Read Online An Antic Disposition by Alan Gordon - Free Book Online Page B

excellent sneakery. I never even heard you come up. Show me how you did that.”
    Amleth, delighted to have a skill that Terence didn’t, demonstrated his tiptoeing, giggling as the fool tried it, tripped, and fell headlong.
    “Not like that?” asked Terence from the ground.
    Amleth shook his head. The fool held out his hand for the boy to pull him to his feet.
    “All right,” said Terence. “Itou teach me how to do that, and I will show you something in exchange. Let’s try it over there.” He pointed to Ørvendil’s quarters, which Gorm had just entered.
    The drost climbed the steps inside and knocked softly on the door.
    “What is it?” came the voice of Ørvendil.
    “It’s me, milord,” Gorm whispered.
    “Can it wait?” said Ørvendil.
    “It’s urgent news, milord,” said Gorm. “From Roskilde.”
    There was a rustle of clothing, then the door opened and Ørvendil stood in front of him, looking disheveled.
    “What?” he said.
    “Milord,” began Gorm, then he stopped and gawked as he saw the nude form of Gerutha as she slid her gown on.
    Ørvendil glanced behind him, then chuckled.
    “The fool was right,” he said.
    “The fool, milord?” said Gorm in confusion.
    “Never mind. What is so important that you must interrupt my slumbers?”
    “Begging your pardon, milord, and milady,” stammered the drost. “I received word from my man in Roskilde. The whole city is talking of it. King Sveyn has killed the other two kings.”
    “What?” exclaimed Ørvendil as Gerutha, now dressed, came up to join him. “How?”
    “By treachery, milord, and violation of all that is holy. He invited them to dinner to celebrate a duly signed treaty, and had his men attack them.”
    “And he killed them both there?” wondered Ørvendil. He began pacing in the tiny room.
    “Actually, he only killed Knud there,” said Gorm.
    Ørvendil stopped. “What happened to Valdemar?” he snapped.
    “He fought his way clear with a handful of men, but his boat had been taken. He tried to escape in a small boat, but a fierce storm blew up. There was no sign of him after that, but no one could have survived it, according to my man.”
    “No one but Valdemar,” said Ørvendil. “Best seaman I ever saw. It would be easier to drown a fish than to capsize him.”
    “I am of your mind, milord,” said Gorm.
    “Was my brother with him?” asked Ørvendil, looking away for a moment.
    “I do not know, milord,” said Gorm. “I’ve heard nothing otherwise.”
    “If Valdemars alive, then he’s on the run,” said Gerutha. “Where will he go?”
    Ørvendil looked at his drost.
    “You’re Valdemar, you have no men, and the King is on your tail. Where would you go?”
    “Here,” said Gorm simply.
    Ørvendil nodded. “My thinking as well. Then we shall have to be ready for him.”
    He turned suddenly and strode over to the window. He looked out to see Terence standing just under it, teaching Amleth the rudiments of juggling with three silk handkerchiefs that wafted slowly in the air.
    Amleth looked up and saw his father. He waved merrily. Terence turned and called, “Good day, milord. The boy shows promise. We’ll make a fool out of him yet.”
    “A worthy ambition,” replied Ørvendil. “Keep at it, son.”
    He turned back to his wife and Gorm.
    “We will speak of this further,” he said. “I’m going to inspect the outer walls. We’re vulnerable from several directions now. I don’t want to make a move until I know what’s become of Valdemar.”
----
    “ D oes anyone ,” asked Valdemar moodily, “have the slightest idea where we are?”
    They had made it through the storm, rowing and bailing without cease as the waves sent them soaring and crashing. Somehow, they had kept the boat from capsizing, but they had been carried into the open sea. It was two days after their escape from Roskilde, and they had yet to see a trace of land or a navigable star. The sun had finally emerged from the banks of clouds