Chapter 4: MysteryChapter 4: Mystery

146 Key to Havoc

Or you can simply tell me what I want to know. Then we will converse amicably, like this." She angled her body as she sat opposite him, and spread her knees slightly, providing him with just enough of a view of her thighs under the skirt to want more. She already knew he would not molest her, but also that he liked to look at women. Men did. It made them manageable.

"Lady, you put me in a difficult situation. I am under orders not to tell you."

Gale launched herself at the coach door. She had it open and her head out before he caught hold of her around the waist. "Lady!" he protested.

She turned her full bosom into his face. "I think you must choose between orders," she said. "I think you do not wish to deliver me in bad condition."

"You're bluffing. You're coming voluntarily."

"Am I?" She looked out the door.

"Lady--"

"And why do you call me Lady? You know I'm just a common barbarian girl."

He paused a moment. "Will you agree not to tell?"

She had him. "Yes."

He let her go, and she resumed her seat. She crossed her legs. Then he told her. She stared back at him, not believing it. Then she slumped on the seat, thinking it through. Perhaps it was possible. She would find out.

"I find it hard to believe that Havoc can really be king. What happened to the old one?"

"King Deal died two days ago. It was an accident. The law requires that a new king be installed within one day. Havoc won the examination."

"And what is your place in this, that caused you to come for Havoc, and now for me?"

"I was King Deal's bodyguard. When he died, I was suspected of being at fault, so was demoted to inclement duty. But when Havoc became king, he restored me, and sent me to fetch you."

She still found this hard to believe. "You flogged his mother, and he restored you?"

"I apologized for that. He understood."

That evidently was the case. Havoc had always been wild on the surface and rational beneath, and he did not hold a grudge unless it made sense. But to restore the man who had done that to his mother--there had to be more to that situation than she had heard. Havoc could forgive, but he could also kill, and this case must have been a close decision.

"If I may ask, Lady--"

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She might have thought he was mocking her, but her dragon seed had not buzzed any of the times he used that term. "I am a barbarian girl," she repeated. "Not a lady."

"You will be the consort of the king. That makes you a Lady, by definition."

Interesting. "So what's your question?"

"What is the meaning of the words I was told to say to you?"

She was not about to tell him of the dragon seed, and obviously Havoc hadn't. But the rest was no secret. "We betrothed each other when he was thirteen years, and I twelve. We had nothing of seeming value to exchange.

So we used seeds, and said our words. It was the vow that counted."

"And only the two of you knew of this," Throe said. "So you knew the message was authentic."

"Yes." But of course she had known, because her dragon seed had not buzzed. Havoc had needed a convincing way to summon her, so that her ability to know the truth would not be apparent.

It was time for her to learn more about Havoc's situation, and thus her own. "Why did they make a barbarian king?"

"There was an examination of ten people. He won. That is all I know about that."

It was true, for the seed did not buzz. She continued to question him, and by the time they arrived at the fantastic pyramid city, she had a fair notion.

Yet it was still hard to accept. Two days ago she and Havoc had been planning to marry; now everything was changed. Their wedding would have to be postponed.

In due course, and much wonder, Throe conducted her inside the pyramid, where they entered a small wooden room. "Be prepared," he told her.

"This will rise. It is safe, though it may not feel that way to you."

Reassured by his words and the seed, she stood in the room, and did not scream when it suddenly started rising. It moved up for a while, then paused, and they opened its door and walked out to another room, which then also rose. "A single elevator can go only five floors," Throe explained. "Our ropes are not safe beyond that length. So we use a series of lifts."

"Why not just walk?"

"Civilized folk don't like to walk," he said wryly. "And it is a fair climb."

At last they came to the top--and there was Havoc, outlandishly dressed but in good condition. He swept her into his arms. "Now my world settles a bit," he said. "Now that I have you back."

"What's this about your being king?"

He hesitated. "That's right--he wasn't supposed to tell you."

148 Key to Havoc

"I countermanded that. Don't blame him. Havoc, why are you wearing a clown suit?"

"Talk with the Lady Aspect. Maybe you can persuade her to dress me in something more appropriate." He set her down and pointed her at a portly older woman. "And if you ever can't find me, ask the Lady Ennui." He indicated another woman. "She is my oath friend."

"Oath friend!" This was another amazing thing. The Dragon Mentor and Gale herself were the only other folk Havoc had oathed, and there had never really been formal oathing between them for that, just the betrothal.

"We helped each other get through the exam." He reached around her to shake hands with Throe. "Thanks for bringing her. Now we must consult." He turned. "Gale, go with Aspect now. We'll meet again soon." Then he ushered Throe into another room.

Somewhat flustered, Gale turned to the Lady Aspect. "Greeting, Lady."

The woman smiled. "Accepted, Lady."

Gale realized that here in this pell-mell rush of civilized activity, the country manners were not necessarily in force. "What is going on?"

"Lady Gale, the king is very busy at the moment, preparing for his inaugural address. I am sure he intends no disrespect to you. I will prepare you for what is to come. Please, this way."

Not completely pleased, Gale followed her to another complex of rooms.

"I don't know what I expected, but not this crazy huge building where people don't walk, and clown suits."

"The king's residence and clothing have become rather artificial," the woman agreed. "But it is better to accept such minor things, in the interest of

preserving your freedom for important matters."

"Important?"

"The king must make decisions that affect the welfare of the people of this planet. That's important. His clothing is only to reassure those who might otherwise fear he would run naked through the halls."

"What's wrong with doing that?"

There was a very slight pause, as if there were doubt about her serious-ness. "People tend to judge by superficials." The woman glanced at her.

"King Havoc is an extremely quick study. Are you also?"

"When I have to be." Like Havoc, Gale had learned how to mask her most private thoughts, and to memorize spot information eidetically. It had been a chore, but Mentor had insisted. But she tried not to show these special abilities, because their privacy was her best asset. As with the dragon seed: much of its usefulness would be lost, if anyone else knew of it.

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"Then I ask you to understand that I will do my best to see that you learn what you need, to avoid embarrassing yourself or the king as you encounter what is surely an unfamiliar and highly artificial social and political

scheme. I do not wish to offend you or cause you discomfort."

The seed did not buzz. Gale was also sure that Havoc had reason to trust this woman. "I will understand."

In the next hour, the Lady Aspect required her to wash and change into an elaborate party dress with a frilly hat and rather nice silken slippers.

She

explained about a number of ordinary things Gale must not do in public, and instructed her on the way to acknowledge the attentions of courtiers. The whole business was weird, as if scratching and belching weren't natural, but the dragon seed never buzzed, so she went along with it. Still, she wished that

she and Havoc could just go home and forget all this nonsense.

"Who are you?" she finally asked, realizing that even in this melange of oddities, the Lady Aspect was not ordinary.

"I am King Deal's widow. This is why I am familiar with courtly procedure."

"You're the queen?" Gale was astonished.

"No longer. There is now no queen, but in time you will surely fill that role."

"But you--how can you be helping me, when--"

"The fate of those closely associated with an ex-king is not necessarily kind. King Havoc chose to be kind to me, and I will serve him to be best of my ability."

Gale did not need the dragon seed to pick up on the mixed pain and gratitude the woman felt. Her situation seemed to be as difficult as Gale's own, for different reason. "But I heard that King Deal died just two days ago.

Don't you miss him?"

"Oh, yes, dear." For a moment the woman froze, as if suppressing sudden pain. "But I do what I must."

So recently widowed, and now she had to help the new king's girlfriend get organized. "They don't let you retire, or something?"

"I would have to remarry."

And evidently she didn't have to remarry, if she served the new king. It was coming clear. So she would be keeping her grief to herself, and making herself as useful as possible. Because even in her pain, she had to survive.

Gale looked at herself in the mirror. She looked like a stranger, some lady in a minstrel play, in a gown that sparkled even when it was still. She liked

it, but felt out of place, pretending to be a civilized lady.

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"Now you must talk privately with the Lady Ennui," the Lady Aspect said. "She will be here in a moment."

"Havoc's oath friend," she said. That rankled; how could he have done that in only two days? Oath friendship was for life, and was never carelessly undertaken. Especially not with the opposite gender.

"You must trust her. What she has to say will surprise and dismay you.

Do not argue, just learn and understand."

"I will believe what Havoc tells me. I do not know the rest of you."

"He will confirm, but he can't tell you all. There are too many eyes on the king."

"I don't understand."

"You will have had little experience of magic. One aspect of it is mind reading. The king can keep his secrets, shielded by his crown, but the rest of us can not hide our thoughts from Chroma invasion. Only by staying clear of Chroma representatives can we be private."

So she thought. Gale played the innocent. "But this is a nonChroma region. Magic doesn't work here, does it?"

"It works in the presence of Chroma gemstones. The Chroma representatives carry them. So while they are not supposed to snoop on other minds, they surely do so on occasion. They will be curious about you, Lady Gale, for the king's lover is partial to information no one else possesses."

That made unkind sense. Gale would surely be a target for snooping.

"So I should stay away from any Chroma folk?"

"You cannot avoid them, Lady, for you will be introduced to them an hour from now, in a formal gathering. This magic can not be seen or felt; your mind will be open. But there are limitations, and if you remain aware of them, you can minimize the peeking."

Gale could do more than that. But she didn't need any warning buzz from the dragon seed to know that her ability to mask her thoughts must remain secret. "How can I do that?"

"The mind readers can not attune to a single mind; they receive all minds at once. I understand it is as if every person is talking, speaking his thoughts.

So it is a babble, and the only intelligible thoughts are those of the closest person. So you are protected if you are surrounded by others, and they are between you and the mind reader. If you are alone, you must be distant from a mind reader, for he can hear your mind only within a few score feet. So normally, here in the king's apartment, you are safe. It is only when you must mingle with Chroma representatives that you are at risk."

"Fortunately I have no state secrets," Gale said wryly. "I'm just a barbarian Piers Anthony 151

girl."

The Lady Aspect smiled. "Perhaps. But you are to be the king's lover.

That makes you a Lady and a person of great interest. And you are about to have secrets that need to be protected."

Gale was troubled. "You were King Deal's wife. You must hate the very idea of him having a lover."

"Not so. My husband's lover was the Lady Symbol, of the Invisible or Air Chroma. She is a fine woman, and a personal friend of mine, who is now educating King Havoc."

"I don't want him near her!"

"My dear, he must be near her; she is his most useful contact. He has a great deal to learn in a very short time, and she alone has the expertise to teach him."

"I don't like this."

"You surely know King Havoc better than any other person here. Is he likely to be subverted by a seductive civilized woman?"

"No."

"Then what is your concern?"

"Jealousy of any other woman taking any of his attention."

Aspect laughed. "You must learn not to speak so candidly; it is considered uncivilized. At any rate, you are as lovely a woman in your own right as any here, and you share his culture. I think you have little to fear. But there is

one thing more I must tell you, before the Lady Ennui comes."

"You said that she will surprise and dismay me. More so than what you have just done?"

"Yes, dear. I am trying to prepare you."

"Why does this have to be so complicated? Why can't I just be with Havoc?"

"Because of what the Lady Ennui will tell you. This will be secret between the two of you; I do not know what it is. But I can tell you why: because we believe that my husband, King Deal, was murdered. We do not want King Havoc to be murdered also."

Gale felt a terrible chill. Suddenly she understood why this bereaved woman was taking so much trouble with her. She knew that the king was vulnerable. "What else?"

"The Lady Ennui is King Havoc's oath friend and personal secretary.

He trusts her to arrange his schedule--and yours. She has something in mind for you, and you must trust her. You must also hide what she tells you. There is one other way to protect your mind: get close to King Havoc and remain 152 Key to Havoc

there. The crown protects him, physically and mentally, and its ambiance will also protect your mind from intrusion. So as long as there are Chroma representatives near, stay with the king. When the formal meeting is done, the Chroma representatives will depart, and you will be safer."

"When can I have sex with Havoc?"

"This is too candid, again. Civilized women pretend disinterest in sex, at least in public. In private they may pretend interest. But the answer is thereafter. He is as eager to be with you as you are to be with him, but his duties as

king constrain him. It is not easy to be king."

"I guess not."

There was a pause, as the Lady Aspect hesitated. Then she spoke again.

"It is not easy to be the king's consort, either. King Havoc is treating me very

well, and I wish to help him in whatever way I can. He loves you, and so I wish to help you also. If there should ever be something you need, that I can provide--"

"Thank you, Lady Aspect. I'll ask." Gale hardly knew this woman, but she seemed knowledgeable and sincere, and would surely make a good friend.

