Wolves at the Door
Mr Terry Pratchett, the great and devious creator of the Discworld owns everything about it – no copyright infringement intended.
Author's Note 3: I would like to take this opportunity to thank all my reviewers for their kind words and feedback for this story – you give me that warm cuddly feeling that makes me want to go on writing. And your feedback when I have not explained something properly is much appreciated – Unseen Watcher, please keep watching. Merrymoll – sorry about the near coffee spraying incident.
A very special thanks goes to Mercator whose ideas to improve the pace and content of the story have been invaluable. Mercator, thank you for your mentoring – if the werewolves seem more evil, and Vetinari falls in a hole – it is because of you.
Chapter 3: Silver and Silk
Angua found a ford and insisted they cross it – while she would stay on the other side of the river her scent keeping the Werewolves on the wrong side. Carrot could see why the far side of the river would be preferable, it eventually opened out into flat grassland and the horses would have a better chance than in the confines of the small flat area on their present bank, still it was hard waving Angua on alone. With great care the reduced party walked the horses across, letting the animals find their own footing. Once on the other side they kicked them back into a gallop and though a little less winded both horses and riders were running out of energy.
Inevitably the braying pack caught up with them. Angua swiftly jumped into the now fast moving river and swam across. Angua's ploy had worked, as the Werewolves had not crossed at the ford the two warring parties now stood facing each other, weapons and teeth bared, with the river as a natural barrier, the Werewolves not daring to dive in with so much naked silver trained on them.
Vimes climbed down from his horse, holding the reins between his teeth he cocked his crossbow, making sure the milling Werewolves could see the glint of silver as he slung the quiver of bolts at his belt. He heard Carrot and Vetinari climb down behind him and the clink of metal.
"Sir." Carrot passed Vetinari a spare crossbow. Angua growled – she did not like being this close to silver but she would stand and fight at their side.
Vimes and Vetinari, despite being odd battle companions, stood shoulder to shoulder once again. Carrot fought the urge to stand in front of Angua to protect her - his encounter with her brother had proved all to obviously that his girlfriend would fair better than he against a Werewolf – the ache of his once broken arm was a tangible reminder.
Carrot asked, "Do we shoot to kill sir?" He realised that his Commander was not listening; he looked to where Vimes looked and his heart dropped. His sudden silence drew Angua's attention.
"Grrrr." She growled in despair. Coming down the valley on their flank were at least 50 Werewolves. The creatures were moving fast, it would not be long before their foe was of a completely overwhelming strength.
Vimes was lost, running out of options; they'd have to fight, they had silver they could take some of the bastards with them but he knew not enough of the Werewolves to make a difference – they would have only a few minutes to take out the Baroness and her troop before the new bunch arrived. He turned to Vetinari expecting confirmation of his last ditch thoughts. He was shocked to see the Patrician with a genuine smile on his face, rather than ask he looked back to see if he could see what the assassin saw. Even the Werewolves noted the human's distraction and turned to look. A howl went up.
"Angua?" Vimes asked.
Angua turned back to human form to answer him. "They are not Werewolves but wolves Commander." For modesty's sake she stood behind Carrot.
"Will they stand a chance against this many Werewolves?"
"No, but my mother is offended by the effrontery of so many wolves rising against her – she has decided to face them first and then come after us – the wolves are giving us time."
The lead Werewolf, Vimes' thought it looked like the Baron, started off to face the incoming wolves, leaving the Baroness and three Werewolves to continue harassing them. "Vetinari, you are smiling, what do you know about this?"
"Look in the sky Commander." The Patrician said obliquely. Vimes looked, at first he didn't see anything, then he saw a bird, must have been a large one, and lots of blue sky and cloud – still nothing useful.
"What am I supposed to see?"
"Avor has come to rescue us."
Then Vimes remembered, Silana's father – one of his shapes was that of an eagle – and he always had that pack of wolves lolling at his feet. "But they will all be killed."
