admiral Song, hero of the Battle of Neerwinden.”

As celebrated a military hero, Maijstral knew, as the Constellation’s brief history offered. Neerwinden had been the first great victory for rebellious humanity.

“You’d think, with a grandfather as famous as all that, she’d know the difference between a genuine military and a false one,” Maijstral said.

“She’s a false Elvis,” Nichole shrugged, “Her purchase on reality may not be of the highest order.”

The discussion of Milo and Major Song had brought Maijstral’s mind back to issues of personal survival. “Has Prince Hunac been heard from?” he asked.

“No,” Nichole said, “though that’s not surprising. Con-

sidering what he ingested yesterday, we suspect it will take him a lot longer to sober up than it will Captain Hay.”

“I’d appreciate it if you’d appoint me as your second for both fights,” Roberta said. “I’m experienced at it by now, and I have a tack I’d like to try with each of your foes.”

“Yes?” Maijstral asked.

“My plans are different for each. With Hunac I’ll try reason-all the arguments that didn’t work with Joseph Bob, but might well work with someone less hungry for glory. I will simply offer him the evidence of a conspiracy and ask him to postpone things until we can find out who’s responsible. He may prove amenable, though since his challenge was offered publicly, he may have a difficult time withdrawing entirely.”

Maijstral’s nerves gave a little wail at this conclusion. “Very well,” he managed. “And how do you intend to handle Milo?”

Roberta looked at him levelly. “I plan to frighten the daylights out of him,” she said, matter-of-fact. “And for that, I would like your permission to release to the media the video of your encounter with Joseph Bob. Milo may really want to reconsider when he sees it.”

Maijstral showed his teeth. “When he sees my animal nature, you mean.”

“Exactly.”

“Besides,” Nichole pointed out, “there’s an army of media swarming just outside our hotel’s perimeter. It’s like an armed camp out there. We’ll never be able to do anything unless we give them something, and I think the video and perhaps a press conference, with you, Drake, at your most outgoing and genial, if you please.”

“I will try to summon such bonhomie as remains.”

“It’s only after we get rid of most of the press that we can enter into our plan.”

Maijstral’s eyebrows lifted. “Our plan?”

Roci OP AGES 177

“Quite,” Roberta said. “Since we don’t know as yet w is responsible for your misfortunes, we’ve decided to go o1 fishing expedition. Right now there’s a wall of Diadem se< rity around you, and it’s unlikely anyone would try to pei trate it.”

Maijstral felt a warm glow of inner gratification at t sentiment.

“But if you leave,” Nichole added -with a smile, “1 conspirators may strike again. And that’s exactly what want.”

A chill wafted up Maijstral’s spine. “We want what?” asked.

“We want to lure them into trying to frame you a th time,” Roberta said. “And when they come, we’ll be ready “We will?” Maijstral asked.

“Oh yes. We’ll catch them, force them to confess, and you off the hook. Nothing easier.” ‘

Maijstral had an intuition it was all going to be mi complicated than that.

He looked from Roberta to Nichole and back again. Taking dead aim, he thought. Magician’s cant, and a what had been happening to him.

The conspirators, whoever they were, had taken do aim at him in hopes of getting him killed or slammed away prison.

Roberta had taken dead aim at him for her marri; scheme.

Nichole had done much the same.

Now the two of them together were about to put hint arm’s way once more.

And Maijstral had the horrid, queasy feeling that he l no choice but to let them do it.

TWELVE

The meeting with the press was going rather well, 4aijstral thought. Media globes winked in the sunlight overead. The courtyard of the hotel was filled with reporters. Most of the questions concerned his encounter with Joseph lob-his “strategy” for victory, his “feelings” during the fight.

Since he hadn’t possessed the former, and couldn’t recall he latter, he was free to invent something that cast himself in a uitably noble light.

Because their quarrel was based on a misunderstanding, to said, he didn’t want to kill Joseph Bob; and therefore he esorted to fists.

His feelings, he reported, were such a mixture that it was lifficult to define any of them very well. He then let the reoorters suggest emotions to him, and he picked the ones he iked best.

Determination to win at all costs?

Yes.

ROCK OF AGES 179

Concern for Joseph Bob’s welfare?

Naturally.

Fear?

“Well,” he said, laughing, “of course. ” And the reporter laughed with him.

One smiling young man waved a hand. “Have you heard of Laurence’s offer to stand as your second for your other twi fights?”

“Sorry?” Maijstral said. “Who?”

“Laurence. The video star who-“

“Oh yes! Laurence! Of course.” Maijstral winced in wardly. “I’m sorry, I didn’t hear-“

Somehow he knew he was going to pay for this.

Maijstral was mistaken in reckoning that the paymer would not come immediately, however. At that moment a elderly man, white of hair and erect of bearing, strode fror the crowd and brought his cane down on Maijstral’s head.

“Dastard!” the old man cried in a passion. “I had th honor to serve under your grandfather, and I counted you father as a friend. How dare you disavow their cause? Hoi dare you disavow your Emperor?”

Maijstral, from his position on the ground, rubbed hi head and looked at the old man in amazement. “Who are you?” he demanded.

“I am Baron Sancho Sandoval Cabeza de Vaca,” the ma said grandly, and pointed at Maijstral with his cane. “An you,” he added, “are a dastard! I challenge you to single con bat.”

Rage exploded in Maijstral. He jumped up, snatched tI. cane from the Baron’s grip, and snapped it over his knee.

The Baron glared at him. He glared back.

“Perhaps,” cried the voice of Mangula Arish from som( where in the crowd, “you should again consider apologizir for your controversial remarks the other day….”

180 WALTER JON WILLIAMS

Maijstral observed that Arish had her hair firmly la quered back into place. On the whole, he preferred it limp aj covered with purple goo.

“I think,” Maijstral said; blood boiling, “this meeting over.”

He stalked back to the hotel and made his way to r chole’s suite. She looked up in surprise as he slammed t door behind him.

“Have we got another plan?” he asked.

Well, no, they didn’t. So Maijstral and his suite flew on Memphis, where they were to stay at the home of Tvar, a we known art collector and an old acquaintance for whom Ma stral had performed several commissions. Tvar had be contacted by Nichole ahead of time and, no less immune certain forms of glamor than the public at large, had been dazzled by the call from one of the Three Hundred that t warning that she was likely to be burglarized by Maijstra unknown enemies had only provoked in her a casual flick her pointed ears.

“How exciting,” she’d said, her tongue lolling in Khosali smile. “Perhaps I will have a chance to shoot th conspirators down like dogs.”

When this comment was relayed to Maijstral, the ser ment could not help but meet with his wholehearted approi

On the horizon, Maijstral saw the minarets and domes Graceland as he came in for a landing at Tvar’s estate. hadn’t realized Tvar’s place was so close. Before he’d stepl from his flier, Tvar emerged from the front door, arms o stretched in welcome.

She was a Khosalikh of medium build-a head, taller tl Maijstral; who was slightly above average height foi human-and was dressed extravagantly in a gown of rainb texture that made her seem rather larger than she was. I

Rocx OF AGES r8i

pointed ears peeked from a particolored turban ornament with flashing gems. Chiming on her wrists were the bracer that she’d commissioned Maijstral to acquire for her: they h once belonged to Lady Scarlett, the patroness of the poet wl went by the name “Ptarmigan”-the bracelets were not ve valuable, but Tvar coveted them for their associations.

She also had Lady Scarlett’s liver in a cryonic reliqua on her mantel. She’d bought it at auction and hadn’t had to u Maijstral as an agent for that one.

Tvar embraced Maijstral and sniffed his ears. “He pleasant to see you again!” she cried, and cocked her ears t ward the boundaries of her estate. “I see you brought a flog of birds with you.”

“Carrion crows, I’m afraid,” Maijstral said, and glance over his shoulder at the media fliers dropping to a landing ou side Tvar’s property.

“Hoping to follow you to your next duel, I imagine.” “And hoping you’ll punch me while the cameras a looking,” Maijstral added.

He turned as another, larger flier settled onto the law and opened to reveal its passengers. “May I present Her Gra Roberta Altunin, the Duchess of Benn? And her aunt, t] Honorable Bathsheba sar Altunin. Mr. Paavo Kuusinen.”

There was a formal sniffing of ears. Tvar gestured towai the flier’s roomy storage compartment. “Who’s in the box?’

“My father, the late Duke.”

“Shall we put him in the crypt, or give him a room?”

“A room, please,” said Aunt Batty indulgently. “I’d lil to have someone to talk to while the young people are goii about their business.”

“Anastasia?” the late Gustav queried. “Is that yo Anastasia?”

“No, Dad,” Maijstral said. “Mother’s not here.”

“Anastasia isn’t here?” The ex-Duke sounded disap pointed. “I thought I heard her voice.”

Maijstral maintained a grip:. on her patience. “You don’ even like her, Dad. Remember?”

Ex-Dormer paused for thought. “Oh. Yes,” he said “That’s right. I forgot.”

“Isn’t Nichole coming?” Tvar asked.

“Not at present,” Maijstral said. “No.” Tvar’s ear drooped in disappointment.

The cold-coffin was shown to its room, and Roman ani Drexler were set to work booby-trapping Maijstral’s suite fo the anticipated descent of Maijstral’s unknown enemy. Maij stral, Roberta, and Aunt Batty were given a tour of Tvar’s col lection, which featured sensational artifacts mixed with sculp tures and canvases that inclined in their subject matter towan the lurid. Probably the best was Mixton’s Baroness Kharnive Eating the Heart of Her Lover, though Maijstral had a senti mental fondness for Actvor’s The Dying Ralph Adverse Gaze on the Shard which artfully balanced in its composition th glowing face of the dying burglar, the crystal glass of poisor and the fabulous, shining gem whose original, more luminou than any possible representation, Maijstral had first see: about Roberta’s throat, and which he had in short orde removed therefrom.

If Maijstral had an appropriate wall to hang the paintin on, he might have acquired it for himself. But from his fathe he’d inherited practically no property at all, no wall, no mar telpiece, no alcove-nothing suitable for displaying anythin fine, anyway. His entire domestic establishment consisted c Roman, Drexler, and a large assortment of luggage. If an great artworks came into his hands, they passed out as eff: ciently as they’d come.

Maijstral looked at Roberta and, with a start, realize that this situation might soon change. Roberta had walls an

mantelpieces in abundance. If he married her, he could prol bly put anything he wanted on them.

What would he want on his walls? he wondered. A what steps would he have to take to make certain that none his colleagues removed what he put there?

“And here,” Tvar said, pointing to an instrument glitti ing in a case, “is the spoon that the Marquess of Tharkar us to remove his heir’s eyes during an argument over desser Her tongue lolled in amusement.

“What was the argument about?” Batty asked. “Dessert, as I said.”

“I thought you said it was during dessert.”

“The argument was over dessert, not during desse They fought` over what flavor of sherbet to serve, I thinl Tvar’s eyes glittered with amusement. “You know, it is genc ally believed that the Khosali are a lot more steady, reliab and law-abiding than humans … but I must say that when i go bad, we really go bad.” She cocked one ear toward Ma stral. “You know, Drake, you might consider spoons as wea ons in your next combat.”

Maijstral grinned with forced jocularity. “I will if the.other fellow will.”

Roberta gave him a superior look. “Oh,” she said. “Ai as to weapons, I have a much better idea than that. And by t way, if Captain Hay ever calls, may I borrow Roman for t meeting?”

“Hello?”

Roberta smiled as she saw who had telephoned h, “Will!” she said. “I hadn’t expected to hear from you.”

“I just called to let you know that J.B.‘s been releas from the hospital. He broke a cheekbone, and rebroke t nose and lost some teeth, and there are bruises and some nas

cuts-I think from that diamond of Maijstral’s-but it’s-not] ing that can’t be repaired.”

“I’m glad to hear it.”

“Yes. He’ll soon be-good as new-better, once the tee are replaced with implants.” Pause. “You and I are st friends, aren’t we? I mean, we can still speak to each other aI everything?”

“Of course we can.”

“Good. I’m relieved. Because I’d like to express n thanks for your part in forming Maijstral’s strategy and keej ing everything nonlethal.”

“Well,” a smile, “I’m afraid I can’t claim credit for th, It was all Drake’s doing.”

“Oh. Well. I suppose I can’t exactly call him and that him, can I?”

“I don’t see why not.”

“Really?” Brightening. “Do you think it would be go( form?”

“Certainly. It wasn’t your fight, it wasn’t your grudge.

we can all be friends again, so much the better.” “Wonderful. But I don’t suppose…” A long pause. “Yes?”

“I don’t suppose I can resume my magic lessons.” “Well,” laughing, “I think Drake is rather busy now.” “Yes. Of course. But still, it would be very nice to s

you-to see you all again.”

“I will look forward.”

There was the sound of a chime.

“I’ve got to go, Will. I’ve got another call.” “Well. Talk to you later, then.”

“I’ll look forward to it.”

Roberta switched to the other call and found herself ga ing into the shaded eyes of someone who looked remarkab like Elvis Presley.

“Your grace?” the Elvis said. “I am Major Song. Co Hay has asked me to act for him in the matter of his fight Drake Maijstral.”

“Ah,” Roberta said. “I see.”

She took a breath and steeled herself. She knew exactly what she wanted to do.

Conchita Sparrow blinked in surprise when she saw wh phoned her.

“Miss Sparrow,” Maijstral said, “are you busy?” “I’d imagine that you’d be,” she said. “What is it, duels left?”’

“I have no intention of keeping track,” Maijstral sa The score would be too depressing in any case. “The media are full of the story,” Conchita said. “S

of the broadcasters seem to have converted to twenty

hour Maijstral channels.”

That, Maijstral reflected, was too depressing all by “I was wondering if I could hire you for a few day said.

Conchita looked puzzled. “You need me to build gear?”

“No,” Maijstral said. “Not really.”

She grinned. “I can’t imagine you want to hire me f burglarizing skills.”

“No. Not that, either. I want you to do a tail job.”

“It’s not really my line of work,” she said, ears c forward with interest, “but I’m willing to give it a try. W you want me to follow?”

“Alice Manderley.”

Conchita pursed her lips and whistled. “Well, now an interesting assignment.

“I thought another burglar would be more likely derstand any countermeasures she’d use. Are you willir

“Only too! Where do I find her?”

“The Underwater Palace for the moment, though I ex pect she’ll be leaving in the next day or so. There’s only on exit, not counting submarines, so I imagine she’ll be eas; enough to pick up.”

“Sounds right as Robbler.”

They spoke about fees and communication protocols fo a while, then said their adieux. Maijstral turned away from hi suite’s phone pickups, a subdued green glow in. his lazy eye; and smiled.

Nichole had provided Diadem security’s watch a list o all known burglars in the vicinity of Earth. Of those named Maijstral judged that only Alice Manderley possessed th, skills necessary to have neutralized all the alarms and traps ii Maijstral’s booby-trapped room at the Underwater Palace.

Which in itself wasn’t conclusive, but it was somethin3 like a large pointing finger floating in the sky over Alice’ head, inscribed with the ideogram for “inquire within.”

If in the next few days, Alice took a little detour in the direction of Memphis, then Maijstral fancied he’d know wha to do.

Captain Milo Hay looked as if he were battling a hangover it addition to his numerous contusions-and bruises. His face wa: dotted with semilife patches and he moved uneasily, as if i hurt to exert himself.

Or perhaps he was made uneasy by Roman, whon Roberta had brought with her. Hay was apparently a profes. sional xenophobe, and might therefore be expected to be war3 of Khosali-but he might be indulged in this instance, a: Roman was a sight guaranteed to produce unease in anyonc with even the faintest grasp of sanity: skin wrinkled and gone from normal grey to bright pink, nose cracked and bleedin€ where the new agering was, coming in, eyes starting frotr their sockets in a barely repressed psychotic glare.

RocK or Acus r87

He was the worst molter Roberta had ever seen. But a she concluded, to her purpose.

Captain Hay, despite his injuries and the effects of alc hol on his tender system, had nevertheless made an effort a donned the full dress uniform of the Human Guard, as splc did in its way as the white bejeweled outfit of Major Soi who-as ever-was dressed as Elvis.

“A what?” Major Song asked.

“Caestus,” Roberta said, and fingered the studd leather straps she’d dropped on the table in front of Capt; Hay. “It’s an ancient Earth weapon, dating, I believe, from i time of the Romans. You strap one on each hand. I was si prised to find the caestus in the Khosali weapons lists, 1 there you go. They’re a very inclusive sort of people.”

Unlike others, her tone implied.

Hay picked up the straps and looked at the metal stt designed to crush bone, the hooks meant to tear flesh. swallowed hard.

Immediately after Major Song’s call, Roberta had fib to Alaska to meet with her in person. She wanted to han this face-to-face.

Major Song hiked up her wide wrestler’s belt. “Let understand this,” she said. “You insist on using this weapo

Roberta straightened her spine and flashed a cold loo Captain Hay. “Your principal chose to strike mine with fist. My principal insists he be allowed the chance to recil cate.”

“But this isn’t according to form, Song protested. can’t) ust dictate which weapons are to be used. It’s up to I seconds to decide.”

“Hitting someone without warning isn’t accordin form either,” Roberta pointed out. She flicked her ears < lessly. “Of course, if your principal is afraid of facing the sequences of his behavior…”

Hay looked up sharply. “Hey. We never said that.”

“We want to follow form,” Major Song insisted.

“Let me point out that my principal has already fought ne duel-just this morning, in fact. I assume you’ve seen it on ,deo. He won a complete victory, of course, and with his bare ands.” Roberta permitted herself to smile. “Of course, his itagonist was a friend whose continued existence my princial wished to preserve.” She looked at Hay. “He doesn’t now you- at all.

A growling’ noise filled the room. Song and Hay looked i alarm here and there to find the source, and then seemed ien more alarmed when they discovered the source was oman.

Hay turned pale. “Say,” he said. “Now, about these eapons…”

“That’s why we insist on the caestus,” Roberta went on. It might be said that Captain Hay chose fists himself, when e struck my principal, and my principal chose the, ah, intenty level of the combat. If it’s a formal duel, of course there as to be a chance of death. I’m informed that quite a few anent Romans died in fights with the caestus, though of course iere’s a decent chance that, with those heavy studs and Doks, the loser will just be mutilated so severely they will be sable to continue…”

“Wait a minute!” Hay said.

“We insist on another weapon!” Major Song said, turnLg as red as her principal had turned pale.

Roberta looked at her. “Do you have another weapon in und, or will just any other weapon do?”

Major Song opened her mouth, closed it, opened it again.

“I remind you,” Roberta said, “that my principal has 9thing to prove in the matter of his courage, while your prinpal, whose introduction to my principal was by way of a )wardly.attack, has everything at stake-either he is a polite idividual, fit to be seen in society, or he is not, and so far the iidence is not in his favor.”

“Hold on here,” Hay said. “All I did was hit the man. After what he said the other day, I couldn’t help myself once I saw him. It was just…” He groped for words.

“A form of political protest,” Major Song concluded.

“That’s right,” Hay said. “I don’t see why it really needs to go any farther.”

Roberta frowned, straightened herself, and looked at Hay. “Is it your contention that striking people is an acceptable form of political protest? And that there is no need for a fair combat as a consequence?”

