"Are you serious?"


    Nolwud spared me a half-glance and continued to pour out two servings of warm wine into small porcelain cups. I didn''t keep crockery. It was something the inventor had brought along or picked up in Fourmikari. The wine was mine; Revergnols'' originally, but mine by right. Heating it was opulence completely undeserved by the intended recipient. "Yes, I am. I want to make a good impression on our prisoner."


    Ridiculous. "You don''t bring treats and drinks to the dungeon."


    "You don''t," clarified the Technologist.


    "It''s the dungeon! It''s not designed to be enjoyed! Those who are locked away are meant to suffer."


    you managed to squirm your way out, but she has none of your skill with electronics or laser scepters. Her value is reliant solely upon her ability to pair off and carry on the Fourmikari line." I folded my arms. "Which makes her of no use to anyone."


    What?"


    what?" I followed behind at a leisurely pace. There was no reason to match the inventor. I sincerely wanted no part in plying the prisoner. "Some manners would be nice."


    I don''t want your charity, pulp sucker!"


    It was what I had expected.


    I sang to Rott with great amusement. "Music to my-"


    The poor inventor. The worm tightened his grip on my shoulders. You should help, my liege.


    pun." Witty. I would need to use that.


    usual for a captive to like her captor?"


    T-that--!" Nolwud stammered, taken aback by the accusation. "Y-you''re not my captive."


    What is being said, my liege?


    All of them."


    her?" He took my hand and held it between his. "My liege, can''t we both agree that you will dispose of that prisoner as soon as possible?"


    you currently use the finest I have to offer."


    stay. You both will share."


    My liege!" bawled the poet. I cackled the walk to my throne. Painyll didn''t fret for long, joining me at the top of the platform no sooner than I had sat. "My liege, I was wondering if you''d like to traipse with me."


    Painyll clarified, mirth forced upon his features. "No euphemism, my liege. I want to go for a walk. I want to see the places in Nova I recall."


    "There''s not much of that left," I said.


    "I would like a private audience with you," he added.


    "Why?" The Dramatist didn''t need to say. "Perhaps because you''re jealous of Nolwud? Worried we might be disturbed here? Worried you''d be overheard besmirching your rival?"


    "I know your qualifications," I replied. "You are an oversized laureate, you are a foolish droll, and the worms do not like you. You are hedonistic and interested only in your wellbeing."


    Painyll''s smile faltered. "How is that any different than you, my liege? You are only interested in yourself!"


    "Well," I said proudly, "It''s my kingdom. I can be as selfish as I like."


    "That walk," said Painyll. "I should still like to take it with you if you''ve nothing else to do."


    "There are many other things I would prefer to do," I said. I considered, finally allowing. "I''ll take a walk with you. But just the two of us."


    Rott lifted his head. Alone? With him?


    "Yes," I said. I would be able to speak to things the worms weren''t meant to hear.


    Unexpectedly, Painyll was less wary of the suggestion than I had thought him to be. He looked to his guards. "I''m going out with my liege Lordavis. Remain here." Glances were exchanged, an odd gesture given both were blind. I stood as the poet inquired, "Shall we descend by conventional means or will you use your magic?"


    "I will use my magic," I said. "I leave you to conventional means."


    "You were most likely this way," I said, indicating the Marketplace and High Hill. "I find it unlikely my predecessor housed you in the Farms."


    "I did not mind the Farms," said Painyll. "I never worried for my safety." He turned in a slow circle, enjoying the sunlight. "There is something to be said for going outside on occasion."


    I marched ahead, calling, "This is going to be a brief walk."


    "I might have been present for your birth," Painyll ruminated. His mind was off on its own excursion. "It seems likely, doesn''t it? I am several years older than you and you''ve lived here your entire life."


    I peered over my shoulder. "This has only occurred to you now?"


    Painyll sighed dramatically. "Certainly I remember Revergnols speaking of successors. There were at least four that I recall. It was fortuitous to be the last with that title, especially for someone from your origins."


    "Why do you know of my origins?"


    "You were born of Nova," said Painyll. "There''s only one possible origin." He stopped to run a hand across a tree, feeling the bark. "All things considered, I think it was rather kind of Revergnols to grant you the kingdom, don''t you?"


    I did not think of Revergnols as kind. Painyll''s adulation was misplaced. "Revergnols kept you for Fourmikari." I scowled. "How magnanimous."


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    The poet waxed, "''Take this with you,'' Revergnols said, handing me the seal. ''Stay away! Come back in many years'' time and you will be granted sanctuary''." Painyll was pleased by his reminiscence. He shone a bit brighter. "I did enjoy Revergnols. It''s a pity to be without." He turned to me. "Don''t you miss Revergnols sometimes?"


    "Never," I said adamantly.


