“I don't like it,” Letitia said. “It's narrow, and it's swinging, Finn.”
“It always swings. That's the nature of the thing, it's supposed to do-Watch it, stay back!”
A cart of desserts tumbled by, trailing curds, compotes, pastries and puffs. Tarts, tortes, crullers and pies, puddings of every sort. And, still clasping his enormous cook's hat to his head, the hapless chef himself. For an instant, as he passed, he caught Finn's eye, and seemed to say he understood his plight, that it came as no surprise.
“I'm going to be sick, Finn.”
“Don't watch him, Letitia. Don't look at anything, stay close to me!”
A veil of rain whispered by, diluted by the fall. Finn made his way to the edge of the pad, Letitia in tow, his package secure beneath his arm. Julia's claws dug into his flesh, but there was little he could do about it now.
The bridge swayed and trembled, somewhat worse than ever, it seemed. Finn took a cautious step forward, placed one boot on the thing, and turned to Letitia Louise.
“Easy now, go very slowly. This may look flimsy, but everything in this dome was carefully engineered by masters of their trade. I expect these suspensions have been in service for quite some time. Once we get to the outer wall, we'll be fine, secure as a-”
Finn's words were lost as the bridge literally exploded in the very center of the span. Two bodies, hurtling from different angles, met, like ill-fated comets, with a most revolting sound, then tumbled like a single horror toward the ground. There was nothing left of the bridge, not a plank, not a strand.
“The odds of two masses, meeting precisely like that, are not all that great,” Finn said, unable to take his eyes from the sight.
“I think I could work it out if I had the math,” Julia said.
“It would take some time.”
“Indeed it would.”
“Finn… “
“What, love?”
“If you two would cease your chatter, you'd notice it has grown quite still in here. It's over, I believe. They're done. Will you excuse me, please?”
Letitia turned away, knelt under the table and retched.
For once, Finn wisely pretended nothing had happened at all.
“It didn't slow down,” he said when she returned, “didn't grind to a halt. It simply-stopped.” “I believe I mentioned that.” “Yes, indeed you did.”
In a sense, he felt that the sudden silence was a sound unto itself. A ghostly echo, a distant refrain that rose up out of the clamor and the din, out of the babble and the clash of only moments before.
He reached out then, to bring Letitia close. She didn't hesitate, but came into his arms.
“I hope we won,” she said. “I hope it came out all right.”
“Yes, for everyone except those damned yappers in their awful straw hats. I can have no feeling for them. I regret my suggestion, Letitia. I don't like to think how close we came to crossing that bridge.”
“We didn't though. Don't think about it, dear.”
“I could work out the math,” Julia muttered to herself, “but I doubt you'd care to hear… “
TWENTY-SIX
The storm, despite all its fury, moved swiftly past Heldessia and on to northern climes. The people of the steppes, fierce Jihaulers and apathetic Roons, would get a soaking soon. Weary, then, the tempest would rend itself on the ragged peaks of Krak-Balu.
Perhaps, Finn thought, the mighty Grizz, the largest, and most elusive of all the Newlie kind, would look up from their fires and listen to the thunder roll by.
“I should like to see a Grizz sometime,” Finn said. “Sit down with some burly fellow, have a cup of ale, and learn what they're all about.”
“I don't think a Grizz likes to sit and talk with strangers,” Letitia said. “I think they like to keep to themselves.”
“I know that, but they could if they wanted to. They have, sometimes. Lord Gherick talked to one.”
“Gherick did?”
“Oh, yes. On a mission for his brother, Prince Aghen Aghenfleck. A Grizz came out of the woods at Port Agony and looked up at Gherick, who was leaning on the rail of his ship. The Grizz said he wanted to trade. He had some nice carvings done in wood. He wanted to trade for hats.”
“Hats?”
“He said they needed hats. Gherick told him they didn't have any to spare. Apparently, the Grizz looked quite dismayed, then turned and walked away.”
“I would have found a hat. It would be quite nice to have one of those carvings.”
“I think I would have, too. Gherick said they smelled awfully strong. The wind was from the shore, and Gherick said it was rather bad.”
“Well, it might have been,” Letitia said, running her fingers through her hair, wishing she had a brush. “I expect if that Grizz had smelled a bunch of royals, he'd take offense, too.”
Finn didn't doubt that. For some peculiar reason, those of noble birth thought silk, satin, ruffles and lace served as well as a tub of hot suds. Court, on a very warm day, could take your breath away.
Finn felt that the rescue teams, the Badgies, the black-clad crew of the Gracious Dead, and servants in the livery of the King, were moving at quite a swift, efficient pace, cleaning up the mess the battle had left behind.
He and Letitia were not the only diners marooned on their pads. Many of the swinging bridges that had linked the massive structures together had been destroyed by entrees, servants and soldiers falling from above.
Below, there were bodies and debris to cart away. Above, beneath a clean, azure sky, craftsmen were already replacing the leading and broken glass destroyed in the Bowser attack.
Finally, a team extended a makeshift bridge from a dining pad nearby, and Finn and Letitia were led safely to the broad walkway that spiraled the inner dome.
“I am most pleased that you have survived,” Dostagio said, as they arrived. “You have had so little time to see the marvels of the King's palace. I would regret it if you had perished before you had the chance to leave.”
“I may be wrong,” Finn said, “but it did occur to me that since the King was-awakened unexpectedly, as it were, there might be some chance he'd change his mind… “
“None, Master Finn. I had hoped Colonel/Sergeant Koodigern had properly relayed that to you.” “Yes, as a fact, he did, I just-”
“Excellent, then. Although he is no longer among the fully aware, he was able to complete the task he was given. And that is our purpose on this plane, is it not? Are you quite well, sir?”
“No, no I'm not. Are you telling me something has happened to Koodigern? I pray that's not what you said.”
“I thought I made it quite clear, sir.”
“He didn't, Finn,” Letitia said, gripping his hand in hers. “He can't speak without sticking some frill on the end, but that's what he means.”
“Sticks and Bricks. I admired that fellow. He was very polite, even when he told us we were not welcome here. He gave me his very own-”
Finn felt his stomach curl into a knot.
“-his own excellent Eastern dagger with the nicely curved blade. Damn me, if he'd had a weapon, he might have survived!”
“Those who serve in the King's guards expect this sort of thing, sir. Even if you were wholly responsible for his demise, there is so much more to be said for the deader side of life.”
“I feel awful about this. Julia, if you dig any deeper, I'm going to bleed to death. What's the matter with you?”
“A minor malfunction of the rotator gears. Moisture was absorbed in the storm. Both my inner and outer workings are somewhat damp. I was splattered, not drenched. Sprayed, but soaked-”
“You're wet.”
“The very word. Thank you, Finn.”
“If you will come with me, sir and Miss, and lizard as well, I will take you to quarters where you may rest and change-I fear we will have to find you proper clothing again. You have soiled yourselves with food. Luncheon will be served in Mortuary Memorial Hall, at precisely two. Obviously, it will take some time before repairs are completed here”