“Well,” Hay said, “yes, I suppose.”

Roberta frowned, then shrugged. “If you insist.” She turned to Roman and smiled. “I believe, Roman,” she said, “that you have several political points to make with Captain Hay?”

Hay’s eyes widened. He got out one word-“Wait!”before Roman reached him.

Roberta closed her eyes during the worst of it. The meaty sounds of fists on flesh, the grinding of cartilage and the crack of bone, were quite graphic enough without her having actually to watch it.

Once a day for this sort of thing was enough.

Throughout the fight Major Song backed up against the wall and stared at the proceedings with horror. After Roman had finished, Roberta looked at her and nodded.

“I’m pleased we. reached an understanding,” she said, then, took her caestus and left, fingering the media globe in her pocket through which she’d recorded everything.

-The next visit would be to Prince Hunac. Unfortunately she anticipated that, with the Prince of Quintana Roo, she’d have to adopt a different strategy.

“Hello?”

Two perfect blue eyes gazed at Maijstral from the video. “Drake. I have some information.”

I90 WALTER JON WILLIAMS

“Oh yes?”

“Concerning the Baron Sancho Sandoval Cabeza d Vaca.”

“Oh. Yes.”

“He did in fact serve as a junior officer under yot grandfather in police actions in Malaysia and on the India subcontinent. There is no indication that he and your grandfi ther ever met.”

“I see.”

“He and your father seem to have crossed paths on sei eral occasions. They had an assortment of -political groups i common.

Maijstral sighed. “No need to go into detail. I can ima€ ine.”

“I expect you can.”

“The point being,” Maijstral said, “I never met this ma until he walked up to me and started hitting me with his can No glory is going to be won by thrashing an elderly noblema in a fight.”

And even less glory, Maijstral added to himself, if it ws the elderly nobleman who happened to be the winner.

“I have been looking through the Imperial Sportir Commission’s Manual on Approved Formal Combat Sy tems, ” Maijstral went on, “hoping to discover if there is son way I can avoid fighting Sandoval, but all I’ve discovered that if I object to Sandoval on account of age, the Baron is the allowed to find some strapping young brute’ as a substitut and then I have to fight him. “

The blue eyes narrowed in concern. “How long is th manual?”

“Over two thousand pages, not counting all the statistic in the appendix. And, as I’ve discovered, it’s not very well ii dexed.”

There was nothing in the index, Maijstral had discovere,

ing the lines of Fights, weaseling out of.

“Continue your researches, then. Perhaps I will assign renal of the Diadem’s people to it.”

“The Diadem doesn’t mind you using their resources s way?”

“Gracious, no. The research boffins love work that has a d application. They got all these degrees grees and things, and re the Diadem sets them to research fashion trends, dig out I video star gossip, and find out which exotic fish rates as a ust-see’ off Cozumel. They love having work out of the rmal run.”

Maijstral smiled. “Well. Thank you.”

“And another thing. I’ve arranged things at Graceland. ~u will be granted use of the Jungle Meditation Room to)rrow afternoon and all night, beginning at sixteen o’clock.”

“Thank you.”

The blue eyes looked at him frankly. “I must confess that gas of two minds concerning this business of sending you on Memphis instead of keeping you here. I may have thrown u into the arms of your young Duchess.”

“I haven’t forgotten our time together.”

“Well,” grudgingly, “see that you don’t.”

There was a gentle chime. “I have another call,” Maijstral d.

“Au revoir, then. I’ll talk to you tomorrow.” “It’s been tomorrow for a couple hours.

“Later today, then.”

The blue eyes winked out, were replaced by eyes of vioThe eyes looked very weary.

“Good news. I’ve settled with Captain Hay, and there ~n’t be a fight. I recorded our entire conversation, so that if tries to recant or make untrue claims, we can release our .lion and make him look ridiculous.”

Maijstral’s heart warmed. “Splendid!”.

192 WALTER JON WILLIAMS

“I’m sending Roman back to you. And I’ve just spoken to Prince Hunac. He’s still under the influence, a bit, of the stuff he took last night-and I think that’s fortunate, because it made him quite suggestible. He has agreed to postpone any confrontation until the situation clarifies.”

Maijstral’s already-warm heart sparked to a furnac( glow. “My dear, if the phone permitted it, I would kiss yot full on the mouth.”

“I’m too tired for kisses right now.” With a yawn “Prince Hunac has offered me a room here, and I’m going tc take it.”

“Sleep well.”

“What you must do’is speak to the media tomorrow an( let them know that the Hay matter is settled, and that your quarrel with Prince Hunac is on the verge of being composed That will force our opposition to make another movethey’ve got to try to frame you again, or give up their plan.”

“Nichole just told me that Graceland has become availa ble.”

“Excellent. Then you must tell the media of your plani for a religious retreat.”

“I will. I’m a hereditary prince-bishop after all-I’ll tel the media I’m, going to spend a whole night praying fo: peace.”

Laughter lines formed about the violet eyes. “I keep for getting you’re a bishop. You’re not very ecclesiastical.”

Maijstral composed his face into an expression of piety “I prefer to keep my devotions private, thank. you.”

“Well. I’m a hereditary abbess, so I suppose I should no criticize.

“Really? Which order?”

“The Reformed Traditional Hospice Order of thi Blessed Spatula.”

“Oh. The Spatulans. I’ve seen their abbeys scattered her, and there.”

“Yes. And since I’m an abbess, I’ve got to see the Spat itself, in a vault in the City of Seven Bright Rings. It’s s posed to be an emanation of Gulakh XII the Well-Ven who is alleged to have ascended bodily to heaven after retired from the throne.”

“An emanation, is it? I wondered why they worship a bit of kitchen equipment.”

-“They take it out of the vault once a year and mat. holy omelette with it, and then the celebrants all swallo, piece. The ceremony is quite moving.”

“I’m sure.”

“My piece was a bit leathery when I tasted it, thoug Another lengthy yawn. “I really should turn in. It’s bee long day.”

“You’ve more than earned your rest.”

“So have you. But you got a nap.” Another yawn. ‘ think about Baron Sancho tomorrow.”

“I have every confidence in you. Good night.” “Good night.”

Maijstral sat for a long moment in his darkened rc and contemplated the remarkable women, the galactic sul star and the nobly born Spatulan abbess, who seemed to l taken command of his life.

Not, considering the alternative, that he objected. I exactly. But he found himself yearning for that blessed t when he had been convinced that he was captain of his I That time seemed very remote now, though it had only be, few days ago.

This conviction had been an illusion, as the past days shown. What had happened? Had he ever really been in a mand of his life, or had he always been the victim of n terious forces who had, just recently, turned malevolent mysterious, whereas before they had been content to pei him to live in illusive ignorance?

194 WALTER JON WILLIAMS

He shook his head. He was too tired and beleaguered to work it all out now.

He yawned and picked up his copy of the Sporting Commission’s Manual. It lay heavy in his lap as he flipped the pages: the sort of reading guaranteed to send him straight to sleep.

And then he encountered, purely by chance, a paragraph that brought him fully awake. Carefully he read it. And, even more carefully, read it again.

Very nice, he thought.

This might just do the trick.

THIRTEEN

Media globes winked on high. Maijstral stood be neath the arched gate of Tvar’s estate and smiled benignly a the assembled reporters.

“Furthermore,” he continued, “I wish to announce tha I accept the chastisement of my superior. I refer of course t, the Baron Sancho Sandoval Cabeza de Vaca. I hope to reforr. my behavior, and I thank the Baron for calling my error t public attention.”

Take that, Maijstral thought.

A sea of blank faces gazed at him. “What exactly doe this mean?” someone asked.

“It means that I accept the Baron’s assault as justifies and that I choose not to resent it.”

“So you won’t he fighting?”

Maijstral detected a tone of outrage in Mangula ‘Arish’ voice.

“No,” Maijstral said.

There wouldn’t be a fight unless Baron Sancho manage

r96 WALTER JON WILLIAMS

ether attack, and Roman and Drexler, standing at Maij,l’s side with arms folded in the capacity of bodyguard,

there to prevent just that, as well as keep away any other ile delinquents with violence on their minds.

There was a very respectful distance between Roman and of the crowd of reporters. Just looking at him caused any nber of people to go pale.

And in the meantime, the Diadem’s publicity people, at. ;hole’s behest, would whisper among the media that Maij,1 had chosen this humiliating option out of respect for the on’s age, and out of concern for his mental health, whichvas plain to observe-was not quite of the best.

But Maijstral would say nothing of the sort-nothing for Baron to object to, nothing that could cause him to issue ,ther challenge.

If Maijstral couldn’t have it both ways, what was the nt of being a celebrity?

Another reporter scowled up from the mass. “So with Hay fight cancelled, and the Hunac fight postponed infinitely, this means you won’t be fighting any more duels in near future?”

Maijstral managed a smile. “Once a week is enough, A’t you think?”

The reporters’ mood was surly. They’d come for :)d-they depended on the spilling of blood, and plenty of .and now it looked as if they were about to be deprived of r feeding frenzy.

“Do you think,” Mangula Arish called, “that your oppots are having second thoughts after your victory over ice Joseph Bob? Do you think their withdrawal might be a action on their courage?”

Maijstral resisted the temptation to bounce a rubber ball krish’s hair, and on reflection judged the question an act of )eration. She was trying to reignite the duelling frenzy Pugh name-calling.

ROCK OF AGES

197

“I have absolutely no reason whatever to question the courage of any of these gentlemen,” Maijstral said, “and I hope that if any of my erstwhile opponents chooses to resent the insinuation, they will remember it was you, Mangula Arish, who made it, and not I.”

The other reporters chuckled while Arish turned pale at the thought of three enraged, bloodthirsty duellists stalking her.

“I have only one other announcement, Maijstral said. “The nearness of death in the last few days has caused me to reevaluate the condition of my spiritual health. It has occurred to me that I have neglected the religious duties implied by my status as the Hereditary Prince-Bishop of Nana, and I have decided-to go on a retreat for the purpose of meditation, fasting, and prayer. The administration of Graceland has very kindly made one of their meditation rooms available for the purpose. I will be going on retreat this afternoon, and will remain in seclusion for an indefinite period. Thank you.”

Ignoring shouted questions, Maijstral made his way back to Tvar’s manse. Roman and Drexler followed slowly behind, their purpose plain-to pound like a stake into the rich Tennessee soil anyone who might feel the urge to pursue Maijstral and hit him with a fist.

Maijstral entered the mansion and found Tvar waiting for him.

“How did it go, dear?” she asked.

He gave her a Khosali smile, tongue lolling. “Very well, I think.”

Later that day a tailor appeared for Maijstral’s fitting. Maijstral didn’t travel with his ecclesiastical garments any more than he carried the formal court dress to which he was equally entitled-both were designed for the Khosali physique anyway, and tended to make humans look stunted, aswim in a sea of fabric and ceremonial implements. The tailor managed the

798 WALTER JON WILLIAMS

complicated ritual garments in jig time, and then Maijstral posed for a long time ‘in his bishop suit, while Drexler thoroughly recorded his image with a holographic video camera.

Later that day one of Tvar’s servants-a second footman-stepped out onto the lawn wearing a hologram of Maijstral’s image, stepped into a flier piloted by Roman, and was carried off to the Jungle Meditation Room in Graceland. The media waiting before the gate duly followed, thereafter to wait like pilgrims outside the gate of Elvis’s city.

The footman would be amply compensated for any fasting, meditation, and prayer he might, in the course of his impersonation, be compelled to undergo.

In the meantime Maijstral, wearing his darksuit and armed to the teeth, sat in ambush in the room next to his suite. Roman, Drexler, Tvar, Kuusinen, and Roberta were arrayed likewise. Tvar’s estate now contained a remarkable number of passive detectors-nothing that would broadcast an alarm, for they didn’t want any intruder to hear it and run away, they wanted the intruder to come right in and make herself at home.

Alice Manderley, or whoever else was responsible for Maijstral’s dilemma, was going to have a nasty surprise in store.

The hours passed slowly. It was after twenty-six o’clock when Maijstral received a phone call on his shielded lines. “Yes?”

“Mr. Maijstral, this is Conchita.”

“Go ahead.”

“For some reason I’m not receiving a picture-should I call again?”

“I’m not transmitting a picture. I don’t want to activate any pickups.”

“Are you on a job?”

“Something like that. What news?”

RoCK or AGES 199

“I thought I’d let you know that Alice Manderley and per husband have left Quintana Roo, and they’re flying north. ‘m on her trail.”

Triumph hummed in Maijstral’s nerves. “Very good. Do nothing to alarm her.”

“Everything’s right as Robbler. She’s not evading or nything.”

“Excellent. Call again when you have an idea of her desination.”

“Right.”

Gleeful, Maijstral relayed this news to his confederates nd told them to be ready.

Alice was going to have such a surprise.

“he intruder was delayed only briefly by the screamers on the >erimeter of Tvar’s estate-they were neutralized by black poxes deployed by an assistant. The approach across the back awn was made swiftly-a hint of recklessness there, Maijstral hought, there were potential detection problems flying across .n open space wearing a darksuit, and the intruder was ignorng them.

Steal from my friends, will you? Maijstral thought iercely.

The intruder flew to the second floor and began peering n windows; Maijstral restrained the impulse to huddle into he holographic camouflage of his darksuit. He was perfectly well screened from anything the intruder was likely to be carying with him-energy detectors for the most part, intended o locate alarm systems.

Ram me with a submarine, will you? Maijstral snarled in silence.

The intruder located Maijstral’s room without diffi:ulty-some of Maijstral’s gear had been left in plain sight to nake it easy-and then the window alarms were neutralized

200 WALTER JON WILLIAMS

swiftly with a black box. The window glass was sliced out an( floated skyward on antigravity repellers. The intruder en tered, darksuit automatically pulsing out minute compressiol waves that cancelled the minute compression waves caused bj a body floating through the air.

Set me up to get killed, will you? Maijstral demanded.

The intruder floated into the center of the room and hov ered, apparently making a survey. Then floated toward the wardrobe that stood in the corner.

Sending a mental command from the proximity wire it the collar of his darksuit, Maijstral triggered his ambush.

Hidden force-field generators slammed invisible wall across the windows, blocking the escape route. The intrude: could neutralize them, but it would take time, more time that Maijstral planned to give him.

Roman lunged from the wardrobe, where expert device; had been concealing his body heat, respiration, and very exis. tence. He had a stunner in one hand and a spitfire in the other He used the stunner first. Energies splashed off the intruder’; shields.

More doors crashed open. Micromedia globes deployec in formation, recording everything for scrutiny later. Roberta Kuusinen, Tvar, and Drexler opened fire. Maijstral slic through his door somewhat less promptly, wary of stray bul. lets.

“Surrender!” Maijstral commanded, and opened fire with his Nana-Coulville spitfire rifle.

The intruder’s form, outlined by blazing energies bounced around the room as if buffeted hither and thither b) the blasts of its attackers. Maijstral’s detectors showed that it: shields were clearly weakening.

“Surrender!” Maijstral shouted, firing as fast as he could

The outside detectors showed that the intruder’s assis

tant was soaring across the back lawn, zooming to the rescue

ROCK OF AGES 201

of his employer, setting off a lot of alarms in the process.

The intruder seemed to gather itself as if to spring, th flew swift as an arrow straight for the open window. T arrow hit the shield headfirst with an awesome, meaty tht then bounced back and drifted toward the floor as if stunm Drexler, stray fire bouncing from his shields, leaped forwa and slapped a palm-sized energy vampire onto the form.

The vampire began sucking energy from the intrude darksuit and equipment. The holographic camouflage beg to shimmer, vanish in places.

“We surrender! Don’t shoot!”

The voice came from outside, from the intruder’s assi ant. Kuusinen sensibly turned his attention toward the ne, comer, pointing his heavy chugger toward the window.

The last of the camouflage drained away, revealing t glassy-eyed, twitching form of Laurence, the actor.

“We wanted to teach you a lesson,” Deco said, “after y were so mean to us.”

“I was?” Maijstral said in surprise.

“You ignored us,” Deco said. “You said’ you’d nei even seen Laurence play you on video-and that had to ha been a lie. A deliberate insult. What sort of person wouldi watch himself on video?”

Maijstral tried to remember whether he was ever rude Laurence and Deco, and came up blank. “I never saw t other fellow either,” he said. “Anaya.”

“It’s as if we didn’t exist!” Deco said. “And y wouldn’t even introduce us to Nichole!”

“I wouldn’t?”

Maijstral tried hard to remember. He couldn’t recall an thing about Laurence and Deco at all, other than the fact he spoken to them briefly once or twice in the Underwater P ace.

202 WALTER JON WILLIAMS

Actors! he thought. They were-each a universe unto himself, invincible little egos oblivious to anything but their own boundless need.

“And then,” Deco_ continued, “Laurence called a news conference, announced that he believed in you, and publicly offered to stand as your second for your duels-and what did you do? You forgot his name! You didn’t even call us!”

Laurence, stripped of his gear and searched for weapons-he hadn’t been carrying any-was lying miserably on the carpet in Maijstral’s suite. Deco, his assistant, knelt next to him, vocal as his friend was silent. The others stood about them, weapons still in hand.

“It’s just that kind of indifference that made us angry,” Deco said. “So we decided to teach you a lesson!” He looked at Laurence. “It was my idea, actually. `Why don’t you just sneak into Maijstral’s room and steal something?’ I said. `Show him that you exist! Show him that you’re important!’ ” He nodded toward Laurence, then looked at Maijstral again. “That’s what I said, and that’s what we did.” His expression turned resentful as he looked up at Maijstral. “You weren’t even supposed to be here!” he said.

Kuusinen, sitting on the scorched divan with his chugger across his knees, frowned at them both. “Are you claiming,” he clarified, “that you aren’t responsible for the robberies in Tejas and Quintana Roo?”

At this suggestion, an angry growl emanated from Roman. Deco and Laurence were aghast at this sound, but Deco soldiered on.

“Maijstral is to blame for those!” he insisted. “They were his robberies, and they went wrong,” he nodded primly, “just like ours.”

“Confess!” Roman roared. “You were jealous! You tried to get Mr. Maijstral killed!” He seized Laurence by the collar and flung him into the air like a rag doll. He caught the actor

ROCK OF AGES 203

before he hit the ground and shook him vigorously. Dec protesting, jumped to his feet and tried to grab Roman’s ar but Roman only seized him with the other hand and shop him, too, then banged his two captives together.

Maijstral, observing, believed that he could watch t1 forever.

“Fine, fine!” Laurence shouted, speaking at last. “I co fess! We did it!”

“But we didn’t!” Deco protested.

“I confess!” Laurence affirmed. “Let us go!”

Roman dropped them both to the floor at once. ” IJ tails!” he demanded. “And make them convincing.”

“Whatever you want,” Laurence said, a huddled pictt of misery and defeat.

At this moment there came the chime of a communi( tions system, and a voice.

“Gleep,” it said, somewhat muffled. “Fnerg.”

Maijstral listened in puzzlement. He couldn’t quite ma out the identity of the caller, or the meaning or import of t words.

“Snerk. Yibble.”

Roberta, eyes wide, leaped up from her seat. “Batt) she cried, and ran for the door.