    "Didn''t Revergnols care for you?" Ha! "Clothe you?" Oh, what a great service! "Keep you sheltered in the palace?" A prisoner, more like. Painyll harrumphed, "Honestly, I think you''re doing your predecessor a disservice."


    "Am I?" I taunted sarcastically. "I''ll have to work on that."


    "Probably," I said. There used to be many things.


    "Yes, there was a signpost there, and a garden of flowers here, and a statue of Revergnols approximately here..." Painyll puttered about, gesturing and proclaiming. Abruptly, he said, "You know, Technologist Nolwud has no appreciation for how this was. Technologist Nolwud was never here for Nova. It seems inappropriate to have someone without true knowledge as your successor."


    "Do you imagine?"


    experience Nova as you and I did."


    "Actually," I said, "you''ve made a better case for the Technologist."


    "My liege?" The poet failed to recognize his mistake.


    "I hated Nova," I said. "I don''t pine for the way things were. I''m the one who tore them away. Someone without any knowledge or memories of how Nova stood is ideal to inherit the Kingdom of Ever-Worms."


    "You hate Technologist Nolwud," insisted Painyll, attempting to sow discord.


    Would you like to hear a secret? A dragonfly whispered.


    "What?" I looked up. A social gathering of the small, winged variety.


    "I said," Painyll reiterated. "You hate Technologist Nolwud. It''s hardly surprising, my liege. Technologist Nolwud has many faults."


    I would like to hear a secret, cooed a second dragonfly.


    I would like to hear a secret, said another. A cluster of three hovered overhead. I observed quietly.


    Someone waits behind the tree with a blade. Who do they wait for? Do you know?


    No. Do you?


    There was only one tree wide enough to obscure a body in the immediate vicinity. I was perplexed. Nolwud''s work with the security system should have covered the area. My beacons should have covered the area. There had been no warning sizzle of electricity or light upon my hand. It implied careful planning and study. To wait with a blade brought to mind the previous assassin.


    One of those two, purred the dragonfly. They will surely stab!


    When beetles come for their corpses, snickered another, we shall have them!


    "My liege?" Painyll queried. "Are you alright?"


    "Hm?" I returned to my companion. "Fine. I don''t have any interest in this conversation. I''m not assuaging your envy." I waved a hand. "Nolwud is my successor."


    "It''s a mistake," mumbled Painyll, aping concern. "If you want Nova to flourish, you must have someone more qualified take over."


    I feigned thoughtfulness. "I might be convinced were you to show more conviction." I motioned down the trail. "There is a field of wildflowers beyond the crest of the hill. Pick me the flower you think encapsulates my being best and I will consider your proposition." Painyll hesitated. He tried to gauge my intention and sincerity. "This is a test, Dramatist Painyll. If you think yourself a better suited successor, woo me."


    "Oh, well, I''ve never had any interest in wooing anyone," the poet began. He held up a hand. "But if it''s a matter of flowers, I have great faith in my ability to know your mind. I''m quite good with flowers, my liege. Anything pertaining to the arts, really."


    I didn''t need qualifications. I waved towards the alleged field, indicating a desire to see him leave. "Yes, yes, good luck." The useless mass shambled onward as I hung back and watched. When Painyll had begun to round the wide tree, I called out, "My liege Lordavis, there''s one more thing I forgot to tell you!"


    The would-be assassin tried to catch me. The weapon remained lodged in Painyll, catching on the cloth of his robe in the attempt to remove it. I drew a blade of my own and speared the trespasser underneath the jaw. Staggering back, the figure toppled to the ground, twitching for a few moments before going limp. I rubbed my hands together.


    "I seem to be relatively unsoiled," I announced.


    "AHHHHHHHHHH!!!!" replied Painyll.


    "My liege!" Painyll shrieked. "I''ve been attacked! Stabbed! Shivved!"


    "I''m dying," whined Painyll. "My liege, you must HELP ME!"


    Painyll wasn''t going to expire. It was a deep wound but hardly fatal. There was no need to rush.


    Why didn''t you leave him, my liege? Rott inquired when we were alone in the throne room. Accidents happen. It was the right time. The inventor could not blame you.


    "I have use for him yet," I said. "He aspires to Nolwud''s position."


    Rott had to think that over. He wants to be successor?


    "He does. He says it''s awfully unbefitting to make the inventor my successor."


    You wouldn''t...would you? Rott was appalled by the possibility. I dismissed it.


    "No, but he doesn''t know that. It''s one more way in which I can use Painyll to my benefit."


    Before you kill him?


    I gave Rott a knowing look. "Of course I''m going to kill him. I''m going to kill every individual of Fourmikari lineage."


    Except for one, obviously, beamed the worm, nuzzling into my chest.


    "Except for one," I lied.


    today?"


    Painyll tell you?"


    I want, not him. This is my kingdom."


    Yes, my liege.