The dragon seed had never once buzzed in her presence. "I think you have already helped me more than I understand." Even though she didn't like all of what the woman was telling her.

A servant girl appeared. "Lady, the Lady Ennui is here."

"Bring her in."

In a moment, the rather plain thin woman who was Havoc's mysterious oath friend entered the room. She and the Lady Aspect exchanged nods, and Aspect turned to Gale. "Parting."

"Acknowledged." Then Aspect left, and Gale was alone with Ennui.

"Greeting," Gale said formally.

"Acknowledged."

"So what the hell is going on?" Gale demanded. "How did you come to be Havoc's oath friend?"

"There is little time, so I must be brief. We were two of ten entrants in the examination for the kingship, though we did not know that was its purpose. I was an ordinary clerk of middle age; he was a barbarian warrior. We had little in common, but that perhaps was why we needed each other. There seemed to be the threat of death around us. I was weak and frightened, and he was strong but ignorant. He asked me to help him with information, but I was afraid of him, and made him swear oath friendship, knowing that barbarians take such oaths seriously. He did so, and thereafter we worked together. I helped him as I could with information about civilized ways, and he Piers Anthony 153

saved my life. I think it was an unequal exchange; he could have survived and won without me. What was a temporary expedient became more important as we discovered the enormity of the new situation. I think he needs a person he can trust more than ever now, and I am that one. Apart from you. Now I serve him as personal secretary, and that service gives my life meaning. I am not a barbarian, but I take my oath of friendship with him as seriously as anything in my life. I am utterly committed to him. He trusts me to do his bidding competently, and I am making every effort to do so. He asked me to prepare you for what we believe must be."

Gale was uneasy already. The dragon seed had not buzzed, and that, oddly, made her nervous. This woman was truly Havoc's committed friend, as much as Gale herself, weird as that seemed. "What do you believe must be?"

"I think the Lady Aspect has told you that we believe King Deal was murdered, and that Havoc may be in similar danger. This is the mystery we must unravel without delay. We need to find that murderer, and learn how and why. Havoc is virtually overwhelmed by the demands of his office; he has to learn civilized ways, and meet all the people, and form policy on several

current crises that King Deal was handling. Havoc is smart--smarter than he lets on, I think--but he has only days to master a job that should take years to

learn. He wants to go home to your village with you, but can't. He must succeed as king, or die."

"He could have told me this himself. Why delegate it to you?"

"Because time is short, and he must focus on his first public address, which will occur within half an hour. Also, I have more of the details of this mission than he does, and more time than he does, so I can better acquaint you. The lady Aspect has explained why you must guard your thoughts?"

"Yes. I will stay close to Havoc, and avoid Chroma folk when I can.

What mission?"

"King Deal was investigating something when he died. He believed he was close to getting an answer to his questions. It must have been important, or he wouldn't have taken the trouble, when he had so many other matters to handle. He told no one what it was, but we have one hint because of a report just in from a spy: something about the changelings."

"The what?"

"Changelings. We don't know what that means either; we thought it was folklore, similar to that of the Glamors. That some children get stolen and exchanged for others, without the parents knowing the difference. But the spy report suggests that changelings may indeed exist, and that they may be 154 Key to Havoc

connected with a Temple. So we need to investigate. If Deal's investigation of such a thing really did get him killed, then this information is vital. It may

be a false lead, but it is the only one we have. Havoc can't do it himself; he has

a rebellion to quell and a region to evacuate, and in any event too many eyes are on the king to allow him to investigate personally. But you can, because no one will suspect you."

This was not improving. She almost wished the dragon seed had buzzed.

"But aren't all eyes on the king's lover?"

"Yes." Ennui paused. "Lady Gale, I think you will not like this. Havoc wants you to know that you don't have to do it. But it is a chance we may not get again, and if we don't solve this mystery, the consequence could be dire.

He believes you can do it, and that you will understand."

"I suppose I can look into it for him. But if many eyes are on me too-"

"This is what you won't like: there will need to be a substitute for you, an emulation, a woman taking your place, so that others don't know you are gone."

"Taking my place! As his lover?"

"Yes, Lady Gale. Answering to your name, sleeping in his bed. In fact, she will be enchanted to believe she is you, so that should anyone read her thoughts, there will be no indication."

"The hell!"

"Lady, Havoc loves you. He hates this part of it. But the Lady Symbol persuaded him it was best."

"King Deal's lover? The one who is èducating' him?"

"She wants King Deal's murder to be solved and avenged as much as anyone does. She is Chroma, but her judgment is to be respected. She is thoroughly experienced in the ways and problems of being the king's lover.

She believes that this way there will be no indication that you are absent, or that there is even any investigation. That lack of suspicion will best protect you--and Havoc wants you protected."

Still no buzz from the seed. Ennui believed what she was saying--and it must be true, for the dragon seed knew the truth even when the speaker didn't. "And where will I be, while this bitch is in my bed?"

"Lady, you must revert to barbarian, or at least to lowly status, and join a troupe. There is one scheduled to depart this city tomorrow. It is an educational group, on tour to a number of outlying nonChroma villages, in the interest of cultural unity and personal welfare. You will be an entertainer, an

actress--"

"I have seen the shows put on by such troupes; they visit Trifle every Piers Anthony 155

few years. I used to want to be part of one of them."

"Yes. You could do well. You will replace the leading player, and assume her roles in their plays. No one will suspect you of being the king's lover."

"But some of those educational plays--"

"Havoc says he hates that part as much as you hate having a woman steal your bed."

Gale pondered. She was appalled by it, but it rang true. No one would suspect. It was almost perfect concealment. "You're right: I do not like this.

But I may do it."

"And when the troupe stops near a Temple village, you can investigate, and perhaps solve the mystery of the changelings, and ascertain its relevance to King Deal's quest."

"But we don't even know that he was killed because of this investigation. They could be purely coincidental things."

"Yes, Lady. That will be for you to determine. We need to know the truth, whatever it may be."

"So my choices are between doing what appalls me, and risking Havoc's death by murder."

"Yes. You can consider, and tell Havoc your decision when you are alone with him tonight. You will have that much, regardless. Now you must go to join him, and meet the public."

Just like that. But what could she do? "I never liked the king. Now I don't like being part of the king's business."

"Yes, Lady Gale. It is not nice business." Ennui led the way out of the apartment.

They rejoined Havoc, who hugged her again. There was the usual buzz of the seed when they touched after a separation. "One more chore, and then we have the night," he whispered, kissing her ear.

But what else besides the night would they have? This whole business was insufferably complicated and emotionally painful.

There were two men standing near. "Chief, this is the Lady Gale, my fiancée," Havoc said, and the man bowed briefly. "And my bodyguard, Throe."

Throe bowed similarly. Gale already knew him, but realized that this was a formality.

"I am glad to meet you both," Ennui murmured, prompting her.

"I am glad to meet you both," Gale repeated.

"You garbled it," Ennui murmured similarly to Havoc. "Next time, introduce the lady to the man, one at a time. And leave the bodyguard out of it.

He's supposed to be in the background."

156 Key to Havoc

"Thanks, mother," Havoc muttered, and both men smiled. Gale realized with a start that they liked the barbarian king, and liked Ennui.

A servant appeared. "The Chroma representatives are here," he announced.

"King Havoc and the Lady Gale will meet them now," Ennui said. And to Havoc: "They will introduce themselves; just nod and smile, both of you.

And Gale--stand close to Havoc, touching him if you can."

"I'll touch her," Havoc said, putting his arm around her.

Ten people filed into the room, in ten colors of cloaks. "Sire, I am Blue," the first said. That was an obvious truth, as his face and hands were as

blue as his clothing. In fact, even his hair was blue. Gale nodded and smiled as directed.

The second was a woman. "Sire, I am Yellow." Then on through the other colors, concluding with a woman whose cloak was iridescent, as were her hat, veil, gloves, and slippers. This turned out to be Symbol, of the Invisible Chroma. She really did seem to be almost invisible, being entirely concealed by her outfit.

"I thank you, Chroma Representatives, for your attendance," Havoc said.

"Please accompany me to the site of my inaugural address."

"Sire, we are glad to," the blue man said.

Havoc walked to the entrance of the apartment, where the ramp and elevator came. He hesitated. Gale felt the tension in him. She understood his reluctance to enter this trundling chamber; she didn't like it much herself.

"Havoc, you must board," Ennui murmured. "We'll be with you."

He stepped into the chamber. Gale stepped with him, and Chief, Throe, and Ennui followed. That was all; the Chroma Representatives would travel another way, it seemed.

"Remember, Havoc," Ennui said. "Gale must stay close to you, to protect her thoughts. I trust you won't find that burdensome."

"I'd rather run off with her now, and skip the speech." He squeezed Gale around the waist and managed to give her bottom a stroke. That was one reassuringly normal aspect of this abnormal situation.

"That's fine. She's your lover."

"Fiancée."

"Fiancée. Your audience will understand. They will know that you have no intention of being separated from this woman any time soon."

Gale felt Havoc stiffen. "She did tell you? I'm not sure this is right."

"She told me," Gale said grimly.

"The question is not whether it is right, Sire," Chief said, "but whether Piers Anthony 157

it is necessary."

"Is it necessary? All I want is to be with Gale. That would make the rest of this nonsense bearable."

"This must be your decision, Sire."

"Or Gale's decision." Havoc's arm around her remained tense.

"Don't put it on me, you horse's hole!" Gale flared. "I never voted for this outrage."

The other three in the lift averted their faces, and Gale realized that she had committed a fault by speaking intemperately to the king.

But Havoc wasn't bothered. He liked seeing her normal, just as she liked seeing him that way, even in fleeting glimpses. "Neither did I," he replied.

"Yet my advisers tell me it's best."

"What advisers?"

"Chief. Ennui."

Gale turned to Throe. "And you know, too?"

"Lady, I have to know, so as to best protect the king. But it is not my business to judge."

"And how many others know?"

"Only we five, and Symbol," Ennui said. "A secret can't be well kept if too many know it."

"And you and Chief think we should do it, because no one will suspect and we might learn something useful. What about you, Throe?"

"Lady, I can afford to have no opinion on the decisions of the king, unless they affect his physical safety."

"You can't afford to express them, you mean."

"Yes, Lady."

"Suppose I get so mad I stab him to death?"

"Lady, you can't."

But Gale was in a fit of rage. She drew her knife and waved it near Havoc's chest. Havoc made no motion, knowing her ways: she would make a show, but would never try to hurt him. "What's to stop me?"

"Lady, the king could stop you if he wished. I could stop you. But neither of us need to."

"Oh?" She stabbed the knife toward Havoc, intending to touch only the cloth of his fancy clothing, to make her point.

But the blade sheered off, as if some invisible hand was turning her wrist. She tried again, with similar result. She could not stab him, even to make a feint.

"Lady, it is the crown," Throe explained. "Its magic protects the king 158 Key to Havoc

from physical and mental harm."

"So I see." She put away the knife. Now she understood why she had been allowed to carry it into the presence of the king. "But you do have an opinion. What is it?"

"Lady--"

"Answer," Havoc said.

Throe nodded. "It stinks."

Gale was gratified. Finally she had a human response.

"I agree," Ennui said. "So does Chief. But Havoc is not on a pleasure tour. We believe this ugly device is necessary to secure the king's long term safety. King Deal was killed while wearing the crown, so that is not proof against this enemy. We must know the truth."

"Do you agree?" Gale asked Throe.

"I do, Lady, with disgust. I felt better about flogging his mother. But I may not be able to protect him from what happened to King Deal. I was there, and helpless."

The damned dragon seed never buzzed.

The elevator trundled to a stop. The door opened. They would no longer be private. But Gale had one more question. "I can stand next to Havoc. But you other three--what protects your minds?"

"We will stand close behind you," Chief said. "Each of us focusing on a different thought. We will thus run interference for each other. If we crowd you, Lady, we beg your tolerance."

They had it figured. "Crowd me," she agreed. "Just keep your hands off my ass." She had not yet decided about the awful ploy, but wanted the secret kept regardless. At least she knew now that these people were not evil in nature; they were trying to do their jobs of advising and protecting the king, to the best of their abilities, and they were considering the long term as well

as the short term. That impressed her, despite her outrage.

She walked with Havoc, and the other three did follow close behind.

