Confronting the Count

Braith pulled him, rather more roughly than necessary, just a few yards to where he had been posted. There was a narrow gap in the hedge wall, invisible to the casual observer because, like the door at Ifan’s house, the passage turned back on itself, a brief maze of an entrance forming a secret door to the queen’s chambers. The guard pushed Adolphus into the chamber, right into Count Montesanto.

The Count jumped back, eyes widening. Adolphus smiled. The oily spokesman stood beside the Count, nearly as pale as Lady Aubergine but with a greenish tint. He and the Count were dressed in fine clothing, suitable to the Nightshade Court.

“How dare you trespass on Her Majesty?” demanded the Capsicum Chief.

Adolphus spun to face him and, reminded by the queen’s angry look, remembered his manners. He bowed to her as she reclined on a mossy couch with the chief guard at her head and the chamberlain at her feet.

“Many pardons, your Majesty,” he said. He meant to say ‘a thousand pardons’, but couldn’t remember the words. “I was playing outside and my ball rolled into your wall. While I was retrieving it I heard a voice I recognized.” He pointed to the Count. “Do you know this fellow?”

“He is a powerful magician come to offer me his service. I won’t need your parents after all.” The queen raised a thin red eyebrow.

Adolphus laughed. “Him? A magician? Has he done any tricks for you?”

At a flick of the queen’s fingers the Capsicum Chief displayed his metal knife to Adolphus.

“Is that it? That’s just a toy! Real magicians give them to their children to play with.” Adolphus pulled out his pocketknife and held it up.

The queen gasped and the chief stepped forward, open hand demanding the knife. Adolphus handed it over with a pang. He stole a glance behind him. The Count and his companion had their heads together.

“My parents will give you much better than that. This fellow’s a fraud. Do you know why he whispers? It’s because he can’t speak good!”

“Your Majesty,” the Count’s spokesman interrupted, “this sprout is the one who speaks poorly, and quite freely for one so young.”

“He is an annoying brat,” the Capsicum Chief said. “If you had this weapon, why did you not offer it to your queen?”

“I didn’t think she’d want it,” Adolphus said. “Of course, if it pleases your Majesty you may certainly keep it.”

“I shall,” she said. “What else do you have?”

Adolphus shoved his hands into his pockets. He fumbled past the watertight match case to his compass. The brass was tarnished, but shinier than anything the Antafricans would have, as they had no metal at all.

“Very little, your Majesty, but please accept this small gift.” He offered it with his most winning smile. “It tells the direction, you see. This arrow here always points north, so you never get lost.”

The queen examined his offering. “What if I don’t want to go north?”

“My beloved Queen and cousin,” the spokesman said, “I beg your pardon but the Magician has recognized this boy and has grave news for him.”

“Speak,” the queen said, engrossed with her compass. Adolphus turned to look at the Count.

“The Magician is most devastated to inform you, but he has seen with his own eyes – your parents are dead.”