"Watch."
Two of Serafine's party moved off down and up river and jumping in the water swam across; climbing onto the bank they stayed at a cautious distance but cutting off those escape routes. Vimes raised his crossbow and was pleased to see the nearest one move further back.
Vimes saw the two parties, the Baron's and the wolves meet – fur flew in a fury. The ferocity of the conflict was terrifying, howls of pain and terror emitted from the two packs – Vimes was amazed to see the Werewolf pack break off their attack and run back towards them leaving dead and injured behind. "What?" Angua said shocked. Carrot was just very glad they had the river between them – the speed at which the Werewolves were moving was astonishing.
The Baroness howled and started to run ahead of her husband. The two Werewolves who had crossed the river to harass them took off, giving them and their weapons a wide berth.
"What just happened Angua?" Carrot asked.
"My father was crying that the wolves had silver – but how can that…"
The wily old devil Vimes thought, "The Wolves of Avor – the King must have armed them with silver." No wonder he and Vetinari get on so well, they are both devious bastards.
The wolves came level with them and Angua backed further behind Carrot. "I can smell the silver." Angua whispered to him, Carrot planted himself to completely hide the girl and took her hand in his big reassuring grip. Realising how cold and vulnerable she must be feeling he took off his coat and helped Angua put it on.
Vimes saw flashes of white metal at the paws and mouths of the pursuing wolves; intent on their prey the pack sped past.
"Greetings my son." The old King stood behind them, looking more robust than Vimes had ever seen him. The King stepped forward and took Vetinari's forearm in a soldier's grip and beaming a broad grin at him pulled him into what Vimes concluded, for the ever reserved Patrician, was an uncomfortably affectionate hug – plus quite painful with his present injuries. "Some nasty playmates you have there." The King said breaking the hug; Vetinari gave his father-in-law a long-suffering look.
"Thank you for coming to our aid Conari, how fairs Silana?" He tried to hide the weariness from his voice but Vimes saw him lean against his horse – the strength given by adrenaline fading.
"You have a daughter, but it has been hard on Silana – and she gave me part of her strength to journey here. I must return to her as soon as you are out of danger."
Vetinari took the King aside and said quietly. "My abductor, Lord Worik Silk, accused General Paggett of being involved in the conspiracy and of being a danger to Silana. Also the Baroness said he was as good as being her General."
The old man looked shocked. "I will make haste to question Audice, though I have seen nothing but love for my daughter in his heart."
"That may be the problem Conari." The King nodded his understanding and painting a smile back on his face turned back to Vetinari's companions.
He nodded in acknowledgement to the rest of the party and focused on the girl again cowering behind Carrot. "I am sorry for your discomfort Lady Angua but my wolves know to protect you also – do not fear them or their silver." Angua nodded only slowly coming out from the protection of Carrot.
"Havelock you have the right to demand the life of the Baron and Baroness for their actions against you, but by coming here I have entered Avor into a conflict with one of her neighbours – from a diplomatic point of view I would advise we stop short of destroying them." He turned back to Angua. "And what say you Lady, they are your parents and your people, are they redeemable?"
"My people are in Ankh-Morpork now Sire, my parents have yet to learn to be humble, perhaps now is the time to teach them that humans are not to be toyed with."
The King grunted and turned back to Vetinari, the question still in his dark eyes. Vetinari answered simply. "We can be merciful in our triumph."
The slight smile gave a hidden message to the King, who chuckled and winked, saying quietly. "Ah, revenge can always come later."
The old man put his head back and howled long and loud, the howls in reply came from a distance – the wolves had chased the Werewolves a long way away. "Once my friends return they will escort the Prince of Avor and guard you all. Margolotta will give you sanctuary and a coach to bring you safe home – the wolves will stay with you to ensure no further harm."
"My thanks." Vetinari said, another message passing through his look.
