8. The Fool-Killer
The room was round, with a dome at the top. The bare walls were ofgray stone, with square, open windows set full twenty feet from thefloor. Rough gray stone also composed the floor, and in the center ofthe room stood one great rock with a seat hollowed in its middle. Thiswas the throne, and round about it stood a swarm of men and womendressed in rich satins, velvets and brocades, brilliantly ornamentedwith gold and precious stones. The men were of many shapes andsizes--giants and dwarfs being among them. The women all seemed youngand beautiful.
Prince Marvel cast but a passing glance at this assemblage, for his eyequickly sought the rude throne on which was seated King Terribus.
The personal appearance of this monster was doubtless the most hideousknown in that age of the world. His head was large and shaped like anegg; it was bright scarlet in color and no hair whatever grew upon it.It had three eyes--one in the center of his face, one on the top of hishead and one in the back. Thus he was always able to see in everydirection at the same time. His nose was shaped like an elephant'strunk, and swayed constantly from side to side. His mouth was verywide and had no lips at all, two rows of sharp and white teeth beingalways plainly visible beneath the swaying nose.
King Terribus, although surrounded by so splendid a court, wore asimple robe of gray cloth, with no ornament or other finery, and hisstrange and fearful appearance was strongly contrasted with theglittering raiment of his courtiers and the beauty of his ladies inwaiting.
When Prince Marvel, with Nerle marching close behind, entered the greatroom, Terribus looked at him sharply a moment, and then bowed. Andwhen he bowed the eye upon the top of his head also looked sharply atthe intruders.
Then the king spoke, his voice sounding so sweet and agreeable that italmost shocked Nerle, who had expected to hear a roar like that from awild beast.
"Why are you here?" asked Terribus.
"Partly by chance and partly from curiosity," answered Prince Marvel."No one in this island, except your own people, had ever seen the kingof Spor; so, finding myself in your country, I decided to come here andhave a look at you."
The faces of the people who stood about the throne wore frightenedlooks at the unheard of boldness of this speech to their terriblemonarch. But the king merely nodded and inquired:
"Since you have seen me, what do you think of me?"
"I am sorry you asked that question," returned the prince; "for I mustconfess you are a very frightful-looking creature, and not at allagreeable to gaze upon."
"Ha! you are honest, as well as frank," exclaimed the king. "But thatis the reason I do not leave my kingdom, as you will readilyunderstand. And that is the reason I never permit strangers to comehere, under penalty of death. So long as no one knows the King of Sporis a monster people will not gossip about my looks, and I am verysensitive regarding my personal appearance. You will perhapsunderstand that if I could have chosen I should have been bornbeautiful instead of ugly."
"I certainly understand that. And permit me to say I wish you werebeautiful. I shall probably dream of you for many nights," added theprince.
"Not for many," said King Terribus, quietly. "By coming here you havechosen death, and the dead do not dream."
"Why should I die?" inquired Prince Marvel, curiously.
"Because you have seen me. Should I allow you to go away you wouldtell the world about my ugly face. I do not like to kill you, believeme; but you must pay the penalty of your rashness--you and the manbehind you."
Nerle smiled at this; but whether from pride at being called a man orin pleasurable anticipation of the sufferings to come I leave you toguess.
"Will you allow me to object to being killed?" asked the prince.
"Certainly," answered the king, courteously. "I expect you to object.It is natural. But it will do you no good."
Then Terribus turned to an attendant and commanded:
"Send hither the Fool-Killer."
At this Prince Marvel laughed outright.
"The Fool-Killer!" he cried; "surely your Majesty does me littlecredit. Am I, then, a fool?"
"You entered my kingdom uninvited," retorted the king, "and you tell meto my face I am ugly. Moreover, you laugh when I condemn you to death.From this I conclude the Fool-Killer is the proper one to execute you.Behold!"
Marvel turned quickly, to find a tall, stalwart man standing behindhim. His features were strong but very grave, and the prince caught alook of compassion in his eye as their gaze met. His skin was fair andwithout blemish, a robe of silver cloth fell from his shoulders, and inhis right hand he bore a gleaming sword.
"Well met!" cried Marvel, heartily, as he bowed to the Fool-Killer. "Ihave often heard your name mentioned, but 'tis said in the world thatyou are a laggard in your duty."
"Had I my way," answered the Fool-Killer, "my blade would always drip.It is my master, yonder, who thwarts my duty." And he nodded towardKing Terribus.
"Then you should exercise your right on him, and cleave the ugly headfrom his shoulders," declared the prince.
"Nay, unless I interfered with the Fool-Killer," said the king, "Ishould soon have no subjects left to rule; for at one time or anotherthey all deserve the blade."
"Why, that may be true enough," replied Prince Marvel. "But I think,under such circumstances, your Fool-Killer is a needless servant. So Iwill rid you of him in a few moments."
With that he whipped out his sword and stood calmly confronting theFool-Killer, whose grave face never changed in expression as headvanced menacingly upon his intended victim. The blades clashedtogether, and that of the Fool-Killer broke short off at the hilt. Hetook a step backward, stumbled and fell prone upon the rocky floor,while Prince Marvel sprang forward and pressed the point of his swordagainst his opponent's breast.
"Hold!" cried the king, starting to his feet. "Would you slay myFool-Killer? Think of the harm you would do the world!"
"But he is laggard and unfaithful to his calling!" answered the prince,sternly.
"Nevertheless, if he remove but one fool a year he is a benefit tomankind," declared the king. "Release him, I pray you!"
Then the victor withdrew his sword and stood aside, while theFool-Killer slowly got upon his feet and bowed humbly before the king.
"Go!" shouted Terribus, his eye flashing angrily. "You have humiliatedme before my enemy. As an atonement see that you kill me a fool a dayfor sixty days."
Hearing this command, many of the people about the throne began totremble; but the king paid no attention to their fears, and theFool-Killer bowed again before his master and withdrew from the chamber.