Cheng didnt seem all that convinced by Jennys sudden surge of enthusiasm for finding him a bride. In fact, he seed a little suspicious of her motives. Cant say I blad him.
Yes, well, I suppose there is room for interpretation. It doesnt necessarily have to be a Visitor or a virgin, technically, but I would still prefer it that way.
Jenny was still standing, leaning over the table. As longs as its the right person, the details of who she is or where she cos from shouldnt matter, should it? If shes the right girl, shes the right girl.
I grabbed the back of Jennys shirt and pulled her back into her seat.
Ignore her, I told Cheng. You know what girls are like whenever you ntion a wedding. Its like catnip to them. Drives them nutty.
All three girls turned to glare at (Noreen was already glaring at , so she didnt count).
I still have a bunch of questions I want to ask, so lets leave your nuptials to one side for a mont. Okay?
This was aid at the others as much as Cheng, but Cheng was the only one to nod in agreent.
Good. Can you tell how old you are, Cheng?
Im fifteen. It was strange hearing that number co out of such a monstrous and unteenage-like mouth. Thats puberty for you.
And your mother, where did she co from? I an, back in our world.
A place called Hong Kong. Do you know it?
Yes, I said. Ive never been there, but its a very famous place.
She always claid she had been brought here by sothing called the Y2K bug. So kind of disease, I believe.
That would an she left Earth in 2000.
And she raised you?
Yes, until I was five. Then
Yes, okay. I didnt want to go into how she died, not with everyone prid to go off at the slightest provocation.
May I ask a question? said Dudley. Flossie had climbed out of his lap and he had been nibbling on what looked like a cob of corn, only bright orange.
Yes, said Cheng. What would you like to know.
Did you care for your mother, even though she was human?
I did, said Cheng. She loved in whatever form I took, it made no difference to her. She taught to treat people equally no matter who or what they were, and not to judge by appearances. My father felt she was in danger of making soft, which is why he killed her.
A chill went around the table.
He killed her? asked Claire.
Yes, he ate her. Cheng continued eating as though hed just ntioned a new restaurant that had opened down the street.
I almost got away with it. So close.
Dont freak out, I said. Rember if you judge them because they have a different culture to ours, youre just being racist.
It was a long shot, I admit, but the last thing I needed was for everyone to start throwing a fit because of the death of a woman we never t.
Nobody said anything for what felt like a long ti. His statent was so absurd, and delivered in such a casual manner, that I dont think it fully registered with them.
Ah, said Flossie. Werent you a bit upset?
Oh, yes. Of course. At the ti, I was inconsolable. But where he ca from, it wasnt considered a terrible thing. By right, he should have eaten her as soon as she gave birth to , but he allowed her to nurse and see grow. For that, I am grateful.
Did that make it better? Slightly?
And if we bring you a bride, asked Jenny, will you eat her?
No. Cheng looked genuinely offended by the question. I would never eat my wife.
Im not sure how you go about killing an eight foot demon, but apparently you could hurt his feelings quite easily.
The atmosphere around the table slipped into sothing more apprehensive. Which was odd. Youd think having dinner with a demon would max out your senses, but theres always room for a little more dread, I guess.
Can you tell about the Temple Under the Mountain? I asked him, hoping to keep things on track. How does it work?
I dont actually know the chanics, or who built it, but I can tell you it requires the sacrifice of a Visitor to function.
Could it send us back to our world?
Everyone beca much more focused when I asked this question.
Possibly, although I am unaware of anyone who has tried. I know it allows travel to any place in this world, and the one underneath it.
Where your father ca from?
Yes. It was my mother and her friends who summoned him. They were trying to fulfill the prophecy, or at least their understanding of it.
Did they sacrifice one of their own to activate it? I asked.
They sacrificed soone, whether it was one of their party or not I do not know. My mother didnt like to talk about it. In any case, there were rather more sacrifices once my father appeared. My mother was the only survivor.
The mood around the table had turned somber. Human sacrifices didnt make for great dinner conversation.
It didnt bother if people went around killing each other. Pretty much what I would expect. I pressed on. What about the spires? Do they work on the sa principles as the Temple?
Yes, said Cheng. Thats how I knew they were active. Gargantua reported a white light that fell from the sky onto the fort. One mont there were thousands of n across the bridge, the next there were none.
Which would explain where the soldiers had disappeared to, but made little sense otherwise. Why would they attack their own soldiers?
They didnt attack them. They were priming the weapon for firing. The n were fuel.