"I will give my daughter and your daughter your thoughts." The King said discreetly. "Duke, Captain…" He gave a slight bow as if to equals. Then he took a step forward and took Angua's hand in his. "…Lady, we may not meet again, but be at peace, children are not responsible for the actions of their parents – someday you will make a great ruler in Überwald."
"That is not my intention Sire."
"But perhaps your fate." Conari grinned charmingly and bent to kiss her hand. He turned to Carrot. "Hurry up and marry the girl Ironfoundersson… or I will." He winked at Angua and suddenly the air in front of her was empty – the King had returned to his own lands.
//\\//\\//\\//\\//\\///\\
Silana was woken by the slamming of her bedroom door. She opened her eyes to see Audice holding her baby. She started to smile until she saw the look on his face. She realised he had locked the door behind him. She struggled to sit up in bed. Sybil rose from her chair by the fire trying to take in the sudden change in the General.
"I am freeing you from your Choosing of Vetinari, then you can marry me. Silana – we have always been destined for each other." Audice's maddened eyes blazed. "He raped you – and somehow you thought you had to be loyal to him for the sake of the child…I will save you from him." He said the words as if his own mad logic would make sense of the situation in the world he could not accept.
"Listen to me!" So weak and so terrified for the fragile life of her child, Silana's use of the voice of command came at a cost and was not enough to break through the General's madness. By pure force of will she freed her legs from the bed covers and got to her feet.
"He took your innocence and made this abomination on you – it cannot live." He held the child at arms length, too near the fire. The baby gave a little whimper.
"She is just an innocent baby girl man, for the gods' sake give her to me." Sybil ordered. Paggett ignored her.
Silana realised Audice was beyond the truth – his ego could never allow him to understand how she could love Havelock instead of him. If she could not use the truth she would try using his loyalty. "Calm Audice – cousin. The child of Vetinari will be an asset to Avor, and Ankh-Morpork is a great ally – do not jeopardise the alliances I have forged – for the sake of Avor, Audice, you must back away from your emotions." Leaning on the furniture she managed a few steps towards him.
"I am the most loyal son of Avor Silana, but you should have been mine. I served Avor all the years of my life, your father should have given you to me, not let you Choose that man that seduced you." If only he knew that it had been she who had seduced Havelock.
Sybil was worried at the hint of foam at Lord Paggett's lips. She could see what Silana was trying to do – play on the General's loyalty to Avor, but his greater weakness was his sanity and obsession with the Princess – Sybil prayed that Silana would not blast out that she loved Vetinari because that would certainly push Audice, and with him the baby, over the edge of all reason.
"We are grateful for your service cousin, your strong right arm was ever a comfort to us…."
"Even as a child you loved me – do you not remember that kiss in the orchard – you were ten years old – even then you knew."
Both women's hearts went cold, the knowledge that an action as a child playing could come back and haunt you over a decade later was terrifying. Silana moved subtly a little closer to the fire. "No matter my feelings then Audice, my country needs a man like Vetinari – Cousin we must do what is right for Avor."
"You should be mine!" Audice wailed. Sybil caught Silana's eye, the Princess gave a slight nod. From the fireside rack Sybil grabbed a metal poker and brought it hard across the back of Audice's knees – felling him like a tree – Silana sprang forward and grabbed the baby out of his loosened grip and twisted to land with the baby on top of her – the baby waited until then to begin to cry. With Silana and the child out of the way Sybil brought the second blow down on Audice's skull.
"Thank you Lady Sybil, thank you." Silana breathed, examining the baby, tears close to the surface. "She is unhurt." Too weak to rise from where she had landed, she held the crying baby to her.
Sybil was shaking with the shock of the moment but she forced herself to go to the door. "Guards." She called – soon Lady Vimes heard running feet. She went to help Silana to a chair, the girl could barely move – she had used what little energy she had to rescue her child. Sybil kept the poker still at the ready just in case the madman arose.
"Your Highness?" The soldier was shocked to see his military commander lying on the floor of the Princess' bedroom and both women looking so pale – the loud cries of the baby adding to the confusion.
