Dramocles: An Intergalactic Soap Opera Read Online Free PDF Page A

understood himself? If he could only tell them, “Trust me. I’m not really after your planets. These are just the things I must do to achieve my destiny.…”
    And what was his destiny, anyhow? Why had he taken Aardvark? What was he supposed to to next?
    Dramocles didn’t know. But the kings were waiting.
    “Well,” he said to himself, “here goes.” He straightened his shoulders and opened the door into the salon.
    “Fellow rulers,” he said, “old friends, and our dear brother John, welcome to our great celebration. All of us have prospered mightily in these years of peace, and we all intend them to continue. I want to assure you that I am, like you, a firm believer in the republican principle as it applies to kings. No ruler shall rule another ruler, nor disenfranchise him from what he rules. This was the oath we swore to many years ago. I subscribe to it still.”
    Dramocles paused, but there was no response from his audience. Rufus stood, a pillar of stone, his stern face unreadable. John lounged back in his chair, a distrustful smirk on his face. Snint of Lekk seemed to be weighing each word, trying to test the true from the false. Adalbert listened frowning.
    “In view of all this,” Dramocles said, “it is with sincere regret that I tell you what you must already have heard: that my troops have taken over Aardvark in the last few hours.”
    “Yes, Dramocles, we have heard something to that effect,” said Count John. “We are waiting for you to enlighten us.”
    “I have taken Aardvark,” Dramocles said. “But only to preserve it for Adalbert.”
    “It’s an original way of doing it,” John remarked to Snint.
    Dramocles didn’t reply to the sally. “Shortly after King Adalbert’s departure, my agents on Aardvark reported the sudden uprising of the Hemreg minority. Troublesome schismatics, they had been hoping in an unguarded moment to take your throne.”
    “My own troops could have handled them,” Adalbert said.
    “Your troops were quickly overwhelmed. There was no time for me to consult with you. Only through prompt action could I preserve your throne for you.”
    “You mean your occupation is only temporary?”
    “That’s exactly what I mean.”
    “And I get my kingdom back?”
    “Of course.”
    “When?”
    “As soon as order is restored.”
    Count John said, “That might take a few years, eh, Brother?”
    “No more than a week,” Dramocles said. “By the time our festivities are over, all will have been put right.”
    Snint asked, “Then we need fear no further alarums?”
    “That is correct.”
    Rufus turned from the fireplace and said, “That’s answer enough for me. We’ve known Dramocles all our lives. Never has he gone back on his word.”
    “Well,” Adalbert said, “I must accept what you say. But it’s awkward for me, you know, being a king without a planet. Still, a week’s not so bad.”
    Dramocles said, “Is there any further explanation that any of you require of me? No? I trust your accommodations are satisfactory. I beg you to tell me if anything has been omitted. Please enjoy yourselves. I will see you again soon.”
    He bowed to them and departed by way of the door into the antechamber.
    There was silence for a full minute after he had gone. Then Adalbert said, “He speaks fair, no denying that.”
    “Just like the old king Otho,” John said. “Both of them could charm the birds out of the trees. And often did, if they happened to want a quail stew.”
    Rufus said, “Count John, your enmity toward your brother is well known. That is your business. But for my part, I ask you to spare me your barbed innuendos. Dramocles is my friend and I’ll not hear him mocked.”
    Rufus stalked out of the room. After a moment’s hesitation, Adalbert hurried after him.
    “Well, Snint,” John said, “what do you think?”
    “My dear Count John, I think as you do, that we are in a tricky situation.”
    “But what are we to do about it?”
    “Nothing