Vampyre: Desire Immortal

Chapter 32

The Celestial Intelligence

Younger days fill an old man's eyes with tears.

Still, he is no wiser.

*****

They had been climbing for several hours. Xhahari was faithful to keep his eyes glued in front of him, but his ears focused on the sounds the old man was making below him. As long as the youth heard the soft curses and grunts, he knew Perdix was still just below him on their ascent.

"I pray Polceti is asleep among these rocks," Xhahari yelled. "If he stirs and strikes, there is no way to remedy the poison he will put inside our bodies."

"Polceti does not sleep this high," said Perdix. "Those vipers prefer the balmier climate of the valley. Besides, there is little for them to eat way up here but stones of varying sizes."

"You have a point," said Xhahari.

"Careful, son. We are almost to the ledge. The rocks are deceiving. Kick each one and make sure it holds strong alongside the mountain. It is but another danger of these peaks."

"How many times have you made this climb, Master?"

"Only once before," said Perdix. "I climbed up here with a companion, but I went back down alone."

*****

The bells of the church had been ringing nonstop for several hours. Perdix feared the noise would drive him mad.

"Come," said the young man standing in the alchemist's chamber.

"I cannot," Perdix said. "You know the King wishes to consummate the wedding bed. It has been three days since he and the Queen were wed, and all witnesses who have been standing watch over the royal bed say that nothing has occurred."

Perdix raked his hand through his thick dark curls. His hair was unruly, and strands were always falling down into his eyes.

"I think he is just fearful," said the young man. "Wouldn't you be if you had twenty pairs of spooks' eyes watching every move you and your beloved made under the covers."

"But they must have proof of coupling. An heir is no small thing, Dyryke. Megara's future depends on it," said Perdix.

"I think the pot is watched too closely. It will never boil," said Dyryke.

"You may have a point," said Perdix. "I think my romantic ardor would pale under so many eyes. I am glad I am not the King. Too much stress is not good for the spindle, you know. It makes for a flabby, wilted stem."

"Well," said Dyryke, "you and I will never know that kind of pressure. Thankfully, Venus comes to us, and we can have her under the cover of night or in broad daylight. No one gives a flit who we plant our seed inside of. It comes with the territory of being handsome, virile, and besotting nobodies."

"You left out young and foolhardy," said Perdix.

"So, I did," said Dyryke. "Which reminds me. Shouldn't we be at least half quashed by this hour of the afternoon?"

"I have work to do," said Perdix.

"And so do I," said Dyryke. "But with this crashing dong of unrelenting bells that has been going on all afternoon, how can we be expected to get anything done? Who has died? Who has been born? What the fyke is all the noise about? Do they wish to drive us all insane?"

"I think a cardinal or some such is expected," said Perdix. "Word was received by a messenger who was dispatched. A surprise visit or something."

"Surprise," said Dyryke. "When a messenger is dispatched to give word of imminent arrival, where is the astonishment when he rolls through the castle gates?"

"Well," said Perdix, "Perhaps surprise is the wrong word. It is a spur-of-the-moment trip, but I'm sure His Grace wishes the dung to at least be swept from the drawbridge, don't you?"

"It's never swept clean for me, Perdix. I wouldn't know what it was like not to wade through swill. And I will never know."

"Stop complaining," said the alchemist. "You know what I am saying."

"I do," said Dyryke.

"Are you going to help me with this experiment or not?"

"What," said Dyryke, "and share the laurels of success? The answer is 'not.' Now, put away your herbs and powders."

"I'm not going drinking with you," said Perdix. "My head already pounds, and my skull threatens to explode."

"Come on, then," said Dyryke. "We'll get away. Just for a few days."

"You do not want to be here when His Grace blesses the holy union?"

"Why would I care? I am not the lucky sot who has been chosen to join as one with the Queen. Neither are you," said Dyryke. "Come on. We'll head out and see what kind of mischief we can get into."

"Dyryke," said Perdix, "you don't even like me. Why on earth would you think I would want to go on a journey with you?"

"Because," he said, "the place where I am going is magical. And did I mention that it's home to the Celestial Intelligence?"