But they werent Visitors, said Maurice.
Visitors are the richest source of energy, but if you use enough normal humans it can do the sa job. Its not very efficient though.
And whats their target? I asked.
I do not know. It could be anywhere. The only place I know it wont be is Fengarad.
I was starting to understand why the lizardn had been sent across the bridge. So thats why you sent an army there?
Yes. They cant use the weapon so close to their own people, and if they use it on a target over here, we will attack. It is a stalemate, for now. My hope is that you will be the one to change that. If the prophecy is fulfilled, perhaps we can avert this disaster.
And youll show the prophecy? The full version?
Yes. We can go see it right now.
No. Id rather wait until tomorrow. Id like to discuss so things with you in your other form, if you dont mind.
As you wish. I would also like to see the Dragonrider in action, if that is acceptable.
Flossie smiled, but her eyes didnt look too happy. Whether that was in regard to spending ti with Cheng or the dragons, I wasnt sure.
We continued eating, but the others didnt have much of an appetite. They were probably dwelling on the whole summon a demon, get forcibly impregnated, raise a child in captivity, get eaten thing.
I think they were blowing it out of proportion. Yes, it was a dark and unpleasant story, but if you decide to summon a demon, what do you expect? And there are plenty of people who have had to endure worse things. So people have to live in Leeds.
The rest of the al was a quiet affair. There were a couple of questions about this side of the border and its inhabitants, but nothing worth ntioning. The others nibbled on their food, while Cheng and I demolished the rest. Admittedly, he did most of the demolishing, but I wasnt going to wake up hungry in the middle of the night because people had been cruel to each other. If I allowed that sort of thing to affect my appetite, Id starve to death.
If you have more questions, I shall be happy to answer them tomorrow, said Cheng as he rose from his throne. He seed a little bemused by how the mood had gone from terrified to mildly depressed. Welco to my world. At least he didnt have to travel around with the miserable fuckers.
Cheng left and Noreen led us back to our rooms.
Should we really find him a wife? asked Claire. I dont think shell be safe.
She wont be safe wherever she is in this world. Its just an arranged marriage, they happen all the ti. Its not like were going to kidnap anyone. If two people agree to get married, then its no business of yours, is it?
Colin, how can you act so blas. Demons eat people!
That was the old generation. You cant bla him for what his father did. Hes much more progressive, demon-wise.
Claire didnt look satisfied by my answer.
Just wait until tomorrow, I said. I think youll feel better about the whole thing once you et him in his other form.
I doubt it, said Claire. I already know how I feel about this whole bride thing. Not good.
No, Claire, you dont know. If I tell you to wait and see, then you can only know after youve waited and seen. Just because you have a bad feeling doesnt an those feelings are justified. Making a decision based on what you think will probably happen, when youve hardly been right about anything in your life, is idiotic. Have a little patience.
She tightened her mouth but didnt say anything.
When I returned to my room with Jenny, she gave a doubtful look.
Dont tell you have a bad feeling, too.
Not about the bride thing. Im more worried about the spires. If theyre willing to kill thousands of their own n, they must be planning sothing pretty awful.
Yes. I think youre right. More reason for us to get as far away as possible before things kick off. If Flossie really is the Dragonrider, that would help. Well be able to travel freely, at last.
Dont you think we should do sothing about the spires?
No. It was exactly this kind of thinking I wanted to nip in the bud. They killed thousands of their own people just to power their Death Star, what do you think theyll do to us? Were like extra-longlasting batteries to them.
I took off my clothes and got under the furs.
Sobody has to stop them. Jenny slid in next to .
Yes. But not . And not you.
You cant tell what to do.
I rolled on top of her and grabbed her wrists. Yes, I can. Youre the one who said I have this divine ability to get people to obey . Well, the only person I want to obey is you.
She struggled to free her wrists, but not very hard. And what do you command, Oh Master? It was said sarcastically, but it was still nice to hear her say it.
I want you to stay with and not go running off, no matter how important it seems. Promise .
She struggled a bit more.
Say it! I pinned her down harder.
Fine. I promise, okay?
Not that promises were worth much, but it would do for now.
She shifted her body under mine. You know, we cant have sex, right? They can sll it.
Yes, I said, not moving.
Are you going to stay on top of all night?
Yes, I said, and lowered my head to rest on her shoulder, her wrists still held in my hands. It wasnt particularly comfortable, but at least this way I could keep my eye on her.
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