Maijstral, following at a run, felt his heart sink. Son how, he knew, it had all gone wrong again.

He was right. When he ran to Batty’s room, he disc( ered the old Khosalikh lying on the rug, floored by a stunt blast. The padded supports that had held the late Duke Dormer’s coffin were empty.

Maijstral’s father, the late Duke of Dornier, had b( kidnapped, and his coffin with him.

FOURTEEN

Colonel-General Vandergilt was pleased, so pleased that a half-dozen loose strands of hair had escaped her helmet without attracting her notice. A victorious smile played about her lips as she watched a team of Memphis police collecting forensic evidence from Aunt Batty’s room.

Aunt Batty herself had been taken to the hospital by Roberta. Stunner blasts could have unfortunate consequences for the elderly.

“It looks as if your gang is falling apart under the pressure,” Vandergilt said.

“I don’t have a gang,” Maijstral pointed out.

“You’re connected to all of these people that you’re accusing. Laurence glorifies your crimes on video. Alice Manderley is a fellow professional.” A superior look crossed her face. “Criminal gangs fall out-it happens all the time.”

“Nevertheless,” said Paavo Kuusinen as he frowned at Vandergilt, “a crime has been committed against Mr. Maijstral. Do you intend to investigate?”

ROCK OF AGES 205

“Of course,” Vandergilt said. She noticed her danj locks of hair and began methodically stuffing them back her helmet as she spoke on, her voice cheerful and matter fact.

“We’ll do everything possible. Search the room fo: rensic evidence, put out an alert for the coffin and its, ah, tents. But of course, if we don’t find the coffin by tomoi midnight, it will legally become the property of the th Vandergilt looked at Maijstral and smiled. “An element o current law which I believe you have often used to your vantage, Mr. Maijstral.”

“But it isn’t as if my father was a painting or a statue piece of jewelry,” Maijstral said. “He’s a person. There’ statute of limitations on kidnapping.”

Vandergilt considered this. “Your father was dec.’ dead, was he not?”

“Ye-es.” Reluctantly. “Almost two years ago.”

“Well then, he’s not a person. He’s inanimate-an ii

“He may be in a box,” Maijstral said, “but he still i Thinks, after a fashion. Isn’t he a dependent, like a child?

“I’m afraid not,” said attorney Kuusinen. “The Cor lation follows Empire law in this regard. After being dec: dead, the elderly are considered keepsakes-like Lady lett’s liver, downstairs. Otherwise there could be no ImI succession-no one could be crowned Emperor if his cedessors still retained their legal existence.”

“Admirably put, Mr. Kuusinen,” Vandergilt said a thin smile. Her eyes glittered as they turned to Maijstral. ‘ other of those archaic Imperial laws causing trouble for Mr. Maijstral. What a ‘pity that the Constellation Prai Authority hasn’t got around to fixing that yet-but wit Burglars’ Association putting up such resistance to the thority’s efforts to remove protections from Allowed glary, their other vital work has been delayed.”

206 WALTER JON WILLIAMS

Another lock of hair was working its way from under the shiny brim of Vandergilt’s helmet. Maijstral wanted to grab it and yank it out by the roots.

“Perhaps,” Kuusinen said, perceiving perhaps the dangerous look in Maijstral’s eye, “we should let the authorities do their work.”

Maijstral withdrew, his blood simmering. Stealing his father!

It wasn’t as if he’d exactly miss Gustav Maijstral if the late Duke dropped out of his life once and for all. But the theft itself was as vile an insult as he’d ever experienced. It wasn’t as if Maijstral’s father was in any way valuable property. The entire theft had been aimed at Maijstral himself. Take this, the theft said, and suffer.

The necessity for action coursed through Maijstral’s veins. In another type of personality-the Prince of Tejas, say-the action might be to stand in fair combat on a distant beach, dire staff in hand.

Maijstral’s character demanded another form of action. He didn’t want to fight. He wanted to get even. “We need a council of war,” Kuusinen said. “Yes,” Maijstral said.

“Perhaps at the hospital. Miss Batty may be able to give us some clues.”

Maijstral’could have said that she wouldn’t-the most she would have seen would have been the vague outline of a darksuit against the window before the stunner blast rendered any perceptions unreliable-but he assented anyway.

He needed to get away from Colonel-General Vandergilt while he was still master of his passions.

It wasn’t as if he would ever assault Vandergilt, but on the other hand the mental image of Vandergilt’s home-a home stripped of all furniture, all clothing, all possessions was floating insistently before his mental eye. But robbing

ROCK OF AGES 207

Denise Vandergilt would be a very, very dangerous thing do.

And it wouldn’t help a bit with recovering Maijstral’s ther.

Where am I?

A sinister laugh. Welcome to… Hell!

I don’t recall being on a planet called Hell. I was-it Earth, wasn’t it? Yes, I’m almost certain it was. I was going have cocoa.

There’s no cocoa in Hell, Dornierl

Isn’t there? We must be in the provinces. I will have sc nice warm milk, then.

You can’t have milk, Dormer. You’re dead! Oh … You’re right. I forgot.

You won’t forget it anymore, Dornier. You’re in Hei the afterlife designed for punishment.

Oh … ? Really … ? That sounds like a most unpleas place.

It is. It’s meant to be unpleasant.

Take me home at once. No-not home, take me to Ex You’re in Hell, Dornier!

… There was some reason why I was on Earth. I forg Hell, Dornier! Hell!

I forget so much these days.

I said you’re in Hell!

Yes, you keep repeating that. I wish you wouldn i heard you perfectly well the first time.

You’re going to be here forever and ever! You’re going undergo eternal punishment!

Are you … Jacko?

Jackol Of Course I’m notJackol

Oh. I thought perhaps you might be. I thought I he his voice.

208 WALTER JON WILLIAMS

I’m not Jacko, and this is Hell!

My dear fellow, I wish you wouldn’t keep repeating that. )u’re becoming quite a tiresome person really.

You’re going to be here forever and ever. Your punishent will never end.

Gracious, you do go on. Beat. I don’t suppose you’d know I could get a nice cup of cocoa, could you?

;tealing Drake’s father was a particularly malicious touch,” unt Batty said. “I suspect we are looking for a person who is )t entirely rational in his hatreds.”

“Well,” Maijstral wondered. “Who is?”

Batty was propped up on pillows and seemed reasonably >mfortable in her hospital bed. Roberta’s servants had ought her an embroidered nightdress and cap from her own ardrobe. The cap had two holes in it for her pointed ears.

If Batty was suffering any ill effects, they were well conaled. She lapped tea delicately from a saucer and seemed, on Le whole, fully recovered.

Maijstral, Roberta, and Kuusinen sat in a respectful circle ound her. Roman and Drexler were back at Tvar’s place, aking certain that the police neither stole anything nor anted any evidence. After the police finally left, Roman ould fetch the false Maijstral back from Graceland and resie the poor fellow from his regimen of fasting, meditation, id prayer.

Laurence and Deco were in police custody. Tvar, the Duseholder, of a more practical and vengeful bent than the rinces of Tejas and Quintana Roo, had announced she innded to press charges.

Kuusinen dropped his teacup noiselessly into his saucer. The thing that is beginning to signify,” he said, “is the motif f the family that plays throughout Mr. Maijstral’s recent exeriences. The media demanding some sort of apology for the ehavior of his grandfather, the late Duke Robert.:-lay chal-

ROCK OF AGES 209

lenging him on account of his grandfather’s behavior wl Baron Sancho challenges him out of a misplaced loyalty to same grandfather. And now Maijstral’s father, who spent life defending Duke Robert’s behavior, has been kidnappe,

He looked levelly at Maijstral. “I think whoever is sponsible for your predicament has a grudge against your tire family. Perhaps any hatred for you is incidental to hat for your grandfather.”

Roberta looked puzzled. “Who would hate your gra father?”

“Thousands of people,” Maijstral sighed. “Tens of th sands.”

Roberta was startled. “Good grief. I know he was a mous Imperialist, but what exactly did he do to raise si ire?”

“Your question demonstrates that your education ‘ on the Imperial side of the border-the Empire was so eml rassed by my grandfather that they don’t talk about I much. He’s barely mentioned in the official histories. But I in the Constellation, he’s the bogeyman-the ultimate oppi sor, the ultimate traitor, the ultimate bad example.”

Roberta’s eyes widened. “But what did he do?”

“Killed,” Maijstral said, “tortured, threw people prison without a hearing-here in the Constellation I -known as Robert the Butcher. He was far more excessive t. any Khosali in defense of the Khosali Emperor. The Kho were so appalled by his excesses that, after he fled to the f pire, they never employed him again-just let him live on pension. They disbanded the Green Legion so that he’d nt get the chance to use it in another war. One reason that I d( use my title is that I don’t want to be called Dornier-it term of loathing here.”

“Tens of thousands,” Roberta repeated. “That’s a lo suspects.”

“Mr. Maijstral’s problems didn’t begin till he arrived

210 WALTER JON WILLIAMS

, arth,” Kuusinen observed, “so I think we can narrow our nvestigations to Earth residents.”

. Maijstral wanted to grind his teeth. “I meant tens of housands of Earth residents,” he said.

“I think I may be able to narrow your range,” said the mice of Conchita Sparrow. Camouflage holograms shimnered off, and she appeared above them, hovering near the veiling. She flashed a grin at her own ingenuity and then cropped to the floor. Her grin froze as she observed that Roberta was pointing a very businesslike pistol at her.

“Am I interrupting something important?” she asked.

“Roberta,” Maijstral said, “may I introduce Conchita ;parrow, a colleague. I have hired her to perform certain nvestigations on my behalf.”

“I would have dropped in earlier,” Conchita said, “but here were cops all over Tvar’s place, and I preferred not to all attention to myself.”

“Very wise of you,” Maijstral said.

Roberta put her pistol away, folded her arms, and looked evere.“I wish you had told me that you were employing an Lgent,” she said.

Maijstral, having seen that stern expression before, de:ided to tread warily.

“My apologies for not telling you,” he said. “But you were on your way to Cozumel at the time and since then, well, we’ve been busy.” He looked at Conchita. “You have news?”

Conchita eyed Roberta warily. “Can I talk in front of hese people?”

Roberta’s eyes flashed.

“You may,” Maijstral said hastily.

“Well,” Conchita Said, “I was following Alice Manderey, but I lost her.”

“Is that it?” Roberta demanded. “That’s all you have to

port?”

ROCK of AGES 211

Conchita flashed her an annoyed look. “As a matter of )ickles, it ain’t,” she said, and then turned to Maijstral. “She vas in this bright orange, Iridescent flier, a real flash job, and ;ot in the flier with her husband. She opaqued the glass as oon as she took off, so I only had the Iridescent to follow, but he flier is so distinctive that there really wasn’t any problem. I ollowed her flier to a garage in Alburquerque. A medium;ized cargo carrier flew out a few minutes later, followed by Vlanderley’s flier, and so I followed Manderley. But when the tier landed in Vancouver, only the husband got out. Manderey had given me the slip.”

“Was the cargo flier large enough to carry, say, a coffin?” Vlaijstral asked.

“You bet,” Conchita said. “And there’s more. After I ost Manderley, I thought I’d fly to Memphis and see if you zad any more instructions for me. And as I was coming in. for i landing, I saw the cargo flier taking off from that patch of woods just north of here.”

“The same cargo flier?” Kuusinen asked. “You’re sure?” “Photon Twelve, brown with white stripe, registration number HHD458772N,” Conchita said.

Kuusinen nodded. “Very good, Miss Sparrow, he said.

“I figured something was up, so I followed the flier. But it didn’t go very far=it just hopped over the trees to Graceland and landed there.”

“Graceland?” Roberta said in surprise.

“Graceland?” Maijstral wondered.

“Graceland?” said Kuusinen.

“Oh my,” Batty said, her ears cocking forward with interest. “Graceland. “

“Graceland,” Conchita smiled, and then continued. “She landed in one of the central landing stages, right in the middle of the whole complex. The airspace was restricted and I couldn’t hover overhead indefinitely, and-anyway the flier

212 WALTER JON WILLIAMS

noved under cover almost at once. I tried to find some place o observe from, but I couldn’t see anything, so I thought I’d )etter give you a report. But when I got to Tvar’s, I saw the )lace swarming with cops, so I waited until you came out, and hen I followed you here.”

“My compliments, Miss Sparrow,” Kuusinen said.-“You Lave done very well indeed.”

Roberta produced her pistol again, twirling it around her inger. “I think it is time to get our hands on this Alice Manlerley,” she said. “Perhaps we can lay an ambush near Graceand and wait for her to leave.

“She could be anywhere by now,” Conchita pointed out.

“We should get ahold of Kenny Chang,” Maijstral said. `Alice will do anything to keep us from damaging her hus)and. For some inexplicable freak of character she’s devoted o him.”

Get even, he thought, and a little triumphant hum smiled is sinister way along his nerves.

He rose from his chair and turned to Batty. “If you’ll orgive me,” he said, “I’d like to set Roman and Drexler to vork.“The thought of Kenny Chang in Roman’s hands aused him to smile. “We have a long night’s work ahead of is,” he said.

“Have a lovely kidnapping, dear,” Batty said. Maijstral nd Batty sniffed ears, and Maijstral left, followed by Kuusaen. Roberta remained behind to comfort the invalid.

From the hospital lobby, Maijstral called Roman to ask whether he’d gone to Graceland to pick up the false bishop, nd was told that the police were just leaving: Maijstral told Lim to wait. He then called Nichole. When her hologram ap,eared, her face showed concern.

“Well timed, Drake,” she said. “I was on the verge of alling you. My researchers have come up with some alarming Lews concerning Alice Manderley.”

ROCK OF AGES 213

“That she stole the stele, and took my father’s coffin i afternoon?”

Nichole received the news without surprise. “Ind yes-or so the information implies. Your … losing … y father in such a way distresses me.”

“You’ve heard?”

“Of course.”

“Have you heard that Alice took him to Graceland?’ She looked thoughtful. “No. I, hadn’t heard that. Bt

makes sense in light of what I’m about to tell you.” “Indeed?”

Nichole’s admirable brow wrinkled. “Are you speak privately?”

Maijstral glanced over his shoulder. “Mr. Kuusinei here.”

“Could you engage the screen, please?”

Maijstral hesitated for a moment, then nodded. “If wish.”

He turned to Kuusinen. “My apologies, sir.”

Kuusinen acknowledged the apology with a grac wave, and Maijstral activated the privacy field. He turner face the phone pickups.

“Yes? Why the urgency?”

“I have some financial information, gathered quite i gally, and I would prefer not to have to admit how I gc before any third parties. Particularly an attorney who seem be infamous for remembering odd facts and who may I some professional obligation to speak honestly in front judge.”

“I recall your mentioning that Alice had received a of five hundred novae,” Maijstral said.

“Yes, though all that information cost me was an scribed recording of my last play. The next mass of dat

214 WALTER JON WILLIAMS

going to cost me a private dinner with the Chief Auditor the Constellation Bank.”

“I am sure anticipation has him all aquiver.” Maijs laughed. “Nichole, have I mentioned lately my exceeding miration for you? Your resources never cease to amaze.”

“Oh, my news is amazing all right. Alice was paid 1 hundred novae just before she arrived here from Qwari She was paid another five hundred within hours after the s turned up under your bed. And she was paid a third five h’ dred earlier this evening, after your father was stolen.”

“Fifteen hundred,” Maijstral said. “That’s a pension g erous enough to support Alice for life. Or Kenny for a moi But who can afford to pay them sums that large?”,

Nichole looked at him levelly. “The money came fr the account of Major Ruth Song.”

Maijstral was staggered. “The Elvis?”

Nichole gave an incredulous laugh. “That expl. Graceland, doesn’t it?”

Maijstral tried to rein in the astonished thought-ir that seemed to be running amuck in his brain. “Here I thou she was merely a political crank. Now I discover she’s fan enough to spend a fortune to kill and discredit me.”

“Remember her grandfather, the Fleet Admiral? Nelson of Neerwinden?”

“Yes.”

“Well it turns out his first wife, no relation to Miss Si at all, died in police custody in a roundup of the relative; rebel leaders.”

“A roundup ordered by my grandfather.”

“Exactly. Though it appears that her death was an a, dent, a mistake by the doctor called in to treat her for sc long-standing condition.”

Maijstral tried to work this out. “So Major Song has ganized this complex and highly expensive conspiracy

ROCK OF AGES 215

order to avenge the death of some stepgrandmother she neve met and isn’t in any case related to?”

“So it appears.”

Maijstral shook his head. “There’s got to be more to than that.”

Nichole looked exasperated. “She’s just crazy, Drake You don’t need any other explanation than that. She not onl; inherited her political convictions from her grandfather, bu her religious ones as well. The late Fleet Admiral Song becam a convert to Elvis late in life, and he endowed Graceland wit] one of its showiest pavilions. He’s buried in the mausoleum and sleeps forever in the Arms of Elvis. Major Song is one o the most important lay sisters in the faith, and she has aj apartment in Graceland itself.”

Maijstral. stiffened. “I have a feeling she’s got somethin in that apartment that I want back.”

“Very possibly.”

“I’ll go there directly. But in the meantime I need you t( call Kenny Chang and arrange an appointment with him. Tel him you’ve got a part that’s just right for him, and that you’( like to meet him as soon as possible. Tomorrow mornini would be nice. Can you do that?”

“Of course. And I take it that it will be you and Romai who keep this appointment, not me?”

“Naturally.”

She gave a sigh of relief. “Oh, good. Kenny’s so utterl, dreary I’d hate to have to really meet him. The phone call wil be bad enough.”

Maijstral bowed toward the pickups. “Thank you, mi dear. I’ll call you tomorrow.”

He made as if to leave, but Nichole fixed him with at urgent look. “One more thing, Drake. This is important.” “Yes?”

“Major Song has made other payments.”

276 WALTER JON WILLIAMS

A warning hum sounded-in Maijstral’s mind. “To whom?”

“Drexler. Three payments of twenty novae each. Th first a few days before you arrived on Earth, then just after th Tejas theft, and again just this afternoon.”

Maijstral looked down at his hands and found they wei miming the act of closing around Drexler’s throat.

Taking dead aim. That’s what Song and her conspirator had done to him.

And he was about to take dead aim himself.

“Thank you,” he said. “I will deal with this at once.” “I know you will, Drake. Give my love to Roman, wi

you?”

“Oh absolutely.” He smiled. “Once he’s finished givin my love to Drexler.”

Maijstral hastened into the servants’ parlor, followed by Tva, “Roman,” he said. “Drexler.”

“Sir. Miss Tvar.”

Roman and Drexler rose hastily. They had been moni toring Tvar’s security gear on the unlikely but hopeful theor that the mystery burglar might return.

“Oh. Sorry.” Maijstral, bustling into the room, ha brushed against Drexler.

“My fault, boss.”

Maijstral smiled at him thinly. “Yes. I’m afraid so.”

Drexler’s ears cocked forward. “Boss?”

Maijstral stepped. back and regarded him. “I confess certain surprise to discover just how cheaply you work.”

Drexler’s fingers twitched, advancing toward the open ing of his jacket. His sturdy body seemed to inflate slightl3 “Boss?” he said.