Silana straightened up and looked the man in the eye. "The deepest dungeon, where the water drips and the lichen grows, take the General there, search him, take anything metal and anything he could harm himself with, leave him his boots – lock him in that dungeon and then bring to me all the keys to it." She said with icy calculation.
"Lady, what has happened here?" The man asked.
"There will be an announcement…later. For now do as I command." Her voice would not allow further question.
Once Audice had been carried out Sybil asked the pale girl. "What are you going to do with him?"
Silana looked up, a fire of fury giving false energy to her exhausted eyes. "I will forget him, the world will forget him, but he will remember for the rest of his miserable starving existence how wrong he was to betray the throne of Avor."
//\\//\\//\\//\\//\\///\\
They followed a stream up out of the valley in the direction of Margolotta's castle. It had been a hard ride on both horses and riders but they had not wanted to follow the valley further as it was leading them in the wrong direction. Angua had remained in Werewolf form so Vetinari road her horse and she loped along with their wolf escort. The wolves roamed out in front and behind and reported no sight or smell of the Baroness or her party. Vimes didn't let it lull him into a false sense of security and trekked on until late afternoon when Vimes, seeing everyone's weariness called a halt for food and rest. Some of the wolf pack went off to hunt.
Angua returned to human form and reclaimed her clothes. She refused to let Vimes cook – she'd tasted his burnt offerings before, so Vimes attended to the horses.
Despite his fatigue Vetinari could not bear to be unclean any longer so he limped back down the hill, escorted by two she-wolves, to a little pool they had passed – out of sight of their camp. Fastidious, he desperately wanted to wash the mud off that still coated him under his borrowed clothes. Vimes on the other hand was like a boy scout revelling in his holiday from hygiene and seemed to be mischievously enjoying his muddy state – wait till Sybil got hold of him.
Fortunately the sun was now shining strongly so it warmed Vetinari's aching bones as he stripped off, turning his clothes inside out he tried shaking off some of the mud that had dried to the cloth. He laid the jacket and trousers on a rock to bake in the sun, hoping the drying effect would let him brush off the rest. Then gingerly, every muscle aching with his sore feet protesting, he climbed into the cold pool and with his hands wearily liberated the mud that coated his skin and hair. He hoped getting clean would give him some energy – he was moving on will power alone – and a few biscuits he had managed to eat as they rode. His body had been deprived of real sustenance for so long that even a small effort made his hands and limbs shake with fatigue.
Vetinari heard Carrot's voice when he came up from ducking his hair. "Don't mind me your Lordship – just thought I'd keep you company… just in case."
Vetinari realised what a wreck he must look if Carrot was afraid to leave him alone to bathe. Actually, as he felt like collapsing, it was probably a good idea to have the young Watchman as backup. "Thank you Mr Ironfoundersson."
Carrot found himself a seat on a rock and looked down stream, giving Vetinari a measure of privacy. "I've got a clean shirt in my kit Sir, it'll be warm and a spare pair of trousers, the length will be better than those of Mr Vimes though you'll have to tighten the belt in."
"Thank you, that would be most welcome." Vetinari said distractedly as he scrubbed away at the mud, which wasn't stubborn – once it got wet it dissolved away with some help, it was just so damned persistent and seemed to have found its way into every nook and cranny imaginable. He made himself a mental note never to fall into mud naked again.
"Sir, can I ask you something?"
"You may ask but I do not guarantee to answer." Vetinari replied, concentrating for the first time on Carrot – he looked troubled.
"How did you ask the Princess to marry you sir?"
"She asked me – via a large mystical eagle." Carrot gave him a 'You know what I meant.' look, so the Patrician elucidated. "Sometimes women just decide and we men have to comply." He said raising an ironic eyebrow.
