Howl on the Edge

He arose, and smote the Philistines until his hand was weary,

and his hand clave unto the sword.

—2 Samuel 23: 10

" T he youth pushed the spectacles up his nose as he gloomily muttered, " Confidential information has slipped out to the enemy. It is just as Your Excellency expected. "

Standing in the center of the dimly lit room was a half-transparent figure. The holograph of Count of Bruges Gie du Granwelle rubbed his forehead.

" I doubted that we had a betrayer in our midst, but this is proof. "

" I'm very sorry. But it is true, Count of Bruges. We have a traitor, " Count of Brussels Thierry Darsus replied as he stabbed a giant steaming lobster with his knife.

The room was lit by an old-fashioned candlestick. The curtains were drawn tight. Butter poured from the dish in the flickering candlelight. The city-state of Brussels was a place • of culture, but the counts preferred cuisine was Frankfurt food.

The old man put on the most impressive display of a glutton as he ate this top-rate food. " We knew when our trap was ruined. That was no coincidence. The Vatican assassin Watteau knew what we were going to do. That's because someone was telling him. "

" We've still not been able to apprehend Hugue de Watteau. " The young man lowered his eyes, deep in thought. After a pause, he spoke again: " Your Eminence, why don't you leave your territory for a while? Our enemy is persistent. There is a possibility they may go after Your Eminence again. "

" No, that's not possible. It doesn't matter who they are or how many there are, as long as I'm here, they won't lay a finger on me. I should be the one recommending that course of action to you, Count of Bruges. If they can't go for me, they may indeed target you instead. As you said, this is a persistent enemy. I'm sure that he will go after you before me. Ah... "

Darsus was cut off suddenly as he skillfully pulled the shell off the lobster. The old man was quiet as he pushed the flesh into his mouth. It was as if he'd entirely forgotten he was even having a conversation. His teeth moved the meat around his mouth and down into his throat. He was satisfied. After a minute, he spoke again: " Why don't you come to Brussels for a while? The police are looking for the man now. You can wait here with me until he shows his face again. It's been over a year since we saw each other. You'll come and spend some time with a man who hasn't too many years left on this earth, won't you? "

" Your Excellency, you show me great kindness, but... " A shadow was suddenly cast on his face and he looked stricken. Gie struggled for words but then shook his head in shame. " We don't know how long it will take for the police to track down the culprit. I couldn't intrude on your kindness for that much time. "

" Of course you can. You'd be keeping an old man company. We've lost Karel and Memlink. I'd never forgive myself if the enemy got his hands on you, too... Gie, I don't have much longer left. "

Only the shell of the lobster was left now; it had been cleaned of any morsel of meat left. Darsus' voice was calm and welcoming. He looked at the youth gently as a retired man might have looked at his grandson who was about to take over the family business.

" The youth are our future, and this is your time. I couldn't say this when Karel and Memlink were around, but I never thought as highly of them as I do you... I want you to follow in my footsteps.

You won't let me down, will you? You know that I have no heirs, and I want a promising young man like yourself to inherit my estate. "

" But, Your Eminence... " Gie appeared to be totally lost for words now. Rather than feel joy at this revelation, he seemed confused. He shook his head. " I'm very grateful, but I am too inexperienced—'

" Modesty is not a virtue here, young man. " The old vampire smirked. " I have already decided. The real reason behind asking you to visit is that I would like to make the announcement that you are my successor. You won't let me down will you, Gie? "

" Of course not. "

Perhaps if Karel and Memlink were still alive, he would have been able to show how he felt. But Gie instead nodded, his expression of fidelity not cracking once. " I’ll join you in the next few days. Where are you now, Your Excellency? I know that you're in Brussels, but where are you staying in the city? Are you in your mansion? "

" The mansion is too dangerous with a traitor in our midst. " The old man smiled, clearly proud of the care he was taking of himself. He dabbed the edges of his mouth with a napkin and then pushed a button on top of the table. " But whoever he is, he won't get me here. Even if he sprouted wings, he wouldn't be able to get in here. "

There was a dull sound. The curtains moved to reveal a starlit sky. Below the stars shone two moons on a plateau of clouds. Ommegang—a huge airship—flew two-thousand and seven-hundred feet above Brussels.

The old vampire stretched out his legs. He grinned at the holographic youth who was watching him. " I look forward to showing you around when you get here. Tell me the date that you intend to visit, and I'll have you picked up from the station. "

" I understand. I'll deal with the remaining items here and take the journey to you. " Gie confirmed the arrangements and then the holograph disappeared.

A middle-aged man who had been standing silently in the corner of the room stepped out of the gloom now. " Was that true? " The man was dressed in the dark blue uniform of Alliance Police. He made no attempt to hide his surprise at what he had just heard. " Are you really going to make him the heir of Brussels? "

" Did you really think I would make someone like him my heir, Blunt? " Darsus squinted at the squirrel-like man in front of him. His wrinkled face was now cold, as if he were a completely different man. The grin still folded his withered skin as he spoke again to Police Inspector Ray Blunt: " The reason I want him here is so that I can use him to smoke out the Vatican assassin. The assassin is bound to show his face when he learns that Count of Bruges will be in the city. I will give him Gie. "

" You're using Bruges as bait? But surely that would put Count of Bruges in a lot of danger. Our opponent is very skilled. Something might happen to the count before we capture the assassin. "

" That won't be all bad, " Darsus muttered, an unnatural smile still on his face. He picked up his wineglass and raised it high. He looked at the police officer and shook his head as if the man in front of him were nothing more than a dumb puppy. " You don't see, inspector? Two of the four barons are dead — Karel and Memlink. Who poses most danger to my position? Who is my real threat? "

" What... But... then...?! " Finally Blunt understood what the old man was saying. There was surprise and fear written all over his face.

Darsus ignored his puppy's astonishment. He sniffed his wine and slowly smiled. " We need to make sure that news of Gie's visit reaches Watteau's ear in a way that it doesn't arouse suspicion. It doesn't matter who survives — Gie or Watteau. I will steam and fry them until the dish is exactly to my taste. "

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