After The Rabbit (Waldo Rabbit Series) (18 page)

“That’s very arrogant darling.”

He shrugged. “We can’t help it if we’re superior to everyone else.”

She shut her eyes and shook her head slightly.
Why do I even try?
She loved him and had no doubts that he was a good person, in his own way. But some of his ideas were very hard to deal with. “Well since we are guests here I take it that means you aren’t going to try to steal anything. Right?”

“Well not unless I am sure I can get away with it.”

“What happened to not doing any harm to your host? Or does robbing him not count?”

“The laws of hospitality and guest rights only apply if the head of one of the Seven Great Houses extends an open invitation to a member of one of the other Houses. If the invitation is secret, extended by anyone other than the head of the family, or is sent to anyone who is not a member of one of the Houses those rules do not apply. Since I am in a foreigner’s home I am under no obligation to him.”

“So you only play nice with the people you know?”

“I would never describe it as, ‘nice’ but, essentially, yes.”

“You know I would have thought that what happened to us would have at least shown you why it’s wrong to steal. We lost all our money because of some damn thief. Can you see the lesson in that?”

“Certainly, from now on I should hold our coins, or maybe Gronk should.”

“Belle,” the disguised ogre said.

“Only when other people can hear us.”

“That’s the wrong lesson darling,” Alice tried to sound patient. “Stealing is wrong. You shouldn’t take what isn’t yours. Being the victim now can’t you see that?”

“It’s only wrong when you are the victim. It’s just fine so long as you are the one doing the robbing.”

Belle nodded. “I like the way Master thinks.”

“You be quiet,” she stabbed a finger at Belle and then at Waldo. “And you, forget about stealing anything. You don’t want to do that. Griffinhearts are bad people. They’re arrogant and vindictive and think they can have anything they want. Even if you think we can get away with it, just don’t. Trust me, we don’t want to make an enemy out of this family.”

“Really? How do you know so much about them?”

“Ah, well they’re very famous. They’re rich and they’re related to the ruling house.” She began wringing her hands again.

“How rich?”

“Don’t, we have enough problems as it is.”

XXX

The Duke at last arrived to formally welcome his guests.

He was dressed in shining plate mail, though the chest piece looked to be in danger of snapping off. The Duke was a big, broad shouldered man with thick arms and legs. Undoubtedly in his younger days he had been an impressive figure. He still was, but had a large belly and double chin. Behind him trailed several servants and two more guards.

Waldo saw his eyes flash first to him and then Belle. It was Alice that held his gaze.

The duke came over to him and gave a slight nod of his head. Waldo returned the gesture.

“Welcome to Norwich Master Rabbit. I, Duke Theos Griffinheart, offer you the comfort and security of my home for the length of your stay.”

Though the man was addressing him his eyes kept wandering over to Alice.

“I thank you for your kind invitation and wish you Unity, Justice, and Peace and all that.”

“I’ve had a few White Mages visit over the years, but they always travelled alone. Won’t you introduce me to your companions?”

Before Waldo could reply Belle leaned forward with a huge smile. “I am Belle of Tarsus, you cute pudgy man you.”

“Er, yes, a pleasure I am sure.” Griffinheart turned and stepped in front of Alice. His eyes were sliding up and down her body as his fingers impatiently danced.

She gave a smooth curtsy, then spoke, almost sang. “My Lord, I am Mrs. Alice Rabbit.”

“You’re his wife? Truly?” There as a regretful sigh. “Ah, what a terrible shame, I suppose Lancel wasn’t quick enough.”

“What?! I mean... I don’t know what you are referring to my Lord.”

“You are Alice, the barmaid from that whorehouse in Stratford aren’t you?”

Her eyes bulged out and her mouth opened and closed soundlessly.

“How do you know about that?” Waldo asked.

“My son was smitten by her. He described her to me in great detail. Her fire colored hair, the eyes of amethyst, her huge… heart.”

Alice crossed her arms over her bosom. “Yes, men are always noticing my heart.”

“Ah, that’s right, Elsa mentioned to me there was someone else who wanted to buy you.” Waldo said.

“Luckily Elsa was always greedy, otherwise I would have been sold off before we ever met.”

“I am sure you would have been happy to have belonged to my son.”

Alice took a hold of Waldo’s arm. “I am happier being married to my husband.”

“No doubt, no doubt,” he looked at Waldo. “You truly are a lucky man.”

“I know.”

“If you are still here when my son returns I am sure he will tell you the same.”

Waldo felt her grip tighten and a surge of fear through their bond.

“La… Lancel is coming here?”

Duke Griffinheart grinned. “No need to look so frightened. I am sure my son will be disappointed, but he is not going to try and steal you away.”