She tuned them out, obsessed with her problem. Havoc trusted Ennui because she was his oath friend, and she did indeed seem completely dedicated to his welfare. Chief was the former king's chief of staff, doing the same job for the new king, lending essential continuity to the royal policies. He had every reason to do his best. And Throe--the man was competent and honest, and the dragon seed had never challenged him. Their merged judgment had to be respected.

Now Havoc was on a stage, and she was with him. It overlooked the enormous center of this giant wooden pyramid. Ahead and below was the Piers Anthony 159

broad triangular expanse of the inner base of it, and it was thronged with well

dressed people. The sight was awesome; she had never before seen so large an enclosure or so huge a crowd. For the moment it distracted her from the turmoil of her thoughts.

Across the back of the stage were the ten Chroma Representatives, their colorful presence signaling the legitimacy of this ceremony. The center of their line was close behind the king, and the closest was the shimmering flowing cape of the Translucent Chroma, Water, whose specialty was mind reading. But they could not touch Havoc or Gale, if the crown protected them, and the three others had moved themselves as a tight group some distance to the side, as if to avoid intruding on the king. Thus the quiet interplay of snoop and counter-snoop, clear enough once one knew what to look for.

A herald appeared. "Citizens of Triumph, and Planet Charm," he cried, and his voice was somehow amplified to reverberate across the entire space.

"King Deal is gone. King Havoc is here. Give homage."

As one, the people bowed their heads.

"Long live King Havoc!" the herald cried. "And his intended queen, Gale of Trifle."

The crowd roared approval. Gale was surprised and somewhat dismayed; the people didn't even know the two of them, yet here they were enthusiastically welcoming them. This was a hollow show.

After a suitable pause, the herald spoke again. "King Havoc will address you now."

Without further ceremony, Havoc, and necessarily Gale, stepped to the brink of the platform. She had no idea what he was primed to say, but was sure he had prepared carefully. This was his first public appearance, and it surely counted for a lot, because the people would judge him by it. They might have no power to choose or keep their king, but it would be better if they liked him.

Still, she knew Havoc in a way his new advisers did not. She suspected he would have a surprise for them.

Havoc spoke. He could address a group, because of his experience instructing martial arts classes; he had no problem with shyness. Just with temper--and he seldom tipped his hand about that prematurely. But now was probably the time.

"Greeting."

There was a pause. Then the audience caught on. "Sire!" many voices responded enthusiastically. They evidently liked interacting directly with the king.

160 Key to Havoc

Havoc wasted no further time on social amenities. "I'm a barbarian. I never gave a green bear's ass for the king or his works. Every time my village gets a little bit ahead, the damn tax collectors come and take it away. Then they come and take me away, and make me king--and I still don't give half a wad of stale dragon poop for the job."

Ah, yes; this was vintage Havoc! Gale watched the audience, to see how it was reacting. She was not disappointed. At first they were stunned, having no doubt expected a routine package of praise for the former king and his works, regret for his passing, and a promise to continue his policies and try to

improve on them. But the reference to the tax collectors got to them--

nobody liked those beasts!--and the earthy animal references were making them react. This was a true barbarian talking.

"I'm not going to tell you what a great man King Deal was," Havoc continued. "I always hated him, as the symbol of the oppressive distant government whose cruel heel was on the necks of all the villagers I know. I swore that if I ever got the chance, I'd destroy that bastard. But I didn't get

the chance; something else did it for me. The idiot took a leap off a high cliff

and bashed his brains out on the rocks below. So he's gone, and good riddance."

Gale looked around the stage. The herald was standing with mouth agape. Chief stood with his face a mask, showing no emotion. That surely meant that he was similarly stunned. Throe was facing away from her, so she couldn't read his reaction, but Ennui looked as if she had just wet her pants.

They were learning that Havoc was untamed, and had been well named.

"I didn't want to come here," Havoc continued. "So I escaped from the king's thugs. But they tied my mother to a public post, stripped her naked, and flogged her until I came in. Maybe you civilized folk don't care about your families, but we barbarians do. I didn't like it any better when I got here

and they made me take a bath and dress in a royal clown suit. They told me not to be crude in public. Well, all I have to say to that is--"

He paused, as the members of the vast audience stared. Then he let fly with a resounding belch.

It started with the children. They were naturally uncivilized: they laughed.

Then a few adults picked it up, powerless to resist the forbidden urge. It was just so sudden, so surprising, so gross, so appropriate. Whereupon, like an unstoppable eruption of slime, it spread across the rest of the throng. Now everyone was laughing, helplessly, trying to sober up, but unable. Only the herald, and the ten Chroma Representatives, and the king's own small party remained passive. Yet Gale thought she spied smug smiles lurking behind Piers Anthony 161

Throe's mask of a face, and the Lady Symbol's veil. Maybe they understood that Havoc was not angry. His real anger was something else.

Havoc gave them time to subside somewhat, then resumed. "But I have been learning some things. I discovered that King Deal had some good men and women working for him, and they are not heartless monsters. I kept them all on, because I don't know beans about civilization, let alone governance, and they do. He had competent and loyal men, and beautiful women, and a wife and a lover who truly grieve for him. How bad could he be?"

The last of the laughter faded away, but the throng was watching and listening somewhat warily, not sure where this was leading. Gale wasn't sure either, but she knew he would have a point. Havoc's nature was anything but pointless.

"King Deal's widow, Queen Aspect, had not slept for most of two days, mourning the brutally sudden and shocking loss of her husband of twenty years, the father of three of her four children. Yet when I, the usurper of her

husband's place, asked her to help me, she did so graciously, without stinting,

and she is now organizing my personal life. King Deal's lover, the Lady Symbol, was in grief for him also, but she provided me with the background and information I needed to make sense of this appallingly complicated business of kingship. Everyone has helped, and I am here before you now because of their efforts. I can not condemn these good people, even if they are civilized;

they are all in as difficult a situation as I am."

There was a smattering of applause as the audience accepted his acceptance of the prior king's staff. But where was he going?

"I learned that there are serious matters to be attended to. The Science Chroma is in rebellion, believing that it alone represents the true nature of mankind." There was a welling of outrage, and many eyes focused on the white figure standing among the Chroma Representatives, though he of course would not be guilty of the decision of his Chroma. "There is a mental disease spreading across the fringes of several Chroma, causing all minds to be opened for reading, depriving their victims of any secrets or privacy, even in the bedroom or privy. There is a plague of blue locusts generating famine--

and if we let the Black Chroma starve, who else will be next? And a Void volcano is erupting in a Green Chroma circle, a deadly threat to those in its vicinity. King Deal was handling these problems; now I must do so, and I am unlikely to be as competent as he was, for I have no experience. But I can't ignore any of these challenges, or let any people suffer unnecessarily. There is simply too much to do, and no one else to do it."

Many in the audience were nodding, appreciating the formidable prob-162 Key to Havoc

lems. Havoc had simplified and clarified them beautifully, and made their urgency obvious.

"I am a barbarian," he repeated. "I don't like this job and I don't want to be here. But I have no choice. Neither do you civilized people, who would rather have a civilized king. So I will do it as well as I can, with the help of

King Deal's loyal and capable staff. And with the help of all of you civilized folk, who know so much more than I do." He paused, staring into the audience, meeting the gaze of many individuals. Gale knew how winning his direct earnest gaze could be; it was as if he were seeking specific approval from every person there, no matter how lowly. "Together we will somehow get it done, because we have to. I need you. I need all of you. Are you with me?"

And suddenly there was a roar of sheer approval. It seemed that every person in that mighty throng was now solidly behind their new barbarian king, without illusion as to his nature. The cheering continued interminably, drowning out everything else. Havoc had completely won the populace, and done it as himself, in his own fashion, as an unrepentant uncivilized draftee.

He would be known as the barbarian king, without condemnation.

And Gale, who knew how truly he spoke when he said he hated the job, realized that she too had been won over. Havoc would do his best, and part of that best was to surprise the unknown enemy by discovering its secret, and Gale was perhaps the one to accomplish that. She had to do it, though she hated the necessity and ugly detail as much as he did. For love of Havoc, she would let another women embrace him, and she might embrace another man.

She hoped it would be done soon, so that they could be together without complication.

At some point she realized that they were back in the elevator, returning to the king's apartment complex. "Brilliant, Sire!" Chief said. "You are a natural politician."

"May I kiss you, Sire?" Ennui asked, with a glance at Gale. Gale nodded, and the woman hugged him and kissed him without further permission. Lady Aspect was like a mother to Havoc; Lady Ennui fell between mother and older sister, with a tinge of forbidden passion. It was clear that Havoc had become her world.

Had they after all known what Havoc intended, and put on an act of surprise? No, she suspected that they had really been caught off-guard, but heartily approved the outcome. Perhaps they had even liked the show. She was pretty sure that Throe had, and the Lady Symbol.

Soon enough she found herself alone with Havoc. "We have nine minutes Piers Anthony 163

until dinner," he said.

"Let's not take off our clothing," she suggested. "We'll never get it back on in time." She was nevertheless prepared for the session, and felicitated it as she spoke.

So they had five minutes of constrained passion in their clothing, then straightened it out with at least one minute to spare. Havoc had been ready to burst, and had done so inside her immediately; the rest was spot cleanup.

Gale was reassured; he had not been dallying with any other woman. "This isn't over," he said with mock darkness as they went out to the dining room.

She was sure of it.

The meal, apparently prepared by the household staff under the direction of the Lady Aspect, was wonderful: boiled skunk cabbage, fried lotus blossoms, and fresh plaid bread. Exactly the kind of meal they would have had at home. She wondered briefly whether civilized folk ever ate anything similar, and what the equivalent might have been back on the mysterious source planet from which they all supposedly derived. She knew that the names were likely to be older than the foods; Charm simply didn't have all the things fabulous Earth had.

After the meal, the Ladies Aspect and Ennui joined them, and the Lady Symbol put on a show. "We thought this might provide inspiration," Havoc murmured as they turned their chairs to face the far end of the room. He seemed relaxed and without serious concern, which was of course deceptive, but she was so glad to be together with him that she let it be. They would talk

when they were alone again.

Symbol stood in her iridescent uniform. Then a cloud of vapor formed, obscuring her. When it dissipated, she was gone. Except for her slippers, which proceeded to dance by themselves, moving as if occupied by feet. It was evidently an intricate dance, as they flashed up and down and around.

Then they paused, and a pair of iridescent stockings floated over them, poked into them, and unrolled to form a shapely pair of legs. The stockings and slippers danced, and it was possible to judge where the nonexistent body should be. Next, the iridescent panties appeared, traveling up and around the stockings, until they spread out snugly in the shape of a marvelously rounded human posterior. Now it seemed to be the lower half of a splendidly en-dowed woman who was dancing. So it continued, until the whole woman was brightly clothed and present.

Suddenly Gale put it together: "That's Symbol! Not illusion--her in person, dancing."

"Yes, she of the Invisible Chroma," Havoc agreed. "She's not much to 164 Key to Havoc

look at, nude, though it is possible to see a little of her in a good light."

Oh? "How much of her have you seen?"

"Just a little fuzz where the brain is, and a faint outline of her lungs. I had to feel the rest. Breathing our air pollutes her, you see."

Gale was sure that even a polluted invisible woman represented a considerable feel. "This is fascinating, but what's the point?"

"Just that illusion can be as much expectation as magic. The only magic illusion here was the cloud of vapor, to let her get undressed. Since magic is expensive in the nonChroma regions, economy is best."

"Point noted." She was sure there was more to it, but this was not the occasion to clarify it.

The others departed, and the two of them retired for the night to the royal bedroom. This time they stripped away all their clothes, and made lingering love. It was always better for Gale after Havoc had the edge off; then he became all that a woman could desire. She understood the dynamics of his passion well, yet was moved by it. She could not deny him anything he truly wanted, and that began but hardly ended with sex.

Finally she spoke. "I'll do it."

And of course he had known she would. "Take care of yourself, Gale.

Ennui will give you a spy kit."

That was all. They had agreed to be untrue to each other, sexually, for the sake of the kingdom. But they would never be untrue in their love.

T

here were five of them making up the education troupe: four men and Gale. Three of the men knew each other, as this was a regular group working the region; Gale had taken the place of its lone woman. Because that woman was older, Gale was made to seem older, emulating Dame Teacher. The villages might or might not know the difference, as this troupe completed its full

circuit every four years. It didn't matter, as it was the roles that counted rather

than the players, and changes occurred every so often. But it meant that Gale had a fair amount to learn.

