Incarceron Part 107

The Warden stared at the crystal.

"I had often wondered if the rumors were true, whether a copy existed, somewhere in the depths of the Prison."

She moved her finger toward the panel, but he stopped her.

"Wait. First we must ensure our own safety, or the girl will be better where she is."

Claudia looked at him. "How can I ever trust you again?"

"You must."

He put a finger to his lips and nodded. Then, striding across the white cell, he touched the door control and stood back. Two soldiers fell headlong into the room. Behind them, the ram on chains swung at empty air. Swords were drawn, sharp whispers of steel.

"Do please enter," the Warden said graciously.

The Queen herself was there, Claudia saw with shock, wearing a dark cloak.

Behind his mother Caspar glared at her. "I'll never forgive you," he snarled.

"Be quiet."

His mother stalked past him into the room, paused at the strange s.h.i.+ver of energy at the threshold, then gazed around.

"Fascinating. So this is the Portal."

"Indeed."

The Warden bowed.

"I am happy to see you so well."

"I very much doubt that."

Sia stopped before Finn. She looked him up and down and her face paled. She pressed her red lips tight.

"Yes," the Warden said softly. "Unfortunately a Prisoner has escaped."

Furious, she turned on him.

"Why have you done this? What treachery are you planning?"

"None. We can all come out of this safely. All of us. With no secrets spilled, no a.s.sa.s.sinations. Watch me."

He strode to the control desk, touched a combination of controls, and stood back. Claudia stared, because the wall blanked and showed an image that she took a moment to recognize. In a vast room courtiers crowded in a buzz of scandal. Half-eaten food lay ignored on huge tables. Servants gossiped in anxious huddles. It was her wedding feast.

"What are you doing?" the Queen snapped, but it was too late.

The Warden said, "Friends."

Every head in the room turned. Talk dried into a stillness of astonishment. After a hundred years of Protocol the vast screen behind the throne had probably been forgotten; now Finn stared out at the Court through a fringe of cobwebs, a film of grime.

"Please forgive all the unfortunate confusions of the day," the warden said gravely. "And I beg all of you, amba.s.sadors from Overseas, and courtiers, dukes and Sapienti, ladies and dowagers all, to overlook this breach of Protocol. But a great day has dawned, and a great wrong has been righted."

The Queen seemed too astounded to speak; Claudia almost felt the same. But she moved; she grabbed Finns arm and hauled him close to her.

They stood together facing the bewildered, fascinated faces of the Court as her father said, "Behold. The Prince we thought was lost, the heir of his father, the hope of the Court, Giles, has returned to us."

A thousand eyes stared at Finn. He looked back, seeing in each one the pinpoint of light, feeling their intense curiosity, their doubt, descend right into his soul. Was this how it would be, to be King?

"In her great wisdom the Queen found it necessary to conceal him in safe exile against a conspiracy against his life," the Warden said smoothly.

"But at last, after many years, this danger is ended. The plotters have failed, and are arrested. Everything is calm again."

He glanced once at the Queen; fury was in every inch of her upright back, but when she spoke, her voice was pleasant with happiness.

"My friends, I am so delighted! The Warden and I have worked so hard to counter this threat. I want you to prepare the banquet now, for the Prince's coming. Instead of a wedding, a great homecoming, but still a wonderful day, just as we planned."

The Court was silent. Then, from the back, a ragged cheer began. She jerked her head; the Warden touched the panel. The screen dimmed.

She took a deep breath. "I will never, never forgive you for this," she said evenly.

"I know."

John Arlex flicked another switch idly. He sat, and crossed one leg over another, his dark brocaded coat s.h.i.+mmering, and then he reached out and took both Keys from where Claudia had placed them and held them glinting in his hands.

"Such small bright crystals," he murmured. "And such power contained in them! I suppose, Claudia, my dear, that if one cannot be the master of one world, one should find another world to conquer."

He glanced at Jared. "I leave her to you, Master. Remember our talk."

Jared's eyes widened; he cried, "Claudia!" but she already knew what was happening. Her father was sitting in the chair of the Portal-she knew she should run forward, dart forward and s.n.a.t.c.h the Keys from him, but she couldn't move, as if the power of his terrible will kept her frozen.

Her father smiled. "Do excuse me, Majesty. I think I would be a specter at this feast."

His ringers touched the panel. A brilliance exploded in the room, making them all flinch; then the chair was empty, spinning slightly in the white room, and as they stared at it a spark spat in the controls, then another. Acrid smoke rose; the Queen clenched her fists and screamed at the emptiness, "You can't do this!"

Claudia was staring at the chair; as it imploded into flame, Jared tugged her hastily back.

She said bleakly, "He can. He has."

Jared watched her. Her eyes were overbright, her face flushed, but her head was high. The Queen raged with anger, stabbing every b.u.t.ton and causing only explosions.

As she swept out with Caspar running at her heels, Jared said, "He'll come back, Claudia. I'm sure ..."

"It's nothing to me what he does."

She turned to Finn, who was staring aghast at her.

"Attia," he whispered. "What about Attia? I promised to go back for her!"