Free Exile by Al Sarrantonio Page B

keep it under control for now. "Am I correct in concluding that this was not brought to my attention earlier 'for my own good'?"
    There was silence at the table, and not a few downcast eyes. Only Minister Besh looked at Dalin Shar and nodded. "This seems an altogether fair charge," the minister said.
    Minister Acron suddenly stood up, his face nearly purple, his finger pointing at Dalin. "This ... boy is not fit to rule! He is not old enough nor wise enough!"            
    Instantly Prime Minister Faulkner rose and turned to the imperial guard standing by the doorway. "Remove Minister Acron and place him in detention. As f this moment he is under house arrest."
    Two guards, burlier and taller than Acron, approached and took the defense minister by either arm, pulling him up out of his chair.
    "Let go of me!" Acron demanded, but the guards, at Faulkner's motion, took an even firmer grip and dragged the beet-faced, shouting man from the room.
    "I apologize, Sire," Faulkner said, bowing toward Dalin Shar.
    Dalin said, "You have much to apologize for, as do the rest of my ministers." Dalin let his anger build slowly, and let Faulkner and the others see it. "Why do I seem to know nothing of what has been happening in my own kingdom?"
    He pounded on the table. "Why?"
    Minister Faulkner looked calmly down at his nails for a moment and then looked at Dalin Shar. "Do you wish the truth, Sire?"
    "Of course!"
    Minister Faulkner said quietly, "Because for the last weeks, it has seemed like you have been behaving like a lovesick puppy, incapable of action."
    Dalin Shar's face reddened, not in anger but in embarrassment. He began to shout in protest but then held his tongue, chastened for the moment.
    Minister Faulkner continued quietly, "I apologize to you, Sire, for speaking this way, but you did demand the truth from me."
    Choking on his mortification, Dalin Shar studied the faces of his ministers and saw by their aversion to his gaze that this was true.
    "All right," he said finally. "Be that as it may. What, then, can we do?"
    "We should follow our present course of controlled shortages," Labor Minister Rere said without hesitation. "And we should allow Minister Acron's replacement to take military action against the colonies—and in the cities, if necessary."
    Still red-faced, Dalin began to speak, but then Faulkner caught his eye with a well-known glance that said, Speak with me. Alone. Now.
    "I ... will think on this and make my decision as soon as possible," the king said.
    The meeting was adjourned.
    The Imperial security detachment advised that the upper levels of the palace had been cleared of danger; no explosive device had been found.
    Dalin thought he would be asked to accompany the prime minister to a conference room, where his cherished wall Screens and data could be put to use; it therefore came as a surprise when Faulkner asked to walk in the garden with the king.
    "You? Outside?" Dalin said with amusement. "In all my years I don't believe I have seen you in sunlight, Prime Minister."
    Faulkner tried not to look sour. "It would be a welcome change," he said unconvincingly. "And besides . . ."the prime minister motioned with his hand as if they should proceed to the garden now.
    When they reached the rose trellises—in fact, when they stopped at the precise spot where Dalin had first kissed Tabrel Kris—Faulkner said, "There are things I wish to tell you that other ears should not hear."
    "Do you mean the palace is not safe for speaking?"
    "Not these days, Sire."
    "I see."
    Faulkner allowed slight impatience to creep into his voice. "You are a burden to me, Dalin Shar! I have never known when you are not being frivolous. I have tried my best to counsel you in all things. these past years. But your attitude . . ."
    Dalin allowed a bigger grin to cross his face. "I have made you angry! It has been my life's work!"
    "Please, Sire! Let me speak of these things!"
    "Go ahead. But you