Carrot couldn't imagine Vetinari 'just complying' with anyone. "But sir, there must have been a moment when you said how much you respected her and that you loved her." Vetinari gave the younger man a 'don't go there' look. Carrot changed tactics. "Well, I want to tell Angua all these things, but, well, some days she just seems to resent me so much."
"I would suggest that the wild animal, Werewolf, part of her feels trapped by her affection for you."
"But she keeps coming back for more."
"A dog will take a beating from its master and still sit at his feet." Vetinari was not used to being treated as a father figure but decided he would accept the role as long as he did not have to explain the birds and the bees to the young Watchman. He could, his medical training would allow him to dispense the information in great detail, however, the thought of the speech getting back to Vimes made his teeth go on edge.
"So how should I ask her?"
"From your heart and soul Carrot, she'll recognise your sincerity."
"But if she says no?"
"Then at least you will have your answer."
Carrot looked glum, he wanted some way to ask without losing Angua – but if the smartest man in Ankh couldn't tell him. "I'll go and get those clothes for you sir." Carrot walked back to their camp – still lost in his own indecision.
Vetinari decided he still had mud in his ear and ducked his head under again. Finally he climbed wearily out and sat on a rock to dry off in the afternoon sun. 'Father-figure?' Gods, he was going to be a father, in reality probably already was – though his mind could not accept the concept that Silana's enlarged abdomen would have gone and a small human, half her and half him, would be waiting in Avor to meet his or her father. His life had changed so much since he had met the Princess, and now all those changes were going to be doubled – he was going to be a father. He wondered how it was done – his own father had died when Vetinari was still quite young, and the man had been so busy involved in politics, as a Lord of Ankh performing his civic duty, that Vetinari Senior had spent little time at home. Vetinari had determined to do better. Since discovering Silana's pregnancy he had been surreptitiously watching the people around him who were parents – trying to assess how parenting was best done. He had taken a special interest in the Vimes household but decided that the Commander worked too long hours to be a good example – however, he and little Sam did seem to manage a good relationship despite this – and Sybil exuded enough sensible, down to disc love for the boy for both of them. Vetinari had begun to realise parenthood was less about the brain and more about one's heart – an organ Silana had only recently reminded him that he owned.
When Carrot came back Vetinari was sitting on a rock in the sun to dry. "I brought the first aid kit and some thick socks too…. Oh!"
At Carrot's indrawn breath, Vetinari turned and looked at him. "What is it?"
"Did you fight with a Werewolf sir?"
Vetinari looked down at himself and realised how others might see his newly revealed injuries. "Not so much fight as get used as a scratching post to sharpen their claws. The Baroness wanted some pre-hunt revenge."
"Oh." Carrot swallowed trying not to pursue the image in his mind – but the man's injuries made it pretty obvious how badly he had been used. "Wolfgang, Angua's brother, broke my arm with one hand." Carrot said in empathy. Kneeling before the Patrician he started to dress the older man's cut and battered feet – he realised he would run out of bandages before half the wounds on the Patrician's body were treated. He determined to just treat the worst and then hope the man could manage to stay on his horse long enough to get to Lady Margolotta's castle and the helping scarred hands of the resident Igor.
"Yes, these Werewolves do not have much respect for human flesh and bone – I suppose we don't worry too much about the feelings of the creatures that we eat." Vetinari winced as Carrot pulled the bandage a little to tight.
"Sorry sir."
"Carry on." Vetinari said braving it.
"That's why Angua ran away, she said she couldn't stand the thought of being a member of a clan that was so cruel."
"Don't you think, therefore, that she deserves a new family to belong to?" Vetinari asked, someone had to get Carrot's marital status sorted out.
"I'm afraid that if I ask her I'll lose her."
"If you ask there is a possibility she'll say no, but if you never ask it is a certainty she'll move on, that there'll be other suitors. The King was only half in jest - if a more appropriate man or Werewolf comes along, it will be too late then. Carrot, ask Angua to marry you, if that is what you want."
"You are right – I'll ask her when we get back to Ankh-Morpork."
"Why not now?"
