Through Darkest Zymurgia!

There was a distinct shortage of arrows.

That was my first thought during the long moment that we stood and stared at each other, and my second was like unto it. There was also a distinct shortage of shouts, yells, accusations, and so forth. I could not even detect a low muttering hum, like the growl of a beast about to strike. I had no more time for reflection just then, but I have replayed the scene in my mind many times since, and what strikes me most is the posture and facial expressions of the members of the crowd. They were slouching, less ready to leap than to collapse. They did not hold their heads high in righteous indigation. They wore, not righteous scowls, but sullen frowns. They looked, if I may use the expression, hangdog. The four Masters of Tomar were at the forefront, and there, at least, there was a variety of expression. Firenz looked chastened, Simuny somewhat cynically amused, Asha warily excited. Nabili alone scowled, his dark face darkened still further with hatred and humiliation.

But, as I have indicated, these reflections came later. I was attempting to formulate in my mind the bold, passionate speech by which I would save our lives when Carbuncle strode boldly forward (I might even say eagerly), and said, "I say, could you tell me where the bricks came from?"

The Tomarens stared at him. We stared at him. He smiled, looking from face to face in hopes of an answer. Though I could not see, as he was facing away from me, I am sure his mustache was twitching.

"They don't speak Anglish, Thomas," I said, helplessly. He turned at the waist to look at me.

"Good heavens, you're right, Leon!" And he continued in Arabic, "Mukden! I see you back there, boy, come out." And without waiting for Mukden's response, he dove into the crowd and grabbed the young man. The townsfolk backed away, leaving the two men in the open.

"The bricks, Mukden! Where did the bricks come from?"

Mukden was clearly unsure how to answer. His eyes were wide, and though he his lips moved he said nothing as he looked at Carbuncle's hand, which gripped his upper arm tightly, and then at Carbuncle's face.

"Oh, I'm sorry, Mukden, do forgive me," said my colleague, releasing his grip on Mukden's arm and patting it gently. "Now, the bricks. You know the bricks? Where did they come from?"

"He doesn't know the bricks," said Firenz, stepping forward. "He has never seen them." He sounded puzzled.

"But you have, have you? So where--"

Simuny's voice cracked like a whip. Mukden moved away from Carbuncle, and drew himself upright, as she spoke again, more softly.

"You have seen the temple," he translated.

"Yes, we have--" I started to say, trying to regain control, but I don't know that anyone but Bruno noticed. He looked up from his place at my side, and panted.

"Yes, we have seen the temple, of course we have seen the temple, how else would we know about the bricks?" cried Carbuncle. "Now, will you please--" but Simuny was speaking again.

"Were you not angered?" translated Mukden. The crowd had drawn together; the people were leaning forward, eyes moving rapidly from Carbuncle to Mukden and back.

"Angered?" Now Carbuncle sounded puzzled. "On the contrary, I haven't been so happy in weeks." He looked around, and seemed to notice the size of the crowd for the first time. "Dear me, what seems to be the trouble?"

If trouble there was, it seemed to evaporate with Mukden's translation of Carbuncle's words. There was indeed a collective sigh, and the people seemed to grow taller as they straightened up in relief. There were smiles, and shouts, and men slapping each other on the back, and all manner of tension left the air--except for friend Nabili, who looked murderous. Firenz and Asha were openly grinning at each other, and even Simuny looked not displeased.

The torrent of relief dwindled to a trickle as Simuny's voice rang out again, loud and then soft, as before.

"Simuny says you had best come back to town," said Mukden, taking first Carbuncle and then myself by the shoulders, his smile writ broadly on his face. "She says there is much to discuss."