“Alice Manderley was paid more than you by a factor c more than twenty, and all for’ doing the same job. Stealing,

ROCK OF AGES 217

mean, and planting the goods in my room.”

Drexler made his move, his hand diving into his armpi His eyes widened and his ears cocked forward.

“Looking for this?” Maijstral said, and produced the pi tol he had just snaked from Drexler’s holster.

Maijstral’s next line would have been, “Roman, secui this traitor!”, but he never got it out.

Roman had anticipated him. Drexler barely had time fc a yelp of dismay before Roman had seized him by his crotc and throat, upended him, and dashed him, skull-first to ti floor.

There was a horrible crunch as vertebrae compactel Drexler collapsed, his limbs atwitch. Maijstral frowned dow at him.

“Roman,” he said, “I wanted him in a condition to ai swer questions.”

“Sorry, Sir.”

“Well.” He shrugged. “As long as he’s unconsciou search him for further weapons and any communications c flight devices. Then-” He turned to Tvar. “If Miss Tvar wi provide us with the room in the house most resembling a ja cell?”

Tvar’s tongue cheerfully lolled from her muzzle. “Ligh less?” she asked. “Airless, dark? With stone walls to prevei any escape by burrowing?”

“Something like that, yes.”

“I believe I have a place suitable to the purpose. It’s tr room in which Savage Simon used to confine his victimsbought it entire and had it shipped here from Kualu.” Her es pression brightened. “I also have a number of his original is struments. For atmosphere.”

Maijstral turned back to. Roman. “Secure Drexler an put him there. We’ll talk to him when he’s conscious.” “Very good, sir.” Roman took a detector and began pa

278 WALTER JON WILLIAMS

ng Drexler down. Finding nothing suspicious, he picked the :her Khosalikh up by the collar and dangled him like a child’s Al.

Maijstral turned to Tvar. “Miss, if you could show Oman to the dungeon?” a

“Delighted.”

“Roman, after you’ve secured the prisoner, I will require Du to take me and Conchita Sparrow to Graceland.”

Roman paused in the act of carrying Drexler from the )om. “Miss Sparrow, Sir?”

“We’re going t6 need a tech,” Maijstral said, “and she’s vailable.”

“Hrrrr,” Roman growled meditatively. Then, “Very ood, sir.”

“Carry on.”

Maijstral, busy though he was, paused for a moment to njoy the sight of Roman carrying away the unconscious )rexler.

Though he could not realistically consider himself the aptain of his fate once more, Maijstral thought, he’d at least ianaged a self-promotion. To warrant officer, perhaps, or iaybe even lieutenant.

You were a spy for the Empire, Dornier!

A spy? Oh don’t be silly. What do you take me for, member of the Secret Dragoons?

You belonged to the Imperial Circuit. The High Custc Association. The Nostalgia Party. The Imperial Armed Fon Relief and Reunion Society. The Empire Party. The Old N bles’ Association… .

Oh yes, the Old Nobles. What a splendid bunch of fella they all were.

You conspired with them! Conspired against the Const lation!

We had such splendid plans for when the Emperor turns…

You admit it!

Of course. None of it was secret. You can read our m utes in our publications… .

It’s the secret parts I want you to confess. Who gathe! the information? Who were the spies?

220 WALTER JON WILLIAMS

I don’t know what you’re blithering about… . The Old Nobles’ Association! Who were the spies? The Old Nobles … so jolly. So jolly.

What were their names?

You aren’t Bertie, are you?

Bertie? Who’s Bertie?

Such chums we were. We went to school together, you ow.

I’m not Bertie!

Such a fellow for pranks he was. This is just like one of rtie’s jolly games, you know.

. This is no game, Dornier!

He’d sneak up on you at night and shout `Boo.’ What cghs we had. You’re just like him, you know.

I’m your inquisitor, and this is Hell!

Oh yes. I forgot.

This is going to last forever, Dornier. Forever!

Oh, surely not. I’m sure I’ve got an appointment some~ere….

Dornier! Listen to me!

… Now was it on Earth, or someplace else? I wish I could nember.

e two Graceland security guards, making their rounds, tiled visibly as Roman loomed out of the darkness. “Halt!” e of them squeaked.

In Roman’s shadow was Conchita Sparrow, dressed in a )ded cloak against the night air, and carrying a tray on ich rested some pieces of fine porcelain. Roman ap)ached the guards, growling ominously.

He was having a hard time controlling his growl reflex. One of the guards cleared her throat. “What is your busi

s.

“I am bringing a pot of restorative tea to the Prince-

ROCK OF AGES 221

Bishop of Nana in the Jungle Meditation Room.”

The guards both looked relieved that Roman’s answer adn’t been something to the effect of, “I am here to yank our spines out through your necks.”

“Pass,” one of them said.

Roman passed, growling.

Their wide eyes fixed on Roman, neither guard noticed he slight distortion in the air over their heads that marked the passage of a well-known thief in a darksuit.

,4aijstral entered the jungle Meditation Room and paused for . moment to let his eyes, and his staggered sanity, adjust. He iad known that Graceland was renowned for the extravagance )f its decor-all the minarets and domes made that clear !nough-but he had never seen anything like this.

The ferns and the full-sized palm trees that reached tovard the domed ceiling, the dome itself covered with an alle;orical fresco of Elvis Vanquishing the Blues, its principal igure glittering with sequins, crowned with stars, and with its eet planted on a sunset pink cloud. The animal skins, most with heads attached, that covered the floor in layers. The fall :hat poured silver water, like a stream of mercury, into a pool fined with lava rocks. The shields, spears, and more exotic weapons that massed on the walls, enough to outfit a )arbarian army. The stuffed rhinoceros-at least Maijstral assumed it was stuffed. The elephant tusks planted in rows. The furniture covered with hide.

The most normal thing’ in Maijstral’s view was the sight A himself, Drake Maijstral, dressed in ecclesiastical robes and snoring on one of the hide-covered couches.

Maijstral floated toward the couch, dropped to his feet, rd turned off the darksuit’s holographic camouflage. “Martin.”

The snoring Maijstral awoke with a start.

222 WALTER JON WILLIAMS

“Sir!” He jumped to his feet and turned off the hologr. that made him look like Maijstral, revealing himself as a sma ish human with a shock of blond hair. “I hadn’t expect you.”

“Has anything occurred, Martin?”

“Just after I got here one of the Elvii-Elvis XXIII called to offer you a personal tour of Graceland tomorrow thanked him for his kindness but explained that I was not cE tain my schedule would permit.”

“That was well said, Martin. Thank you.,”

Martin smiled. “It was interesting being a celebrity foi few hours, at least.”

“I’m afraid your moment of fame must come to an end He gestured toward Conchita and Roman, who had silent entered behind him. “I need you to don Miss Sparrow’s clo and leave with Roman.”

Martin bowed gracefully. “Very good, sir. Would y4 like me to instruct you in the workings of the sound effe( and video?”

,This statement was sufficiently intriguing that Maijstr though pressed for time, agreed. Martin led Maijstral to service plate and touched the ideogram for “sound.” Immec ately the dome began to echo with howling monkeys, bir calls, and the distant roars of hunting beasts.

“A bit overwhelming, I’m afraid,” Martin explaine “They were interfering with my, ah, meditations, so I sh them off.”

“Please do so again.”

“Yes, Sir.”

“And the video?”

“There are a great many projectors under the dome, you can watch several videos at once.

“What videos are they?”

“Oh-a wide selection, sir. You reach the catalogue I

ROCK OF AGES 223

touching this ideogram. There are several of Elvis himself gathered from primitive media, one gathers-but I’m afro I’m somewhat Elvis-deaf, if I may coin a phrase, so I haves sampled them.”

“Very good. Thank you, Martin.”

Maijstral passed Martin the agreed-upon sum, plus bonus. Martin smiled, pocketed the cash, and offered, first, l thanks, and second, his conge.

Maijstral turned to Roman. “Return Martin to M Tvar’s, then stand by with the vehicle. If I find my father, l probably need help in getting him away.”

“Yes, Sir,” Roman said.

Martin and Roman took their leave, Martin looking ni vously over his shoulder at the continual sound of Romai growling. Maijstral looked at Conchita.

“Are we ready?”

She grinned. Beneath the cloak she’d been wearing a s ver-grey darksuit, and now she triggered the holograpl camouflage.

“Fingo all right, boss,” she said.

As he flew off into the darkness, Maijstral made a note himself to find an opportunity to ask Conchita just what tl piece of cant actually meant.

“Pardon me, sir,” said the Baron Sancho Sandoval Cabeza Vaca, “but is there a Mangula Arish here?”

Graceland glowed on the near horizon, astonishing, f, ulous, and perfectly at one with itself. Outside the, gates ch tered the vigilant and faithful media, hoping for glimpse Maijstral, though an earthquake or a bloody riot would h; worked just as well. One of the reporters nodded.

“The lady over there,” he said, pointing. “With the hi3 impact hairstyle.”

“Thank you, sir.”

224 WALTER JON WILLIAMS

Baron Sancho squared his shoulders and marched toard his target. Mangula was preoccupied with controlling ie media globes she’d deployed around the Graceland perim;er, and paid little attention to the approach of the erect, elerly figure until the Baron, who was too gentlemanly to use is, cane on a woman, slapped her neatly across the face with a 1k-lined glove.

“Call me a coward, will you?” he demanded. “I demand itisfaction!”

Mangula stared at him for a moment, and then, both to is surprise and hers, turned and fled into the night.

To luck. No luck at all.

There was-no sign of Maijstral’s father in the apartment iat Major Song kept here, and no sign of Major Song either. ‘here was no apartment assigned to Alice Manderley, but she ould have been hiding or using a pseudonym, or hiding Maij;ral’s father in the apartment of an unknown confederate, so Iaijstral and Conchita were faced with the tedious prospect f checking every single apartment in the blocks assigned to isitors. And with the Memphis Olympiad coming up in a few ays, the greatest orgy of Elvis impersonation in all civilizaon, the apartments were almost all full.

“Did Elvis actually live amid all this?” Maijstral asked. Legend would have us believe he was a simple country lad.”

“Oh no,” Conchita said. “The original Graceland wasn’t cry large-well, it was small compared to Tvar’s place anyray-but it was destroyed in the New Madrid Earthquake enturies ago. Since then Elvis’s admirers have built what I beeve are termed `creative reinterpretations’ of the original.”

“I wish they had been less lavish,” Maijstral said.

Conchita looked glum. “I wish they had been less nuierous.”

Fortunately there were few places in any given apartment

RoCK OF AGES 225

where something the size of a cold-coffin could be hidden, s4 each apartment could be checked fairly quickly. But even si the eastern horizon had turned pale by the time Maijstral ani Conchita had finished.

“There’s only one set of apartments we haven’ checked,” Maijstral said, speaking over their coded communi cations link. “The Elvii themselves.”

“Oh no.” Behind her holographic camouflage, Conchit sounded shocked. “They wouldn’t, would they?” “All it takes is one fanatic.”

“I suppose. She sighed. “But the place is so huge.” “Let’s do it quick, the sun will bee up in a minute.” “Right.”

They soared off to- the extravagant Pavilion of the Elvi: the nerve center of Graceland, where the Clones of Elvis, a. reconstituted from the original’s remains and genetically iden tical to the King Himself, administered the huge empire the was in their charge.

There was the cult center, with its priests and temple! (Elvis had not yet been added to the official Khosali pantheon but there were hopes.) There was the vast acreage of Grace land itself, a giant center for tourism. There were concert hall and auditoriums. There was the Memphis Olympiad, whey Elvis impersonators from all over the galaxy competed forth prize of the Championship Belt. And there were royalties t collect, licenses to grant, and concessions to administer.

No one in Graceland was in danger of going broke.

The security was formidable around the area: guard marching in pairs, and the place was studded with detector that required the full complement of Conchita’s black box( to overcome. Peering in the windows with their detectors de ployed, Maijstral and Conchita observed the Elvii-old Elvi young Elvii, fat Elvii, and thin Elvii, Elvii sleeping and Elv

226 WALTER JON WILLIAMS

neditating, Elvii eating and Elvii fasting… Elvii, Elvii everywhere … but no coffin could be found.

“Thagger,” Maijstral swore. “I’ve had it. The sun’s up, et’s get out of here.”

He was sweating, but not as a result of heat from the risng sun. The distortion caused by their darksuits was much nore apparent in full daylight than at night, and there were pore people about to observe them. Detection was an ever.ncreasing possibility.

“There’s an Elvis coming,” Conchita warned. “Better wait.”

The Elvis in question was an elderly one, with thinning white hair. He was mounted on an imitation panhead Harley ‘training wheels extended) that gave a gentle electric whirr as it roasted up to the gate of the Residence. The Elvis parked the )ike, then walked to the gates (ornamented with old human;tyle musical notes covered in gold leaf) which parted silently n his path.

Maijstral’s mind snapped to attention.

“Wait a moment,” he said. “How did the gates know to et him in?”

The elderly Elvis ambled up the path (huge slabs of em~rald and ruby cut from asteroid material) and toward the loots (trefoil wood from Canther, carved with reliefs of Elvis Healing the Deaf), which likewise parted without a challenge.

“He’s got to have some kind of identification that takes aim through security,” Conchita said.

“If we can get one, we can enter anywhere.” “Especially if we look like Elvis.”

“Let’s steal one.”

“Right, boss.”

As they reached this decision, the elderly Elvis became visible again, rising to the top of one of the Pavilion’s towers ;sheathed in green jade and carved with dragons) in one of the

Rocx OF AGES 227

Pavilion’s exterior glass elevators (in the boxy form of an tique microphone). Maijstral and Conchita flew to the to] the tower (carved in the shape of a giant lotus), where t watched through window glass (inscribed with an imago Elvis Negotiating a Peace with the Aborigine Geronimo the Elvis yawned, removed his vestments, and headed for shower. Maijstral swiftly neutralized the tower room’s v ous alarms-easily spotted because they were in the shape grimacing demon masks-opened a window, and flew ii pass his detectors over the Elvis’s discarded clothing. A mond-studded pin in the shape of an ancient Cadillac groi vehicle responded with a complicated energy pattern, Maijstral removed it.

“Are you certain that’s it?” Conchita asked, as he clc the window behind him.

“No. We’d better test it.”

He flew down to one of the Pavilion’s doors dropped the pin onto the stoop. No alarms rang. The do silently opened. Maijstral dropped to retrieve the pin and t made a careful, zigzag flight back to the Jungle Meditai Room.

“I want you to analyze this pin and duplicate it,” he structed as he pulled on his clerical vestments over his. d: suit. “If that Elvis has the seniority I suspect he does, it she get us in anywhere.”

“We’d have to move fast, boss,” Conchita said. “O the Elvii find out this pin is missing, they’ll reprogram t: Cainputers to call security instead of open doors.”

`I suspect the old fellow just got off duty and is heac for bed. So we’ll have some hours, anyway.”

“I hope he’s due for a long rest.” She took the looked at it for a moment, and then put it in a pocket. “WE she said, “I’ll fly out of here.”

“Thank you, Conchita. You’ve done very well.”

228 WALTER JON WILLIAMS

“Yeah.” She grinned. “I usually create a catastrophe by joint, but I haven’t embarrassed myself yet, have I?” “No, you haven’t.”

“I’ll try to keep it up, then.”

She turned on her camouflage and flew toward the doors, h opened at her touch. She gave a yelp, and then the doors d and Conchita reappeared.

“Guards, boss! Hundreds of them!”

Maijstral’s heart crashed in his chest as he hastened to the s. He opened them a crack and peered out. Uniformed is were, in fact, pouring into the open square outside. But were forming ranks and facing to Maijstral’s right, not ring assault positions, and they were dressed in fatigue arms, not armed and armored for battle. He closed the s and turned to Conchita.

“It looks like a morning formation,” he said. “They’ll ably disperse after receiving their instructions.” Relief flooded Conchita’s face. “For a minute I thought one something horribly wrong again.”

“Wait until they disperse before you leave. All it takes is ne of them to look in your direction as you fly out, and g s up.

“Right, boss.”

He sat on the meditation couch and looked at the tea that :hits had brought earlier. “Is there real tea in here?” “Sure. Shall I tell the pot to warm it up again?” “By all means.”

Conchita sat next to Maijstral on the couch and gave the is instructions. Maijstral stretched and yawned. “I wonder how long it’s been since I’ve slept.” “You look tense, boss. Why don’t I give you a massage? )erk you up.”

“That would be nice. Thank you.” Maijstral offered her ack. Conchita’s small hands proved surprisingly strong

ROCK OF AGES 229

and effective in finding the knots in Maijstral’s muscles and dispersing them. He straightened, his back tingling with pleasure.

“Thank you,” he said. “That was very considerate.”

He glanced up, saw her looking at him.

“Oh,” he said. After a moment’s thought, he put his

arms around her.

“It’s about time you noticed,” Conchita said. “I haven’t

been hanging around in your air ducts just for the fun of it.” “Sorry,” Maijstral said. “But I’ve been distracted.”

“I’ll forgive you,” she said, “if you’ll kiss me right this

second.”

“Very well,” Maijstral said, and did so.

In the matter of being captain of his fate, he thought, perhaps he could just leave the tiller unattended for a while.

SIXTEEN.

. 9

Let us review your sins, Dornier.

Excuse me?

Your sins, Dornier, your sins!

Oh for gracious sake. Why do you keep repeating yourself?

Because you don’t seem to comprehend your position!

Oh, I understand it perfectly well. I’m in this, ummm, Hell place, and I’m supposed to, to … oh, what is that word again?

Atone, Dornier! Atone!

Oh yes. That’s it.

I call to your attention the League for Imperial Youth. Ah yes. We had the most jolly meetings.

An attempt to corrupt the children of the Constellation with alien ideas!

Oh, what rot. You talk the most amazing brand of stuff, do you know? Stuff and… what’s the other word?

I’m here to force you to confront your past! To admit that

ROCK OF AGES

you conspired against the Constellation by corrupts dren.

We had sing-alongs at our meetings. And nice that Miss Ginko sent up from the bakery.

You conspired, Dornier! Conspired!

Lovely little cakes with strawberries on them. creamy sort of buns that have that, you know, fillip) the kind with the little nuts on them. I wish I could of them now….

Confess your crimes, Dornier!

… What are those nuts called again?

Never mind the nuts, Dornier! You must conf

ality of your crimes and confess!

I can almost taste those buns … You wouldn or two in the pantry, would you?

No! You’re dead and in Hell! There’ll be no for you!

No buns? What a pity. Perhaps a little biscui then?

You’re dead! You’re dead! You can’t have a I Oh that’s right. Sorry.

Now, Dornier. We’ll begin again. And pay at time.

If you just keep repeating yourself, my dea don’t see why I should.

I’m not your dear fellow!

Well, yes. That’s obvious enough, I should there’s no reason not to be polite, even in Hell.

“The guards are dispersing. You’ll be able to leave moment.”

“Fingo all right, boss.”

“I’ll call Roman and have him bring me out it looks as if he and I will have a busy morning. But

232 WALTER JON WILLIAMS

to get started on breaking the code of the Elvii right away.” “It’ll be a piece of cake.”

