Norton, Andre - Anthology by Catfantastic IV (v1.0) Read Free Book Online Page B

expedition to the ruins; and no matter how her father stormed
and ranted, she would not produce it. I noticed also that whenever he was out
of the house, or totally absorbed in his researches, she would surreptitiously
pack up more of our belongings in the satchels stowed under her bed. Clearly
she was going to be ready to scamper at a moment's notice. Clever as a cat, my
Margaret.
                   The stalemate continued until two days before
the Baron's deadline. Master Ambrosius was half out of his mind with
frustration and indecision. He had in his possession one of the rarest
treasures of alchemical science, and he had not the faintest idea of what to do
with it. Or rather it would be more accurate to say that he had far too many
ideas and not enough Alkahest. And since the only experiments he had managed to
bring himself to attempt had been dismal failures, he lacked the courage to try
again. As was his wont, he retreated into his books.
                   Margaret, on the other paw, was all decision.
She had held onto almost all of the Baron's last contribution, doling out a few
coins to her father for alchemical supplies—fortunately for us, the village
didn't offer much of a selection—and necessary foodstuffs. That morning she
confronted Master Ambrosius immediately after breakfast.
                   "Father, you have got to listen to me. In
two more days the Baron will be coming back, and we have nothing— nothing! —for
him. He is a tyrant, and we are completely at his mercy. Do you think that
miserable little bottle of Alkahest is going to impress him enough that he will
spare us? You may be willing to give your life for alchemy, but Quincunx and I
are not!"
                   Master Ambrosius blinked bleary eyes at her.
"Child, you are worrying for nothing. Of course the Baron will appreciate
the value of the Alkahest. And in any case, what could we do? We're stranded
here till he gives us leave to go and funds to travel with."
                   "I still have the last pouch of silver he
gave us. There's more than enough in it to purchase two tickets on the
stagecoach. It comes through the village today at noon . By the time he misses us, we'll be across
the border. I have everything packed except your alchemical paraphernalia. And
we don't really need that."
                   The notion of leaving his books and apparatus
behind truly horrified Master Ambrosius. Margaret attempted to argue, then to
persuade him to pack a bare minimum; but he was angry and obstinate, lost to
what little common sense he possessed. He was shouting at her when the door
flew open and slammed against the wall. There stood the Baron in all his hairy
splendor. His tiny, boarlike red-rimmed eyes glittered, and he positively
reeked of genever.
                   "Well, my witches!" he bellowed,
staggering forward and flinging the door shut behind him. "Where's my
gold?"
                   Margaret shrank back into a corner. Master
Ambrosius smiled ingratiatingly. "Welcome, my lord. We weren't expecting
you for another two days. Won't you have a glass of something?" He stared
bemusedly at the breakfast table, which offered nothing but the dregs of a pot
of small ale.
                   "I've been drinking all night. It's gold
I want! Gold, or that Elixir of yours. Or I'll skin you alive—you and that
damned cat! But you, my pretty," he snatched at Margaret's arm, "you
can pay me in other coin. Let's have a kiss for starters?"iHc dragged her
into his arms despite her screams and struggles. He was twice her size, and
Master Ambrosius could do nothing but wring his hands and plead with the Baron
to desist. Clearly rescue was up to me.
                   The Baron had Margaret bent back over the
table and was forcing slobbering kisses on her. I leaped onto the table, rose
up on my hind legs, and raked his ugly face with the claws of both forepaws.