Hidden Revolt by Jeffrey Bardwell

Author:Jeffrey Bardwell
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Twigboat Press
Published: 0101-01-01T00:00:00+00:00

Where is Styx? Devin wondered as he approached the market square and adjusted the empty satchel slung across his back. He had unwittingly brought the strange black box along for the journey, too. Devin was beginning to wonder if the doctor had cast an incantation on the thing. Cooking I can manage without Styx's 'help', but he knows every market vendor by name. The crowd parted as the grumbling artificer stumped down the street. Then he smacked into a wall of people.

A woman shoved him back. “Go stomp elsewhere, tin-foot. I'm trying to see the show.”

Devin peered into the mass of people. They seemed clustered around a tall man wearing a hat. Well, it looked like someone had capped a stovepipe and placed it on their head. And the man was swirling a cape. A suspiciously familiar black cape with silver stars and moons. Styx? Devin thought, elbowing his way through the indignant crowd. What are you doing?

A white sequined vest under a formal black jacket completed his son's outfit. He was standing elevated above the crowd on a small stage with a large curtained box—a table, perhaps—behind him. Styx waved to the crowd and doffed his hat.

No, Devin realized, seeing several boys hiding behind the curtains, not a crowd, an audience. This is another one of his minstrel acts. He saw a few Black Guards beyond the edge of the crowd, but they seemed almost relaxed.

“Ladies and gentleman,” Styx said with wide arms and a wide smile, “welcome to the show. I am here today to amaze and astound you with sorcery most foul.” A flame burst from his hand. Devin's heart skipped a beat. Someone in the crowd screamed, but it vanished amid the ragged cheers. One of the Black Guards began to whistle and clap.

Devin stared at the guard's large brass watch swinging from his hip. It hadn't made a sound. What was going on here? He turned back to Styx just in time to see his son spray a mist of white rose petals over the crowd. The cheering was more consistent now and the lone guard wasn't the only one clapping.

The longer Devin watched the act, the more embarrassed he became of his reaction to what must have been a hidden igniter. It was a series of tricks, fake magic entertainments, all for the thrill of the crowd. And they were laughing. They were actually laughing at magic. It gave Devin a quiet little thrill. He relaxed and began to enjoy his son's performance until Styx started talking about dragons.

The wooden man child gripped the edges of his cape and flapped as he strutted across the stage. “What is a dragon, really? Something magnificent. Something wondrous. Have any of you seen a real, live dragon? Not squeezed into a bottle or served on a plate . . .” Styx waved his arm across the sky “but flying free over the city.” He grinned and formed his fingers into wooden claws. “Looking for tasty little children to eat.

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