Beat.

“Conchita?”

“Yes?”

“You wouldn’t mind answering a question, would you?”

“Only too, boss.”

“You’re not planning on marrying me, are you?” “Why? Are you about to pop the question?” “Frankly, no.”

“Well, that’s only sensible. You should get to know me first. Besides, I think I’m a little young for all that.” A smile. “Ah. Thank you.”

“No prob, boss.”

“No, as you say, prob.”

Darkness loomed. It was a darkness that yearned to be broken by a flash of lightning, or perhaps by a stabbing organ chord, but instead it was broken by a voice.

Not, one must admit, a nice voice either.

“Drexler, you may as well admit you’re awake. The neuromonitors make that clear enough.”

Drexler’s eyes, which had been determinedly shut, now shifted to determinedly open. “I want a doctor,” he said. “I’ve been injured.”

“What makes you think I’m not a doctor? You find yourself on a standard surgical table, with all the appropriate restraining straps, blood gutters, and so forth. You will observe I am wearing a doctor’s apron-a bit spattered, unfortunately, from the last operation, but it’s still perfectly functional.”

“If you’re a doctor, why are you wearing a mask and electronically altering your voice?”

“Because if you refuse to cooperate with me, I may be

ROCK OF AGES 233

compelled to commence a surgical procedure that the Medical Association might not sanction. You will observe that I have my instruments sharpened and ready.”

Drexler’s body gave a leap within its restraints. “Aagh! What are those?”

“Custom instruments. My instruments. Nice instruments.”

Drexler stared. “Nice?”

“This is my favorite-you will observe that it is a pair of scissors designed to cut outward, not in toward the center. And this instrument, originally designed for pulling teeth, but which has been found perfectly suitable for extracting, well, just about anything…”

“Let me up! Let me up!”

The masked figure put out a calming hand. “Not until you’ve had your operation, Mr. Drexler.”

“What operation? I don’t need an operation!”

“It’s best to let doctor decide, don’t you think? I believe we need to extract something. Either information, or something else…. “

“What do you want to know? I’ll tell you!”

“Why are you conspiring with Alice Manderley against your employer?”

“Because I was paid, of course! It more than made up for the money that Maijstral cost me!”

“Cost you? How did Maijstral cost you money?”

“On Silverside, I was working for Geoff Fu George. Chalice and I had a bet against Gregor and Roman about whether Fu George or Maijstral would steal the Shard first. I bet all I had, all my savings, and I lost. I wanted to start my own career as a burglar whenever Fu George retired, and I couldn’t. Now let me up!”

“I don’t believe your operation is quite over yet.” “Put that thing down!”

“Doctor knows best, Mr. Drexler.”

234 WALTER JON WILLIAMS

`Just put it down! I’ll tell you what you want “Very well. Who was it that contacted you?” “A human named Commander Hood. He’s

leg-breaker, works the circuit.”

“When did he first contact you?”

“About three months ago, just after I’d start for Maijstral. On Kobayashi.”

“Who did he say he was working for?” “He didn’t.”

“I’m not certain I believe you, Mr. Drexler. . “Put that down!”

“But if you won’t let me extract the truth, extract …”

“I’m telling the truth! Put it down!”

“I think I’ll just leave the instrument right. you can see it. Now what exactly did this Comma tell you to do … ?”

“Drake! Welcome back.”

“Thank you.” Sniffing Roberta’s wrist. “I Aunt Batty is well?”

“Oh, she’s fine, thank you. just tired. The h be releasing her later this morning.” “Splendid. Any news?”

“Well, that short person-the one with the ha about an hour ago, demanded a room, and has be ever since.”

“Very good.”

“And I just finished watching Tvar’s inters Drexler on a video link.”

“And … ?”

“Drake, it was most uncanny thing I’ve eve put on Savage Simon’s apron and became another] was terrifying.”

“She got results, I take it?”

ROCK OF AGES 2

Roberta shuddered. “Yes, but… you know, I this been around all these macabre objects far too long. ‘l gone to her head.”

“I recall her remarking to the effect that when Kh, bad, they go really bad. I’ll have to take care never to her wrong side. What did Drexler say?”

“He says he was hired by someone named Corn Hood.”

“Hood? I’ve met him-he got into a scandal ye and was thrown out of the navy. Since then he’s been n living as a thug for hire. No style at all-couldn’t ever a sanctioned form of larceny.”

“Drexler claims he doesn’t know who Hood wa: ing for.”

“Fortunately we do, so that doesn’t matter.”

“Drexler admits that it was he who put Joseph Bc tol in the air duct, but otherwise he just transmitted gence to the other side, telling them where you were 1 be, and what defenses you’d installed. He gave us the. he’d called to report, and” it is registered to a Mr. Hooc

“Does Drexler know where they took my father

“He said not. I am inclined to believe he was tel truth.”

“Well.” Maijstral’s heavy-lidded eyes closed to have a pair of tasks remaining for Drexler-perhaps I I ter ask Tvar to keep wearing Savage Simon’s apron so will perform them willingly.”

“What do you have in mind for him?”

“First, I want him to call Commander Hood and

that I’ve decided to flee to Tasmania and go into hidic “To allay their suspicions.”

“Exactly.”

“And the other is to transfer his-sixty novae?” “Sixty. Yes.”

“Transfer it into my account. There’s no reason

236 WALTER JON WILLIAMS

should be allowed to profit from all this. And anything else in his account should go as well.”

“I commend your sense of justice.”

“Thank you.”

A door banged open. Roberta jumped. “Boss!”

“Conchita. You have met Her Grace of Benn, have you not?”

Conchita barely spared Roberta a glance. “Last night, yeah. I just wanted to tell you that I’ve broken the code and we can get into Graceland anytime. How many coded badges will you need?”

“One for me, one for Roman, one for yourself …” “And for me.” ‘

“Thank you, Roberta. It’s not necessary, of course.”

“I think I would enjoy being in on the kill, so to speak. And Kuusinen will come, too.”

“Five copies, then, Conchita.”

“Right, boss.”

“And then go into Memphis and purchase five holographic Elvis disguises.”

“You bet, boss. Is that all you need?” “For the present, yes.”

“Right, then. Bye.”

The door banged again. Roberta frowned. “Roberta. You seem puzzled.”

“I am marvelling at the breadth of your acquaintance, Drake. I was barely aware of the existence of people such as Miss Sparrow, and now it would seem I am involved in an adventure with her.”

“You should broaden your circle, Roberta. After all, there are far many more of Conchita’s sort than of yours, or mine. I hope you will consider the experience an enriching one.”

ROCK OF AGES 237

“I am dubious as to the nutritive value of this brand enrichment. Why are you smiling?”

“A private thought, regarding enrichment. Nothing wi which to concern yourself.”

An image flickered to life. A shifting image, difficult of aspe, “Miss Manderley?”

“Who’s that? I can’t see. Are you wearing a darksuit?’ “Let me adjust the angle of the camera. There. Is that b( ter?”

“Abb! No! What is he doing to Kenny?”

“Dangling him upside down over the Grand Canyc Miss Manderley.”

“Tell him to stop! I’ll pay anything!”

“I’m afraid I can’t tell him to stop just yet, Miss Mand(

ey.

Alice Manderley shrank back into her seat. “Why is ti Khosalikh bald? Why has he painted himself all red like the He must be mad!”

“He’s just a bad molter, Miss Manderley.” “Nobody is that bad a molter!”

“Kenny will not be harmed if you agree to our c mands.”

“Anything!”

“Within the next minute, I want you to step into the fl that just landed on your front lawn. You will not carry a arms, communications equipment, or locator beacons.”

“Yes! Yes! Just don’t hurt him!”

“Miss Arish?”

“Yes.”

“My name is Copac. The Prince of Quintana Roo I sent me to-wait! Come back!”

238 WALTER JON WILLIAMS

The flier’s door hissed closed. Earth spiralled below as tl chine took flight.

“Take me to Kenny!” Alice demanded. “Not just yet.”

“Drake!”

“Now, now, Alice,” Maijstral pointed out from b the controls. “I am wearing a darksuit and am camouf You don’t know who I am,-nor do you know my comps likewise disguised, who is pointing a pistol at you.”

“Who was that freak who was dangling Kenny a canyon wall?”

“An acquaintance of mine who can be trusted to Kenny to the gravitational constant if you should disob( instructions in the least iota.”

“Well.” Muttering. “You’ve obviously got the goo

me.

“Exactly. And what I require is the absolute, p truth.”

“Fine. Just don’t hurt Kenny!”

Behind his camouflage, Maijstral smiled. “Firstly, long have you been engaged in this conspiracy?”

“With those fanatics? Virtues, it seems forever-bu first contacted me a few days ago, after I got off the liner Qwarism. By that point Kenny had acquainted me wii results of his financial speculation, and I desperately n~ the money they were offering.”

“Who contacted you?”

“Major. Song. What an unpleasant woman.” “That has been my impression.”

“She just ranted on about the. Empire and some coi acy of which you were supposed to be a part. I didn’t tak of that seriously, of course, but her money was good, s well, I didn’t have any choice. I was desperate. I tried to Kenny away from her, though, when he suggested havir finance one of his productions.

ROCK OP AGES 235

“I recall that.”

“Her fiance, that Captain Whatsisname, isn’t a p; the plot, by the way. I was told never to mention it in frc him.”

“So when he challenged me, he was doing it all c own?”

“Absolutely. Song was appalled.”

“Where did you take my father?”

“They ordered me to take him to Graceland.” “What did they do with him then?”

“I have no idea. They paid me off, took possession i

coffin, and then I called for a flier and left.”

Maijstral thoughtfully twisted his diamond ring. “Si

didn’t even try to keep the coffin in your possession until

night tonight? It will never be yours legally, and you c.

prosecuted for the theft at any time?”

“Well-yes.”

“That’s awfully careless of you.”

“You weren’t supposed to find out I’d done it.” “Ah. Sorry not to have been killed in a duel as plani “I’m sorry, Drake. I truly found this job distasteful

my employers appalling. I’ve been motivated by fiscal de

ation, not by any personal animus toward you.”

“Ah. And I suppose it never occurred to you that

I’m out of the way, you’ll have a better shot at being

number one?”

Silence.

“Do you have any idea what they intend to do wit father?”

“No, not really. Major Song babbled about a vengi that would last an eternity, but she talks like that all the so it’s hard to say whether or not it was hyperbole. She’s insane, you know. It’s lucky someone else was plannii this, I don’t think she’s capable.”

“Wait a minute. This wasn’t all Major Song’s idea?’

240 WALTER JON WILLIAMS

“No. Not at all. She’s following someone else’s orders. She has it all written down for her-otherwise she’d forget something.” Alice shuddered. “She’s not a very rational person, Drake.”

“Who’s behind this?”

“I don’t know. I didn’t want to know. But whoever it is, he hates you with the most perfect hate of all time.”

“Mr. Maijstral.”

Maijstral looked up from the table where he’d placed his gear. Pistols, knives, restraints …

“Mr. Kuusinen,” he said. “Please sit down.”

Kuusinen did so. “I’ve been thinking. I think your father is still, ah, intact, and still at Graceland.”

“I’m pleased to hear you say so. May I ask your reasons?”

“If Major Song and her cohorts intended to destroy the coffin and its contents, there was no need to take it to Graceland in the first place. They could much more easily have built a bonfire out in the countryside somewhere, and destroyed the coffin in perfect privacy. I imagine it would be difficult to find a place even in such a large place as Graceland where a burning coffin would not go remarked.”

“Yes, I follow.”

“So they took your father to Graceland for a reason. I must admit I have not discerned what that reason may be, but possibly it is related to the upcoming Memphis Olympiad. Perhaps Major Song wishes to use the coffin in her act-I’ve never known Elvis impersonators to use anything so eccentric as a coffin in a performance, but I gather she is an eccentric person.”

“An understatement if ever. I’ve heard one. Do you have any further thoughts?”

“Somewhat, Sir. Though we cannot know the reason the

ROCK OF AGES 2,

coffin was taken to Graceland, we can know that wha was that Major Song intended to do with it, she ma done it by now. In which case the coffin and your fath be shipped out and destroyed.”

“Time is of the essence, then.”

“I fear so, sir. With this in mind, then, I have ca from computer files all the available architectural p Graceland, and I have asked my computer to perform s ysis of the data in order to determine all the places in land where something the size of- your father’s coff have been hidden.”

“I imagine there must have been a very great man

“The resultant number was dismayingly large. where in excess of fifty thousand. But the probabili coffin being hidden in many of these places was ni large-one could hardly put it anywhere public-ai have further analyzed the data and come up with somet the neighborhood of three thousand possible-sir?”

“Yes?”

“You look startled.”

Maijstral’s green eyes glittered, and he smiled “An inspiration, Mr. Kuusinen. I just realized where t fin is hidden. I believe we may go ahead and rescue ml now.”

“Ah-very good, Mr. Maijstral.”

“But keep your architectural plans in reserve. I

wrong. And-do you have a few moments?” “Yes.”

“I wish to employ you in your legal capacity, if Would you mind accompanying me to my room?”

“Mangula Arish, I’ve tracked you down! Stop! Come ~

SEVENTEEN

0 0

Torment, Dormer! Eternal torment! Eh? Eh? You were saying?

Long have 1 planned my vengeance, Dornier! Years h passed while my plans grew to fruition!

What are you going on about?

And now our minds have been wired together. You a escape me-you’re at my mercy! My mercy, Dornier! Are you… Quigley?

Who is Quigley? Is Quigley a spy?

A spy? Oh, Virtues, no. Quigley is an old school chum Enough of your school chums, Dormer! You’re in 1 now!

Hell. Oh, yes. I remember now.

Contemplate your sins, Dornier….

Quigley’s cook used to make the most perfect little o

lettes. You couldn’t have her make me one now, could

Quigley?

I’m not Quigley!

ROCK OF AGES 243

You’re not?

Get this through your head, Dormer! You’re dead, yc in Hell, and I am not Quigley! Can’t you get it straight?

Oh, of course. I’m being so silly. Of course you’re Quigley.

Just remember that, Dornier!

You’re Jacko. I remember now.

I’m not Jacko!

Of course you are. You’re Jacko, and this is one of jolly little pranks.

I’m not Jacko!

Ha ha ha! I’ve found you out at last! Aaaaah! I give up! I can’t stand it!

Most amusing, Jacko. Your best yet, as far as I’m cerned.

Your brainlessness! Your endless drivelling! I refus spend eternity with the likes of you! I’m cancelling Hell, I’m cancelling it now!

No need to get upset, old man. After all, I was boun guess your identity sooner or later.

It’s over! I’m going to call Major Song and have you connected!

Oh …, I say, tell the Major to bring tea and cakes. . worked up quite an appetite.

“Roman?”

“Sir? You called?”

“Please sit down. I have something to say.” .

The red-eyed, fiery-skinned giant seemed uncomfort as he sat in Maijstral’s presence. In addition to the obvious son for his discomfort, Roman wasn’t used to being seate the presence of his social betters.

Maijstral frowned down at the table before him, w] his genealogy, so carefully assembled by Roman, had been

244 WALTER JON WILLIAMS

rolled. He looked at his ancestors running back thousands of years, and thought of Roman’s own genealogy, which went back even farther.

He cleared his throat. He wanted to be able to pick the right words for this.

“Roman,” he said, “before we go off to rescue my father, I thought I would acquaint you with some of the contents of my will.”

“Sir!” Roman barked. “Not necessary!”

This was hardly Roman’s usual form, Maijstral knew, but then he reminded himself that this was hardly the usual Roman.

“I am certain,” Roman added, more in his usual style, “that any dispensation which you have chosen to make is more than adequate.”

“Well. There’s a little more to it than endowments and so forth. Something special.”

“Sir?”

44your family has been in service to mine for hundreds of years. Never in all that time has there been a single instance in which your family has failed to give its utmost for mine.”

Maijstral was startled as Roman gave a brief roar, but it proved not to be anger, but rather something more in the nature of clearing the throat.

What Roman said, finally, was, “We endeavor to gratify, sir.”

“And you have. You have. And in recognition of that, I placed in my will the intention that, on my death, the City of Seven Bright Rings be petitioned that one of my titles-that of Baron Drago-be given to you, or your heir. I also made provision for the transfer of sufficient funds to support any reasonable pretensions to which a member of the nobility might aspire.

“Sir!” The arm of the chair came loose in Roman’s hand.

ROCK OF AGES

245

His reddened eyes almost leaped from his head.

“But then,“Maijstral added, “I reconsidered.”

A twitch danced across Roman’s countenance. “I un stand, sir,” he said. “It is hardly fitting that I-“

Maijstral tried to repress a smile. “Roman,” he “please let me finish.”

“Very good, sir.”

Roman observed the chair arm in his hand, and looke it in surprise, not knowing how it got there.

Maijstral cleared his throat. “I reconsidered,” he peated. “I thought, why should all this wait till I’m d when by all rights you should have your reward now. have just now instructed Mr. Kuusinen to draft a petitio: the City of Seven Bright Rings, and as soon as the Imps Recorder in the next room copies it with his jade pen, ai sign it, the petition will be sent by the Very Private Letter vice to the Emperor. And since we did the Empire that ser on Peleng, as I’m sure you remember, I have every reaso: believe that my petition will be granted….”

His voice trailed off as he saw that Roman was sin staring off into space, the chair arm in his hand, his me fallen open and his tongue lolling.

“Well,” Maijstral said. “Soon you’ll be Lord Drago, thought you’d better be prepared. That’s all, Romanmay go.”

“Sir-“

Maijstral rose and held out his hand. “Thank 3 Roman.. You have always given complete satisfaction.”

Slowly Roman rose from his chair. He held out his h. recollected the chair arm was still in it, switched the chair ; to the other hand, then took Maijstral’s hand and claspei Maijstral winced as bones took the strain.

“Thank you, sir!” Roman bellowed.

246

WALTER JON WILLIAMS

Maijstral winced a second time at Roman’s astounding volume.

“You’d best go and prepare,” he said. “We’ll be leaving in a few minutes.”

“Very good, sir!” Roman roared, turned on his heel it formal military fashion, and marched out, the chair arm still it one hand.

Maijstral massaged his wounded hand, looked down a the genealogy, and smiled.

He had always thought that Roman would make a goo( lord. Every so often he and Roman were compelled to trave incognito, and Roman had on occasion operated under thi name of Lord Graves, a perfectly genuine person who hap pened to be Maijstral’s distant cousin. Roman had been s( splendid at being Lord Graves, at adopting the proper mix o lordliness, condescension, and noblesse oblige, that Maijstra had often found it very odd of the universe that he, Maijstral was the lord, whereas Roman, who was so much better at it was the servant.

Of course Roman also believed in lords, and emperors and so on, and Maijstral didn’t. Perhaps conviction adde( something to Roman’s performance that Maijstral, for all hi birth and training, lacked.

There was a knock on the door, and then Tvar entered Maijstral sniffed her ears.

“How fare our guests?”

“Drexler, Manderley, and Chang have been safely locket in Savage Simon’s dungeon. Drexler has also been persuade to forfeit his sixty novae and change.’

“Very good.” Maijstral would make the sixty novae pat of Roman’s-Lord Drago’s-endowment.

