The Marvelous Misadventures of Sebastian by Lloyd Alexander

Author:Lloyd Alexander [Alexander, Lloyd]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Tags: Fantasy, YA
ISBN: 9780141308166
Publisher: Unknown
Published: 1970-01-01T16:00:00+00:00

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SEVENTEEN

How Quicksilver Set the Stage

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ISABEL said no more. Sebastian, too, was silent, holding Presto on his knees and settling as comfortably as he could in the back of the jolting wagon. His joy and wonder at Quicksilver’s gift had begun to crumble a little around the edges, leaving him strangely weary. The short time he had played Lelio’s fiddle had exhausted him more than all of Baron Purn-Hessel’s concerts, serenades, cassations, and divertissements put together. “I could almost believe Quicksilver,” he told Presto, who had rolled over like a kitten, all paws in the air. “I feel as though I’ve been fiddling on my own skin and bones instead of four strings. But that’s not your concern, is it, Your Catliness?”

In answer, Presto did no more than flick his whiskers. Sebastian sighed. For a time, he had forgotten the murderous barber, the embattled road menders, and Nicholas; but these thoughts returning only filled him with more uneasiness. Whatever safety the Gallimaufry-Theatricus offered now appeared frail. Even Quicksilver’s troupe had suffered from the Regent’s tyranny and, while the two vans bore northward at a fair pace, the shadow of Grinssorg still seemed to lie heavily upon them.

When Quicksilver finally ordered a halt, Sebastian realized it was not so much to rest the company as it was to refurbish and repair the stage properties and assorted gear. The impresario himself had pulled out a length of heavy chain and, sitting cross-legged on the ground, busied himself hammering and filing the links.

“There,” said Quicksilver, while Sebastian watched him curiously. “When I play ‘The Mighty Hercules,’ these should snap like matchsticks.” He mixed the iron filings with a little paste and carefully daubed the cut portions of the chain. “That will do nicely. Look as close as you please, you’ll never notice. Someday, I must try filling those gaps with gunpowder and find a way to set it off. Ah, my lad, now that would be a splendid effect.”

Sebastian laughed in spite of himself. “Quicksilver, you’re a hoaxer born, and so brazen about it I can’t bring myself to think ill of you.”

Quicksilver grinned. “Nor should you. Why, my boy, there’s as much art in pulling off an illusion as doing it in fact–and likely more! Make-believe and moonshine? Say naught against them! Before the Regent’s bloodhounds snatched away my Harlequin and Columbine, we used to put up a play that did handsomely for us. No more than a nursery tale of a swineherd who killed a dragon and married a princess–with your obedient servant as the dragon. Moonshine? On the face of it, if you will. But I’ll tell you, my lad, there wasn’t a plowboy or kitchenmaid, doddering grandsire or crone of eighty, who didn’t see themselves as the brave swineherd or fairhaired princess. For a little time, at least. And were none the worse for it. Indeed, I’d say they were all the better! Make-believe? There’s more truth at the

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