Incarceron Part 11

When he didn't answer, Keiro laughed harshly.

"You were born in Incarceron, Finn. Accept it. No one comes in from Outside. No one Escapes! Incarceron is sealed. We were all born here and we'll all die here. Your mother dumped you and you can't remember her. The bird-scar is just some tribemark. Forget it."

He wouldn't. He couldn't.

He said stubbornly, "I wasn't born here. I can't remember being a child, but I was one. I can't remember how I got here, but I wasn't bred out of some artificial womb of wires and chemicals. And this"-he held up his wrist-"will prove it."

Keiro shrugged. "Sometimes I think you're still out of your head."

Finn scowled.

Then he stalked back up the stairs. At the top he had to step over something crouched there in the dark. It looked like Jormanric's dog-slave, straining at the end of its chain to reach a bowl of water that some joker had placed just out of reach. Finn kicked the bowl nearer and strode on.

The slave's chain clanked. Through its tangle of hair, its small eyes watched him walk away.

6.

It was decided from the beginning that the location of Incarceron should be known only to the Warden.

All criminals, undesirables, political extremists, degenerates, lunatics would be transported there.

The Gate would be sealed and the Experiment commence.

It was vital that nothing should disturb the delicate balance of Incarceron's programming, which would provide everything needed-education, balanced diet, exercise, spiritual welfare, and purposeful work-to create a paradise.; One hundred and fifty years have pa.s.sed.

The Warden reports that progress is excellent.

-Court Archives 4302/6 ***

"That was so delicious!"

Lord Evian wiped his plump lips with a white napkin.

"You really must let me have the recipe, my dear."

Claudia stopped tapping her nails on the cloth and smiled brightly.

"I'll have someone copy it for you, my lord."

Her father was watching from the head of the table, the crumbs of his ascetic breakfast of two dry rolls gathered nearly in a pile on the side of his plate.

Like her he had finished at least half an hour ago, but his impatience was hidden with iron control. If he was impatient. She didn't even know.

Now he said, "His Lords.h.i.+p and I will ride out this morning, Claudia, and take a brief lunch at one p.m. exactly. Afterward we will resume our negotiations."

Over my future, she thought, but only nodded, noticing the fat lord's dismay.

He couldn't be such a fool as he seemed or the Queen wouldn't have sent him, and though he tried hard, a few shrewd comments had slipped out. But he was hardly a rider.

The Warden was aware of that. Her father had a grim humor.

As she stood he rose with her, meticulously polite, and drew the small gold watch from his pocket. The timepiece gleamed. It was beautiful, digitally accurate, and totally out of Era. It was his one eccentricity, the watch and the chain and the tiny silver cube that hung from it.

He said, "Perhaps you'd touch the bell, Claudia. I'm afraid we've kept you long enough from your studies."

She went quickly to the green ta.s.sel by the hearth and he added without raising his head, "I spoke to Master Jared in the garden earlier. He looked very pale. How is his health these days?"

Her fingers froze a fraction from the bell. Then she pulled it firmly.

"He's well, sir. Very well."

He put the watch away.

"I've been considering. You won't need a tutor after your marriage, and, besides, there are several Sapienti at Court. Perhaps we should allow Jared to return to the Academy."

She wanted to stare at him in horror in the dim mirror, but that would have been what he expected. So she kept her face bright and turned lightly.

"As you wish. I'd miss him, of course. And we are in the middle of a fascinating study of the Havaarna Kings. He knows everything there is to be known about them."

His gray eyes watched her closely. If she said another word her dismay would show and it would decide him.

A pigeon fluttered on the tiles outside.

Lord Evian creaked to his feet.

"Well, if you do, Warden, I a.s.sure you some other family will snap him up. Jared Sapiens is renowned through the Realm. He could name his fee. Poet, philosopher, inventor, genius. You should hold on to him, sir."

Claudia smiled in pleasant agreement but inside she was startled. It was as if the greasy man in the blue silk suit knew what she couldn't say for herself. He smiled back, his small eyes bright. The Warden's lips were tight.

"I'm sure you're right. Shall we go, my lord?"

Claudia dropped a curtsy. As her father followed Evian out and turned to close the double doors, he met her eyes. Then the doors clicked shut. She sighed in relief. Like a cat eyes a mouse, she thought.

But all she said was, "Now, please."

Instantly paneling slid back; maids and men raced out and began removing cups, plates, candelabra, centerpieces, gla.s.ses, napkins, kedgeree dishes, fruit bowls. Windows snapped open and burned-out candles relit; the roaring fire in the log-filled hearth vanished without a whiff of charred wood. Dust vaporized; curtains changed color. The air sweetened itself with potpourri.