It wasn’t enough to support a lord for very long, but i would make a good start, and Roman could always steal som more. And it was more than Maijstral had to his name when h joined the nobility at his father’s death.

ROCK OF AGES 247

“We’ll leave as soon as Conchita.gets back,” he beg; “Right here,. boss.”

The camouflage holograms dissolved and Con floated down from the ceiling.

“Conchita,” Maijstral, said, “you must some day a me to introduce you. to the concept of a door, and of the u frame, on which you may knock.”

“Sorry,” Conchita said, “but thee window was open, just flew up and came in. It seemed quicker than going long way.”

“Do you have our disguises?”

“Well-mostly.”

“Mostly?”

“You asked for five, boss, but I could only find foul Maijstral raised his eyebrows. “You could find only Elvis holograms in all of Memphis?”

Conchita looked apologetic. “There’s - a high dem boss, with the Memphis Olympiad coming up next week. there’s some kind of big ceremony going on right now, Olympiad, with pilgrims from all over. You know how n Elvis’s admirers like to dress up like him, right? Well, I cs all over Memphis and I only got four holograms.”

“Well,” Maijstral sighed. “Can’t be helped, I suppos

Conchita brightened. “But I got a fifth hologram. It the last one the store had.”

“What does it look like?”

“Ronnie Romper.”

“Ronnie Romper?”

“Yeah. The puppet from the children’s videos. I rE liked him when I was little.”

. Tvar lolled a Khosalikh smile. “I adore Ro Romper!” she said. “I used to visit the Magic Planet of Ad’ ture every week.”

Maijstral, it is apropos to remark, did not adore Ro: Romper. He believed that the little puppet, viewed by ev

248 WALTER JON WILLIAMS

one else as a harmless vehicle for juvenile delight, was in f horrid omen of doom.

This was not precisely superstition, but rather a pro of some dubious inductive reasoning: a maniac assassin once tried to cut Maijstral in half while wearing a Ro Romper disguise; and therefore Maijstral always viewed close association with Ronnie Romper as an invitatio: homicide.

If not precisely logical, the view has a certain co: tency. That’s inductive reasoning for you: it’s sneaky, bi least it’s based on data.

“How are we going to sneak Ronnie Romper Graceland?” Maijstral demanded.

Conchita gave it some thought.’ “Well,” she said Ronnie’s with us… “

Maijstral surrendered. Obviously it was his fate to Ronnie Romper into battle.

“Very well,” he said. “But let’s leave at once, befc think better of it.”

The main gates of Graceland were jammed: pilgrims, I human, Khosali, and otherwise, a great many of them ei dressed as Elvis, wearing Elvis masks, or disguised by l holograms, were swarming up against the stanchions, tr to get into the festival. Music boomed indistinctly in the tance, all bass notes and rhythm. The far-off roar of an a ence rose and fell.

“Why you are Ronnie Romper disguising?” asked Troxan. The tiny alien, who normally would have stood al as far from the ground as Maijstral’s navel, was floc through the crowd on an a-gray harness ornamented ‘ rhinestones, a cape, and a standing collar.

Maijstral found himself devoutly wishing he’d giver. Ronnie Romper disguise to someone other than Roman,

ROCK OF AGES

by virtue of his height was far from inconspicuous

It occurred to him that, insofar as Roman’s at alien’s question might be to remove the Troxan’s his shoulders, he should answer the question 11 quickly.

“We’re coming from a party,” he said.

“I am climaxing this system my unbusiness je

Troxan said. “Most event making, friend finding g To his horror, Maijstral realized that he knew

ular alien-his name was Count Quik, and Maijst

him on Peleng.

It really wasn’t Maijstral’s fault that he hadn the Troxan immediately. Identification of Troxai the minor arts, as they all have the same bodies, n onion heads, and more or less fixed expressions. 5 nates between the various cartilaginous layers of and gives Troxans the most acute and discriminat in the galaxy.

Maijstral cleared his throat and lowered his that his speech would prove fatally recognize Troxan.

“I’m afraid we’ve run out of time,” he gr sorry. Good-bye.” He began to elbow his way I rear of the crowd.

“Farewells, Mr. Maijstral,” the Troxan said p Maijstral clenched his teeth and continued his

the rear of the crowd, the others in his party folloi “Was that Count Quik?” Kuusinen asked. “Yes.”

“Do you think he will give us away?” “He didn’t last time.”

“Last time he didn’t catch us in the act of bi entering.”

“Either way we’ve got to act swiftly, and c

250 WALTER JON WILLIAMS

front of the main gates is the least expedient way I can think deal with the situation. We’ll find a side entrance, and o identificationcodes should get us in. Once past the perimet we’ll go straight to our destination. Very likely we’ll get t business over with before Count Quik even gets to the m, gate.”

“Very good.”

Out of the blue, a woman marked by a stiff, distincti hairstyle charged right through the midst of them, knocki Roberta to the ground in her haste before she disappeared in the crowd. Media globes circling the woman’s head mark her position in the crowd as she ran on. Kuusinen and Ma stral bent to pick Roberta up.

“Are you all right?” Maijstral asked.

“I’m fine. Wasn’t that Mangula Arish who just knock me down?”

“I don’t know,” Maijstral blinked. “Was it?”

The party scattered before a flying wedge of Mayai

who likewise disappeared into the crowd at a run.

“What’s going on?” Roberta demanded.

“I haven’t the vaguest…” Maijstral began, and then 1

blood froze at the sight of the Baron Sancho Sandoval Cabe

de Vaca bearing down on him, waving his cane.

“Are you sure my holograph is functioning?” Maybe,

thought, all these people were recognizing him. “You look fine,” Roberta said.

“Let’s get out of here anyway.”

They made their escape before the-elderly Baron Sanc could hobble up to them, then circled around Graceland’s p, imeter until they discovered a gate, the entrance that led Love Me Tender Street.

“If we’d had time to develop a plan,” Maijstral point out, “we would have come here at the start.” Assuming the dignified mien of the Elvii, Maijstral l

ROCK oP AGES 2 f I

his group toward the gate, which obligingly rolled open a approach. Two guards stationed behind the gate snappe, attention, and a third presented a portable log-in scanner pen.

“Please sign in, sir.”

Nothing for it but to continue, Maijstral decided. reached for the pen and signed “Elvis Presley” in wha hoped was a bold hand.

The guard looked at Roman. “Why the Ronnie Ron disguise?” he asked, then turned pale at the sound of Rom answering growl. His hand automatically rose to the pist< his belt.

“We’ve been to a party,” Maijstral said, in what he ho was the voice of an old man. “My friend has a bad case of ii gestion.”

“Hrrrr,” Roman agreed.

The guard’s suspicion dwindled, but didn’t vanish tirely. “And why are you disguised?” he said. “You’re on the Elvii-you already look like Elvis.”

Inspiration struck Maijstral. “Ahhhhhh,” he said, dr ing out a world-weary sigh. “Even I sometimes yearn tc young again.”

“Oh,” the guard said. “Gotcher.”

Maijstral led his group through the gate. The gt looked after Roman as he passed.

“By the way,” he added, “my kids love your show.”

Maijstral discovered, once inside, that Love Me Ter Street was crowded. Several concerts were going on at one the various auditoriums and open-air concert venues, more visitors were entering every second. The sound of m and the roar of the crowds were much louder. Maijsti group found it slow going, but they made steady prog until a group of children spotted Ronnie Romper and rarr to join the party.

252 WALTER JON WILLIAMS

“Do your Pumpkin Dance!” one of them demanded. “Take us to the Magic Planet of Adventure!” said an other.

“The Pumpkin Dance!”

“Where’s Cap’n Bob?”

“Sing the Pangalactic Friendship Song!”

Graceland, Maijstral realized, was a tourist mecca; an( the tourists, seeing a holographic video character, were assum ing that this was part of the entertainment.

Maijstral was on the brink of explaining that Ronnie wa very busy now, in the midst of an adventure that was takin him from the Magic Planet of Adventure on a mission to Graceland to rescue Elvis from danger, but he found his expla nation preempted by Roman himself.

Roman leaned over the children, raised his arms, and bel lowed “Buzz off.” in a voice that froze the entire crowd ii their tracks.

The children turned pale and fled, all except for th youngest, who wet himself, sat down, and began to cry. Th child’s mother rushed up to the child and picked him up in he arms.

“Beast!” she shouted at Roman’s retreating back. “Perhaps we’d better fly,” Maijstral said. “We’ll be mor conspicuous, but we’ll make better time.”

They triggered their a-gray harnesses and rose ‘into th air. Maijstral led them onto shade-lined Big Hunk 0’ Lov Boulevard toward the center r of Graceland, triggering as h flew his darksuit’s sensory ‘enhancements that increased h:. range of hearing and vision. An unforeseen consequence c this decision was that he could hear with unusual clarity th comments of the crowd below.

“What’s this on my shoe?”

“Look! It’s Ronnie Romper!”

“Hi, Ronnie!”

ROCK OF AGES 2;

“Hrrrr!”

“My kids love your show!

“I didn’t know Ronnie was so huge. He’s so li vid!”

“Hey, Ronnie! Where’s Auntie June and Uncle A “Sing the Pangalactic Friendship Song!” “What’s this on my shoe?”

And then, lurching down the avenue, came a sig Maijstral scarcely required enhanced vision in order to It was a frightening figure, horribly disfigured, as Roman and as powerful as a colossus.

It was Milo Hay, the fiance of Major Ruth Song the double thrashing he’d received from Prince H bodyguard and then from Roman, he’d been strapped i exoskeleton to enable him to heal while moving abot mally-if, that is, being strapped into a humanoid-shap lection of gleaming, articulated metal can be called “n normally.”

Hay marched onto the boulevard with a hiss of h lics and a clank -of metal. His face was covered by the s patches that were sopping up his bruises. Despite all hi ries, he had a strange, dreamy smile on his face, dout side effect of overeffective painkillers.

Hay turned and began clanking down Big Hunk C Boulevard in the same direction as Maijstral’s party. stral’s blood turned cold.

“Faster,” he said, and increased speed.

Hay looked up as Maijstral’s group passed over hi His dreamy smile widened. He waved.

“Ronnie Romper!” he said. “Hove your show!”

At the geographical center of Graceland, surrouni a company of guards in full dress uniform, stands the ment known as the Heart of Graceland. The huge sheathed obelisk, in the shape of a giant torch, is by

kI

254 WALTER JON WILLIAMS

tallest freestanding structure in Tennessee, and on c the Eternal Flame surmounting the structure can s be seen from Pikes Peak. Long reflecting pools st the monument in each of the four cardinal directioi

Maijstral dropped to the ground and his enti lowed suit. Moving with the dignity-of authority a he approached the main gate. A guard captain point for at him, read -the display, and promptly saluted.

“How may I be of service to the Elvii?”

Behind his holographic camouflage, Maijstral

“Could you check the directory and remind location of the resting place of Fleet Admiral Song

“‘Right away, sir.”

The captain went to a service plate, consulted ment, and then returned.

“Level Three, Row 300, number 341. He has, ing monument that will make the location plain. D me to escort you to the vault?”

“No, thank you. That won’t be necessary. nodded regally and led his group through the entn

“It is my constant joy to serve the Elvii!” the i fervently, and saluted again.

Maijstral entered and found himself in a huge elled in marble and draped in red velour. As he wal the center, the flagstones under his feet lit up one I stepped on them, and an invisible organ began tc You Lonesome Tonight?”

The Heart of Graceland loomed ahead, a h polished black marble beneath which lay the mot of Elvis Aron Presley, lying forever with members ily_

“Of course!” Kuusinen said. “I don’t know v see it.”

“I feel the same way,” Roberta added. “Nc perfectly obvious.”

Rocx of AGES 255

“Beg pardon?” Conchita said. “It’s not that obvious tc me “

The party approached the King’s final resting place and came to a stop against the polished brass rail that circled the monument.

“Alice Manderley said that Major Song was just following orders, Maijstral said, “Which means she isn’t behind the scheme. And Mr. Kuusinen was right when he suggested that there had to be a reason why my father’s coffin was taken to Graceland, and not somewhere else.”

“He was taken here to meet his chief adversary,” Kuusinen said, “the man who headed the plot against him. It was necessary that Gustav Maijstral be brought here, because otherwise the meeting couldn’t take place.”

“Who is it?” Conchita demanded. “One of the Elvii?” “Fleet Admiral Song,” Kuusinen said.

“Admiral Song?” Roman roared. “But he’s dead!”

“So is my father,” Maijstral said. “But my father retains a kind of tenuous existence in his cryocoffin, and I suspect the same is true of Admiral Song.”

Roberta nodded. “The late Duke-I hope this observation does not cause offense-is not always in a rational state. I suspect the same is true of Admiral Song.”

“Long freezes rarely benefit the rational faculty,” Kuusinen pointed out.

“Admiral Song was one of the Constellation’s greatest ieroes,” Maijstral said, “and I suspect his granddaughter )beys his slightest wish without question. My grandfather ;aused the death of the Admiral’s first wife, and he’s been iungering for revenge ever since. Since his death, I suspect his vengeful desires have overwhelmed his reason.”

Conchita whistled. “That Admiral’s a sad case.”

“Yes,” Maijstral said. “And it’s high time we deprived um of his prize. To the vaults!”

The elevator was lined with mirrors shot with gold veins,

256 WALTER JON WILLIAMS

large enough to carry any number of. cryocoffins withoi crowding, and played a cheerful arrangement of “Bossa No, Baby” as it rose with a certain deliberate grandeur to the thij level of the structure.

As soon as the doors opened, Maijstral’s amplified sens, began to hear a high-pitched, hectoring voice that rose and fE over the cheerful elevator music. He used the proximity wi in his darksuit to open his private communications channo and subvocalized as he gave his instructions, inaudible to at eavesdroppers but clear enough to his own party.

“Something’s up,” he said. “Quiet now .. and let’s 1 certain to find the right vault. And if you have to talk, remes ber to subvocalize.”

The others, silent, nodded.

The entire level consisted of the long, solemn marb rows of those who lay for eternity in the Arms of Elvis. I invisible chorus of angel voices sang a dirgelike, minor ki version of “Mystery Train.” Tasteful gold flashing neon sig directed Maijstral to Row 300.

The hectoring voice grew louder.

“Ridiculous drivelling fooll” it said. “All my years planning, and for this?”

“Now, now, Bertie. Don’t get. upset-it will injure yo digestion.”

Maijstral stiffened as he recognized the voice of his I ther.

“I’m not Bertie, you maniac!”

“Admiral-don’t get upset.” Major Song’s voice, a 1 male baritone.

Maijstral drew his spitfire from its holster *and set t charge to maximum.

“Why shouldn’t I get upset?” said the first voice. “A vengeance is ruined! This fool is too thick-witted to appreci: the Hell I had in store for him, and you’ve bungled the ott part of your assignment!”

ROCK OP AGES

2f7

“When will Maijstral die in a duel, that’s what I wan know!”

“He’s still supposed to fight Hunac, Sir,” Major S4 said weakly. “We just don’t know when.”

“Robert the Butcher’s offspring must die! That’s w my vengeance demands!”

“Yes, Admiral.”

Maijstral reached Row 299, just before Admiral Soi resting place. He looked at the others-with his enhanced sion, he could do it without turning his head-and subvo, ized.

“Roman, take Mr.-Kuusinen down this aisle. Prepan fly over the row of vaults and aid us on my signal.” “Hrrrrr, Sir!”

“All of you, be careful when it comes to shooting. I d( want my father’s coffin hit.”

Roman’s party drifted ‘down the aisle and positio: themselves.

“I’m tired of waiting for Hunac to do the job,” the i

miral ranted. “Go out and have Maijstral killed!” Maijstral’s blood froze. His pistol trembled in his hai “Have Hood do it,” ranting on, “or have him hire soi

one. Just blow the monster’s head off!” “Yes, Sir.”

The Admiral’s voice turned smug. “There is no guilt,’ said, “in extinguishing vermin.”

“I say, Bertie,” ex-Dormer said reproachfully, prank is going a little far, don’t’ee think? What if some takes you seriously with this killing business?”

“Shut up, you-you-“

While the late Admiral spluttered in search of an apf priate epithet, Maijstral heard Roman’s voice subvocalizin€ his communications channel.

258 WALTER JON WILLIAMS

“These people intend to assassinate you, sir! We should eradicate them!”

Maijstral reflected how cheerful it might be to simply order Roman! Kill! and then sit back until it was all over.

But no. Something in him cringed from ordering a coldblooded murder, even with all the provocation in the world.

His heart thrashed in his throat, making it difficult to subvocalize.

“Save my father first,” he said. “If they resist, that’s one thing-but if they don’t, it’s another. We have plenty of witnesses to their plan-we can have them arrested later. A crazy man in a coffin and a woman surgically altered to look like Elvis won’t get very far.”

“Hrrrrr!” Roman replied, his tone resentful. And then, “Very good, sir.”

Maijstral turned to face the others in his party. (He could have seen them without turning, but they wouldn’t have known he was talking to them.)

“Keep large intervals,” he said. “If we clump up, we’re just one large target. Keep your weapons ready, but no shooting unless I shoot first.”

Where, he suddenly wondered, were these phrases coming from? He’d never been in the military, and he’d done his best to run away from any dangerous situations in his life; but now here he was lecturing the others on tactics like some wizened Death Commando sergeant in an action vid.

Probably it was all bubbling up from his subconscious. Maybe he’d watched too many Westerns.

He holstered his pistol, wiped sweat from his palms, took his pistol in hand again.

“I say, Bertie” ex-Dormer said cheerfully. “You wouldn’t have any of the bubbly about, would you?” “Shut up! Shut up, shut up, shut up!”

For some reason the sound of the deranged corpse shout-

Rocx of AGES 2)

ing at his father set Maijstral’s blood boiling, and the arr him marching around the corner and down Row 300 a conscious thought. And immediately he knew this bi was going to be a lot more difficult than he’d expected.

There wasn’t just Song in the aisle, for one thing. S three companions disguised as Elvis. Maijstral recogniz of them as Commander Hood, the ex-naval officer bully, whose burly form was unmistakable even in a a paste-on sideburns. The two others looked like hired r And a f,purth companion, unless Maijstral missed his was one of the Elvii himself, a sullen-looking youth ii leather vestments.

A pedestal bust of Admiral Song had been move to permit access, to his vault. The marble front of the with his name and ‘a patriotic inscription, had been rer Two coffins were visible, both for the moment susper the grappler beams of a kind of cartlike lifting apparat itself hovered on its repellers a few inches above the g One of Song’s henchmen was sitting in the cart’s seat, c ing the controls. Apparently both coffins had been ja into the same vault, and it was necessary to remove r once in order to sort them out.

That was the one piece of luck that Maijstral cou He had brought .straps and a-gray repellers to help cai father’s coffin from Graceland, but instead, if he v things right, he could just commandeer the cart and c off.

Maijstral tried to summon authority and dignity marched toward the group. He held his pistol behind hi cause he wasn’t certain if the commercial hologram conceal it or not. His enhanced vision showed Rober Conchita marching out behind him, spreading out as I structions. One by one, Song’s party noticed his approa

-‘stared at him nervously while the late Admiral raved or

260 WALTER JON WILLIAMS’

“Do we have a problem here?” Maijstral’s voice sou

faint over the crashing of his own heart.