“No, of course he wouldn’t.”

Waldo could tell her fear was growing. He wasn’t sure why. He had bought her after all, and the people of this land seemed to respect private property.

“Duke Griffinheart,” Waldo said. “The reason I’ve come here is that I am looking for a monster.”

“You’ve come to the right place then. Go into the marshes and you’ll find thousands of them, like rats in a sewer. No matter how many we catch or kill the damn things just keep breeding.”

Waldo felt anger flare in both of his familiars.

“I am not interested in common goblins. I’ve heard there was a Great Monster here in Norwich.”

“Inside my city?” The duke shook his head, making his chins wobble. “Whoever told you that was a damn liar. I don’t tolerate such disgusting things here. The people in Middleton and other places may put up with such repulsive filth, but I assure you that I don’t.”

“Not all monsters are disgusting,” Alice snapped. “They don’t all deserved to be killed either, not just for being what they are.”

Griffinheart gave her the sort of smile you might offer to a small child babbling nonsense. “Dear girl, I am sure the goblins in Stratford are very tame. Perhaps some of them do tricks. Here, we understand what they truly are. They aren’t pets or oxen, they are monsters in every sense of the word. If it weren’t for the money from the traders we would kill every last one we could. Believe me, they don’t deserve any sort of pity. I am sure your husband feels exactly the same way.”

“Being a White Mage that goes without saying. So there are really no monsters anywhere in Norwich?”

“None.”

“What about in the area?”

“As I said, thousands.”

“I mean Great Monsters; vampires, giants, dragons. Are there any creatures like that close by?”

The duke hesitated for just a moment. “No, there are only goblins.”

“You’re sure?”

“Quite sure, Master Rabbit. Now I am certain you are weary from your travels. Let us have a meal together. Please enjoy my hospitality for as long as you care to.”

Chapter 15

A Dagger Pointed At Your Own Heart

They shared a very pleasant meal with their host.

Belle ate enough for five. Waldo asked questions about local geography and recent monster activity. Alice tried to remain quiet. She was forced to answer a number of question
s from the duke, who paid her far more attention than he did to Waldo. Following this some servants brought them to the quarters they would be staying at. The Duke was generous enough to give Belle separate accommodations, so that Waldo and his wife could enjoy some privacy.

Almost as soon as they were alone Alice began to pace. Short, quick strides took her from one end of the room to the other.

“We should leave here as soon as we can,” Alice said, never slowing her pace. “Tonight, or in the morning at the very latest. Lord Griffinheart doesn’t know when his son will be back, we should get as far away from here as we can.”

“We can’t leave until we find my third familiar,” Waldo said. “Why are you so afraid?”

“Because Lancel will kill me.”

“Just because you are mine now? That seems rather petty.”

“You don’t understand. He’s not the sort of man who takes no for an answer. Every time he came to the Inn he got a little more forceful, a little more impatient. He doesn’t like to lose. I think he would rather have me killed than see me with another man. That’s assuming he hasn’t found out the truth about me. Lancel would definitely kill me then. He likes monsters about as much as his father does.”

“I still don’t see why you’re so worried. He’s only human.”

That brought her to a sudden halt to gawk at him. “So was that crowd that threw you in the river.”

“Hmmm,” Waldo replied. “Good point.”

“Then we can go?”

“No, we can’t leave until I’m sure there’s no Great Monster here.”

“So you’d rather put my life in danger?” Her hands began waving about. “Darling, Lancel might decide to kill you too, out of jealousy or because he suspects the truth.”

“It doesn’t make a difference Alice. We are already in danger. My grandfather knows we’re in Norwich. I am sure Melissa is searching for us as well.”

“Then why don’t we just go?”

“Getting a third Great Monster is worth the risk. They are very hard to acquire. Once we leave there is no guarantee I will ever be able to get another. The conditions of my quest are close to impossible, I need every conceivable advantage.”

“What happens if Lancel shows up here tomorrow?”

“His father has no idea when he’ll return. The odds of it being tomorrow seem slim.”

“What if he appears anyway?”

“Then I’d say our best chance for survival is for you to Charm him the moment you see him.”

She planted her hands on her hips. “And if that doesn’t work?”

“Then we’ll just have to fight our way out of the city.”

“If it comes to that we’ll be slaughtered!”

“Then let’s hope it doesn’t come to that.”

Alice shut her eyes and took a couple deep breaths. Through the bond Waldo could feel her fear diminishing slightly, while her frustration mounted.

“How can you be so calm about this?”

“Because it doesn’t really change our situation. I understand we are in danger, but we would be true regardless. What do you suppose will happen if my grandfather arrives at the gate? Or Melissa? Things would be as bad or worse.”