Myth-Told Tales

"It's horrible," Renimbi said. "Like something from a fun fair. And look what else he is doing! They're tearing up the entire room!"

"High spirits, child. Be a good hostess. We are going to be kin from now on."

"No, we're not," Renimbi said. "I told you I didn't want to marry him. I won't. You can't make me!

The Tue-Khan actually dropped his gaze and shuffled his toe on the marble floor. "I'm afraid that you already have, child."

"What?"

The Tue-Khan produced a paper from the inside of his over-robe. "The clauses written in here ... the lawyers, you know ... insisted I include a consideration to make the contract valid ... and I have always wanted to see the two of you together. I was sure you'd be happy, my dear."

"You tied me to him? And you didn't tell me?"

At last the Tue-Khan was beginning to look more angry than doubtful. "I didn't know he had become such a ... lout!"

"Tear up the contract!" Renimbi demanded.

The Tue-Khan hastily stuck the parchment roll back into his robe. "Child, my dream has always been to unite our lands. It is already accomplished. We are now one great country. Surely you can put up with one another, say on state occasions, and perhaps to give us a grand-child or two? For your dear old father?" He held out his hands to her.

"No! Never!"

"What a great idea, Rennie!" Cordu called from his reclining position. "We can give him grandchildren. We can start today." He patted the couch. "This is comfy."

Renimbi's cheeks turned ochre with fury, but she didn't move. Chumley walked over and tucked her under his arm. She beat and kicked at him as he carried her to Cordu's couch. The prince edged out of reach when Chumley plopped her down. She didn't notice. She sprang up and raced back to the steps of the throne.

"You tied me to him! Now I am stuck with your choice! I hate you! I hate him!"

"My darling, I have only the best intentions for you in my heart!" The Tue-Khan said. Cordu finished his brandy and tossed the priceless glass over his shoulder.

CRASH!

It burst into shards on the floor. The Tue-Khan winced.

"Rennie, I'm glad you showed up," Cordu said. He stood up, swaying. Chumley admired his acting technique. Cordu wasn't drunk at all. Most of the priceless brandy had been poured down between the cushions. He hoped Cordu could get through his entire speech without fumbling. This was the one he had been the most nervous about on the trip there. "I thought your father had a great idea. I mean, how else could I conquer a whole country with the stroke of a pen? From childhood, we've been good friends. I want... hie! ... I want you to meet Larica. She's my wife, too. You're gonna be good friends. She said she's got some great ideas about how the two of you are going to get along. She wants to change your wardrobe, and teach you needlework. My personal chamber back home needs a whole new tapestry, and you haven't been doing anything useful over the last few years, so this will be a nice change for you."

"Urrrrrgggh!" Renimbi shrieked, wringing her hands in anger. "I wish you were dead!"

"Bingo, what?" Chumley said to himself. "Couldn't have scripted it better myself."

"Rennie!" Cordu said reproachfully. "How could you say such a thing? I'm sho—"

THUNK!

His words were cut off suddenly, because a crossbow bolt buried itself in the center of his chest.

"Gack!" Cordu exclaimed. He clutched the feathered end of the arrow. Larica let out a terrified cry. Cordu staggered to the left. He goggled at the Tue-Khan, whose expression of horror matched his own. He grasped at the air with his free hand then staggered back to the right. He held up a hand as though he was about to make a statement, but his knees collapsed under him. As the assembly in the throne room watched in horror, Cordu toppled over. His eyes sagged closed. Renimbi ran to kneel beside him. She took his wrist, feeling for a pulse.

"Cordy? Cordy? Speak to me!"

"One side. I examine," Chumley said, kneeling beside the prone Cordu. Both women clutched each other. The Troll shook his head with magnificent gravity.

"Dead."

"Dead?" Renimbi said.

Tananda descended magnificently from the ceiling, foot in a loop of rope. The crossbow was slung at her back.

"As ordered, Duchess," she said. "I think I've earned my fee."

"But I didn't really want him dead," Renimbi wailed. "He's my best friend."

"Did you want him as a husband?" Tananda asked, surprised. "He has been acting like such a jerk."

Renimbi wrung her hands.

"I know, but that's just the way he is ... I mean, was. Oh, how could I have been so stupid?"

The Tue-Khan came down from his throne and stood over the body of his momentary son-in-law. Shaking his head, he took the document out of the pocket in his robe. Sorrowfully, he tore it into strips and let the pieces fall down onto the body.