“Who the hell is that?” Admiral Song snarled.

“I am of the Elvii, Maijstral said. “I heard a d

bance.”

Maijstral was terrified that someone would simpll Why’s he wearing a hologram? but it didn’t happen, young Elvis-the genuine one-stepped forward. glazed his brow. “There is no problem, sibling,” he “Two of the deceased have been arguing, and we’ve decic move one of them to a different vault. There’s no reasc you to concern yourself.”

Maijstral affected to consider this as he peered do’ nose at the young Elvis. “I do not believe you are authc to make these decisions,” he said, making a hopeful gues

The Elivs looked abashed and mumbled something. and Hood exchanged glances. Maijstral looked at the vai the two coffins.

“Two coffins in a single vault?” he said. “This is irregular.”

Major Song stepped forward. “Sir? If you will perm Maijstral looked at her. She was devout, supposedl3

perhaps would be disinclined to harm or question one I

Elvii.

“I do not recall that I gave you permission to speall said, and Major Song fell back in confusion. Maijstral cl his throat. “I believe I will have to take the coffins down and sort this all out with the proper authorities. Follov please.”

For a moment he thought they’d actually do it-he i see the inclination in their eyes, the automatic impulse to the voice of authority when they had no plan of their owr then the worst thing possible happened.

Maijstral’s father spoke.

ROCK OP AGES 261

“Drake?” he said. “That’s you, isn’t it, Drake?”

There was a long moment of horrified paralysis. D stral could see calculations running behind all the others’ i Then Hood went for his gun and without thought Maij raised his spitfire and fired. “Yaaaaaah!” he shouted, the of Hate coming to his lips unbidden. Flame fountainec Hood’s shields, which. apparently he’d managed to trigg, time. Slugs from Hood’s chugger whanged off Maijsi shields.

“What’s that noise?” asked Maijstral’s father. “Is it works?”

And then things got confusing.

In a surge of terror Maijstral realized he was not acc plishing anything standing there and yelling, and that furl more he was in the line of fire. He flung himself to the gro Hood and one of Song’s henchmen dived behind the co and began shooting from behind cover. Gunfire roared ii enclosed marble space. Spitfire charges fountained bright Alarms began to ring, and purple fire-retardant foam beg, pour from hidden reservoirs in the ceiling.

The Elvis, caught in the middle of it all, patted the p ets of his leather jacket frantically, looking for a weapon wasn’t there.

“I’m not shielded!” he shouted as bullets cracked b’ ear. “Help!”

“Cease fire!” the late Admiral roared in a voice of tl der. “Cease firing, you fools! You could hit me, and I’m shielded!”

The shooting dwindled away as this line of reaso penetrated the startled combatants. Each side wanted at one of the coffins to survive.

“Fireworks!” exclaimed Maijstral’s father. “Is it the peror’s birthday?”

At this instant two figures appeared, silhouetted ag;

262 WALTER JON WILLIAMS

the ceiling-the flying holographic Elvis that was Kuusinen, and a giant roaring Ronnie Romper, both ste on the villains like falcons on their prey.

Roman went for the burly Commander Hood, rec( ing a fellow professional when he saw one, but on hi clotheslined the henchman who was sitting on the ca knocked him into Song and the other henchman. Hit Hood went down but dragged Roman with him ini growing river of purple foam. Kuusinen, acting with f logic, dropped into the cart’s seat and seized the contrc the cart spun on its heel, the coffins knocked the bust c miral Song to the floor and revealed Major Song and i her henchmen,.deprived of cover, struggling to their feet froth. Maijstral fired at the targets while he had the than spitfire charges bouncing off shields but raising a huge 1 cloud of steam.

Kuusinen got the cart pointed in the, right directic accelerated, running smash into the back of the leatht Elvis, who was flung forward into the foam, sliding alc his stomach until he cracked heads with Maijstral. Seeing Maijstral grabbed the Elvis’s collar, prepared to beg senseless with the butt of his spitfire, but observed ti Elvis was already unconscious.

Maijstral looked up just in time to see the cart can toward him at top speed. His heart lurched. He dropp face into the foam as the cart, supported by its a-gray rer passed harmlessly over his head.

He looked up again. Dimly visible through a haze c pie mist, he saw Hood and Roman locked in combat. F wig was badly askew. Roman aimed a kick at Hood, slip the foam, and crashed to the ground. Hood tried to Roman while Roman was prone, but his support leg sl from under him and he crashed to the ground as well combatants rose, dripping foam, lunged for one another grappled, and fell.

ROCK OF AGES

“What’s going on?” the Admiral shouted. “Wl. pening?”

Song rose from the foam, looking frantic, but j slipped and dropped into the purple with a mighty sj

It looked as if Maijstral’s side was winning. i ping, to Maijstral, had always meant getting while tf was good.

“Follow the coffins!” Maijstral ordered, forg subvocalize, and then he triggered his own flying hai zoomed into the air after the retreating cart, flying l and navigating through his enhanced, expanded visi( passed, Roberta and Conchita triggered their repe rose out of the foam themselves.

From behind the curtain of mist. came roars at thwacks as Roman and Hood pummeled each othe Song staggered upward and gaped after her disa grandfather. Her two henchmen likewise rose unto their feet.

“They’re getting away!” she said. “After them! they started to run they tripped over the bust of Song, hidden deep in the foam, and they tangled and heavily to the ground.

Kuusinen’s cart reached the end of the row and

frantically to make the abrupt right-angle turn dema

the room’s configuration. He failed and ran boll

straight into the wall. Maijstral hadn’t anticipated Kt

abrupt stop and he sailed backward into the cart, s

Kuusinen off and slamming him against the far wall.

“Ouch!” said Maijstral’s dad. “What just happe)

Maijstral came to a halt, the breath hammered

lungs by the collision, stars flashing in his eyes. He lc

dazedly just in time to see Roberta flying straight for

The impact bent a few ribs. And then Conchits

into the pile, making a surprising impact for someone

264 WALTER JON WILLIAMS

“I believe we were supposed to turn,” Rober marked.

Major Song and her henchmen slowly rose from tl again. “They’re helpless!” she called, pointing. “Get th(

They began loping toward the stalled cart, foam s ing at every step. Maijstral and his group tried to get I gled. As the pack loosened, Kuusinen fell unconscious it foam. Maijstral wondered where his spitfire had got ti was in the froth, he’d never find it.

And then Roman, who had finally choked Comn Hood into submission, rose from the foam and took arms outstretched.

He rammed Major Song with his head, and his ext

arms clipped the others as he passed. All three dropped,

ing hard. Roman floated to where Maijstral’s party we

trying to sort themselves out, picked up the uncon

Kuusinen, and set him at the cart’s controls.

“Shall I drive, sir?” Roman said. “By all means,” Maijstral mumbled.

“Don’t take the elevator,” Conchita said. “Guar(

be responding to the-alarms by now.”

They took the stairs, the cart thudding down the on its repellers. Turning the. cart on the landings tool and Ruth Song and her henchmen were closing on them time the cart crashed through some door and began n down a long tunnel.

“Where does this go?” Roberta asked.

“I don’t know,” Maijstral said. “Kuusinen has the and he’s out of action.”

“What’s that noise?” Conchita wondered. There distant, powerful sound, a roaring like a distant ocean. coming from dead ahead.

The cart smashed through another pair of doors large, dark place, and the noise was suddenly much 1,

ROCK OP AGES 265

Startled people darted from out of the way of the cart. A then the darkness fell away, and to Maijstral’s horror he re ized what was making the roaring sound.

Thousands of people …

Garvikh really had them rocking. He had the audience in palm of his furry hand.

He had heard it said that he was the finest Elvis ever to born Khosalikh. Certainly he was among the best Elvises n, alive. As part of his apprenticeship he had mastered the digi cult, antique Earth dialect, a dead language no longer spot anywhere, in which the King had recorded his masterpiec Garvikh had devoted thousands of hours to a series of spec exercises designed to limber his sturdy Khosali hips and for never intended to move with the fluidity more natural to human form, so that he could perform the demanding, di cult hip thrusts, the stilted, pigeon-toed walking style, sudden knee drops and whirling assaults on the microphc that characterized the rigidly defined Elvis repertoire. T was High Custom, and High Custom performances requi the utmost in precision. Each step, each gesture, each twitcl the hips or twist of the upper lip, was performed with the most classical perfection, the most rigid attention to foi There was no room for accident, for spontaneity. All was p formed with utmost care to assure that every nuance was si tly shaded and subtly controlled, in the tradition of the gi Elvis Masters of the past.

And now all the work, all the dedication was paying Garvikh was performing live in front of an audience of thi sands, and he was wowing them. A Memphis audience i said to be the most knowledgeable, the most demanding; bt you could win them to your side, you had a place in tl hearts forever.

He had opened with “All Shook Up and “Jailho

266 WALTER J.ON WILLIAMS

Rock” to get the audience on its feet. He’d made them swoon with “Surrender” and “One Broken Heart for Sale.” Then he’d jumped into’ Good Rockin’ Tonight,” to which he had choreographed jets of water from the fountains in the ornamental pond at the foot of the stage, the leaping water turned into a fantasy of color by spotlights. Now he was ready to wail on his best song, “Heartbreak Hotel.” He had worked on the refrain for months, to get precisely the right tone to the mumble of the “I’ll be so lonely” section.

But before he started, he wanted to drive the audience into a frenzy of anticipation. He carefully assumed the Sixth Posture of Elvis, cocking his head at a precise sixteen-degree angle and looking at the audience slightly sidelong. “Well… ” he drawled, and the audience roared. He shifted to the Seventh Posture, the provocative “Undereyed Stance,” difficult for a Khosalikh to pull off because it required him to look at the audience in a challenging way, as if from under his browsbut of course the Khosali have no projecting forehead the way humans do, and the whole movement had to depend on careful effect and illusion.

“Well…“he said again, and seven thousand hypercritical Elvis fanatics roared with approval.

He waited the prescribed six seconds for suspense to build. “Well… ” he began again, and then perceived a movement off to his right. Not daring to change his posture, he turned his eyes ‘ in that direction, and almost immediately wished he hadn’t.

Three flying holographic Elvises, trailing purple foam, were zooming onto the stage at high speed, accompanied by a hovercart that carried two long metal boxes covered with purple goo. A fifth Elvis lolled on.the cart, drunk or unconscious, while a sixth figure-a preposterous red-haired giant with a fixed grin-sat behind the controls.

Ronnie Romper? Garvikh thought, but discipline de-

ROCK OF AGES 267

manded he not move a muscle, that he stand in the “U dereyed Stance” for the five to eight seconds necessary to pr yoke the audience to an ecstasy of anticipation.

The cart bore down on him, showing no sign of sto ping. Garvikh was struck with the full horror of his dilemn If he stepped out of the cart’s path he would be making unscripted move, defying thousands of years of performi: tradition and probably ending his career on the spot. And if didn’t move out of the way, he would be run over by the ca its cargo, and its redheaded occupant.

Garvikh decided to tough it out. He held the Seven Posture, clenching his teeth in a snarl. The audience held breath. Then the impact came, and Garvikh felt himself cai wheeling across the stage …. and as stars exploded before I eyes and the stage came up to meet him, he heard the roar audience approval.

Garvikh had not trained all his life in order to cave in e, ily to misfortune. He staggered upright, his hand still triui phantly clutching the microphone, and automatically assum the Eleventh Posture, the one called “The King in Glory.”

“I-” he began, the world swimming around him, ai then through his confusion observed that three more I vises-and wasn’t one of them Ruth Song?-had just charg onto the stage and were engaging the first set of Elvises in b, tle. Fists flew. One of the first group of Elvises was knock down.

The fans could hardly blame him for this, he conclude Trying not to break character, he stalked forward and tapp one of the Elvises on the shoulder. “What’s going on here he demanded, unconsciously speaking in the dead langua he’d been performing all night.

The other Elvis whirled, punched him on the muzz and dropped him to the stage. The audience roared. Garvikh decided to crawl to safety, but this proved me

268 WALTER JON WILLIAMS

difficult than he anticipated, because first one, then anot the Elvises tripped over him and crashed to the stage.

Garvikh shook the stars from his head and rosc tiously to his feet again. Someone new had joined the fr ghastly-looking human in a clanking mechanical suit, n water as he climbed to the stage. Apparently he had cI the ornamental pond in front of the stage. “Ruth!” the h shouted. Despite his apparent desperation, his face be odd, unfocused grin.

“Milo!” cried one of the Elvises. “Help!” It was Song, Garvikh saw, being held down and pummeled by of Elvises.

Garvikh concluded that he should come to her ai least she was an Elvis he recognized. But as he ran to Song’s assistance, Milo seized him from behind by his s ing collar.

“Rat!” Milo yelled. Garvikh’s teeth rattled as shook him back and forth. Hydraulics hissed as Garvik flung across the stage.

, The lights went out for Garvikh for a while, but wh cleared the cobwebs from his head the battle was still on. Elvises were battling back and forth, but Milo held c stage, engaged with Ronnie Romper. Roars, thumps, by lic hisses, and clangs marked the blows of fists, feet, equipment, and Milo’s armored shell.

One of the Elvises hit another Elvis so hard th knocked his wig off. Another Elvis smashed an Elvis wii microphone stand. Yet another Elvis was trying to strai different Elvis.

A . youngish human female with rocklike hair d; across the stage, artfully weaving among the battling El Media globes orbited her head. Then a group of short, co skinned humans ran across the stage as well, scattering E but exiting after the female.

ROCK OF AGES 26

The short humans were followed by an elderly I who hit several of the Elvises with his cane as he made h across the stage.

The audience was going mad.

Milo’s forearm thudded into Ronnie Romper, kn( him back into the cart. But Ronnie was undeterred-r like a demon, he picked up one of the boxes from the was it a coffin?-and then used it as a ram to smash Mile chest. Milo staggered back. Ronnie pursued his advo hammering Milo again and again. Milo’s arms windmi his heels stopped at the edge of the stage.

“Kill them all!” screamed one of the coffins.

Roaring, Ronnie apparently intended to do just th thrust one last time, and Milo gave a despairing wail as h off the stage. A giant splash rose as the man struck the mental pond. And then Ronnie raised the box above hi; roared once more, a terrible sound, and flung the box after Milo. There was a horrid clanging noise followe, bright flare, as if some electronics had just short-circuite then Ronnie stepped back, his posture one of satisfactic

Four Elvises.were-sprawled on stage, incapacitates of them, Garvikh perceived, was Ruth Song.

The Elvis still on his feet, plus Ronnie Romper, j up two of the unconscious Elvises, then flew from the followed by Ronnie Romper and the cart. Three wound vises were left behind. The audience screamed for more

Dimly, Garvikh realized that this was his cu dragged himself to his feet, staggered downstage, and the microphone. He picked it up and assumed the S~ Posture again.

“Wellllll.. ” he repeated, and the crowd went wi held his pose for ten seconds, then for another six, th another six. The audience’s excitement knew no bound: vikh had probably achieved some sort of record. Fin,

270 WALTER JON WILLIAMS

waved his arm, signalling the downbeat for “Heartbreak Hotel,” then stepped back into the powerful “W” Stance to cry the opening lines. Unfortunately his landed on a pile of the purple foam that seemed, unaccountably, to have been smeared around the stage.

While the opening bars to “Heartbreak Hotel” rar Garvikh performed a crazed, whirling dance for a few seconds, then fell to the stage.

From his prone position, he heard the roaring sou audience approval. Immortality at last, he thought, anc he surrendered his hold on consciousness.

Maijstral and his party made their way to the stage which partedd automatically for Maijstral’s coded badg the doors rolled open, Maijstral gazed out into the coi ready eyes of a platoon of well-armed guards, led by the officer who had admitted them to the Heart of Gracelan

Oh dear, he thought, and prepared to surrender.

In his imagination, dungeon gates yawned.

The officer looked up from his portable scanner. there any instructions, sir?” he asked.

Maijstral’s thoughts brightened. “Why, yes,” he “Some false Elvii have just disturbed the concert. Take men to the stage and put them in custody.”

The man saluted. “It is my constant joy to sen Elvii!” he proclaimed.

Maijstral’s stunned party left the amphitheater, ti

purple ooze, and the guards filed in to do their duty. “Are we having, a good time, Drake?” ex-Dornier ;

` I can’t really tell.”

EIGIE-TEEN

. . 0

Colonel-General Vandergilt walked into Tv west drawing room, and Maijstral observed that different from those occasions on which she was down on miscreants, her eyes alight with fanaticis tred for all that was unEarthly. At the moment, ha her way past the pack of reporters at the gates of T-, and’ having had to request admittance from the s stead of stalking through the door with a uniforme bullyboys at her back, she seemed quite altered.

Even her hair was less threatening, with mon ent strands than usual sabotaging her dignity.

Maijstral couldn’t help but be pleased with th

“General Vandergilt,” he said, “the butler tc had news?”

Vandergilt’s voice was a carefully pitched concerned only with the facts. “Major Song has co: part in the plot to have you killed by provoking duels, and she has also confessed her scheme to stc ther’s coffin.”

272 WALTER JON WILLIAMS

Maijstral nodded. “I should congratulate you on interrogative technique,” he said. “I had thought she a prove sterner stuff.”

Vandergilt reached a hand up to twine a strand of around her finger, then realized what she was doing and plined the hand promptly. “I had little to do with it,” she “The Elvii ordered her to confess.”

“Ah. Very good of them.”

“The Elvis involved in the plot Elvis XIV, b: way-has also confessed. I gather the other Elvii will fore expel him.”

“The Elvii,” Maijstral smiled, “are surely the reserv wisdom.”

Vandergilt flushed slightly. “As for the instigator c plot-” she began.

Maijstral’s smile, like Vandergilt’s flush, expanded.’ mean Fleet Admiral Song?” he asked. “The Nelson of l winden? The Hero of the Human Constellation? Vigilal fender of the human race from all wickedness and-alien tamination?”

Vandergilt cleared her throat. “Yes,” she mun “Admiral Song. As someone already declared legally de; is immune from any legal penalty, but it appears the mai moot. There was some damage to his coffin, apparentl; either to collision or to stray gunfire, and when he fell inl water he, ah, short-circuited.”

Maijstral had wondered what that flare of energ plied. “Admiral Song is no more?” he said.

“Such existence as remained to him has been termil yes.”

“Such a shameful end for a great man,” Maijstral sI “Involved in a mean, sordid little conspiracy of theft and der.” He successfully resisted an impulse to snap his fi and laugh out loud.

ROCK OP AGES 273

Maijstral directed her attention toward her boot, cleared her throat again. “It appears that Captain Hay h part in the conspiracy,” she said, “and was acting in on defend his fiancee from assault. He was severely damag the discharge of energy from Admiral Song’s coffin, a currently in hospital.”

“What a shame,” Maijstral grinned.

“Of course,” Vandergilt said, and a bit of steel err her glance once more, “there remains the problem of wi tered Graceland illegally in order to liberate your father engaged in illegal gunplay within the sacred precincts. looked hopeful. “These people, if discovered, could a certainly be arrested.”

