King Casmir pointed to a chair. "Sit." As Tamurello had indicated, Visbhume made no immediately favorable impression. He stood tall, with narrow shoulders, a gaunt chest and large hips, and hunched forward, as if in eagerness to get on with the duties at hand. His head and nose were both narrow and long; black hair seemed painted upon his scalp and made a stark contrast with his pasty skin. Arsenical shadows outlined his eyes; his mouth hung in loose-lipped folds over a sharp chin.
Visbhume seated himself. King Casmir asked: "You are Visbhume, sent here by Tamurello?"
"Sir, I am he."
King Casmir folded his hands and fixed Visbhume with his most gelid stare. "Tell me something of yourself."
"Gladly! I am a person of many talents, some unusual or even unique, though to the casual eye I seem a person of ordinary gentility. My skills transcend my appearance; I am astute and subtle; I study the arcane sciences; I have an exact memory. I am clever at dissolving mysteries."
"That is an impressive catalogue of attributes," said King Casmir. "Were you then born to nobility?"
"Sir, I have no knowledge of my birth, though certain indications lead me to suspect that I am the by-blow of a ducal amour. My earliest recollections are a farm to the far north of Dahaut, hard by the Wysrod March. As a nameless foundling I was forced into a life of stultifying toil. In due course I fled the farm and became first servant, then apprentice, to Hippolito the Magician, at Maule. I learned axioms and principles of the Grand Art; I was well on the way to great affairs!
"Alas, all things change. Ten years ago, on Glamus Eve, Hippolito flew away from Maule on a shingle and never returned. After a respectful interval I took command of the premises, and perhaps I was too bold, but that is my way; I march to music unheard by ordinary ears! Urgent trumpets, clashing—"
King Casmir made an impatient movement. "I am interested less in your inner sounds than in concrete details of your abilities."
"Very well, sir. My ambitions aroused the malice of a jealous cabal, and I was forced to flee for my life. I hitched Hippolito's iron-legged goat to a cart, and rode at a gallop away from Maule. In due course, I allied myself with Tamurello, and we have taught each other our special lores.
"At this moment I find myself at loose ends, and when Tamurello mentioned your troubles and prayed that I relieve your distress, I gave my assent. Explain, then, your difficulties, that I may subject them to my best analysis."
"The case is simple," said King Casmir. "Five years ago the then Princess Suldrun gave birth to a daughter: the present Princess Madouc. Certain circumstances in regard to the birth remain a matter for conjecture. For instance, might twins have been born? By the time these matters had come to my attention both Suldrun and the father were dead."
"And you were vouchsafed the single baby?"
"Correct. The child originally was taken by one Ehirme, a serving woman, and given into the care of her parents, from whom we recovered it. I wish to learn all the facts relevant to the case, which I neglected at the time."
"Ah hah! And quite rightly so! Who was her father?"
"This fact was never clarified. I see no other point of attack to the case than the serving woman, who at the time occupied a small farmstead south down Lirlong Way. The facts are now five years old; still their traces may persist."
"So I am confident! The full truth will surely be forthcoming."
V
VISBHUME CAME ONCE MORE TO HAIDON and there reported his findings. In his lively enthusiasm, he came forward to stand in almost intimate proximity to King Casmir, and there thrust his head forward. "Ehirme the serving woman, with her entire family, has removed to Troicinet!"
King Casmir leaned pointedly back from the waft of Visbhume's breath, and pointed to a chair. "Be seated... . Troicinet, you say. Where did you learn this?"
Visbhume with many a nice flourish seated himself. "I had the news from Ehirme's sister, whose spouse fishes out of Took's Hole. Further—" here Visbhume tilted his head archly sidewise "—can you guess?"
"No. Say on."
"Graithe and Wynes are the father and mother of Ehirme. They too have taken themselves part and parcel to Troicinet.
The sister says that they all prosper and live as gentry, and herein I detect more than a trace of envy, which may colour the testimony."
"Indeed." Here was scope for rumination. Might King Aillas be taking an interest in his private affairs? "How long have they lived in Troicinet?"
"Several years. The woman is indefinite and I truly believe has no sense of time."
"Well, no matter. It seems that now you must cross the Lir to Troicinet."
Visbhume called out plaintively: "Ah, woe and dismay! But I will go, though I detest the uncertain motion of a boat! Nor is it easy for me to overlook the wet depths below, which were never meant for man."
"So it must be. Aillas still performs his spoliation in South Ulfland, and works opposition to my plans. Go then to Troicinet; learn the full scope of this business, since it bears upon the succession to my throne."
Visbhume leaned forward, twitching in curiosity. "How can that be? Prince Cassander is your heir!"
"Quite so," said King Casmir. "For the moment you need concern yourself only with the problems I have outlined. What are the exact details surrounding the birth of Suldun's child? Might there have been twins? If so, where is the other child? Are you clear on this?"
"Yes, of course!" Visbhume stated. "I am instantly off to Troicinet, despite my dread of every wave of the cruel black sea! Now I say, let them rear their highest! Never will they stay my passage! Casmir, I bid you farewell!"
Visbhume turned and marched on long prancing steps from the chamber. Casmir gave his head a sour shake and turned to other business.
An hour later the chamberlain announced a messenger newly arrived at Lyonesse Town. "He says he has come at haste; his message is reserved for your ears alone."
"His name?"
"He states that it would mean nothing, either to you or to me."
"Bring him here."
Into the chamber came a thin young man with a hideously scarred face. His garments were dusty and travel-worn; his station in life would not appear to be high, and he spoke with a thick peasant's accent.
"Your Majesty, I have been sent to you by Torqual, who says that you know him well."
"True. Speak on."
"He is in need of gold crowns, that he may do your bidding. He states that he sent this message by Shalles, and he would learn whether you despatched gold in the custody of Shalles, or did not do so."
King Casmir rubbed the bridge of his nose. "I gave Shalles no gold for Torqual. He asked for none... . Why does Torqual need gold?"
"He has not confided his business to me."
"And you are his associate?"
"I am. The new king has forbidden that men should fight, nor may they take their just revenge. But see what Sir Elphin of Floon Castle has done to me? I care nothing for Aillas and less for his law; once I do my work on Elphin of Floon, Aillas can kill me as dead as he likes."
"So what is this to Torqual?"
"We are outlaws; we roam the far fells like a wolf-pack. Recently we have found a den, where none can pursue us, and now we need gold to furnish this den and buy a store of victual, which is easier to buy than to steal."
"How much gold do you come for?"
"A hundred gold crowns."
"What? Do you plan to feed on ortolans and the honey of jasmine flowers? I will supply you forty crowns; you must eat barley porridge and drink ewe's milk."
"I can only take what you give me."
King Casmir, rising, went to the door. "Dominic!" The man-at-arms guarding the door looked about. "Your Majesty?"
"I have a dangerous mission for a stalwart man."
"Sir, I am the man you seek."