So did the other new member. He was a gangling awkward youth of thirteen, not quite at his full height. He was called Lad Student, after his main

role. He might have had experience in other troupes, in child roles, but this was his first of this nature. He was plainly somewhat nervous about it. That reassured Gale; she much preferred that this particular role be filled by an innocent.

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The three experienced men were Troupe Leader, who was the director, master of ceremonies, and announcer; Carto, from the Cartography Guild, who was their guide; and Guard, from the Warrior's Guild, whose job was to protect them from human, animal, or environmental threats. They were all good men, by reputation, verified by Gale's dragon seed. They liked their jobs and each other, and worked well together.

The first part of the tour was easy: the trip to its tour territory. This was done in the manner of the trip from Trifle to Triumph: by a series of magic coach floats or carries across half a dozen Chroma. Part of the reward for such troupes was a vacation at the capital city, between tour segments. That was why this one was handy. Lad was a Triumph native recruited there.

They had time to talk and get to know each other as they spent the hours in float. Troupe Leader handled it. "Carto, Guard, and I know each other; we're all the same age, early 40's, and we get along. It is our job to get this

troupe where it is going and keep it safe, and to get it decent accommodations. We don't expect to rough it in the field much; we'll night mostly in the

villages, and be well treated by the natives. They know that if they aren't hospitable to the troupes, there won't be any more, and they do want them to keep coming."

He smiled, and though Gale knew it was the man's business to be engaging, it was a nice smile, and she warmed to him. So did the boy. "We're none of us using our natural name, of course; that's so we have some privacy when we're not touring. Two of you are new, this time, and I think not transferring in from other troupes of quite this nature, so you've never done this before.

Am I right, Lad, Dame?"

"Yes," Gale agreed, and Lad nodded bashfully.

"So I'll give you the general background, before we get into the play itself." He glanced at the other two men. "You two can catch a nap, meanwhile; we won't get lost or attacked while we're crossing Chroma."

Guard and Carto nodded, leaned back, and closed their eyes. Whether they would actually sleep Gale didn't know, but the symbolism was important: the dialogue had become private between the remaining three of them.

"Some troupes are for entertainment, with clown shows, odd animals, and magic acts. Remember, the villages don't see much magic, so it's a novelty. Other troupes are cultural, presenting the great plays and music and historical narrations of our people. Our troupe is educational. It is the duty of every living woman to be fruitful and multiply, marrying and bearing at least four surviving children. Ignorance as to the method and dangers of procreation will be no excuse. So the attendance of every unmarried person 166 Key to Havoc

below the age of eighteen is mandatory. That means some of those kids will not want to be there, and won't pay much attention unless we make it interesting. So we are not just going to suggest the mechanics of sexual performance, or warn about wrong sex; we are going to romanticize it. Get them interested in the story, and maybe they'll sit still for the lesson. And that's

where the two of you come in." He looked at Gale and Lad. "You carry the story. I'll narrate it, and speak your lines for you. As you get familiar with it,

you'll start speaking your own lines. If you have any problem, such as stage fright, I'll continue speaking them; don't worry about it. But you're going to have to learn body language, and to pick up on my cues. The one thing I can't do for you is the sexual display. The first village will be a tryout, and it may be

a disaster." He laughed. "I was the Lad, thirty years ago when I started trouping, and I got so scared first time I had to perform before an audience that I was impotent. Fortunately my opposite was experienced, and she coaxed and coddled me along until I got there, barely. The audience thought it was part of the act. I was complimented for the realism of my performance.

Well, it was real all right. Later I got so blasé it was a job to fake awkwardness,

and I had to move on to other parts. So, Lad, don't worry if it happens; we all

have to start some time. You have not had sex before?"

Lad nodded, blushing.

"But you can get it up?"

Lad nodded again, blushing worse.

"Okay, you'll get through; we'll see to that. Keep in mind that you won't be completing the act, just setting up for it. Now Dame: something I have to get straight. How old are you really?"

"Seventeen."

"But you do know sex?"

"Yes."

"There are two ways we handle your part. One is to have an older woman who uses make up and spot magic to look younger in the key scene. It helps if she has retained her figure. The other, and easier, is to have a young woman

who is made up to look older all the time except in the key scene. So we'll make

you older. You will never appear in public, in or out of your role, as your actual age. You will always be a woman of thirty plus. Got it?"

"Yes." This was fine with her, as it would further conceal her identity.

"You'll do it mainly by makeup and manner. I'll put a few lines on your face, and tie your hair into matron style, and put dowdy earrings on you, and you'll school yourself to be a bit slow and prim. It won't be hard once you get

into it; the people will never question that you are at least as old as you seem.

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Except when you strip in the play." He stared frankly at her torso. "You're actually about as shapely a woman as the villagers will ever see. The contrast will be startling, and that's good."

"Thank you," Gale said, a bit uncomfortable.

"Now you've both seen the play before, or at least a variant? Boy and teacher, on Planet Mystery?"

The two of them nodded, similarly embarrassed.

"And never thought you'd be acting in it, eh? Well, this play isn't much, but it does pay well in favors, and it's a good step on the way to professional

trouping, if that's what you want to do. We'll have a walk-through rehearsal in

clothing tonight, to iron out the bugs, and then the first performance two mornings hence. It will be bumpy at first, it always is, but it's a good script,

and by the end of the month it will be routine. This particular tour is limited

to a month, the length of the Air season; we'll make a loop and return to our starting point. There is some slack to allow for the weather. Any questions?"

Lad had one. "What do we do the rest of the time at a stop? I mean, the play takes only an hour, but won't we be a couple of days in each village?"

"Longer than that, if the weather gets challenging. Good question, Lad.

We'll spend a lot of time resting, because those walks between villages will be

wearing. We'll be feasting. We'll be setting up the stage, and taking it down after. Not that there's much to that; we can do it with just one chair if we have

to. We'll be talking with the natives. The boys will ask you for pointers for their first affairs."

"Me!"

"You'll be an expert, Lad, by definition. They will have seen you cruelly tempted on stage. So you will answer them helpfully. Don't worry; I'll run you through some sample answers to typical questions. You'll get through.

Some girls will want to get you alone and kiss you. Maybe, if you're lucky, a grown woman will ask you to sire her fourth."

"Me!"

"Notoriety has great appeal. Some women like to say they had it with an actor, and be able to prove it. It enhances the mystique."

Lad looked aghast. "I never--"

"Innocence is so charming. Stay that way, Lad; it's an asset. But let me clarify this: your role in the play is not identical to your real life. You can have

sex with a village woman on your own time, and still be the ingenue, as it were.

Just don't speak of it elsewhere."

"But-"

"But you don't have to have sex with anybody. I'm simply saying you can 168 Key to Havoc

if you want to, and you can reasonably decline. Just so you know that you may be asked, so you can respond without embarrassment, either way."

Leader turned to Gale. "You, of course, will be swamped, because a good many will catch on that you're not as old as you seem. What you do in your off time is your business. You can say no, on the grounds that pregnancy would really mess up your role. The risk is small, with the--you do wear the wire?"

"As of today." Contraception was considered virtually treasonous, but approved in some cases, and this was such a case. The "wire" was a small twist of metal set inside the womb to disrupt conception. As methods went, it was simple and effective and nonmagical, but lifelong conditioning made her feel guilty for using it.

"So you can do it if you want to, but you don't have to, just as is the case with Lad. However, I think it best that the two of you, Lad and Dame, do not indulge with each other. That could ruin the special mood of the play."

Leader glanced at each in turn. Both nodded agreement. Gale was glad for the way he had clarified it, because though she would do what she had to, she preferred to avoid sex with anyone but Havoc.

Leader nodded in return. "But there is one thing."

Gale wasn't easy about this, but the dragon seed did not buzz. "What thing?"

"Your special mission. I don't know what it is, and I'm not asking, but I am under king's orders to facilitate it in whatever way I can. Guard and Carto will keep their mouths shut, and you'll need their help. Lad will keep his mouth shut because he's not too young to know the meaning of the king's wrath. But you will have to tell us enough to enable us to help you, and to cover for you if anyone suspects."

That did make sense. She had thought it was her secret, but of course it couldn't be; the other Troupe members would know if she sneaked out. Still, she was alarmed. "You should not discuss this openly where magic can spy on you."

Leader smiled. "I took pains to reserve a sealed coach. We are protected from snooping by mind reading or magic. That is why I raise this matter at this time. We do need to know."

He had a point. "I have to get into a Temple and see what's there."

Leader shook his head. "I was afraid it was something like that. This could get us all killed. But I guess I can also see why the king wants to know.

There's a wide suspicion that the Temple cheats on taxes. That those folk have more goods in trade than they let on."

Piers Anthony 169

"Maybe. I just have to see whatever they're hiding, and leave it alone.

They must not know I've snooped."

"We'll do our best. Damn, I'll be glad when it's over, though. To get between the king and the Temple is like putting your head over the rim of a volcano and hoping it won't erupt. We'll say no more of this; the air has ears.

When the time comes, just tell us what to do."

"Thank you."

"Now get some rest. Tomorrow we hike."

Good advice. Gale leaned back and tried to relax. But she saw Lad tense. She was only four years older than he, but it seemed like a lifetime.

"I

see you uneasy. Is it me or the rest of it?" she asked him.

"The rest," he confessed.

"Come sit by me."

Leader switched seats with Lad, and Lad sat beside her. She put her arm around his shoulder and drew him in to rest against her neck and breast. She was treating him like a child, but he accepted it. His body relaxed. She found that comforting him made her feel better, too. He was the one member of the troupe who was less experienced than she was. But she kept her mental guard in play, just in case.

One thing bothered her: though Leader had protected their dialogue from exposure, and she was sure that the others would not speak of her mission, they could not keep their awareness of it out of their minds. When they were out of this coach, a mind reader could get at them. So Leader had unwittingly exposed them to that danger. But there was nothing to be done about it now, that particular horse was out of the corral. She just had to hope

that whatever enemy there was had no suspicion of the troupe, and sent no mind reader. And there were constraints; the mind reader would have to get within range of them, and would have to get one of them alone, to isolate that mind from the confusing background of group thoughts, and then pick up on a thought that might not be in consciousness at that moment. That should be a fair challenge, and perhaps enough to preserve her secret. She hoped so.

They spent the night at the fringe of a Silver Chroma circle. The village was a way station, for nonChroma travelers, and accustomed to trading caravans and touring troupes. The facilities were good, as was the food. In the evening they had the walk-through, with Leader speaking the lines from memory, and clarifying the choreography of their actions. It was not complicated, overall, physically. But emotionally it was going to be a considerable challenge, at least at first. Gale suspected that she dreaded it almost as much

170 Key to Havoc

as Lad did.

"Remember," Leader said encouragingly. "They'll know its your first show of the tour. They've seen many first shows, and I think they enjoy comparing notes on foul-ups. So if it happens, it's not disaster. Just carry on

as well as you can, and we'll do better next time."

Gale was hardly reassured, and Lad looked ready to faint. But Leader was probably right: it would be better the following time.

Gale had a room to herself, being the only female member of the troupe.

She lay on her bunk, unable to settle down enough to sleep. She got up and did something she had been meaning to do when she had sufficient privacy: check the contents of the "spy kit." This was a nondescript belt she wore with a pocket containing a sliver of soapy substance, and a small wooden key.

That was all, but it was more than it seemed.

She tried the key. There was a locked desk in the corner of the room.

The key readily unlocked it. The lock on the door was considerably larger, but she tried the same key, and it worked again. It was a skeleton key made from a variety of wood whose nature was to untangle things, and it regarded a lock as a tangle. So it worked on almost any lock, as if made for it--as in a

way it was.

The soapy substance was not for washing. It was concentrated Temple wax, used to seal the floors, walls, roofs, and chests there. It would imbue her

with the smell of the Temple, making her seem to belong there.

The belt was another very special product. It was of stilevine, which bent freely in one direction and not at all in the other direction. It was very

light and strong. She tested it by unwinding it from her waist--it was quite thin, so made a number of loops--and laying a length of it flat on the floor, the bendy side down. She couldn't fit its whole length in the room, as it was about twenty feet, but a portion of it was enough for this purpose. Then she lifted it by one end--and it came up like a rigid rod, refusing to bend that way.

She put one end on the bed, the rolled up end on the desk across the room, and sat on it. It would not give. She set it back on the floor, bent it upward at

the halfway point, looped it around, and laid the end flat again. Now when she picked it up by the center loop, it bent there, but not elsewhere. It was a

bit tricky to handle, but she practiced until she could make it form an A-frame

that she could climb on. It was a problem making it stand upright, but she propped it against a wall and made do. She would be able to use this.

