Vampyre: Desire Immortal

Chapter 20

Andolin

The fool believes

that naught before his eyes deceives.

*****

Perdix raced back to the castle. He would save the Queen. He would save the kingdom. He would be a hero. All these thoughts raced in circles in his head.

"Go in," said the maid who stood outside the Queen's door. "You are expected."

Perdix did not knock. He threw open the door and stopped dead in his tracks.

"Close the door, you fool," Dyryke demanded. "You will get us all killed."

The deformed baby floated just beneath the surface of the holy water.

"Swaddle the child carefully," said Dyryke. "Leave no mark."

The Queen did as he said.

Dyryke turned to Perdix, "One word from you, and we all three die."

"Send the man away," said Perdix.

The Queen looked bewildered. She glanced at the small floating blob in the water.

Perdix said in a calm, quiet voice, "Send him away, Your Majesty. The king is coming. I have heard the warning trumpets. Make ready for his entry. Leave this to me. Everything will be alright."

"Out," said the Queen.

Dyryke's eyes were narrow slits. Cold hate filled them, but he turned and quickly left the chambers.

"What am I to do?" she asked.

"The labor was hard, I know. But this is what I want you to do," said Perdix. "Go prepare for your husband. I must work quickly. There is not much time."

"How will you escape?"

"Never mind," said the alchemist. "Hold this one in your arms."

"But this baby is dead, too," said the Queen.

"Cry and fuss and tell them all that the poor thing has just breathed his last. The King was not here. He will not know what has happened."

"But this child is dead. The King will kill me."

"Trust me," said Perdix. "Take to your bed. You must act heartbroken. But do not worry. I promise, your life will be spared."

She left Perdix, climbing into bed with the swaddled corpse.

He worked swiftly.

As the king entered the room, he felt the passing breeze as the alchemist invisibly slipped passed. The King saw nothing, but he heard one word whispered softly in his ear.

Perdix slipped out the door unseen, and it closed behind him.

The King looked down at his wife.

"Oh, Your Majesty," she said between the tears, "the child once born has died!"

All at once, the Queen was overcome by horrendous pains in her abdomen. She could do nothing but scream and hand the lifeless babe to her husband. He handed the little body off to a nearby maid-in-waiting.

"By God's grave," said the servant.

The dark crown of another baby's head shown between the Queen's legs. The servant cupped the baby as it plopped from the royal womb. The maid quickly grasped the infant by the feet and smacked his bottom. The baby bawled loudly.

"It is a miracle," said the King. "One is lost, but one remains. I have a son! I have a son!"

"My wife," said the king, "you have done your duty well!"

The queen sat down upon her bed. All strength had left her. She felt as if she had drowned in the waters of Lake Ludwala.

"He crieth for his mother's breast," said the King.

The queen smiled, and said softly, "What shall you call him, Your Majesty?"

"Andolin."