Part 3
Snow, and snow—but gentler, softer snow Came drifting slowly downward As Ardo and Terry followed Isaac on his rounds. “You don’t have to come, you know,” Said Isaac. “Why not?” Ardo said, And flicked his fingers, Sending up erratic gouts of flame. “Because I know what you are up to,” Isaac said, And shook his head. “Don’t think that I didn’t see that look in Marin’s eye.” “We just want to help, we swear,” said Terry, Carrying a bag, A large bag filled with candles Marked and labeled, shape and size. “But as long as we’re about, why don’t you talk about her?” Ardo said this, and he smiled, red eyes flashing bright. “Ugh,” said Isaac, Walking down a long drive to a dark door, Where he knocked upon it twice, and waited afterwards. Deep and distant rumblings came from out of the large house there, And the door then slowly creaked as it was opened wide. A huge, metal face appeared, With lines of rust upon it. “Hey, V-4,” said Isaac then, “I’ve got deliveries. Please tell Lady Averson to pay me by this Friday,” And he reached into his bag and took the candles out. The large robot nodded with a whirring of its servos, And its large and metal hands took up the candles then. Isaac smiled, Isaac nodded, Isaac then turned round and left, As the large door thundered shut. “There’s not much to tell about Cordelia,” Isaac stated, Walking on with Ardo and with Terry through the snow. “We both met as children; We were in the same old schoolhouse, Though she is of finer breeding than me, better stock. I used to do tricks with little sparklers, Make her laugh some, And she used to have me over to her house for tea. But when we got older she and I took separate pathways. I took an apprenticeship, She went to finishing school. So we didn’t see each other Nearly quite so often, But we’ve always stayed in touch, and try to meet sometimes.” “Does she know you love her?” Terry asked, And kicked the snow up, Causing a soft ridge of rock to burst out of the ground. Though immediately he withdrew it deep into the earth, So that he wouldn’t trip someone Who chanced to wander there. “I think she suspects,” said Isaac, wandering along still, “Based on ways she’s looked at me, I think that she might know. But her family wants her to be matched up with a noble, With one of the city lords or one of their young sons. Like I said, she is of finer breeding than is common-- Her family had its genes reprocessed long ago. There are families like them in the city, but not many, And they’re mostly rich and noble, Set off from the rest. So she has to make a match and keep the bloodline going. She’s the only daughter, and the one they’re keen to pair.” Isaac and the boys went walking Underneath a shadowed bough, Entering a grove of trees Grown cold and white with snow. “If you could meet up with her,” said Terry, Brown eyes glinting keen, “Do you think that you could tell her Truly how you feel?” “Oh, I guess,” said Isaac, with a sigh and shiver gently. “But what is the point? I’ll never make it work with her. We’d be doomed; her family would see to that, I tell you. So I would really prefer that you all not waste your time.” “Anything is possible, my man,” Said Ardo, With a smile. “Now that you’ve known us a while You should know that for sure.” “Controlling the elements is pretty special, That is true; But I don’t see how it will be of any help with this.” “We’ll just try to find things out,” said Terry, puffing out a breath, Foggy vapor flowing from his mouth And bunching in the air. “Maybe we can make it work. We ought, at least, to try it. After all you’ve done for us we feel we’re in your debt.” “I’ve just tried to be kind,” Isaac said, While walking down a driveway. “Not everyone would be that kind,” Terry said, while following, and frowning in his copper eyes. “I know,” Isaac softly said, and snow was falling thickly, “But I am, there’s naught to fear.” The snow came thickly down. “Man, it’s coming down,” said Ardo Brandishing his crimson flames, Flashing them about the air, Turning snow to vapor hot, Steam and mist that thickly rose As he, the Fire Elemental, Blazed a light and warmth about Into the cold white sky. “Cut that out,” said Isaac, With his dark eyes looking nervous. “If somebody sees you then the rumors will begin.” “He’s right,” said Terry, who then turned, And gave Ardo a glare. “Fine, oh, fine,” said Ardo, with his red eyes flashing bright, Stopping all his fire As the snow came deeper down. “How much longer do we have to be out here?” he said next. “Not much longer,” Isaac said, “I’ve only two more stops.” That first stop of two was normal-- A kind butler answered them. Isaac smiled, and Isaac grinned, And Isaac plied his wares. But the last of all their stops did not seem quite so friendly. They walked up a slope to see a great sheer slab of rock, Into which had been carved windows that glowed deeping neon green, And a massive overhang of rock soon overshadowed them, With some fixtures onto either side That sparked and fizzed. “Ah, hello, Dame Churchill!” Isaac said, And waved up at the sky. “I have brought the candles for your castle for this month!” There came a great fizzing sound And suddenly a light appeared In which a lovely woman shone With diodes in her eyes and hair, Bright diodes colored green. “Hello, Isaac,” she softly said, Smiling antiseptically. “Hello there, V4-59,” said Isaac with a smile. “Just leave this month’s candles in the vent beside the doorframe,” Said V4, nodding in a robot’s special way. “Sure, of course--” “Is that him?” snapped a harsh, cruel voice from off the edge, Out of range of whatever was beaming out the holograph. “Mistress, please,” said V4, with a pretty frown, “There’s no need to strain yourself--” “Out of my way, you trash!” So the robot moved and now an ancient woman lumbered up, Wearing what appeared to be an exo-skeleton. She had tubes and wires sticking from her, piping fluids in, But her eyes were bright and cruel, e’en in the hologram. “Isaac Northampton, you scamp!” said Churchill’s wife, With nasty scowl. “What was this I heard of you consorting with Cordelia?” Isaac frowned. “I merely said ‘hello,’” he answered, Eyebrows pinched. “You are not to talk to her! I hope that’s understood! I know you and she were once associated, long ago, But she’s moved on totally, And now you must, as well! You lowborn child, don’t you think I see through your intentions! Leave her be! And let her never think on you again!” Then with crackling noise the image winked away, And left them all In total blackness underneath the rocky overhang. “Fucker,” muttered Ardo with a glimmer of his eyes, Snapping his right fingers in a way that flashed with sparks. “Let’s just go,” said Isaac, though he moved a little forward, So he could dump all remaining candles in the vent. Then he trudged on slowly back out from beneath the outcrop, Back into the sky which was a rapid-cooling gray. Afternoon was wearing on, and evening gathered closer. Snow had slowed a little, and a chill wind filled the air. “So you see?” said Isaac to the boys as he went walking outward, Past the iron gates of the immense black rocky place. “All her circle hates me; they think I am just a nuisance, So I’ll never have a chance. It’s best just to give up.” “Fuck those guys,” said Ardo, And he pumped his brown fist fiercely. “We’ll get you and her together, just you wait and see!” Terry did not talk, and Isaac glanced down at him gently. His brown-copper eyes were clouded, troubled in the gloom. “Maybe,” Terry muttered, As he sighed and looked now upward, Up where snow—such endless snow—was once more falling down.
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