I wondered—often—why the crown had chosen me rather than many of my cousins, who would have ruled with an iron fist. Nobody knew how the crown chose, but the first time I’d felt its weight I wished it on someone—anyone!—else’s brow.
If they had ignored orders without a fig leaf, there would have to be hell to pay.
I entered the welcome dimness of the main room, waiting to hear their excuses.
Both bowed. Christian, the taller and heavier of the two, wore mail and blade openly, as appropriate for a bodyguard in Dream. And a massive headache here on Gaius.
Harold, slight and with a twisted foot, limped forward after he finished his bow. "Sire."
"Why are you here?" I regarded them.
Christian folded his arms. His voice rumbled like an avalanche. "Others have passed through the wall. Your decision to ally with humanity and follow the skinchanger’s plan has not been taken well. People want restitution for the banishment, and want to punish humanity for it."
"Interesting. They want everything as it was, but they want to act as if they have a voice in the monarchy. Choose one." I rolled my eyes. Hypocrites existed in all worlds, it seemed. "Do you know how many passed through? How many of them are twisted? How many of the guard were injured?"
"Eight to ten. Two are unafflicted, one is your cousin Alexander," Harold answered. “The rest are badly twisted, which was why we followed. They need to be found. Two of the guard were injured. Alexander lured them into a trap so the others could pass.”
I massaged my temples. This was a disaster, one I had hoped to avoid. The twisted were a danger to themselves and everyone around them. The illness warped the body and perceptions, making goblins into feral creatures who delighted in tormenting other creatures and envious thieves.
One of my hopes was that the human’s magical science could find a cure, since the same magic had created it.
Finding them would be difficult. My cousin, likely hoping for my death and the crown to settle for his policies, would hide them until they found where I lived and then they’d try to assassinate me.
Hence, my guard appearing, itching to summon more, and possibly to roll me up into a carpet in a locked room.
“Have you created the illusion to pass among humans? Let me see them.”
In a moment, both sprang up. Christian’s was slight, making his skin a dark brown rather than slate gray, shifting amber eyes to a dark brown, smoothing his sharp teeth.
Harold on the other hand… “Pink hair? Green skin?”
“There’s makeup and hair dye.”
“The hair can pass, but the skin…select a less conspicuous tone. They do not wear makeup like that unless they are at an entertainment worship service.”
“I would like to go to a convention, Sire.” Harold shifted his skin to an olive tone.
“After matters are settled. That segment of society was one I planned to target first for acceptance.”
Also, my priority was not to miss my next meeting with Andromeda. It was another step in the plan, made easier by the fact that she interested and intrigued me.
Which meant this pair needed training and equipping. I pulled my phone out and texted Reynard.
Christian and Harold are here now. Restitution seekers have passed the wall also. Need equipment and orientation for them. Tomorrow I plan to summon the twisted goblins who passed through the wall. I will need a place to contain them.
His reply dripped his dry wit.Trouble with obedience, O lord King?
Of course. How quickly can you arrange a secure shelter for the rogues?
Unknown. I'll be by your house this morning, with new phones for C&H. Have them watch CSI and show them how to use streaming service, that’ll give them some ideas of how to behave.
Reynard’s humor grated sometimes. On the other hand, the television was useful for demonstrations.
The other two had observed me texting with interest. I held the phone up. "These are wonderful devices. Better than scrying balls. Reynard will see about securing them for you. And entering the information needed."
Harold angled his head. “You’re working so closely with the trickster? Is this wise, sire?”
“As wise as any plan can be. He’s in the same dilemma we are. In the time I have been here, with one exception, his advice has been sound.”
