The Last Days Of The Edge Of The World Read Free Page B

arguments in the court of Caramorn.
    “If your majesty pleases,” said Coronado, who was standing to one side, “perhaps I could explain to the prince the reasons of state which make this marriage necessary.”
    “Never mind the reasons of state,” snorted the king. “It’s not his place to demand explanations. He’ll do as he’s told.”
    “I will not,” said the prince, with an air of martyred innocence. “And it ill becomes you to suggest that I should.”
    “She only has a few magical powers, dear,” put in the queen, desperately trying to pour oil on the troubled waters.
    “That,” said Damian, “is like saying that she only has a few measles, or a slight case of the plague.”
    “Perhaps,” interposed Coronado cunningly, “the young highness is afraid of magic.”
    “I am not!” said Damian. This was a lie, of a variety which he told often. His one passionate belief was that discretion was the better part of valour. He had never been known to say “boo” to a goose, or even to a larger-than-average duck.
    “Oh, well,” said Coronado slyly, “perhaps it’s just women that he’s afraid of.”
    “I am not!” repeated Damian, turning red and stamping his foot. Though he lacked the volume, he had obviously inherited something of his father’s talent for bellowing.
    “Ah,” said Coronado, “such courage. And for the sake of his country, too. The people will love you for this,
    young sire.”
    Damian furrowed his brow, trying to remember whether anything had slipped out that shouldn’t have. “Now wait a minute,” he said. “I didn’t say that…”
    “It’s not everyone,” Coronado went on, “who would stand up forthrightly and say: ‘If my country needs me, I shall not flinch. I am not afraid to do what has to be done.’ You’re not afraid, are you?”
    “Well,” said Damian, “no… but let’s not rush into anything. I mean, we don’t know anything about this girl, and… well, there may be perfectly good reasons.”
    “Oh, precisely, sire,” said Coronado. “You take the words out of my mouth.”
    “Do I?” said Damian, by now hopelessly lost.
    “And I couldn’t agree more,” Coronado hurried on. “Exactly as you say. We need to know more. And that is why we are all going to dine at the enchanter’s home tomorrow evening. Then we can, as you have so shrewdly observed, find out more about the girl, and whether she is really worthy to marry your august self.”
    “Oh,” said the prince, slowly. “Yes, well… I’m glad you see it my way. Sensible, that. We’ll go check up on them. But I warn you, I’m very suspicious of this whole affair. Very suspicious indeed. It’s not that I’m afraid … not in the least. Not of anything. But one has to cautious, you see. Very cautious.”
    Still trying to figure out exactly where the conversation had taken him, the prince left the room.
    Coronado and the king exchanged troubled glances.
    “He’s not going to co-operate,” said the king.
    “The thing I worry about,” said Coronado, “is whether she’ll co-operate once she’s clapped eyes on him.”
    “What a terrible thing to say,” complained the queen. “Is that any way to talk about the prince? Rufus? Are you going to let him talk about our son that way?”
    “He is a prince,” pointed out Rufus Malagig IV. “She can’t expect everything. And he’s not that bad.”
    “Oh!” said the queen. “You’re just as bad as he is. Your own son! Not content with bartering him in marriage to a wizard, you have to insult him as well. How could you!”
    And, with that, the queen stormed out.
    The king shifted uneasily on the throne. He took off his crown and looked at it thoughtfully, then dusted off a mark with his shirt cuff. He gave Coronado a rueful glance.
    “Are you sure this is the only way?” he asked. “The only way,” confirmed the prime minister dourly. “It’s not going to be easy.” “True,” sighed Coronado. “Very true.” He wondered,