Then she re-coiled the vine around her waist, and hid the wax and key in its pocket, and lay down again. The spy kit was in good order, but she did not want to attract any attention to it.

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Still she could not yet sleep. So she decided to do another bit of good, if she could. She got up and went to the men's chamber.

Guard, alert, intercepted her in the darkness. "What is it?"

"I thought I'd fetch Lad. Maybe I can make him sleep."

"That would help," he agreed. "He's wound up like a spring." He led her to the boy's bunk.

She touched Lad's hand in the darkness. "Come with me."

He got up immediately and followed her out. "What is it, Dame?" he asked hesitantly.

"If you're like me, you can't sleep now."

"Yeah," he agreed ruefully.

"There's more room in my chamber. Lie down beside me, hold my hand, and we will both sleep."

"But Dame, it's not--"

"Just sleep," she clarified. "That's what we need tonight. Certainly we will not go against Leader's directive."

"Yeah," he said, relieved. It was obvious that he liked her, indeed was already somewhat smitten, but dreaded the notion of any sexual performance.

That was fine with her.

They lay down side by side on her bunk, holding hands. She felt his tenseness fade, and soon enough he slept. Then, satisfied that she had done right, she slept too. It would have been worse for her, had she not had someone to help along. Of course she had had experience handling her younger siblings, but this wasn't quite the same.

There was another possible advantage. Lad was the one most likely to give away the secret of her mission, just by thinking about it too much. But his interest in her personally could overwhelm any other thoughts, so that any mind reader would pick up only on that.

In the morning, outfitted with protective clothing and backpacks of supplies, they set off on the trail to the next village. Their hats were broad brimmed, to shield them from the sun's intensity. Their boots were thick, to safeguard them from sharp edges. They wore heavy gloves, but light blouses and trousers, because their most likely problem was the heat of the day. This was the Air season, sometimes called Fall in a chancy effort to align Charm's five seasons with Earth's supposed four. Hot days, cold nights, and often wind. She had always liked it, because of her name.

Carto led the way, as the path was by no means clear cut, and Guard brought up the rear, as it was not necessarily safe. The middle three were Leader, Gale, and Lad. It seemed routine, but she had seen enough terrain 172 Key to Havoc

and weather in her day to understand their caution; travel between villages was never truly routine. If they were lucky, there would be no serious problems.

This trail wended its curving route between the Silver and Yellow Chroma.

To the left were the electrical effects of the one, such as lightning and its attendant thunder; to the right were the fiery effects of the other, such as showers of sparks. The trick was to stay in the zone where neither had much effect.

That was not necessarily easy. A wind was rising, stirring up dust on either side. The dust carried magic, silver and yellow, and extended the range of the Chroma. Lightning arced across the silver cloud, and flickering flames appeared in the yellow dust. But they did not quite overlap; there remained a narrow channel between them.

"Best to move rapidly," Carto said, making a note on his map pad. "The nonChroma widens ahead."

They hurried forward, and the space between Chroma did widen. But the wind continued to blow. This was expected in the Air season, when storms were common. It was, nevertheless, normally considered the safest of the seasons for travel.

Now they entered a wedge of nonChroma desert sand. The wind carried some dust, but they breathed through their kerchiefs and had no trouble.

Until the wind intensified. Now the dust was thick enough to obscure the route ahead.

Carto halted. "We need to wait," he shouted. "We have to see, in case there is danger. The wind should ease before long." He opened his pack and brought out a length of rope attached to an anchor. "Connect your ropes; we'll tie down here."

They opened their packs to get their ropes, but Lad hesitated. "Why not take shelter beside that boulder?" he asked, pointing.

Guard smiled. "Easy, Lad, that's where the python lives."

"Python? I don't see any snakes here."

"Take his word," Gale murmured. She realized that Lad had never traveled far out of the city.

They linked their ropes at their clasp ends, forming a spider net, and let the anchors dig into the ground. Then they each hooked one leg under a rope, kneeling, and formed a small circle facing each other, linking elbows, clasping their own hands, bowing their heads. The sand beat down on their backs, but there was breathing space in the center. The wind hauled at them, but their circular linkage secured them in front, and their line anchors held Piers Anthony 173

them in back. It was a standard way to ride out a small storm in the open. A party might be battered, but would not be blown away, and would not lose contact with its members.

Gale's dragon seed buzzed. At almost the same time, Guard lifted his head and peered into the swirl of dust. "Get out the repellent," he said.

They unlinked and delved again into their packs, finding the squeeze packs of goo. "This stuff stinks!" Lad protested.

"It sure does," Leader agreed, smearing some into his beard.

Gale squeezed some of hers onto her hand. They were right: it smelled like rotting carrion. She smeared it into her hair below her hat.

"But what's it do?" Lad asked, still reluctant.

"It keeps you alive," Guard said as he applied his own. "Look to your right."

Lad looked, and Gale looked too. Sure enough, a python was sliding toward them, its outline made vague by the flying sand but certainly no trick of vision. It had left its rock and thought to haul them in to it. It might weigh

about as much as all of them combined.

Lad hastily applied his own repellent. Then, choking in their own fumes, they linked elbows again and waited.

"Just so you know," Guard said. "The goo makes you smell dead. Pythons don't eat carrion. So just stay still until it goes away."

Gale knew the ruse, and knew that it almost invariably worked. Pythons were not smart. But sometimes nerve was required.

"It's coming right toward us!" Lad cried.

Gale was beside him. She kept her hands clasped to each other, but drew them in to herself so that her elbow squeezed his. "Don't move. Carrion doesn't move. Just stay still. There's no danger if you don't move." She squeezed his elbow reassuringly; that was so slight a motion it wouldn't show.

He obeyed, but he was terrified. She felt his body shivering as if cold.

She continued squeezing, hoping he wouldn't try to bolt and get them all in danger.

The huge snake came right up to them. It nudged Gale's back with a snout like a battering ram. She was shoved forward, pulling her section of the circle out of round, but neither screamed nor otherwise moved. She focused on being carrion.

The creature circled the ground, close. Its weight slid across their feet.

It nudged Carto, and he too was shoved into the center, halfway colliding with Gale. Cheek to cheek, they remained propped against each other, elbows still connected to others. Their circle had been flattened, and was now the outline 174 Key to Havoc

of a blob, but the links had not been broken. Lad was panting, but otherwise still; probably it was terror rather than caution, but that was what was needed.

At last the python moved on, having been disappointed by this group of corpses. The storm was also easing, perhaps by no coincidence; pythons preferred cover, whether of terrain, darkness, or dust, and retreated when they lost it.

"Good job," Guard said, unlinking. "We can travel again. Take up your anchors."

"In a moment," Gale murmured. She put her arm around Lad, as she had in the coach, and drew him in, letting him cry into her shoulder. He was a city boy, and had no prior experience with monsters; he needed reassurance and comfort. Leader, seeing the way of it, took up their anchors for them, coiled their ropes, and put them in their two packs. The man had the sense to know when to let things be.

Soon they were hiking again. The diminishing wind carried away much of the clinging stench of the repellent, but it no longer seemed so bad to Gale: not only had it discouraged the python, it would probably drive away other dangerous animals. A safe smell was in the end a good smell.

As the desert widened, it became more colorful, with sands of many hues. There were some plants, too, including squat gray cacti and purple lichen. Swift-flying silver and yellow birds darted by, landing to forage at the

fringes of the Chroma where there was enough magic to allow Chroma creatures to exist, but not enough to protect them from predation. Gale found it all rather pretty in its fashion. She had always admired the colored creatures and plants of the Chroma, and knew from her experience with Yellow the spider that they could be good friends.

Carto halted. "This is new," he said grimly, making a note.

They looked. There was a fissure ahead, issuing green vapor. It was a Green Chroma vent, forming in new territory. It might close up again in a few days, or it might expand into a small volcano. There was no way to be sure.

"I think we can safely skirt it," Carto said. "But let's not linger close."

They skirted it, keeping as much distance from it as the lay of the local terrain made convenient. Her dragon seed buzzed, but she didn't see any immediate threat, and kept moving. Just as Gale passed the vent, there was a coughing hiss, and a green cloud boiled out. It expanded, spreading across the ground.

"Move!" Guard shouted behind her.

They ran, but the cloud was faster. The ball of vapor caught up to them.

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Gale held her breath, but didn't dare close her eyes, lest she trip and fall.

The green closed about her vision, making her see fantastic shapes. It was raw magic, unschooled, uncontrolled, the stuff of phantasm. Green was supposed to be the magic of plants, but there was no telling what the effect would be. A giant green vine appeared, rearing up impossibly high, orienting on her, becoming a python, striking down. But she knew it was a bad image from her recent experience, a personal illusion, not fully real. She kept running.

Then she was out of it, gasping for air. In a moment Guard followed, holding on to Lad, propelling him forward. Lad was coughing violently; he had breathed some of the green vapor. As he caught his breath, his arms flung out wildly; he was fighting some imaginary horror.

Gale stepped into him, pressing her body against his. "Lad! Lad! It's illusion, not real. Relax. You're safe now. It's over."

He struggled for a moment more. Then something registered. His arms closed about her as his face sought hers for a kiss.

"Not yet," she said gently. "Wait for the play. Relax, relax."

His gaze cleared. "What am I doing?" he demanded, horrified.

"You're coming out of a dose of Green Chroma magic," she said. "Next time, hold your breath, if you can. Only a Green Chroma native can handle green magic; it just messes us nonChroma folk up."

"Green Chroma," he echoed. "That vent. I tried to get away-"

"And it burped a green cloud and caught up with you," she finished.

"We all got tagged, but the rest of us had a better idea what to expect. We're all right now. This sort of thing happens, out in the countryside." She didn't add that she had experienced very little of it herself. But she had learned much from Mentor, so had a fair notion. And of course the seed had warned her. That extra second might have primed her for action, enabling her to get more quickly clear of the green gas. "You're all right now, I think," she concluded.

"Oh." Embarrassed, he let go of her.

They resumed their walk. At one point, as they picked their way across a web-work of crevices, Leader leaned close. "You're a good girl," he murmured. "I was wary of what I was getting, with that last minute substitution.

Now I know it's okay."

"Thanks." She knew she had earned the compliment, but that didn't stop her from appreciating it.

The trail clarified, rising across a dry hill, and they moved along well.

Because the terrain was mostly dry desert, there was not a lot of plant or 176 Key to Havoc

animal life, and that made travel easier. They paused periodically to drink from the water bottles they carried, not concerned about running out, because by evening they would be at the village. This was just a routine hike between sites.

Then Planet Mystery swung across. This happened on a daily basis, as they orbited each other and spun independently, so half the time, day and night, Mystery was in sight in some part of the sky, if there were no clouds.

It

was the size of her fist extended at arm's length, but seemed larger in its intriguing detail. In the course of the day its illuminated crescent shifted visibly. It was perpetually fascinating to her, and she was not the only one; everyone she knew in Trifle had spent many hours contemplating Mystery.

Were there plants and creatures there? Were there people there? Were they like those of Charm? There could be people, if the ship from afar had left colonists there too. Were the colors magic? Sometimes volcanoes could be seen, erupting, extending their territories. She would give anything to know exactly what it was like on the surface of their companion world. But there was no way to get there. Thus it had become the world of mythology. Whatever could not be represented on Charm, for physical or social reason, could be represented on Mystery. As was the case with the tale of Lad and Dame.

Lad was staring so fixedly at Mystery that he stumbled and fell. Guard helped him up. "I guess you don't get to see Counter-Charm much, cooped inside Triumph."

"Hardly ever," he agreed. "They don't let us out without reason, and I never had much reason. I can't stop looking at it."

Counter-Charm. Gale had heard it called that; different villages had different terms for things. The name did make some sense, for the planet was always opposite Charm.

"Okay," Guard said. "You walk along, and I'll steer you. Look all you want. We all like Counter."

So Gale wasn't the only one helping out with the novice. The three regulars did seem to be decent, as she got to know them. She was slow to trust men she didn't know well, but was coming to trust these.

They reached the village of Donethat well before evening, ahead of schedule. It had been an easy trip, the men said, but Gale and Lad were tired.

They weren't used to walking that far at one time.

Leader paused before they entered. "Remember, you are older," he reminded Gale. "You're dirty enough to look the part now, but after you clean up, don't go out before I age you."

"I do feel old," Gale agreed. "I hope this village has a good bath."

