The prince had never moved from his spot. He'd taken one step for the final slash, but that was it.
Bloody hell.
The crowd which had followed them was applauding politely—probably thinking it was all part of the demonstration—as the prince flicked the sword to clear it of blood. The movement, Catrone noticed, was an unthinking one, a reflex, as if the prince had done it so many times it was as natural as breathing. He began an automatic sheathing maneuver, just as obviously an old habit, then stopped and walked across to the old Mardukan, who handed him a cloth to complete the cleaning of the blade. He said something quietly and put the clean sword back in the case while the headless monster lashed its tail in reflex, still twitching and clawing. Catrone sincerely doubted that Roger had learned that technique working on those things in a run.
Bloody damned hell.
"Is that what we're having for supper?" one of the audience asked as the two uninjured Mardukans dragged the thing away. The injured one was already on his feet, saying something in Mardukan that had to be swearing. The questioner was a woman, and she looked pretty green.
"Oh, we don't serve only atul," Roger said, "although the liver analog is quite good with kolo beans—rather like fava beans—and a nice light chianti. There's also coll fish. We serve the smaller, coastal variety, but it turns out they grow up to fifty meters in length in open waters."
"That's huge," a man said.
"Yes, rather. Then there's basik. That's what the Mardukans call humans, as well, because they're small, pinkish bipedal creatures that look just a bit like humans. They're basically Mardukan rabbits. My Mardukans refer to themselves as the Basik's Own—bit of a joke, really. Then there's roast suckling damnbeast. Admittedly, it's the most expensive item on the menu, but it's quite good."
"Why is it so expensive?" Sheila asked.
"Well, that's because of how it's gathered," Roger said, smiling at her in a kindly fashion. "You see, the damnbeasts—that's those—" he added, jerking his thumb at the head which was still lying on the ground, "they lair in rocky areas in the jungle. They dig dens with long tunnels to get to them, low and wide, like they are. They dig them, by the way, because they, in turn, are preyed upon by the atul-grack."
"The what?" Sheila asked.
"Atul-grack," Roger repeated. "Looks pretty much like an atul, but about the size of an elephant."
"Oh, my..." the first woman whispered.
"Obviously, atul-grack are one of the hazards of hunting on Marduk," Roger continued. "But to return to the damnbeasts. One of the parents, usually the female—the larger of the two—always stays in the lair. So to get to the suckling damnbeast, someone has to crawl into the lair after it. It's very dark, and there's always an elbow in the tunnel near the den, where water gathers. So, generally, right after you crawl through the water, holding your breath, Momma," he gestured towards the pens again, "is waiting for you. You have, oh, about half a second to do something about that. One of my hunters suggests long, wildly uncontrolled bursts from a very heavy bead pistol, that being the only thing you can get into the den. You might have noticed they're armored on the front, however. Sometimes the bead pistol doesn't stop them. Atul hunters cannot get life insurance.
"And even if youdo manage to kill Momma, there's a problem. The atul dig their tunnels about as wide and high as they are. So you have to... get past the defending atul. Generally using a vibroknife. But you're not done yet. Suckling atul range in size from about the size of a housecat to the size of a bobcat, and they trend towards the upper end of that range. There are usually six to eight of them, and they're generally hungry and look at the hunter as just more food. And, just as a final minor additional problem, you have to bring them out alive." Roger grinned at the group and shook his head. "So, please, when you look at the price for roast suckling damnbeast, keep all of that in mind. I don't pay my hunters enough as it is."
"Have you ever done that?" Sheila asked quietly as they were walking back to the table.
"No," Roger admitted. "I've never hunted suckling atul. I'm rather large to fit into the tunnel."
"Oh."
"The only time I've ever hunted suckling, it was an atul-grack."
After dinner, "Shara" took Sheila to show her some of the interesting exhibits they'd brought back from Marduk, leaving Roger and Catrone over coffee.
"I missed this," Roger said.
"I still say this is a lousy spot for a private conversation," Tomcat countered.
"It is, it is. It's also the best place I've got, though. What do I have to do to convince you to side with us?"
"You can't," Catrone sighed. "And demonstrations of bravado aren't going to help. Yes, you have some people—some good people—who apparently think you've changed. Maybe you have. You were certainly more than willing to put yourself in harm's way. Too willing, really. If that thing had gotten you, your plan would have been all over."
"It was... reflex," Roger said, and made an almost wistful face. Tomcat had had a rather serious drink of wine after the "demonstration," but he'd noticed that Roger hadn't even appeared to have the shakes.
"Reflex," the prince repeated, "learned in a hard school, as I mentioned. I'm having to ride a fine line. On the one hand, I know I'm the indispensable man, but some chances—such as meeting with you—have to be taken. As to the atul... I was the only person there who was armed and knew how to take one out. Even if it had gotten to me, I'd probably have survived. And... it's not the first time I've faced an atul with nothing but a sword. A very hard school, Sergeant Major. One that also taught me that you can't do everything by yourself. I need you, Sergeant Major. The Empire needs you. Desperately."
"I said it once, and I repeat: I'm out of the Empire-saving business."
"That's it? Just that?" Roger demanded, and not even his formidable self-control could quite hide his amazement.
"That's it. And don't go around trying to recruit my boys and girls. We've discussed this—in much more secure facilities than you have here. We're out of this little dynastic squabble."
"It's going to end up as more than a dynastic squabble," Roger ground out.
"Prove it," Catrone scoffed.
"Not if you're not with us." Roger wiped his lips and stood. "It was very nice meeting you, Mr. Catrone."
"It was... interesting meeting you, Mr. Chung." Catrone rose and held out his hand. "Good luck in your new business. I hope it prospers."
When treason prospers, then none dare call it treason, Roger thought. I wonder if that was an intentional quote.
He shook Catrone's hand and left the table.
"Where's Mr. Chung?" Shelia asked when they got back to the table.
"He had some business to take care of," Tomcat replied, looking at "Shara." "I told him I hope it prospers."
"Just that?" Despreaux asked incredulously.
"Just that," Catrone said. "Time to leave, Sheila."
"Yes," Despreaux said. "Maybe it is. Sheila," she said, turning to Ms. Catrone, "this has been lovely. I hope we meet again."
"Well, we'll be back for supper tomorrow," Sheila said.
"Maybe," Catrone qualified.
"The basik was wonderful," Sheila said, glancing at her husband. "But it's been a long day. We'll be going."