"Because if I scare her off in Ankh it's a long way back to Überwald and I'll have a chance to catch up with her. If I scare her off in Überwald she'll have not far at all to run 'home'." Vetinari nodded in agreement with the young man's logic. Carrot continued dressing the Patrician's wounds, both men lost in their own thoughts, when he had finished the Watchman said. "I'll give you some privacy to get dressed Sir."
"Thank you for your help Carrot."
//\\//\\//\\//\\//\\///\\
"My Liege, I have done what is best for Avor."
'Best for yourself you mean you miserable, ungrateful…' but Conari stopped those thoughts, he was standing before his ex-general who was chained to a wall in the castle's deepest dungeon. Silana had sent her father to question the man – she would have been here herself, if the fire of her fury had been enough to give her the strength to walk. Instead of his true thoughts the King put on a false smile. "I realise your wishes have ever been for the best for Avor and that you felt some disappointment when the Princess chose Vetinari, but I cannot imagine you would have taken such action alone. Tell me Audice, who coerced you into doing this? I would like to understand your thoughts." The King grit his teeth on his smile and thought 'You threatened the life of my granddaughter you scum…'
"I was working alone." The chained man denied.
"But wayleighing the coach from Ankh-Morpork, the Patrician's coach, that must have been arranged by someone in Ankh – and negotiating with the Werewolves, to my knowledge you have not contacted nor been to Überwald in recent years. Come man, help me understand who persuaded you to do this?" He asked in all reasonableness.
"I had my ways." Audice still denied.
Conari unleashed his full anger and called on the spirit of Avor – he directed an irrestable demand for truth deep into Paggett's mind. He saw Audice turn white; words began to issue from his mouth unbidden. "Lord Worik Silk of Ankh, he first spoke to me when he came to give the Patrician's refusal of the Choosing. Later he suggested a plan to dispose of Vetinari – he said I should be King after you pass…."
//\\//\\//\\//\\//\\///\\
Weary beyond words they reached the gates of Margolotta's castle at sunset. Igor swung wide the entrance to admit men, wolves and horses. Servants quickly took the harried horses to stables. "I'll stay with the wolves Sir, you get Lord Vetinari inside." Angua said.
Vimes noticed what Angua had seen, that his Lordship was barely conscious in the saddle. He and Carrot helped the spent man down. Vetinari tried to deny their help but they just took an arm each over their shoulders and half carried him as Igor lead them to a downstairs sitting room. Vetinari was pleased to see that the room was empty and slumped gratefully down on a couch. Igor sent a servant for hot water and bandages while Vimes poured brandy.
Vetinari took a grateful gulp from his glass, swallowing he asked. "Where is Lady Margolotta?" The brandy burning in his empty belly, he had only managed to eat a little of the food Angua had cooked – his stomach was too starved and too sensitive. He could already feel the effects of the alcohol begin warming and smoothing his jagged nerves – his body needed more sustenance than alcohol but he doubted he had the energy to imbibe anything more demanding than a few mouthfuls of the rich liquid. He wondered for a moment if it was like this for vampires, liquid nourishment, nothing more demanding and it went straight to your soul.
"The thun hath only juth thet thir, her Ladythip will join uth later. Her Ladythip told me to attend to your needth as thoon as you arrived." Vetinari was grateful, he did not want Margolotta to see him like this – having an immortal lover had its drawbacks – she would remember the callow youth from his 'Grand Sneer' but today she would see the boy 25 years later battered by both time and the challenges of the last few days, while he would see – exactly the same glorious woman she had always been and would always be. Igor set to examining Vetinari's wounds while Vimes topped up their glasses.