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"Donethat has a good public bath with competent and discreet attendants, but you can't use it; they'd pick up on your age immediately. So it's the

tub and bucket for you, and I think you won't want any of us men to help.

Understand, none of us will make a move on you; we're all married and loyal.

But you aren't just another woman; you're dangerously appealing. Ideal for the part, but-"

"Thanks." She was discovering an inconvenience of being lovely. "How about a boy?"

"You've taken the boy in hand beautifully. Do with him what you will.

But bear in mind that he'll have a crush on you, and you're not staying for subsequent tours."

She hadn't thought of that aspect. "Damn. I think it's already too late, and I don't want to mess up his performance in the play. Maybe I can figure out something by the end of the tour."

"That would be best."

"Meanwhile, thanks for reminding me about my age. I'll do my best."

"We will all treat you as Dame. You'll get into it."

They moved on into the village. Children ran out to greet them, and Leader passed out little candies from his pack. The Village Elder, a sober woman of grandmotherly age, gave Leader a formal welcome, and a hug; they evidently knew each other from prior times. "You smell as good as ever," she remarked, wrinkling her nose at the lingering odor of carrion.

"Appreciation," Leader said, laughing. "I always accept a compliment."

Then Elder met the others. "I see you have two new players," she remarked.

"For the roles Dame Teacher and Lad Student," Troupe Leader agreed.

"I trust you will give them good support in their first presentation."

"Don't we always? I'll never forget how it was with us, thirty years ago."

"You were of course my first love," Leader agreed. "I think I still love you, you lovely creature."

"Oh pshaw! I was getting too old for the part even then. I thought it was revulsion that made you limp."

"You were forty, and still outstanding. It was awe, not revulsion. You know that."

"And you were thirteen, and cute as a new toadstool. You made me feel young again. It will be deja vu, tomorrow morning." She looked around.

"But we're boring the others with our ancient reminiscences. Come on in, folks. Dinner's in an hour." She waved them into the village.

So Elder had been Leader's Dame in the play. She must have completed 178 Key to Havoc

her family obligation and gone on to the different life of acting, while he was

just starting out in what would become his life's profession. Neither made any secret of it, or of their initial problem. Gale found that encouraging.

Maybe that was the point: they were trying to help the new players get confidence.

"Two rooms will do," Leader said as they came to a house. "For three and two."

"Three and two?" Lad asked blankly.

Gale took his hand. "You're with me, of course. I need someone to ladle my bath water."

"Oh. Yeah. Sure. But--"

"Then I'll ladle yours."

Halfway dumbfounded, he let her lead him into the designated room of the house. The tub was already there, half filled with water, with a dipper bucket and small bar of soap beside it. On the bed were two towels.

Gale closed the door. "We have just an hour to get washed and dressed.

You go pee while I get started. Leave your clothes in the privy; the villagers will launder and dry them overnight."

"But--"

"We'll wear our costumes to the dinner. Our roles are not just in the play, you know; we are Lad and Dame while we are in this village. We can play them in private too, if we want. So don't be concerned about being naked with me; this is the play."

"But I have a-"

"I've seen it before. That's the point of the play, isn't it? Just make sure you have it tomorrow." She added a little iron to her tone. "Now get moving."

He obeyed, walking awkwardly to the privy chamber. Gale stripped, piling her clothing on the floor. She loosened her hair. Again, she was finding that her natural nervousness was almost entirely abated by her need to lead the boy through the route. He was helping her almost as much as she was helping him. She wondered whether other players in these roles had reacted similarly.

Naked, she stepped into the tub. The water was cool, but not frigid; it was no problem. She lowered her bottom into it, watching the water level rise to just shy of the rim; it had been correctly figured. She took a handful and splashed it on her raised knees, and another on her shoulder.

"Aren't you done yet?" she called. "I need ladling."

"I--I can't," he called back, sounding ashamed.

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"Yes you can. Just put one foot before the other and walk out here."

"I mean--the other."

Oh. She should have thought of that. Of course he couldn't urinate, in the state he was in. "Okay, wait till after the bath. Get out here now." She included the tinge of command.

He emerged, blushing from face to chest, his erection impossible to ignore. So Gale didn't try. "That's a good one, for sure. That's exactly the way I want it, tomorrow. Thanks for showing me. I'd hate it if you saw me naked and didn't react. Now come on over here."

"Really?" he asked, amazed.

"Really. We don't need to ruin Leader's scene do we?" She forced a laugh, forcing him to laugh too, loosening up. "Dip the water. Pour it over my head. I stink."

"Yeah." He picked up the ladle, fumblingly, and dipped it in the water over her feet. "You're beautiful."

"Thank you. But remember, I'm supposed to be an older woman, somewhere the other side of thirty. The Dame. So when we're outside, treat me like your mother."

"Oh, Dame, you could never be that!"

"We're actors, remember? I'm supposed to be twenty years older than you. Then in the play, when I strip, in your fancy you see me as much younger, as more like your ideal woman. Can you do that?"

"Yes!"

She laughed again, not having to force it this time. "Now pour. I hate smelling like carrion."

He poured the water over her head, and she rubbed her hair vigorously.

She picked up the soap and scrubbed it in. "More."

He dipped and poured again, and again, until she felt she had her hair reasonably clean. She wiped the water out of her eyes and opened them.

Then she washed and rinsed the rest of her body. It felt good to get clean again.

"Fetch me the towel," she said, as she put her hands on the rim of the tub and heaved herself up, dripping. "No, don't avert your eyes; this is the way it will be, for this tour. We'll get to know each other pretty well."

He gave her the towel, and she started drying herself from the hair down.

"Steady me as I dry my feet and step out," she said. She put one hand on his shoulder, lifted one leg, and reached down to dry the knee, calf, ankle, and foot. She put the dry foot on the floor, then did the other. Lad was true to her order not to avert his eyes, but if eyeballs could sweat, his would have 180 Key to Havoc

been doing so.

"Your turn," she said briskly. "Get in."

He got in and squatted, then sat. The water rose up enough to cover his continuing erection. That relieved her, because she was sure it relieved him.

She poured water carefully over his head and body, and gave him the soap when he couldn't find it with his eyes closed. He was ineffective, so she took over. "Here, I'm good at hair," she said, scrubbing his head.

"Did Leader and Elder really do this play?" he asked as she moved on down to his shoulders, arms and chest.

"They must have, because they both remembered." She didn't say that she was sure, because her dragon seed had made no buzz, as it would have, had either of them been lying. "I think it's sweet."

"Yeah."

He finished washing, and stood, and she dried him with his towel. Then they got into their costumes. These were not remarkable. Hers was a somewhat dowdy outfit, with a small dark hat, ankle-length dress, and deliberately worn shoes. His was the student cap, short sleeved shirt, short pants, and sandals of youth. In it he looked exactly like what he was: a school boy.

She went to use the privy, but he still could not. Well, time would take care of that.

They stood together before the mirror as she combed out his hair and then her own. "What if they ask me questions?" he asked nervously.

"Just be yourself. You're supposed to be a boy."

"I mean, about--"

"Just tell the truth: you haven't done it yet. Not with me. Not with any village woman. Tomorrow, after the play, maybe you'll have more to say on that."

"I guess so. But what if they ask about before?"

"Just what is your prior experience?"

"Tickle & Peek with a twelve year old girl. I was twelve too. She--she got excited and put herself on me, so I was in her. Some."

"Did you climax?"

"I don't know."

This was very limited experience. "Did your erection fade right away?"

"No. Not until we weren't together anymore."

"Then you surely did not climax. And you certainly don't need to in the play. Just be obviously ready. Anyway, you're older now, and so am I. So I think you can just say you've never done it with a woman before. Girls don't count."

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"Okay," he said, relieved.

She finished with their hair. "Get your dirty clothes and add them to my pile. It's time to join the others."

"What about the tub?"

"Whoever brought it will haul it away. This is part of the hospitality of the village. They'll take our clothing and return it to us in the morning, clean."

The dragon seed buzzed. Alarmed, Gale considered. It couldn't be a lie, because Lad hadn't said anything, and in any event, she was already satisfied that he would never knowingly deceive her. There was no evident personal danger, or likely wrongness in the situation. So what was it?

She feared she knew: someone was reading a mind. The men were out in the village, mingling with people. A visiting Chroma woman might be approaching one of them, getting close to him, showing her breasts and inviting him to sire her fourth. He might accept or decline--marriage was considered no barrier in such a case--but either way, she might be reading his mind, discovering his secrets. That could represent a threat to Gale, and the seed would know. Its direct range was quite limited, but its awareness of the larger

situation was impressive. She wasn't sure how that worked, but had learned to trust it.

But maybe it was just a threat. Someone was mind searching, but not necessarily succeeding. The seed reacted to the threat as much as to the reality, warning her in time to act, if she could. All she could do was hope that

this particular threat abated, and meanwhile she would remain alert. Certainly she could not say anything about this to anyone else, both because she dared not reveal the source of her alarm--the seed--and because such mention would only focus their thoughts on what they should not be on.

"Dame, are you all right?" Lad asked.

She flashed him a disarming smile. "Don't tell: much of this is as new to me as it is to you. Sometimes I get to thinking about it too much. I apologize for drifting."

"Oh, Dame, you never have to apologize to me!"

She squeezed his arm. "You are kind."

They joined the men. Leader used a small marker pencil to put faint lines on Gale's face. "Make your natural expression a small pout," he said.

"Stand a bit stooped, so that your breasts seem diminished or saggy. Yes, like that. Do not move quickly. Remember, the play starts here. Since they expect you to be older, they'll see you that way. In the play, I'll do stage magic

to transform you as you undress. If you hear a sigh from the audience, you'll know we surprised them."

182 Key to Havoc

"I hope so," she said.

He turned to Lad. "And you be impulsive and young minded. Think age eleven or twelve. We want maximum contrast. You will seem to grow in the play, as Dame brings out your manhood. I think she's already doing it."

"I couldn't pee," Lad said, abashed.

"Wonderful! That's it exactly. But tonight--okay, let's pull your shirt out loose, so it flops down and hides anything. Tonight you are Boy, not Man.

You can do it that way in the play, too, then strip suddenly. The littlest gestures can make the greatest effects. It's all in the timing. Now we're off to the

banquet. Oh--neither of you better touch the spiked drinks. You get tipsy, you'll fall out of character. Stay uptight, both of you. Contrast to we three men, who will not be as loose as we seem. And if anybody gets fresh with either of you, Guard will be on it. Just catch his eye, if you're even worried."

They went out to the banquet. Village Elder met them outside the house, and conducted them there. It turned out to be a huge affair in the central square, with tables clustered under a temporary covering. They had the place of honor in the very center. Girls were bringing steaming platters.

"Oh--and don't overeat," Leader cautioned them as they took their seats.

"It's out of character, and you don't want to be bloated for the play."

"Now he tells us," Gale muttered for Lad's ears. But it was good advice.

She didn't want a bulging belly for the nude dance, and a fart would ruin the effect.

After partaking relatively chastely of what could otherwise have been a phenomenal feast, they mixed with the people, playing their roles. But Lad looked increasingly uncomfortable. "Indigestion?" Gale inquired in his ear.

"No. Now I gotta pee."

Gale faced the group of villagers around them and put on her primmest face. "Lad and I had a hard hike today, and are tired. We're not used to it.

We'd like to turn in now, if it's all right."

It was of course all right. They walked to the house and into their room, and Lad dived for the privy. He emerged shortly, abashed again. "Thanks."

"You couldn't before, and then you had the meal on top of it. Discomfort can work wonders. That's the way it works."

"But you made it seem to the villagers as if it was nothing."

"Well, it wasn't much. In any event, not their business. And I am tired.

So I'm ready for a good night's sleep."

"I don't know if I can sleep."

"You'll sleep," she said confidently. "I hope they left night clothing."

She checked the bed. "Yes, they did." She stripped and changed.

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Lad was staring. "You just did that, like being alone."

"Your turn," she said, lying on her side of the bed. "Lad, we won't always have very spacious or private accommodations. Get used to being informal."

"But every time you--I--"

"I know. I revel in it." Fortunately the dragon seed did not buzz when she lied herself, and anyway it was only half a lie; what she wanted was for him

to be reassured now, and to be able to perform properly in the play. She was also training herself to be completely open, physically, with him, as that seemed

the best policy. The faster he got used to it, the less trouble he would have with unwanted erections. Just so long as he could still raise them where required, in the play--and she would be a lot sexier then. However she closed her eyes, giving him the chance to change without further embarrassing himself.