“I’d love to help you, General,” Maijstral said, “bi afraid I have no idea who these individuals might be. know is that my father reappeared in his room. If I were he suggested, “I might inquire among the Elvii: Perhap, discovered the plot and acted to quell it on their own.”

Vandergilt’s look darkened. She tossed her head 1 hair out of her eyes. “I will investigate the possibility, said.

“Of course,” Maijstral lied, “my information sul that the Elvii were so appalled by the goings-on within sacred precincts that they would never prosecute anyone acted to expose malfeasance within their ranks.”

Vandergilt’s expression was sour. “Your inforn suggests that, does it?”

“Alas for justice,” Maijstral said, “it does.”

“The question remains,” Vandergilt said, “of your i to prosecute. If Major Song is to undergo a trial, of cot would require you to alter your schedule and remain on for an indefinite period, with enormous inconvenien yourself and your career.” There was a subdued but he glint in her eye as she spoke.

274 WALTER JON WILLIAMS

“And there would be such enormous publicity,” M strap said.

“Yes.” Leaping at her chance. “Very troublesome you, I’m sure.”

“And of course much, of the publicity would be aimei exposing the moral bankruptcy of the proHuman movemi with unforeseen consequence for the Security and Sedit Act, which would legalize forms of discrimination aga: nonhumans and vastly increase the power of, among oth the, Special Services Corps, to which you belong.”

Vandergilt’s face was a mask. “I’m sure I couldn’t m those judgments, sir.”

Amusement glowed behind Maijstral’s lazy eyes. don’t see why I should be inconvenienced by a trial at all,’ said. “My presence probably won’t even be required, not v Major Song’s confession. And, of course,” smiling thinly, abstract consideration for justice requires me to prosecute

“As you say, sir.” Stonily.

“Do I have to sign anything?”

“Right here, sir.”

Maijstral signed with a flourish. “Very well, then, C eral Vandergilt,” he said. “I leave you to your job.” “Yes, Sir.”

Maijstral waved a hand commandingly. “Go forth arrest the miscreants, officer!”

“Yes, Sir.”

Colonel-General Vandergilt marched out, furio4 stuffing loose strands of hair back under her cap.

Maijstral, pleased with this little scene, made his from the northwest drawing room into the southwest dray room adjacent.

Nichole looked up from the documents she was rn ing-information concerning the very best place to eat Fle la Normandie at Luna City, her next destination.

ROCK OF AGES

“Did it go well, Drake?” she asked. “I believe it did, yes.”

He sat next to her on the sofa. “It is in large part to your researches that everything has gone as well as he said.

“It was my pleasure. Those people were absoli son. “

“Indeed they were. And now they’ve not onli

thwarted, they’ve been exposed and humiliated.”

She looked at him with her famous blue eyes. “Y

a surprisingly dangerous life, Drake.

“Perhaps. But at least I’m lucky.” He took he

“Most of all, I am lucky in my friends,” he said. “Thank you.”

“I will always be grateful for our friendship.” She cocked her head and regarded him. “I Sen.,

somewhere in this stretch of conversation.” “I regret it, Nichole.”

“So do I.” She blinked and looked thoughtful. ” the only man ever to turn me down, Drake, do yo that? And now you’ve done it twice.”

“Even with these disappointments factored in, your percentage of conquests remains admirably high

She gave a smile. “Perhaps so.”

“I hope this won’t stop you from asking at regul vals. I may yet change my mind.”

“Well.” She disengaged her hand and rose from 1 “Perhaps it was a foolish notion, anyway.”

“I trust not, my lady.” He stood, escorted he door, sniffed her ears.

“Next time you’re in mortal danger,” Nichole hope you won’t forget to call.”

“I won’t. Thank you for everything.” “Give my love to Roman.”

276 WALTER JON WILLIAMS

“I will. Thank you again.”

A pang of regret touched his heart as he watchg leave. If only, he considered, there were two of him, o haps three, so that he could explore all the choices avaih him.

He’d managed to duplicate himself in his magic < thought. Pity it had been a trick, and hadn’t lasted.

Prince Hunac’s unblinking dark eyes were still a bit Cling. Maijstral was brought to’ mind of obsidian knivi bloody altars.

“I called as soon as I heard,” Hunac said. “That is very good of you.”

Hunac blinked. Finally. “It is my part to apologizi it? I misinterpreted events.”

“Some highly intelligent people took very good cap you should.”

“It is good of you to say so. Still, I should have see there was something wrong.”

“You allowed Her Grace of Benn to persuade 3 delay, and that enabled me to deal with the situation. Fc delay I should thank you.”

The obsidian knives flashed again in Hunac’s ey strikes me that those responsible for the situation shoe compelled to atone for their crimes. I have sent out emir in quest of Major Song and Alice Manderley, who so a my hospitality.”

Alice Manderley, Kenny Chang, and Drexler hac released as soon as Maijstral and his party returned Graceland. Maijstral suspected that Alice and Kenny book passage on the first liner leaving Earth.

Drexler, deprived of funds, would have to steal thing in order to make an escape, a task made difficult I fact that Maijstral had kept all Drexler’s burglar equipn

ROCK OF AGES 277

his own possession. Maijstral was certain that Drexler wo never be employed by any high-ranking burglar again, once Drexler’s treachery had been thoroughly aired by media.

“Would you happen to know,”. Hunac inquired, “wh Miss Manderley might be?”

“If she’s not at home, I’m afraid I have no id( Thoughtfully, Maijstral fingered his diamond ring. “I wo appreciate it, by the way, if you postponed any encoux with Major Song until after her trial..I would very much : to make certain that her cause is publicly and thoroughly o credited.”

Hunac nodded. `I will take your request under Seri consideration.”

“Thank you.”

“My emissaries have had no luck with Mangula Aris she keeps running away the second they appear.”

Maijstral repressed a smile. “That is unfortunate ind4 Your Highness.”

“Now I learn that she has resigned her post and fled c system.”

“Perhaps this is a victory in itself.”

“I will have to consider it so-after I give her flight maximum possible publicity.”

“I hope other journalists will bear it in mind.”

Hunac permitted himself a flintlike smile. “So do I.” smile warmed a bit. “I hope you will accept my hospitalit the Underwater Palace again. I think I can promise you you will have a much better time.”

Maijstral nodded. “I will accept, if I can. My plans a bit uncertain at present.”

“Good-bye, then. Thank you for being so understs ing.”

“Farewell. Give my best to the toadfish.

278 WALTER JON WILLIAMS

“I will.”

The Prince’s image faded, leaving Maijstral with at taste of pure satisfaction.

Things had worked out well.

“Dad?”

“Drake? Is that you, Drake?”

“Yes, it is.”

Maijstral sat - on a chair and signalled to his f guards to leave the room.

- He wasn’t about to let his father become the hose yet another political lunatic. He had hired a squad o: armed, well-equipped bodyguards-well, coffin guards ply to sit in the room with him and keep him safe fro further adventures until ex-Dormer could be shipped I the family crypt on Nana.

.If the guards had to spend their time listening corpse’s prattle, at least they were well compensated fc efforts.

“How are you doing, Dad?” Maijstral. asked. “Well,” the late Duke remarked, “I seem to be de; “Yes.” Trying not to smile. “I had noticed. I

you’re not suffering any ill effects from your adventure “With Bertie? Oh no. I had a splendid time!” “Bertie?”

“Oh yes, my old school chum. He had this most rate prank worked out. It had to do with, oh, metaphys things.”

Maijstral worked for a moment at understandin3 gave up.

“I’m glad you enjoyed yourself,” he said. “Is thei thing you’d like now.”

“A cup of cocoa and a biscuit would be nice.” Maijstral sighed. “Well,” he said, “I’ll see what I ca

ROCK of AGES 279

“Nichole sends her love.”

“Thank you, sir.”

“Is there anything you need?”

“Thank you, sir, no. I am provided with all the nee ties.”

Maijstml smiled as he left Roman’s hospital room.

Roman was recovering swiftly. His flesh had lo alarming scarlet color and was approaching the no healthy grey. Black stubble covered his skin where his fu growing back. The new, agering had healed.

Roman’s molt, thank the Twelve Passive Virtues. over.

It wasn’t the molt that had put Roman in the hos however. When he raised Admiral Song’s coffin abov head and flung it down on Milo Hay, Roman had strain( back.

It was the part of a lord, Maijstral thought, to reti bed when his back pained him. Roman might as well get to such privileges while he could.

He walked down the hall to Roberta’s room, kno, and entered. Roberta was propped up in bed, smiling chatting with Will, the Bubber, who had come to pay a v

Roberta had broken some ribs in the fight at Grace She had committed herself to the hospital less becaus’ medical condition required it than because the rest o household, Batty and Paavo Kuusinen, were already inn and she thought she might as well make a party of it.

“Hello, Roberta. Hello, Will.”

The Bubber rose from his chair. “Hello, Drake.” “It’s good to see you, Will.” Maijstral sniffed Rob ears and kissed her cheek.

“How are the ribs?” he asked.

“Well enough.”

280 WALTER JON WILLIAMS

“And Mr. Kuusinen?”

“Well, he was knocked unconscious. The doctors v him .under observation. But so far no serious damage has faced.”

“Very good.”

The Bubber shifted his feet awkwardly. “I should I off. But first-” He smiled. “Drake, would you like to s card trick?”

“By all means.”

Will’s trick was a complex one, involving a force, a s and a back palm. When he produced. at length the three of ers, Maijstral and Roberta both affected amazement and fered congratulations.

“Very well done,” Maijstral said.

“Thank you.” The Bubber beamed. ““Is there any n for improvement?”

`Well, your patter could use a little work. And I a see the little finger break from-this angle.”

The Bubber’s face fell slightly. “Oh.”

“I’d advise working the trick in a mirror.”

“I will. Thanks.” He looked thoughtful. “You kI Drake, I’d like to ask your advice in another sphere, might.”

“Certainly.”

“Joseph Bob is wondering if he should challenge

Manderley and Major Song for their part in misleading hi Maijstral gave the thought his consideration. “We

was Drexler who stole the pistol, not Alice.”

“J.-B. wouldn’t challenge a servant.”

“I shouldn’t think so. And Major Song is about tc

dergo.a trial that will discredit her forever, I expect.” The Bubber nodded soberly. “True.”

“And just between-the two of us-” Maijstral tou

the Bubber’s arm and smiled. “Duelling is a perfectly silly

tom, don’t you think?”

Rocx OF AGES 2

The Bubber looked surprised. “Uh-if you say sc pose it is.” He shuffled his feet. “I’ve taken up enough time. Good-bye, Drake, and thanks. See you later, Rol

Roberta waved from her bed. “Good-bye, Will.”

The Bubber left. Maijstral sat on Roberta’s bed. pect I have not thanked you enough,” he said. “You I out of Hunac’s clutches, and you risked yourself in m, yesterday. You’ve performed superbly, and I’m thank suffered no more than some cracked ribs.”

Her violet eyes warmed. “I’m glad it’s over.”

“So-am I.” He smiled, took her hand. “I’ve had think.”

“At last,” Her look turned serious. “And your sions?”

“You’ve made the most attractive offer-” Roberta’s face, hardened. “But you’re not going

it.”

“My life is too unsettled at the moment for me cider marriage. If you’d made the offer at another timt “It can’t wait.” Shortly.

“Or if it were possible for us to spend-time togetl mally, to get to know one another before making ai sion

She sighed. “I had a feeling this would happe since our night together.”

Maijstral’s ears cocked forward in surprise. “E don?”

“Well. That night wasn’t-well-it wasn’t what pected. Perfectly pleasant, you understand, you we nice, but somehow—I don’t know-the whole experic somehow lacking.”

Maijstral was surprised. “It was our first night to he said. “A certain amount of awkwardness is to be e in the early stages.”

She waved a hand. “Oh, it wasn’t that. Just—

282 WALTER JON WILLIAMS

been thinking about being with you for years, under And it wasn’t what I had anticipated.”

Maijstral felt a touch of annoyance. He could hart blamed, he thought, for any failure to live up to Roberta’ schoolgirl fantasies.

“Perhaps,” he ventured, “your expectations were a unrealistic.”

“What do you think of Will?”

Maijstral’s.eyes lifted. “Sorry?’

“Do you think I should marry Will?”

“Er-”

“If I’m not. going to marry you,” tartly, “I’ve g marry somebody. And I’ve spent a lot of time with Will last days, and he seems suitable enough.”

Maijstral ~ gave it thought. “Speaking dynastical would be a good match.”

Fire flashed from her violet eyes. “He’s a little gi she judged, “but I reckon I’ll be able to. make a man of l

Maijstral found himself thoroughly glad he had no sented to the engagement. The result might be adm enough in the abstract, he thought, but hard to live with long run.

“If I may be permitted to make an observation,” hE “it would be that men are not made, but make themseh partner can make the task easier, but cannot drive a pers it.”

Roberta frowned.

“Will’s problem,” Maijstral added, “insofar as h one, is that he has nothing to do that. his brother, or son in his circle, has not done before him. If you marry him should encourage him to be something other than a con;

Roberta seemed a little amused. “You think I shoulo him a hobby?”

“You area very well-known racer,” Maijstral pc

ROCS of AGES 283

out. “And I think you’d be a, lesser person without yon hobby, no?”

“Hm,” Roberta said, and frowned.

As Maijstral left, he cast his mind back to the night 1 spent with Roberta, and felt a cold little anxiety, gnawing at t back of his mind. She had seemed enthusiastic enough at t’. time, he thought. He had thought he had behaved rather we

And then he wondered if the whole comment had be some small attempt at revenge. Very possibly, he thought.

He dropped into Kuusinen’s room and found him aslee He would thank Kuusinen later.

The next room was Aunt Batty’s. He dropped in, spo generally of his admiration for Roberta, and then mention he had decided with regret to decline her offer of marriage.

“Indeed,” Batty said, and her ears flicked forward in d: approval. “This will not improve my standing with the fami Most of them thought Bobbie’s schemes highly unorthodc and I supported her. When recriminations are handed out will receive more than my share.”,

“If it is any consolation, I believe she has replaced i already. With Will, the Bubber.”

Batty considered this. “Well,” she said, “she could ha done worse.”

“I hope this will not prejudice your biography.”

Batty looked down her muzzle, her face severe. “Some the family might consider this rejection an insult, thougl suppose I should take a more charitable view. I will try to my historian’s duty and avoid any reflections-on your ch; acter, say, or your valor-which may seem to me unw; ranted.”

Valor? Maijstral thought, a taste of panic fluttering in. throat.

He really would have to get a look at that manuscript.

284 WALTER JON WILLIAMS

The last room was that of Conchita. She, like Kuusinen, had been knocked unconscious in the fight, and likewise was being kept for observation. He opened the door, peered inside, and saw Conchita watching a video.

“Hello,” he said, and knocked.

She brightened. “Hi! I was just watching the vid.” Maijstral looked at the screen and saw people in Stetsons

racing across the prairie on horseback. “Are you fond of

Westerns?” he said.

“Only too. They’re my favorite.”

Better and better, Maijstral thought.

Conchita smiled and patted the bed beside her. Maijstral closed the door behind him, stretched out next to her, and put an arm around her.

Their kiss was very long and very pleasant.

“Why don’t you stay awhile?” Conchita said when it was over.

“I have no other plans.” He contemplated the situation for the moment. “Perhaps,” he said, “I should lock the door.” “Can you lock a door in a hospital?”

“If the top-ranked burglar in the galaxy can’t figure out a way to rig a door,” Maijstral observed, “then he isn’t worth his title.”

Some time later, Conchita curled up next to Maijstral, pillowed her head upon his shoulder, and closed her eyes. Maijstral gave thought to the situation.

“You haven’t experienced any disappointment, have you?” he asked.

“Disappointment? Why should _I be disappointed?”

“No feelings that, say, your fantasies haven’t been in some slight way, ah, completely fulfilled? Your expectations haven’t been in any way disappointed?”

“Don’t be silly,” she said, and yawned. “You don’t mind if I take a nap, do you?”.

“Mm?”

7

Ronnie Romper, Maijstral thought. Oh no. He looked in despair at the service plate, stil,

reach.

“Gosh, Uncle Amos,” the puppet was saying. was scared. My knees were knocking together like an,

“Those dinosaurs were intimidating, that’s fo Uncle Amos said, puffing his pipe. “I was getting pre ious myself.”

“I was so afraid I almost ran away.”

“But you didn’t,” Uncle Amos said. “That’s the tant thing.”

Ronnie batted his eyes. “I don’t understand Amos.”

Uncle Amos gazed at Rdnnie from beneath his white eyebrows. “Bravery doesn’t mean that you d~ fear,” he said. “A fellow about to be run over by a dinosaurs would have to be pretty stupid not to feel f( wouldn’t he?”

“Gosh. I guess so.”

ROCK OF AGES 7

Roberta, Maijstral concluded, was simply wrong Experience told in these matters. “There is only one thing I have to request,” he s

286 WALTER JON WILLIAMS

“A brave person is one who ,feels fear, but wh<

comes it and goes on to do what he has to do.”

“Wow, Uncle Amos,” the puppet said, “I never t.

of that.”

Maijstral stared at. the screen. I never thought of t ther, he thought.

A sense of wonder overcame him. He lay back viewed his life. Based on a’ conclusion he’d drawn at when he’d fought his first duel, he’d always assumed h coward.

But he had fought the duel, and another just a fe ago, and in between he’d been in a number of situat which either he was shooting at people, or they were sl at him, or both were happening at once. And yesterda ing the raid on the Heart of Graceland, he’d been giv ders as if he were an experienced warrior instead of thief with a sinking heart.

It wasn’t as if he hadn’t n’t been afraid the whole tin just like Ronnie Romper, he’d done what he’d come to not run away. Or rather, he hadn’t run away until it w to run away.

And of course his profession involved breakii other people’s homes. Preferably when no one was tl course, but maybe that was merely common sense rate a reflection on.his bravery.

Perhaps, he thought, his sixteen-year-old assessi himself had been overharsh.

He looked at the screen and blinked. Thank you,. he thought.

The puppet had his uses, after all.

He lay back, Conchita peacefully sleeping on hi: der, and gazed upward, past the hospital ceiling, intl verse of expanding possibility.

Some months later, when she and Roberta had returned to the Empire, Aunt Batty went in search of her notes and failed to find them.

They were missing—all the information she’d gleaned from Roman’s genealogy, from her interviews with Joseph Bob, from her long conversations with Maijstral’s father. All gone..

She had packed them most carefully, she knew. And now the entire package was gone.

She considered this for a long moment. Most foolish, she concluded. Her memory was perfectly good, and of course she could draw on the pages of notes and manusscripts that had never left the Empire. Most of the second volume was completed. It was only the third that would be delayed.

It was never wise to annoy a biographer, she thought. They-we-have ways of getting our revenge.

If there was anyone who was an expert in the matter of interpretation, in the slight distortions of the facts necessary to cast aspersions on a person’s character or ability, on an individual’s motivations or worthiness-well, that person was a biographer.

She would take very good care, she thought severely, with her study of Maijstral.

And if he regretted the outcome-well, Aunt Batty thought, whose fault was it anyway?’

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