Carrot drank his brandy hurriedly then said. "Sir, I'll go and help Angua attend to the wolves if you don't need me." Vimes nodded to the younger man, who seemed to still have some energy, he himself slumped into a chair by the fire, no energy left. Happy to just watch small clods of dried mud drop from his clothes to the expensively upholstered chair – he really hated vampires. Soon servants came in with steaming kettles of water and bandages. Igor opened up his box of medicines and got to work on the Patrician while Vimes tried not to watch – but somehow he couldn't bring himself to leave the room either – he had fought so hard to bring the man back that he did not feel he could leave him alone – and Vetinari for once seemed vulnerable – no he'd stay, he lit the first cigar he had had time for in days and settled down to wait in his chair by the fire.
Vimes didn't realise he had fallen asleep until he heard Margolotta's voice. "Havelock, I cannot tell you how glad I am to see you safe."
Margolotta shone in the room, a very vibrant and old spirit. Vimes realised she hadn't bothered to shine for him at their earlier meeting in her coach, but here and now for Vetinari? But of course, the Patrician, her old love, had a young wife. Margolotta may not still want Vetinari but she would certainly want to compete in glamour with the younger woman. "I have a message from King Conari, he said you were right about the general and you must go directly to Ankh-Morpork where the conspirator plots against you. Does that make sense Havelock?" Somehow she seemed coquettish and fragile, when Vimes knew her to be neither – he felt slightly embarrassed for her, working so hard for a man who was already the 'chosen' of another women. Sam thought 'Thank god Sybil doesn't go in for this kind of thing.'
Vimes knew Vetinari was weary beyond reason, so didn't expect much of a reply. But Vetinari's voice was strong when he said. "Thank you, my family and I are most grateful for your help." So the Patrician was declaring that he had new affiliations – and that he was now part of a different family – so Margolotta would not be visiting his room tonight… or probably on any night. The Prince of Avor had chosen his side. "Margolotta, when can a carriage be made ready?" He continued.
Margolotta's eyes widened in surprise. "Havelock, you are not thinking of travelling tonight?" He nodded, she looked to Igor.
"I would noth recommend ith M'Lady." The sewn man frowned.
"Nevertheless, Ankh-Morpork needs me." Vetinari said.
"Shall I simply knock him out for his own good Margolotta?" Vimes asked the vampire.
"No, Sir Samuel, I have never known Havelock to take a risk without a good cause." Turning back to the Patrician she said. "I will see to the carriage at once."
"Sir, with your injuries you should be resting." Vimes said.
"Rest is a luxury I will indulge after I have stopped Lord Silk."
'Gods that chair looks sturdy,' Vimes thought to himself. 'now, if only I can figure out a way to get it past Vetinari's assassin's reflexes and connect with the man's skull without killing him – then maybe Vetinari will slow down. Cori Celesti knows what Silana is going to say when she hears I let him do this. Silana, I wonder how she is? Not too bad if Vetinari is going to Ankh-Morpork first – but then again, this is Vetinari.' Out loud to the Patrician he said. "And do you expect me to come with you?"
"Not necessary, I can do what I need to do on my own."
"All the more reason to accompany you." Vimes forced himself out of his chair and went to warn Angua and Carrot to get ready to leave.
//\\//\\//\\//\\//\\///\\
Lord Silk began the meeting in the Rat's Chamber. "Sadly I need to report that Lord Vetinari perished while on a secret diplomatic mission to Überwald." The lords and guild leaders broke into an astonished hubbub of speculation – Silk looked down at the table to hide his smile of satisfaction 'The man who keeps his head while all others are losing theirs….' He wiped the smile from his face and looked up. "As you will see…."
The door swung open. "Ah Silk, thank you for opening the meeting for me." Silk's mouth gaped and eyes flew wide as the Patrician, with the aid of his stick, strode into the room. Silk was suddenly living his worst nightmare.
"Congratulations to you and the Princess on the birth of your daughter." Mrs Palm of the Seamstresses guild was the first to recover – she of course would have been informed of the Patrician's demise, if such an occurrence had taken place.