When he lay down, she took his hand, as on the prior night. And it worked, again; comforted, he was soon asleep.

She woke before him in the morning, and dressed and prepared her costume for the day. By the time Lad stirred, she was ready to go. "Why don't I check with Leader about breakfast, while you get ready? I'll be back shortly."

"Okay," he said.

She crossed the short hall to the other door, and knocked. Leader opened it. "Good enough, except for the age lines."

"Oops! I forgot that detail. They must have rubbed off during the night."

"That's why I'm here." He brought out his pencil and marked her face.

"But in the play, when I want to look young, how do I get rid of the lines?"

"No need. Your face will still suggest age, while your body won't. Lad won't care about your face, once he sees your body. Then when you dress again, you'll be Dame Prim again."

"Where is breakfast?"

"We'll have bread and milk right here. Then we'll see to the setting of the stage."

She nodded, and returned to the other room to collect Lad. "Thanks for leaving," he said. "That let me--you know."

She hadn't actually thought of that. "That's fine. Now we'll have breakfast in the other room, before we go to the stage."

"That stage sure scares me."

"But you've been with me all night, and we've seen each other naked."

184 Key to Havoc

"Oh, you're just great, Dame. But that's public. All those people watching."

He had a point. She, as a woman, could perform despite stage fright.

But if the same fear unmanned him, he would not be able to perform. So he had more to worry about. "Lad, in case there is difficulty--is there any special thing I might do that would be sure to arouse you?"

"I don't know. I've never--I have no experience. There might be nothing. When I was with that girl, there were just the two of us, but maybe that was too public for me. I mean, I did get it up, but didn't--you know. What about when there's a hundred people watching?"

She shook her head. "I don't know either, Lad. Suppose I kiss you, like this?" She took his head between her hands, drew it close, and kissed him carefully on the mouth.

He was flushed when she let him go. "Oh, Dame, I think that would haul me out of the pit of a Void volcano!"

"I'll keep it in mind, then. But I think you'll be potent. Just follow the script, and all should be well."

"Sure Dame," he said bravely.

Then she remembered: her role in the play required that she never touch him. He had to touch her. It might seem like a meaningless distinction, but it was vital. However, maybe she could make a kissing pass at him, luring him in for it, and that might have the desired effect.

They joined the men for breakfast, then adjourned to the stage. This was where the evening banquet had been, under the pavilion, a nice open air site for a theater in the round. The stage was a layout of boards, with a bed in

the center. This disconcerted Gale, who had somehow expected a backstop behind and the audience all in front, but she realized that it made sense for the village. It would probably be the case for other villages. Actually it had been so in Trifle, when troupes entertained; somehow she had not quite made the connection. Nothing was to be hidden, in this show, and no actual scenery was required; all they needed for the finale was a bed, or even just a chair,

in a pinch.

Leader was all business. "Now we'll mark the layout on the floor. It's just two scenes: the school room, and the teacher's home. We want to keep the action centered, and consistent, so there's no jarring discontinuity. Now, to begin, this will be the desk." He went to the bed. "You'll sit in the chair,

here, Dame, and Lad will come up on the classroom side. Part of the audience will be the class; the kids always love that. Between scenes, I'll march out

and walk around the bed. You won't go to the next scene; the next scene will shape around you. It'll turn real, once we get into it; if you see the classroom,

Piers Anthony 185

so will the audience."

He continued, getting the details clear, but Gale had trouble paying full attention. The closer they got to the actual play, the more nervous she became. Yet she knew she had to do it, and would do it. It was certainly no worse than what the children of Trifle had tried to do to her with that stink gourd, before Havoc had rescued her. It was also a perfect cover for her real mission, because she was not pretending to be an actress, she was actually doing it, completely. Still, she feared disaster and public humiliation.

Lad, beside her, was looking wan. Should she try to seem confident, or sympathetic? She decided on sympathy. "I feel the same way."

"But Dame--you're experienced."

"Not at doing this play in full public."

"Oh. I guess not." But he didn't look much reassured.

The audience began to gather. The time was coming. "Okay, Dame, Lad--you just sit here on the bed," Leader said. "I'll tell you when to move elsewhere. Just wait and listen, and play into it when I turn to you."

They sat together on the bed, waiting. Lad was shivering; she felt it in the bed. She moved her hand slowly, and set it on his hand, as if coincidentally, trying to calm him. At this point she had no certainly they would perform the play successfully. But they were locked into it, for good or ill. And if they got through this time, the next time would not be as bad, she was sure.

The audience swelled. The smallest children sat cross-legged on the ground in front, and the larger ones next behind. The adult women were next, and the adult men stood farthest out. There were more than a hundred in all, about two thirds of them children ranging from five to twelve. This play was for them, really, so not every one in the village was present. There were always chores to be done that couldn't wait; that was why there were few couples here. The man could come, or the woman, but seldom both. The youngest children would not have seen it before; the elder ones would be seeing it the second, or perhaps the third time. It was a lesson that could hardly be over-stressed. The adults were there to keep order, and perhaps they enjoyed the play as classic entertainment.

The hour came. Village Elder approached the stage. She looked around at the audience on all sides, saw that all was in order, turned to Leader, and made a formal bow. That was the signal to start.

Leader had been sitting in the lone chair. Now he stood, setting the chair beside the bed. "Greeting, people of Donethat!" he cried, as Elder retreated. As he spoke, he turned around in a full circle, to address them all.

"Acknowledged!" the children called back in chorus.

186 Key to Havoc

"Can you all hear me?"

"Yes!" they chorused. He had already gotten them involved. He was, Gale realized, a showman.

"Then I will tell you a story. The story of Lad Student and Dame Teacher." He spoke toward the larger section of the audience, then turned to the opposite section and repeated key words: "Lad Student, Dame Teacher."

The children up close could hear him regardless which direction he faced, but possibly the adults beyond could not. They would be familiar with the play, so would need no more than key phrases.

Leader paused, then lowered his voice without diminishing the volume.

"This happens on Planet Mystery. Planet Counter-Charm. Do you know why?"

"No!" the children cried. They had surely been coached for this initial portion.

"It's because we all know it could never happen on Planet Charm. We don't do things like this here. So it stands to reason it must be over there.

Isn't that so?"

"Yes!" As logic, it wasn't much, but as showmanship, it was great; Gale saw that he was really embracing the children. The older ones saw through the sham and knew this was a close analogy of Planet Charm, but they also appreciated the ruse. She began to hope that the play would be successful.

"Now there on Planet Mystery, in a little village like this one, there is a special custom. The children grow up in their families just as they do here, and they marry and make families of their own in much the same way. But they don't have classes like this to show them what's what."

Several of the adults smiled. Leader was being humorous, but the children didn't realize it.

"In fact, they have no way to learn about things like wrongful sex, except from some chosen adult. Here is how it works: when a boy or a girl comes of age twelve or thirteen or fourteen, he or she chooses an adult to show how wrong sex is withstood. After that, the child knows, and can go on and become adult and marry and get on with life. It is the child who chooses the one for this lesson, and the adult who must agree; the adult can not say no.

Married or single, young or old, this can not be denied except on very serious grounds. Doesn't that sound like fun, to make an adult do what you want, instead of the other way around?"

"Yes!" the children cried gleefully.

"Now we come to the story of Lad Student. He's a decent boy, reasonably smart, but very shy. Lad, stand forth."

Piers Anthony 187

There was a pause, until Gale nudged Lad. He jumped to his feet, stumbled, and staggered before catching his balance. The children laughed, thinking this was part of the act.

Leader smiled, buttressing that impression. "As you can see, he's no well coordinated handsome giant. He gets teased a lot about his clumsiness. He needs to ask some woman to teach him wrong sex, but who? He doesn't dare ask a stranger; she might laugh him out of the village, though she's not supposed to. He doesn't dare ask most of the women he knows, because they do know him, and surely have no respect for him. You see, here's a secret."

Leader leaned forward as if about to confide something, and the sitting children mirrored his motion. "Making a person do something is no good, if that person doesn't respect you. Lad doesn't want to ask a woman who would do it, but forever after sneer at his ineptitude, his clumsiness. He'd rather die.

So he needs to find a woman who will not laugh at him, now or afterwards.

And he can't think of any."

The children were sobering, realizing that this was serious. Young as they were, they had already had some experience with ridicule. Which was part of the point of the play: to address the emotional concerns of this audience. To answer the questions they might never dare to ask on their own, for fear of similar ridicule.

"What is he to do? He seems doomed to humiliation or failure. He has to ask someone, before he turns fifteen, or be banished from his village in disgrace. This is a test every person must pass, on planet Mystery. Aren't we glad we don't live there!" The younger children nodded, while the older ones understood the analogy, and smiled. Mystery would be a lot like Charm, where it counted. "He casts about. Could he ask one of his female teachers?

Some of them are fairly young and pretty; in fact there is one lovely creature who is setting records for student initiations. But there's a long waiting list

for her, and anyway, she would be sure to compare him to the other students with whom she had wrong liaisons, and he would suffer grievously in comparison. So this isn't his answer."

Leader paused, as if in thought. "Then his eye falls on his dour math teacher. She is old, maybe thirty five, and not pretty, and certainly not beloved

of students. She grades hard, and she never smiles. She has given Lad poor grades. He can't fault her there, as he has earned them. Nobody has ever asked her for a wrong liaison, and it's easy to understand why. In fact, nobody

ever married her, because in this society there is not the requirement for universal marriage and four children. She won't compare him to her husband, because she has none. She won't compare him to other students, because 188 Key to Havoc

there have been none. And she won't laugh at him, because she never laughs at anything." But that did make the children laugh. "So maybe she would be safe for him. So Lad considers." Leader glanced at the bed. "Stand forth, Dame Teacher."

Gale stood, slowly, as if not spry. She hunched a bit forward, as if not buxom. She wore a dour expression.

"And isn't she forbidding," Leader said, and the children agreed. "Almost, Lad reconsiders. But he really has no alternative. And so Lad makes a fateful decision: he will ask Dame Teacher. He waits until all other students are gone, then nervously approaches her desk. She is sitting behind it, grading papers."

Gale went to sit in the chair beside the bed, and leaned forward as if working at it. Lad shuffled forward, hanging his head.

"Finally he reaches the desk. `Greeting,' he says weakly.

"Dame looks up, thinking he wants help on a math concept. `Yes?' she inquires grimly."

Gale looked up, meeting lad's Gaze. She frowned. He looked every bit as hesitant as his role indicated.

"Ì, uh, I, er, I, I--' he stammers.

"`Lad, what is your concern?' she asks impatiently.

"Ì, I--want your wrong liaison,' he finally got out.

"Dame Teacher thinks she has misheard. `You want what?' she demands.

"Lad almost retreats then. But still he has nowhere to go. So he repeats it. `Your liaison. To teach me wrong sex.'

"Now she frowns. Ìf this is your idea of a joke, I do not find it funny. If you have no problem in math, go home.'"

Lad and Gale were facing each other over the "desk." Neither moved; it wasn't necessary. Gale wore as forbidding an expression as she could muster, and Lad fairly radiated nervousness.

"But Lad is not joking, and finally Dame realizes that. She knows she can not refuse, but she seeks to dissuade him. `Lad, I am not experienced,'

she

confides. Ì can not teach you wrong sex, because I have never been exposed to it myself.'

"`But what of your own initiation?' he asks, not entirely surprised.

"Ì asked a handsome man, and he dismissed me with a pretense. We spent the night together, and thereafter pretended we had done the ritual, but we hadn't. Because he wanted no part of an ugly girl like me, and I was too ashamed to admit it.'

"`But how can you tell me this?' he asks, amazed.

Piers Anthony 189

"`Because I will not do to you or any other person what he did to me.

You have earned low grades in math, but not everlasting shame. I ask you not to tell others about this.'

"Òh, no, never!' he promises.

"`So now you are free to ask elsewhere, and we will pretend this dialogue never happened.'

"But Lad suffered a siege of sudden decision. `No. I want you, Dame Teacher.'

"She is amazed again. `Why? It would surely be a disaster.'

"`Because you will understand,' he says.

"Dame stares at him. Then she nods. `Then let us make a pact, you and I: neither to disparage the other in this respect, whatever happens between us.'

"Àgreed.' And they shake hands, having made the deal."

Lad extended his hand across the desk, and Gale took it. Solemnly they shook hands. Gale allowed her frown to relax somewhat, but did not approach a smile.

"Ùh, when?' he asks.

"`Why not now? It will not sweeten with time.'

