Free Tales of Neveryon by Samuel R. Delany Page A

delay.
    ‘The Empress is perfectly charming,’ Curly went on as they walked. ‘The Empress is more charming than I’ve ever seen her before. Really, she is the most charming person in the entire court…’.
    Somewhere in the middle of this, Gorgik realized theBaron had no more idea what to say than he did. They reached the door. The Baron lowered his voice and his largish larynx rose behind his embroidered collar. ‘You have received the Empress’s favor. Anything else the evening might offer you would undoubtedly be an anticlimax. Gorgik, you would be wise to retire from the party …’ Then, in an even lower voice: ‘When I tell you, look to your left. You will see a gentleman in red look away from you just as you look at him … All right: now.’
    Gorgik looked. Across the hall, talking to a glittering group, an older man with a brown, bony face, grizzled white hair, a red cloak, and a heavy copper chestpiece over his tunic, turned back to his conversation with two jeweled women.
    ‘Do you know who that is?’
    Gorgik shook his head.
    ‘That is Krodar. Please. Look away from him now. I should not need to tell you that Nevèrÿon is
his
Empire; his soldiers put the Empress on the throne; his forces have kept her there. More to the point, his forces threw down the previous and unmentionable residents of the High Court of Eagles. The power of the Child Empress Ynelgo is Krodar’s power. While the Child Empress favored you with a smile and a moment’s conversation, Krodar cast in your direction a frown which few in this company failed to notice.’ The Baron sighed. ‘So you see, your position here is completely changed.’
    ‘But how –? Of course I shall leave, but …’ Feeling a sudden ominousness, Gorgik frowned, lightheaded and bewildered. ‘I mean, I don’t want anything from the Empress.’
    ‘There is no one in this room who does not want
something
from the Empress – including myself. For thatreason alone, no one here would believe you – including myself.’
    ‘But –’
    ‘You came to court with the favor of the Vizerine. Everyone knows – or thinks they know – that such favor from Myrgot is only favor of the flesh, which they can gossip about, find amusing, and therefore tolerate. Most do not realize that Myrgot decides when to let such news of her favor enter the circuit of gossip – and that, in your case, such decision was made after your flesh ceased to interest her; and in such ways the rumor can be, and has been, put to use.’ The Baron’s larynx bounded in his neck. ‘But no one ever knows precisely what the Empress’s favor means. No one is ever quite sure what use either she or you will make of it. Therefore, it is much more dangerous to have. And there is Krodar’s disfavor to consider. For Krodar is the Empress’s minister – her chief steward if you will. Can you imagine how difficult your life would have been here at court if you had, say, the Vizerine’s favor but Jahor’s enmity?’
    Gorgik nodded, now lightheaded and ill. ‘Should I go to Krodar then and show him he has nothing to fear from –’
    ‘Krodar holds all the power of this Empire in his hands. He is not “afraid” of anyone. My friend –’ the Baron put his pale hand up on Gorgik’s thick shoulder and leaned close – ‘when you entered this game, you entered on the next-to-the-highest level possible and under the tutelage of one of its best players. You know that the Vizerine is not at court and is not expected till tomorrow. Remember: so do the people who planned this party. There are many individual men and women in this very room, wearing enough jewelry tonight to buy a year’s produce of the mine you once worked in who have struggled half theirlives or more to arrive at a level in the play far below the one you began at. You were allowed to stay on that level because you had nothing and convinced those of us who met you that you wanted nothing. Indeed, for us, you were a relief from