"Thank you. Now ladies and gentlemen, shall we to business." Vetinari took his seat as Drumknott passed him a copy of the agenda – he scanned it quickly notating anything he wanted to pay particular attention to. "Now, item one…." And he conducted the meeting exactly as if nothing had happened and as if one of the men at the table had not tried to make him a dog's dinner.
The meeting went all too quickly for Lord Silk, Vetinari did not appear to rush but all the items on the agenda were dealt with quickly and efficiently. As each number was ticked off Silk felt each step take him closer to his doom. He didn't know whether to run now or try to bluff his way through – his indecision kept him at the table though in no way could he have been described as 'present at the meeting' his mind was in too much of a whirlwind of terror and counter plot.
At the end of the meeting various people shook Vetinari's hand to congratulate him on his new state of parenthood. Lord Rust mentioned the silly rumour that Vetinari had been killed. "Really, and who told you this?"
"Lord Silk of course, such a gossip, but he seemed very certain."
"Lord Silk, I would be grateful if you would wait at the end – I have a few things I would like to say to you."
White faced, Silk stood his ground fixed by the Patrician's stare as the room emptied around them. A fellow graduate of the Assassin's Guild he still knew he was no match for Vetinari. "Ah Worik, surprisingly your price was not too high."
Silk thought he already knew which price, but he had to ask. "What price?"
"Why, at the Assassin's Guild of course. My wife paid it without a quibble – as a little welcome home present for me." Silana was learning to live in his grey world far quicker than he would have liked – as soon as Paggett had named Silk as his co-conspirator Silana had sent a clacks message for him to Drumknott and another one to the Guild – it would merely take a second message of confirmation to activate the inhumation. "You must have upset quite a few people to be so cheaply ended." Vetinari said, hoping to get a rise out of the man – he owed him for those bruised ribs among his other injuries. Predictably Silk sprung, Vetinari side-stepped and used Silk's momentum, pushed him back, vertebrae pressed against the sharp edge of the conference table. Bending him back with a knife suddenly at Silk's traitorous throat, Vetinari whispered close to his ear. "I could save my wife her money right now…" He pressed the blade a little harder, just breaking the skin, a trickle of blood. "…but she does so like to buy me little trinkets, and I think it will be far more interesting for you not to know when the final blow will fall."
"You bastard, you deserve…"
"Come, don't waste what little time you have left on predictable insults." He pulled Silk up and threw him towards the door with surprising strength (he'd regret that one tomorrow, Igor had done his best but under his clothes he was covered in scratches, stitches and bruises plus every muscle ached abominably), still it was worth it to see the look on Silk's face where he cowered on the floor. "Goodbye Worik, we will not meet again." Silk blanched, for a second undecided whether to try another attack, then his terror made his mind made-up for him, he scuttled out of the room just fast enough not to see Vetinari collapse into a chair.
"Sir?" Drumknott roused him with a gentle hand on his shoulder and a glass of brandy. "I know you wanted to complete the meeting, but surely you should go to bed now, I'm sure the Princess would berate me if she knew I'd let you work when you are obviously so tired." So Silana had even recruited his personal secretary into her web of welfare.
Vetinari scrubbed his hands across his face. "Is there nothing that requires my immediate attention?" He asked, feeling a little un-needed, and not knowing where he would find the energy to get up from the table. He swirled the liquid round the glass and then downed the brandy in one.
"Nothing that cannot wait until tomorrow Sir." The administrator assured.
"Very well, have someone bring up Wuffles please." Wearily, the alcohol warming through his stomach and giving him a false sense of near well being, Vetinari rose and leaning on his cane far more heavily than usual, made his way to his bedroom. The fire had been lit, the bed turned down, he was unbuttoning his robe when a servant arrived with hot chocolate, another servant carrying Wuffles in his basket. Vetinari thanked them. After they left he poured half his drink into Wuffles' bowl who lapped it up gratefully. He gave the dog a good scratch behind the ear, standing up feeling every muscle and bone complain, he dropped his clothes, crawled into bed thinking of Silana and was asleep before he realised it.
The End