"And so Lad goes home with Dame this very hour," Leader concluded, walking around the bed. "It is now the intermission."

The children scrambled up and began running around. The adults came forward to manage them. Elder approached. "Good enough, so far," she said. "It seems very realistic."

"Thank you," Leader said affably. "We always do our best, and I think we have a good pair of actors this time. There's a certain frisson."

"Yes. The children hardly fidgeted. I think that despite your precautions they realize that your Dame is unusually lovely."

"Our loveliest yet," he agreed.

Gale tried to avoid blushing; it wouldn't do for her role. They were merely speaking the truth; the folk of Trifle had concluded that she was the prettiest girl ever to have lived there. She suspected that Mentor's training had something to do with it; the dragon had encouraged her to become as physically fit as she could be, and with that fitness came outstanding appearance.

"You did remember to give her the amulet?"

Leader paused in chagrin. "I forgot!" He went to rummage in his pack.

"Amulet?" Gale asked.

"It is a real boy you have here, and a real invocation," Elder said. "It 190 Key to Havoc

could summon a real demon. We would not want that to happen."

"But we're in nonChroma territory," Gale protested. "There should be no demons here."

"That's why they are reduced to taking over human bodies. In Chroma they have their own. Technically, we are not in nonChroma, but low Chroma; the magic diffuses but does not entirely dissipate. That's why Chroma animals do not die outside their Chroma; they lose some of their powers of magic, but retain enough of the essence to survive. I think the danger is slight, but there is no sense in taking chances. So you wear the amulet, and guarantee there can be no problem."

"I shall."

"It is a real danger this play warns of. We believe that the fact that such possession is very seldom seen shows the effectiveness of the campaign. We want all our children to achieve maturity without untoward incident."

"I had thought it was merely cautionary for those who wander into the fringe of a Chroma without realizing."

"That too," Elder agreed.

Leader returned with the amulet. "I should have given you this at the outset; it slipped my aging mind. Wear it always during the tour, especially when naked, because that's when you'll be playing the role. Here, let me put it on you."

He lifted the simple string with a tiny bright stone, and tied it around her neck, snug but not constrictive. It seemed like nothing so much as a child's invented spot of jewelry, but Gale felt a faint tingle as the stone touched her

neck. It was a silver Chroma stone, protection from hostile magic, and as such, valuable.

They arranged the simple elements of the scene: the bed, a small fire-pan, and a bag of colored powders. Then they sat on the bed and waited.

Gale put her hand on Lad's again, and felt him shivering, again.

"Just tune out all the rest," she murmured. "Focus your eyes on what you are doing, and then on me as I dance. I know I will make you stiff."

"You always do," he agreed. But still he shivered, suffering stage fright.

"Oh, Dame, I wish--"

"Then you would no longer qualify for the role," she said with a reassuring squeeze of his hand. "You must remain unfulfilled in this respect."

"Yeah." He knew the rationale, but it was evident that his understandable inner conflicts remained

The intermission finished. The children resumed their seats, and the adults their places in the rear. Leader walked around the bed where Gale and Piers Anthony 191

Lad sat. "Now we are at Dame's home, and that is her bed. It is time for the invocation."

Gale got up and walked a short distance from the bed, and stopped, facing away from it. She remained clothed, sour, and slightly hunched. Her role was that of an older woman who was doing what she had to, but did not especially like it. She turned slowly to face the bed, as if detesting it.

"Lad prepares the candle," Leader said.

Lad brought out a candle, touched it to the hot coals of the fire-pan, and melted enough wax to enable it to be stood upright, burning.

"He strips and stands ready for the challenge."

Now Lad removed his clothing. His nervousness made him unaroused, but that was appropriate for this stage. He looked very much the frightened boy he was.

"He speaks the invocation: Ò foul demoness, I challenge you! Appear before me now, and never again hereafter.' And he throws the magic powder on the flame."

Lad tossed the powder. The flame flared up hugely, making a flash and ball of roiling smoke that drifted on over the audience, slowly expanding and rising. The children were delighted.

While the eyes of the children were on that distraction, Gale quietly stepped into the fringe of smoke, dropped her cloak and stood abruptly naked. She straightened her body, making her breasts stand out. She tugged the staid knot out of her hair, so that her lustrous brown tresses dropped down around her shoulders and across her back and front. She had performed her transformation.

"The succubus appears," Leader said. "Transforming the body of the host. Suddenly the stoop is gone, the face is beautiful, and the flesh is full. Ì

am here,' she says."

The audience's attention shifted back to the stage as the smoke cleared.

Now Gale heard the sighing gasp of the realization of the transformation.

Even some of the adults seemed surprised by the extent of it. Good enough.

Lad gazed across the stage, spying the change. For a moment he did not move.

"`Now see what I can do,' the succubus says. `Look upon my perfection, O foolish boy, and know that I will have my will of you.'"

Gale stood there a moment more, waiting for her next cue. It came.

"Seeing that she has not yet sufficiently impressed Lad, the succubus begins to dance, moving slowly toward him."

Gale began the Dance of the Succubus. She was well familiar with it, 192 Key to Havoc

having practiced it often with her friends. They had thought it a fine exercise

for their future as seductive women. She had tried it on Havoc, with explosive result. It was considered to be the most erotic dance extant, calculated to

arouse any man to desperate desire. With each step her hips moved out, and her breasts quivered, even in slow motion. With each turn her hair flung around, alternately hiding and exposing portions of her torso. But Lad was so struck by stage fright that he wasn't reacting, though he was looking right at her. Oh, no--was this play to founder after all on visible impotence at the critical point?

"`So you defy me, foolish youth,' the succubus says. Ìt will avail you not.' And she dances closer, with more emphasis."

Gale did so, and the eyes of all the audience followed her. She knew she was dancing well, making her body shake. She knew it was a spectacular body, made more so by this context. But Lad was frozen, no part of his body reacting. This was getting serious. The play required that he become visibly aroused, obviously eager to complete the sexual act. If he did not-The dragon seed buzzed. Gale looked around as she danced, trying to spy the danger. There was nothing; the children were watching raptly, a few smirking because they realized that Lad was not performing well. The adults stood in back, with none coming forward. There seemed to be no intrusion from outside the village square. Yet the seed never gave warning without reason.

Could it be that Lad was not going to react properly, and that would spoil the play and its educational message? But that was not a direct personal danger to her. The seed was not subtle; it signaled a lie, or danger (such as getting her mind read), or wrongness. This must be the third case. But what was the nature of that wrongness?

Gale continued dancing, trying to evoke the required reaction in the boy.

He had been so constantly excited in her close presence that she had thought he would be so in the play, but she had sadly misjudged the dampening effect of public display. How was she to overcome it, if flaunting her naked body was not sufficient?

The seed buzzed again. She felt a vague sensation in her belly; was it fear? This was serious; it seldom warned her twice about a general situation.

Was it that there was about to be some more dangerous consequence to her failure to arose the boy? But if her body couldn't do it, what else could? She was not allowed to touch him by her own initiative; the role of the succubus was to tempt, not force.

Her gaze met Lad's. He knew he was failing, and seemed close to tears.

Piers Anthony 193

Unfortunately, that reaction was not conducive to grown masculine passion.

Drama disaster was nigh.

This needs fixing. The thought passed through Gale's mind, and for a moment she thought it was her own. Then she felt her body tingling and somehow changing, as if she were losing control of it. She felt briefly dizzy.

Was she going to faint? What an ignominious way to wipe out!

Then she felt a surge of something else. It seemed somewhat like confidence, and somewhat like lust. Her dance shifted subtly. She moved toward Lad, addressing him directly and with singular purpose. But it was not exactly by her volition; this was something new and strange. She suspected that it was a manifestation of what the seed had warned her about, but she still wasn't sure what that was. How did changing her style of dancing pose any wrongness or danger?

"Annoyed by the boy's refusal to react to her presentation, the succubus changes her mode and makes a new effort," Leader narrated, picking up on the change. He governed the play by his words, but was also responsive to the nuances of it, fortunately. "Now she focuses on him up close. `Look at this,'

she tells him."

Gale's hands came in to her body and stroked her breasts, languorously.

She turned, bent over, put her hands back, and briefly parted her buttocks toward him. She turned again, with a dancer's precision, lifting one leg so high that her bare foot passed over his shoulder, then over his head as she completed her motion and recovered her balance. She smiled with calculated effect, in a way Gale never had. She reached out to Lad, without quite touching him. Rise, manhood, she commanded mentally. Her fingers quivered, as if drawing on invisible spider threads attached to his member.

And he reacted. He came erect so quickly it was as if her hand were hoisting him up. His mouth fell open, and his eyes went round, staring at her, even as his penis responded ardently to her summons.

The audience saw it, and there was a sigh of appreciation and awe. A few children even clapped, applauding. The succubus was showing her power.

It seemed like a superlative job of acting on Lad's part, to be so suddenly and

completely aroused after so obvious a failure of passion. It also seemed that every male in the audience who was capable of it was already in similar thrall to the succubus. Some of the younger boys were proudly showing their brand new erections. Some of the girls were fidgeting suggestively, trying to emulate the motions and gestures of the succubus. All of their gazes were fixed on the stage. But Gale was appalled by what was happening, and terrified of the likely consequence. This was too much of a success. It was Gale's body 194 Key to Havoc

doing it, but not her will. If only Leader would catch on, and break this up before disaster.

"She has his attention," Leader continued with phenomenal understatement. "She has made him react, readily vanquishing his resistance. She has caused him to desire her, and in that desire is the seed of his doom. But he has not yet succumbed, and so she will not relent. Perhaps if she had taken over the body of a younger, prettier woman, she would have captured him by this time." There was a murmur of appreciative laughter; lack of a pretty body was hardly the problem. "Now she will address him with the Five Elements, and only if he succumbs to none of them will he escape. For this is the trial of his initiation, and there is no certainty he will avoid indulging in

wrong sex."

He paused significantly, letting them appreciate the importance of the moment, and the succubus paused in place, honoring the semblance of the play. Was Lad going to succumb? "First she tries Air."

Gale was suddenly in motion, leaping high and wide, her arms and legs spreading in the air, and her feet touching the floor so delicately that she seemed hardly to land at all. She was a creature of the air, virtually flying, but

in a sexual rather than birdlike way. It was a great dance sequence, an amazing

one; she had never danced this well on her own. She saw the children watching raptly, and the adolescents staring, and the adults nodding knowingly: this

was desire in motion. It had seemed impossible for the succubus to become sexier; now she was doing it.

But it was wrong, because Gale was no longer doing it. Too late, she understood the warning of the dragon seed: she had been under magic attack.

Her body had been taken over by the succubus. The demoness had control. The amulet had not been effective. The play had suddenly become far too real.

If the succubus tempted Lad into sex, he would be lost, and not just in the play. And it could happen in front of the entire village, with no one realizing what was occurring. Until it was too late. There was now much more at stake than the success of this performance of the play or their careers as actors. The succubus had indeed shown her power, making him come throbbingly erect in an instant, after Gale had failed. Could there be any doubt of her ability to complete the seduction, using Gale's body? Gale tried to fight against it, to prevent this seduction from being completed, but she was helpless. Her body was eager to accept the boy's offering, though the aftermath be sheer horror.

Lad knew he was supposed to resist. That was the point of the play. So he would fight it. He knew that the decision had to be his and that Gale could Piers Anthony 195

not deny him if he was drawn into this wrong sex with her. Maybe his fear of the audience would stop him, even if desire overwhelmed him. Maybe he would not be defeated by this dreadfully dangerous challenge.

Maybe.

196 Key to Havoc

ou understand, Sire, that you must take her to bed," Symbol said.

"You must treat her in all visible respects as you would have treated the real Gale."

"Isn't it enough if I merely share the bed with her, without using her sexually?"

"No. Because she will believe she is Gale, and that belief will be shaken if you fail to evince proper passion. We will be traveling out through hinter-lands, where minds may be read. Those of us in the know will be secure, because we will carry protective stones, as is customary for ranking members of the king's party. But the girl--"

"But I want Gale protected too, and if she emulates Gale--"

"Sire, heed me. When I was King Deal's lover, I carried a stone, but not for that reason. It was because I am a Chroma representative, here to see that the king plays no favorites among Chroma. I retain that stone, of course.

Were I your lover, that would protect me again. But I can not be, now that Gale is here, quite apart from the fact that I am in grief for Deal, and you love

Gale. But even if you wished to arrange for Gale to have a stone, it would be better not to. Because it is vital that her thoughts be guileless, so that there is

"Y