The Blue Tower | Page 4

but the others are in it to the hilt."
The Belphin appeared to think for a minute. Then he gave off a smile. "Oh, them," he said. "We know. They are harmless."
"Harmless!" Ludovick repeated. "Why, I understand they've already tried to--to attack the Blue Tower by force!"
"Quite. And failed. For we are protected from hostile forces, as you were told earlier, by the power of love."
Ludovick knew, of course, that the Belphin used the word love metaphorically, that the Tower was protected by a series of highly efficient barriers of force to repel attackers--barriers which, he realized now, from the sad fate of Mieczyslaw and George, were potentially lethal. However, he did not blame the Belphin for being so cagy about his race's source of power, not with people like the Flockharts running about subverting and whatnot.
"You certainly do have a wonderful intercommunication system," he murmured.
"Everything about us is wonderful," the Belphin said noncommittally. "That's why we're so good to you people. Be happy!" And he was off.
But Ludovick could not be happy. He wasn't precisely sad yet, but he was thoughtful. Of course the Belphins knew better than he did, but still.... Perhaps they underestimated the seriousness of the Flockhart conspiracy. On the other hand, perhaps it was he who was taking the Flockharts too seriously. Maybe he should investigate further before doing anything rash.
Later that night, he slipped over to the Flockhart villa and nosed about in the courtyard until he found the window behind which the family was conspiring. He peered through a chink in the curtains, so he could both see and hear.
Corisande was saying, "And so I think there is a lot in what Ludovick said...."
Bless her, he thought emotionally. Even in the midst of her plotting, she had time to spare a kind word for him. And then it hit him: she, too, was a plotter.
"You suggest that we try to turn the power of love against the Belphins?" the uncle asked ironically.
Corisande gave a rippling laugh as she twirled her glittering pendant. "In a manner of speaking," she said. "I have an idea for a secret weapon which might do the trick----"
* * * * *
At that moment, Ludovick stumbled over a jug which some careless relative had apparently left lying about the courtyard. It crashed to the tesserae, spattering Ludovick's legs and sandals with a liquid which later proved to be extremely red wine.
"There's someone outside!" the uncle declared, half-rising.
"Nonsense!" Corisande said, putting her hand on his shoulder. "I didn't hear anything."
The uncle looked dubious, and Ludovick thought it prudent to withdraw at this point. Besides, he had heard enough. Corisande--his Corisande--was an integral part of the conspiracy.
He lay down to sleep that night beset by doubts. If he told the Belphins about the conspiracy, he would be betraying Corisande. As a matter of fact, he now remembered, he had already told them about the conspiracy and they hadn't believed him. But supposing he could convince them, how could he give Corisande up to them? True, it was the right thing to do--but, for the first time in his life, he could not bring himself to do what he knew to be right. He was weak, weak--and weakness was sinful. His old Belphin teacher had taught him that, too.
As Ludovick writhed restlessly upon his bed, he became aware that someone had come into his chamber.
"Ludovick," a soft, beloved voice whispered, "I have come to ask your help...." It was so dark, he could not see her; he knew where she was only by the glitter of the jewel on her neck-chain as it arced through the blackness.
"Corisande...." he breathed.
"Ludovick...." she sighed.
Now that the amenities were over, she resumed, "Against my will, I have been involved in the family plot. My uncle has invented a secret weapon which he believes will counteract the power of the barriers."
"But I thought you devised it!"
"So it was you in the courtyard. Well, what happened was I wanted to gain time, so I said I had a secret weapon of my own invention which I had not perfected, but which would cost considerably less than my uncle's model. We have to watch the budget, you know, because we can hardly expect the Belphins to supply the components for this job. Anyhow, I thought that, while my folks were waiting for me to finish it, you would have a chance to warn the Belphins."
"Corisande," he murmured, "you are as noble and clever as you are beautiful."
* * * * *
Then he caught the full import of her remarks. "Me! But they won't pay any attention to me!"
"How do you know?" When he remained silent, she said, "I suppose you've already tried to warn them about us."
"I--I said you had nothing to do with the plot."
"That was good of you."