Elizabeth Bear - Promethean Age 03 - Ink & Steel by melless

Author:melless
Language: eng
Format: mobi
Published: 2011-10-26T08:20:15+00:00

finger of his broad left hand. He drew up a few steps short of Burbage, whohopped quickly down from the stage and bowed. Will thrust the mended costumeat Sly and moved to flank Burbage, bowing also.Master Burbage, Master Shakespeare. Is all in order?My lord.

Burbage glanced at Will, who nodded. All is well. Expect Her Majesty within the hour. The court will be admitted first: theplayers may stand at the back of the reception line. Where are yourliveries? Ready, my lord.Lord Hunsdon nodded. His eye caught Will s. Master Shakespeare.Yes, my lord?I must speak with you a moment. His gesture made it plain he meant for Willto follow him, so Will fell in behind. Hunsdon lowered his voice as theywalked to the center of the presence chamber, far from the tapestried walls.He paused beside a heap of jewel-toned cushions intended to provide comfortto the Queen s ladies-in-waiting as they sat upon the floor. Tell me what you saw last night, William.Will looked up, surprised. My lord, how did you hear?Hunsdon just smiled.I believe I saw the Prince of Darkness. My lord.Well, I cannot say Sir Francis lived in a good expectation of God s eternalgrace, but that is unsettling. And a bad omen on top of ill auguries, andDee s horoscope for the coming year Hunsdon rubbed his chin one-handed,hard enough that Will heard the wiry rasp of threads of beard against hisskin. This is the Queen s nine-times-seventh birth day, and Dr. Dee s chartsindicate that it will be an auspicious night to bring forces to bear againsther such as we have not yet encountered.Worse than the plague?No answer but a level look, and Will swallowed and glanced up at the beamedceiling, far overhead.Yes. What think you of Tom Walsingham? A level look from the Lord Chamberlain. Kit trusted him. But that wasn t what Hunsdon asked. Will closed his eyes,feeling in a pocket for the slick outline of his now-habitual shilling. Heturned it in his fingers, staring down in thought. Mine impression of himis very fair, my lord. Quick to act.

Protective of those around him.Could he serve his Queen?As well as any man, I warrant, although I m not sure he has his cousin s . . . Hunsdon, inimitably plainspoken, smiled.

Ruthlessness? Yes. That can be achieved. You may find yourself opposed tonight.My lord, how does one oppose a play?Hunsdon s elaborate doublet, covered by a gown, rose and fell over the narrowold-man s shoulders it padded. He knotted his fingers to control theirpalsied trembling; Will looked away. On a day when devils arise from Hell topull down our allies, anything is possible. He stepped away, turned back,the pointed tip of his beard quivering. Long live the Queen.Long live the Queen, Will replied.

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