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Nora is sitting on the floor, talking with King Lloyd, who is looking less puzzled all the time.
“I don’t understand,” I whisper to Inez. “What just happened?”
“That was a scrambling device,” Inez says, nodding at the shattered cylinder. “Someone hid it inside the gargoyle. It was built to emit a noise that only the king would hear. In fact, I doubt he heard it either — he was simply affected by it.”
“Are you saying the noise drove him mad?” I ask, horrified.
“No,” Inez says. “His mind slipped a long time ago, but this was devised to speed up the process.”
“Why?” I frown.
Inez sighs. “King Lloyd can’t die of natural causes as long as he remains in the Merge, but if a Family member descends fully into madness, we return them to the Born, so they can be released from their suffering. His enemies hoped to ensure his death – and the fall of Diamond – by chipping away at his crumbling senses.”
My mouth tightens into a grim line. “Did the SubMerged do this?”
“We’ll never be able to prove it,” Inez says, “but you can chalk it down. Anyway, we’ve brought him back from the brink, and his servants will be on guard against similar ploys in the future. You’ve done a good thing today, Archie.”
“Me?” I blush. “You put two and two together. All I did was hear a noise.”
“But only you could have heard it,” she says. “That device was hidden behind a special lock, and its vibrations were making the lock buzz. Only a skilled locksmith could have detected the noise.”
King Lloyd has stopped talking and is back on his feet. He still looks fragile but he moves more confidently now and waves us toward a circle of chairs in one area of the room. We walk over – Nora taking the king’s arm to support him – and sit.
“Nora tells me I owe the pair of you a great debt,” King Lloyd smiles.
“You owe us nothing, sire,” Inez says. “We’re honoured to have been of service.”
“Can I at least have a feast fixed for you?” he asks. “The larders aren’t as full as they once were, but I’m sure we can rustle up something splendid.”
“I’m not so sure of that,” Nora mutters, but low enough so that he can’t hear.
“Thank you,” Inez says, “but we’re not hungry.”
“Are you certain? The boy looks like he could eat an elephant.” The king laughs, then leans forward to squeeze my knee. “Do you remember elephants?”
“Of course,” I reply.
“Elephants never forget. I wish I had that problem.” He taps his head. “The old brain doesn’t work as well as it used to, does it, Nora?”
“It will work better now,” she says, a catch in her throat.
“So you explained. But I doubt I’ll ever be entirely rid of the ringing inside my brain. And things don’t quite link up. When I look at Inez, I keep thinking of a...” He frowns, and it’s as if all the wrinkles in the universe have gathered in the centre of his forehead. Then they clear as he realises it’s not madness but a recollection. “...camel,” he hoots.
Inez smiles and Nora yelps with joy. I think it’s been a long time since her king remembered as much as this.
“It’s lovely to see you again after all these years,” King Lloyd says. His smile falters. “It has been a long time, hasn’t it?”
“Yes,” Inez says. “Decades.”
He beams. “How have you been, dear girl?”
“Much the same,” Inez says. “Crossing the realms, working away, trying to stay out of trouble.”
“And is my new friend Archie a camel too?” the king asks.
“No,” Inez says. “Archie’s a locksmith.”
“That’s why he was able to hear the noise,” Nora reminds him.
“Oh yes.” He smiles warmly at me. “So you’re a Lox?”
“A what?” I ask.
Inez whispers, “A Lox is a locksmith.”
“And Archie must be short for Archibald,” King Lloyd continues. “I had a great friend called Archibald. Do you mind if I refer to you by your full name?”
“If you want,” I grin.
“Archibald Lox,” King Lloyd says firmly. “A fine name for a fine young man. If there’s ever anything I can do for you, Archibald, please ask.”
Inez clears her throat. “Now that you mention it...”
“Go ahead,” the king urges.
“There’s a borehole in one of the rooms higher up,” Inez says. “I used it once, and with your permission I’d like to use it again.”
King Lloyd frowns, thinking back. Then he clicks his fingers. “I know the one. Yes, access is granted.”
“Thank –” Inez starts to say, but he interrupts.
“But I must insist on a condition,” the king says firmly, then leans forward again, this time to squeeze Inez’s knee. “I want to come with you.”
“What are you talking about?” Nora exclaims as King Lloyd hops to his feet and rubs his hands together.
“I fancy one last trip to the Born,” the king cackles.
Nora’s flabbergasted. “But... you can’t just... you’re needed here.”
“For what?” the old king snorts. “To waste my final days listening to a bunch of gargoyles? I’ve spent enough time cooped up in these rooms.”
“But... my king... you’re not well,” Nora cries.
“I know,” King Lloyd says softly. “I feel better today, thanks to Archibald and Inez, but I’m in bad shape, with no hope of truly improving.”
“Then you must know that going to the Born is out of the question,” Nora huffs. “You should stay here and –”
“– wait for madness to claim me completely?” the king growls. He shakes his head. “That’s not the ending I crave.”
“Ending?” Nora wheezes, her hands trembling.
The king nods. “I’m clear-headed enough to know I won’t last long if I return to the Born, and I also know that will mean the collapse of this realm, but it’s time. As hard as we’ve searched, we haven’t found an inheritor. There’s no point dragging things out any longer. I need to find peace and move on.”
“My king,” Nora moans, but nods obediently. “If that’s your wish, we’ll honour it, but let me send Cal with you, to guard you in the Born.”
“Cal?” King Lloyd asks blankly.
“He keeps an eye on the statues in the lobby,” I pipe up. Then, remembering the giant’s request, I add, “He asked me to tell you that the glass plane is fine.”
“The plane,” King Lloyd murmurs. “I flew in one the last time I visited the Born. A thrilling sensation. I remember Cal too. He was a Riser. He’s still here?”
“Yes,” I answer. “He looks after the statues, makes sure no one steals them.”
“As if I’d be bothered by the theft of a few statues,” King Lloyd grunts.
“You’ll let Cal go with you?” Nora asks.
“No,” the king says.
“But you need someone to help,” Nora scowls. “It’s been a long time since you lived in the Born. Things have changed. Someone will have to find rooms where you can board, clothes that will allow you to blend in.”
“A good suit never goes out of fashion,” he chuckles. Then he looks down at his feet. “Though I’ll need a pair of shoes.”
“I won’t let you go by yourself,” Nora insists.
King Lloyd smiles. “You can’t stop me. As king, I can do whatever I want.” As Nora opens her mouth to argue, he waves a hand to calm her. “It’s alright. I don’t intend to travel alone. But Cal wouldn’t be good at arranging meetings with lawyers, withdrawing funds from old bank accounts and securing lodgings.”
“So what’s your plan?” Nora asks. “Will you ask the children to chaperone you?”
“They’d do a fine job,” King Lloyd says, tipping us a wink, “but I’m sure they have places to be. No, Nora, I was hoping you would come with me.”
“Me?” Nora gasps.
“What better person? You’ve taken care of me these long decades. I’m sure you’ll make my last few weeks or months as easy for me as they can be.”
Nora’s features soften and she stretches out a hand to him. Then she stops. “But I’m needed here. The staff look to me for direction.”
“Dismiss the staff,” King Lloyd says. “Tell them to get out of Diamond and spread the word that everyone else should leave too.”
“Are you sure?” Nora asks softly.
“Yes,” the king says. “This is a doomed realm. There’s no reason why my servants should go down with it. Tell them... what’s that phrase I once heard? Oh yes.” He smiles and his glass teeth gleam in the light. “Tell them we’re blowing this joint!”