“Yes,” D’Jevier murmured.
“When does the banishment take place?”
“We started earlier this evening, delivering the edict to all homes and businesses.”
“The planetary economy will probably collapse,” said Marool, thinking of the many Men of Business who handled Mantelby affairs and all their investments and projects.
“Well, of course, if we would prefer extinction … “ Onsofruct’s voice was not at all sarcastic, though her eyebrows slanted sardonically.
Marool shook her head doubtfully. “I don’t see how the Questioner could insist on our extinction. How would it enforce a dictum like that?”
D’Jevier said wearily, “The biological sciences are far advanced on many worlds, Marool. The Questioner need only explode a small canister in our upper atmosphere, as was done on Bayor’s world … “
Marool retreated into sulky silence. “I suppose I can survive without Timmys. If the visit isn’t long. But having guests … it would be an inconvenience.”
To break a weighty silence, Onsofruct murmured, “Let me take a few moments to discuss the matter with my colleague.”
Taking D’Jevier by the arm, she led her out into the hall.
“I hate that woman,” said D’Jevier. “There is a horridness about her.”
“You are remembering the time she came here … “
“I am remembering that, yes. And there have been rumors. Disappearances. Things her servants tell, when they come down into town. Things her neighbors say they’ve heard. Things that might have been foretold, keeping Morrigan in mind.”
“And you hate her,” Onsofruct mused.
“I loathe her. I think all the stories are true.”
“Then you don’t want to authorize her to house the Questioner.”
D’Jevier snorted. “I loathe her, but I loathe equally what the Questioner may do to us! I’ve racked my brain trying to come up with a place to put this Questioner creature where there are or have been no Timmys. In this one case, Marool’s desires parallel our own. She’s bright, she’s ruthless, and she’s likely to be as helpful as possible. Have you some better idea?”
“None,” said Onsofruct.
“Then let us pay the piper, as we must.”
They returned to the office, and Onsofruct said, “We could possibly grant you some consideration, Marool, to make the inconvenience worth your while.”
“Well worth my while?” She lifted the corners of her mouth into a harpy’s smile.
D’Jevier wet her mouth, which was inexplicably dry. “And what offer would do that?”
“You mentioned press gangs. From among the supernumeraries, and the Consort Houses … “
Onsofruct, reading the distress on her companion’s face, said in an unperturbed voice, “You would be entitled to replace your Timmys, of course. Once you have announced the edict of banishment to your stable and garden workers.”
“Tomorrow?”
“If you like.”
“How do I go about it?”
The two Hags exchanged quick glances once more. Marool was a good deal more eager than they thought appropriate.
“Ah,” mused Onsofruct, “you can come down into the city with a few of the Haggers you have been kind enough to support and select a few supernumeraries from the streets. Take note of their identity, place of residence, and mode of living. Be prepared to bring that information here for registration.”
“I was thinking more of … you said the Consort Houses!”
“Ah, well. Yes. You could obtain two or three workers from the Consort Houses if you like.”
“Am I to buy expensive Consorts to clean my stables?”
D’Jevier drew herself up, her voice cold. “No. Certainly not. But you will give the House owner a signed receipt, guaranteeing the return of her students when the current emergency is over. The supernumes would also have to be returned.”
“House Genevois,” purred Marool. “I’ve had my eyes on … “
D’Jevier cried, “Mistress Mantelby, please. The young men are to be gardeners and stable hands. Need we make the point they are to be only that?”
Onsofruct put her hand on D’Jevier’s shoulder, calming her. “My colleague is correct. You are not to use them as Consorts, and for the duration of the Questioner’s visit, it would be better not to allude to the existence of such, for we do not know what the Questioner would think of such a profession.”