Muck and stink and shit and pain and fucking. That was all that Logk knew. He didn’t even think Logk was his real name.
He’d had a different life once. One that included the sun and smells of the outside. He was sure he had a different name too, but he had long since forgotten it.
He knew Kolp’s name. He knew it well. One day he would deal with the Grand Seer. One day he would eat his corpse.
Monday 16 February 2009
Wednesday 4 February 2009
Appointed
The feast had lasted all day and all but Hazakin were exhausted and spent. Even the brain-spayed concubines were mewling and wanting to rest. Many of the courtiers had tried to leave at earlier points in the celebrations and were threatened with summary execution.
This execution was all the more fearful because of the nature of the feast that had taken place. The centre piece was long since stripped to the bones, but for those without the benefit of tanda beetles there was something queasily recognisable about the remains sitting on the six-foot long silver platter.
Imarile had out did himself and even Hazakin had admitted this loudly during the feast, but not loudly enough for the evil Foundryling could hear.
None of the courtiers dared to say that they wanted to and rest for fear that they would become another course for the feast, as old L’sadak had become the main course all those hours ago.
Hazakin stood. Some of the sharper-eyed courtiers would have sworn that he was unsteady, given the amount of poisonously alcoholic barabeur that he had drank it was no surprise that even he was feeling the effects.
“I require a new vizier!” He said. “One who isn’t an incompetent and dithering fool like our esteemed meal!”
The exhausted courtiers were suddenly energised by this announcement and there began a murmur of excitement amongst them. Being the King of Pinioh’s vizier was both the most prestigious and most dangerous appointment in the kingdom.
Hazakin’s violet gaze searched the room, but none of the courtiers could bring themselves to move.
The young man had been quiet since he had come into the service of the king a few months before. He was too lowly even to rate being given a tanda beetle. This man had listened, and learned a great deal about the workings of the court. Since he was nothing more than a cleaning boy he had been ignored by the courtiers and even Hazakin.
At last, the opening for his ambition had come and, in a quivering voice barely audible through gut-loosening fear he said, “I can do the job.”
Hazakin blinked in surprise.
The courtiers stared in horror and bewilderment. One of the older, braver courtiers managed to find her voice:
“Begone, boy! This is no place for peasants like you!”
Hazakin turned and glared and the woman and she quailed in fear at the hard look.
“I beg your pardon, Your Majesty, but–” the woman began, pointing to the young man standing so uncertainly just inside the door to the chamber.
“Silence, you snivelling, wrinkled sow!” Hazakin bellowed.
When he returned his gaze, the boy almost fell over under its power, but managed to stand his ground. Then Hazakin laughed.
“Excellent! This barely washed child has shown more backbone than any ten of you worthless piles of beast entrails could hope to possess!” He said. “Yes, boy, you shall become my new vizier. Kolp hasn’t installed a tanda beetle in a long while. Pray, whelp, what is your name?”
“I am Gliggen Jupond,” said the boy.
This execution was all the more fearful because of the nature of the feast that had taken place. The centre piece was long since stripped to the bones, but for those without the benefit of tanda beetles there was something queasily recognisable about the remains sitting on the six-foot long silver platter.
Imarile had out did himself and even Hazakin had admitted this loudly during the feast, but not loudly enough for the evil Foundryling could hear.
None of the courtiers dared to say that they wanted to and rest for fear that they would become another course for the feast, as old L’sadak had become the main course all those hours ago.
Hazakin stood. Some of the sharper-eyed courtiers would have sworn that he was unsteady, given the amount of poisonously alcoholic barabeur that he had drank it was no surprise that even he was feeling the effects.
“I require a new vizier!” He said. “One who isn’t an incompetent and dithering fool like our esteemed meal!”
The exhausted courtiers were suddenly energised by this announcement and there began a murmur of excitement amongst them. Being the King of Pinioh’s vizier was both the most prestigious and most dangerous appointment in the kingdom.
Hazakin’s violet gaze searched the room, but none of the courtiers could bring themselves to move.
The young man had been quiet since he had come into the service of the king a few months before. He was too lowly even to rate being given a tanda beetle. This man had listened, and learned a great deal about the workings of the court. Since he was nothing more than a cleaning boy he had been ignored by the courtiers and even Hazakin.
At last, the opening for his ambition had come and, in a quivering voice barely audible through gut-loosening fear he said, “I can do the job.”
Hazakin blinked in surprise.
The courtiers stared in horror and bewilderment. One of the older, braver courtiers managed to find her voice:
“Begone, boy! This is no place for peasants like you!”
Hazakin turned and glared and the woman and she quailed in fear at the hard look.
“I beg your pardon, Your Majesty, but–” the woman began, pointing to the young man standing so uncertainly just inside the door to the chamber.
“Silence, you snivelling, wrinkled sow!” Hazakin bellowed.
When he returned his gaze, the boy almost fell over under its power, but managed to stand his ground. Then Hazakin laughed.
“Excellent! This barely washed child has shown more backbone than any ten of you worthless piles of beast entrails could hope to possess!” He said. “Yes, boy, you shall become my new vizier. Kolp hasn’t installed a tanda beetle in a long while. Pray, whelp, what is your name?”
“I am Gliggen Jupond,” said the boy.
Tuesday 3 February 2009
Here too!
Well it's time to start the 'Crown Wearer' blog. You'll find anything new with the Twitter novella.
Just in case you didn't know you can find the story here: Crown Wearer
Will
Just in case you didn't know you can find the story here: Crown Wearer
Will
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