The Kingmakers(80)
“You can't save me, General Anhalt?” Simon asked, a bit hurt.
“I fear not.” The general's face was stern. “But take some solace that this is a work of fiction. If it were real, you would be safe.”
Adele moved toward the sirdar. “General, if this part disturbs you, we can concoct another story.”
“No, Majesty. It's only temporary, until it is revealed to the world that Prince Simon is alive and well, and living with bloodthirsty creatures in the wilds of Katanga.”
“We have no idea how long the ruse will last.”
“So be it. We must all sacrifice in time of war. My reputation is little to ask.”
“Wait!” Simon shouted, throwing his arms up. “I don't want to die sneaking off to some show. How about I'm protecting Adele.”
She said, “That's nice, but it has to happen somewhere private. No one can see you die except one of us here in this room.”
“Oh wait!” the boy announced. “What about this story? We're up on the roof, practicing fencing. Me, Adele, and Greyfriar. I am teaching Greyfriar a few of my moves, when Prince Gareth swoops out of the dark and attacks.” Simon swept up Pet under the front legs and acted as if the cat had pounced on him. The boy dropped to the floor, thrashing from side to side, pretending to be struggling in combat with the semiconscious cat. “While Greyfriar tries to get Adele to safety, I fight Gareth off. Screeching. Clawing. Moving like lightning. But he's no match for me!” Simon jumped to his feet and leapt around the room, swinging the rapier, causing everyone to duck or shrink back against a wall. “But finally, no matter how hard I fight, no matter how many times I strike him, he will not die. Finally, even I can fight no longer.” The boy dropped dramatically to one knee as if struck. He took Pet, who was beginning to grow annoyed, and held him up to his face. “Aagh! He hovers over me with his claws and teeth dripping with my blood. But I must hold him off a bit longer. He tries to break away to reach Adele, but I slide in front of him. He curses at me: ‘Stand aside! I am Gareth of Scotland!’ And I reply with a smile, ‘And I am Simon, prince of Bengal. I would like you to meet my dagger!’ With my last breath…one…last…blow! We slam together. Claw and blade!” He slid the flat of the blade harmlessly along the cat's abdomen. Pet finally growled and sprang free from the boy's hands, but he only went a few steps and collapsed contentedly to the floor. “Prince Gareth cannot long withstand my savage strikes, and so he seizes me and flies high into the air.” Simon gurgled and jabbed the sword into the empty air before collapsing next to the cat. “Adele is safe, but I am mortally wounded. And due to the cruelty of bloody Prince Gareth, I die.”
The empress put her hand to her tight mouth, struggling to fight tears. But it was futile. She felt the drops slipping down her face as she stared at the little body on the carpet, his chest heaving from exertion. The men in the room watched him with smiles of admiration, which brought her emotions out even stronger.
Greyfriar pointed at the sprawled boy. “That's a good story. I like it much better than the first one.”
“Fine.” Adele turned away briefly to wipe her eyes. Then she knelt next to her brother, who was still supine on the floor. “Simon, would you like to take Pet to Katanga? Look at the lazy beast. He's growing bored and fat, and needs adventure.”
The prince laid a hand on the cat, who rolled on his back inviting a belly rub. The boy pressed his face against the cat's fuzzy midsection and shook his head back and forth with a laugh. Then he lifted the languid feline, kissed him on top of the head, and handed him to Adele.
“I'll be too busy becoming a killing machine to take care of him,” Simon said with his gaze locked on his sister. “And with everyone away, you'll need him.”
She squeezed the purring cat and cupped her brother's cheek with her other hand. He had grown up without her even noticing. He stood over her in a protective posture. Adele took a deep breath and sat cross-legged on the floor, facing her inner circle. “Gentlemen, shall we proceed?”
Greyfriar and Msiri grasped Simon's shoulders while General Anhalt stood by proudly with hands clasped behind his back. The boy looked at each with admiration. The young prince had lost his father months before at the hands of Flay, but he had new fathers now who would die before they failed him.
Adele studied her brother's face out of fear that it could be a very long time before she saw him again.
GARETH WATCHED ADELE as she stared out of the window toward the open sea. A day that was bright and clear had ended, and now darkness stretched before them. Her mouth was a grim line, and her hands clenched the sill as if she dangled from it for dear life.