Xanth 32 - Two the Fifth by Piers Anthony

Author:Piers Anthony
Language: eng
Format: mobi
ISBN: 9780765358943
Publisher: Tor Fantasy
Published: 2008-01-02T05:00:00+00:00

Chapter 10: Dream

Stymy Stork was courteous but regretful as the three of them sat in his office. "I am sorry to have to bring up such a matter, realizing that the two of you were swept away by circumstance. But whatever the circumstance. Violation of the Adult Conspiracy is a most serious matter. As Head Stork, and deliverer of the bundle, I share some blame; this should never have been allowed to happen."

"I know it," Cyrus said. "And I am mortified to have done it, I am ready to accept whatever penalty is required, except—"

"This is irrelevant," Stymy said,

"Except I want no harm to come to Princess Rhythm or Kadence, who deserve no rebuke."

'There seems to be a misapprehension," the stork said, "You are not being charged."

"Not—what?"

"You are the Victim, not the Perpetrator,"

Cyrus stared at him blankly. "Victim?"

"According to our records. Princess Rhythm was age twenty-two when the Violation occurred. You were two. She is guilty of Child Molestation,"

Now Rhythm and Kadence stared at him, open mouthed, "Two?" Rhythm asked after a ragged two thirds of a pause.

"I'm six," Kadence said, a little swirl of confusion circling her head.

"I was assembled adult!" Cyrus protested.

"I realize that," Stymy said. "But our records are somewhat literal minded. I remember when there was a five-year confusion that caused me to decline to make a delivery, leading to serious complications. I don't want to make any such mistake again. That's why I elected to handle this matter personally,"

Cyrus had the ugly impression that no matter how apologetic this talking stork was, he would do what he felt was proper. That could be deadly to Kadence. Meanwhile Rhythm's silence was ominous; if there did turn out to be any threat to her daughter's existence, there would be serious mischief. So he had to ease the crisis however he could.

"What is required to straighten this out?" Cyrus asked.

"Three things. First we must establish that you are adult, so that no abuse occurred. Second, we must establish the current age for Kadence, so that she herself does not later suffer the same complication that Surprise Golem did." Stymy covered his beak with a wing, "Oops! I should not have mentioned her name. That record is supposed to be sealed. Please forget it."

"Forgotten," Cyrus said immediately.

"Third, Rhythm must be lectured on acting in a manner becoming to her age, and she must promise to reform."

"The bleep I will!" Rhythm snapped. "I love him." Kadence giggled.

Cyrus hastily interceded, "She means she will be glad to cooperate in any way feasible." He moved on quickly, before Rhythm could object. "How do I establish my adult status?"

"Merely sign a statement to the effect that you were created adult by definition, in the manner of a robot, as your father was." A paper appeared on the desk.

Cyrus signed it, "Done. Now Rhythm is not guilty of any infraction,"

"Technically." Stymy agreed with a wry curve of his beak. He turned to Kadence. "How did you become age six in only a month?"

"Mother garbled a spell, and time accelerated," Kadence said immediately.

Download

Copyright Disclaimer:
This site does not store any files on its server. We only index and link to content provided by other sites. Please contact the content providers to delete copyright contents if any and email us, we'll remove relevant links or contents immediately.