The Hidden Land by PAMELA DEAN Read Free Book Online Page A

having been set already.”
    Matthew looked at Ted, who, not understanding the look, just shrugged at him. “Randolph was o’erhasty in his pouring,” said Matthew, still looking at Ted, “and striking the cup wi’ the bottle, he o’erturned it; then, striving to right the cup, he dropped the bottle. He did require Edward to bring him a cloth, and Edward did do’t.” He turned back to Fence. “Now the cup had been marred by the striking of the bottle, so that Edward brought him another; and, Andrew being sulky, I did take a new bottle and give it to Randolph, who poured for the King and for all.”
    Matthew stood away from the table and crossed his arms. “All drank the wine, and took no harm therefrom; also, in the spilling of the first bottle, Lord Conrad and I were wet, but took no harm.”
    “My best thanks to you,” said Fence. “Edward?”
    “What he said,” said Ted, a little wildly. Either Matthew had not seen him bump Randolph, or he thought it best not to say so. From Matthew’s looks, it was probably the latter. In any case, he would prefer not to have to explain his actions.
    Randolph brought his head up and looked over Fence’s arm at Ted; once again there was congratulation in his eyes. Ted stared at him, confounded; and then he knew. Now he and Randolph were in truth conspirators. It was Randolph who could save the Secret Country. If they thought Randolph was guilty they would not let him be Regent.
    “Randolph?” said Fence, less sharply than he had spoken to Ted.
    “ ’Tis a true account,” said Randolph; his eyes on Matthew were speculative. He seemed to be recovering.
    “One thing other,” said Matthew, still looking at Fence. “When Randolph did spill the wine, it put Andrew into a most fierce choler.”
    “What said he?” demanded Fence.
    Matthew shrugged. “Naught,” he said. “He turned color and clenched his hands.”
    “Yes, he did,” said Ted.
    “Randolph?” said Fence.
    “I saw not,” said Randolph.
    Fence and Matthew looked at one another, but no one said anything. Randolph put a hand on Fence’s arm, and Fence and he helped each other up.
    “Didst thou drink?” Fence asked him.
    “The servant drinks not,” said Randolph.
    “Shan’s mercy,” said Fence suddenly, “where is Benjamin?”
    “He came not,” said Randolph, sounding surprised.
    So that’s why my chair was empty, thought Ted, we were missing one. I never even noticed. Benjamin was supposed to be here, too. He makes a speech and says “Alas” a lot.
    Fence closed his eyes and let his breath out. “One must tell him,” he said.
    Randolph was beginning to look sick again. Serve you right, thought Ted. Maybe nobody else cared about the King: Matthew and Conrad had seemed more worried about Randolph, but Benjamin did care. And Randolph did, of course, crazy as that seemed. That was why he was so upset. Ted wished his mind would start working normally again.
    “I’ll do’t,” said Randolph: he sounded exactly as Ted’s father had when it had been necessary to put one of their dogs to sleep.
    “Meanwhile,” said Matthew, a little shakily, “the council lords fume and fret.”
    “Let Agatha examine them,” said Fence. This startled Ted considerably, but nobody remarked on it. Fence regarded Matthew for a moment longer, and added, “And do you take it down, an it please you.”
    “It will be long ere aught pleaseth me,” said Matthew, as if he were quoting something, and he went out.
    “’Tis Benjamin should attend the King,” said Fence to Randolph. “We will stay ’til you find him.”
    Randolph looked down at the King. “A will stay ’til we come,” he said, and went away.
    Ted and Fence stood in the darkening room. Its candles were all out. Fence was wearing his wizard’s robe, and its curious twinings glowed and pulsed. Ted looked away from them to the King, and went to the window. He could not seem to stop shaking, and the air coming through the window, though damp, was