In the Company of Thieves by Kage Baker

Author:Kage Baker
Language: eng
Format: mobi, epub
Tags: Science Fiction, Collections & Anthologies, Short Stories (Single Author), Fiction
ISBN: 9781616961299
Publisher: Tachyon Publications
Published: 2013-10-27T13:00:00+00:00

And so they did, ranging over to the other side of the valley, where a strong ammoniac breeze suggested the presence of more chicken farms. They had just turned from the road down a short drive, and the furious assault of a mastiff on the carved gate had just drawn the attention of a scowling farmer, when Emil murmured: “Horse.”

“No, it’s just a big dog,” said Golescu, raising his hat to the farmer. “Good morning, dear sir! Allow me to introduce—”

That was when he heard the hoofbeats. He began to sweat, but merely smiled more widely and went on: “—myself. Dr. Milon Cretulescu, of the Ministry of Agriculture, and I—”

The hoofbeats came galloping up the road and past the drive, but just as Golescu’s heart had resumed its normal rhythm, they clattered to a halt and started back.

“—have been sent at the express wish of Prince Alexandru himself to—”

“Hey!”

“Excuse me a moment, won’t you?” said Golescu, turning to face the road. He beheld Farmer Buzdugan urging his horse forward, under the drooping branches that cast the drive into gloom.

“Dr. Cretulescu!” he said. “Do you have any more of that stuff?”

“I beg your pardon?”

“You know, the—” Buzdugan glanced over at the other farmer, lowered his voice. “That stuff that makes the golden eggs!”

“Ah!” Golescu half-turned, so the other farmer could see him, and raised his voice. “You mean, Golden Formula Q? The miracle elixir developed by his highness’s own Ministry of Agriculture, to promote better poultry production?”

“Shush! Yes, that! Look, I’ll pay—”

“Golden eggs, you say?” Golescu cried.

“What’s that?” The other farmer leaned over his gate.

“None of your damn business!” said Buzdugan.

“But, dear sir, Golden Formula Q was intended to benefit everyone,” said Golescu, uncertain just what had happened but determined to play his card. “If this good gentleman wishes to take advantage of its astonishing qualities, I cannot deny him—”

“A hundred marks for what you’ve got in that bag!” shouted Buzdugan.

“What’s he got in the bag?” demanded the other farmer, opening his gate and stepping through.

“Golden Formula Q!” said Golescu, grabbing the satchel from Emil’s nerveless hand and opening it. He drew out a bottle and thrust it up into the morning light. “Behold!”

“What was that about golden eggs?” said the other farmer, advancing on them.

“Nothing!” Buzdugan said. “Two hundred, Doctor. I’m not joking. Please.”

“The worthy sir was merely indulging in hyperbole,” said Golescu to the other farmer. “Golden eggs? Why, I would never make that claim for Golden Formula Q. You would take me for a mountebank! But it is, quite simply, the most amazing dietary supplement for poultry you will ever use.”

“Then, I want a bottle,” said the other farmer.

Buzdugan gnashed his teeth. “I’ll buy the rest,” he said, dismounting.

“Not so fast!” said the other farmer. “This must be pretty good medicine, eh? If you want it all to yourself? Maybe I’ll just buy two bottles.”

“Now, gentlemen, there’s no need to quarrel,” said Golescu. “I have plenty of Golden Formula Q here. Pray, good Farmer Buzdugan, as a satisfied

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