Deathstalker 05 - Deathstalker Destiny

the bride or groom?"
    "Well, I…"
    "Or are you perhaps a part of the emerging political consensus?"
    "Well, I wouldn't say…"
    "Neither would I. Isn't it a fact, Donna, that you are a member in surreptitious standing of that oh-so-secretive-and-enigmatic organization, Blue Block?"
    "I am not personally a member of Blue Block," said Donna coldly. "Though I have had contact with those who are. Most aristocrats have. I've never made any secret of my connections."
    "You've never stated them openly, either."
    "Blue Block is trying to rebuild its image, as a… facilitator, bringing opposing sides together in a search for harmony. I'm proud to be a part of that process."
    "And rumors that Blue Block has its own, secret agenda for the Empire?"
    "Are just that; rumors. Not worth repeating even by such a celebrated troublemaker as yourself, Shreck."
    And she strode determinedly forward, almost shouldering Flynn out of the way, and disappeared into the crowd, head held high. It wasn't a particularly dignified retreat, as retreats went, and Toby grinned nastily after her. Nothing looks worse than losing your temper on camera. Flynn shut down his camera.
    "And what precisely was the point of that. Boss?"
    "Damned if I know," said Toby happily. "But she must be up to something here if I could rattle her that easily. I think I'll have the gallery keep one camera in her immediate vicinity all through the wedding, just in case."
    "But what would she, or Blue Block, have to gain by disrupting the ceremony?"
    "I don't know, Flynn! That's why I want a camera close at hand. This isn't just a wedding; the crowning of two constitutional monarchs makes this the most important political watershed in the Empire since Owen Deathstalker destroyed the Iron Throne. And Blue Block's main interest has always been politics.
    There's no way they'd let an occasion like this go by without finding some way to profit. And anyway, interfering baggages like Donna Silvestri deserve to be upset on a regular basis. It's good for their souls."
    "What would you know about what's good for the soul. Boss?"
    "Not a damned thing. Now hush; here comes Clarissa. I don't want her upset in any way; clear?"
    "Got it, Boss. No politics, no conspiracy theories. And I won't even mention the seventeen people currently suing you."
    "Best not to. Hello, Clarissa! Enjoying yourself?"
    "Much to my surprise, yes. It was very kind of you to get me an invitation, but I wasn't sure I could handle being in a crowd this size. After everything I've been through, people make me very nervous. Imagine my relief at discovering half the people here are more nervous than I am! Seeing so many of the powers that be
    positively wetting themselves every time Chantelle even looks in their direction is doing my poor ego a power of good. Not least because I don't give a rat's ass whether Chantelle approves of me or not. I've been held captive by a Fury and a Ghost Warrior; it'll take more than a mere celebrity to unnerve me. Besides; her dress is very déclassé, and her eye makeup is très tacky, even if no one has dared to mention it to her yet."
    Clarissa herself looked stunning in a pale blue gown with silver trimmings, a deceptively simple hairdo, and understated makeup. Toby told her so, and she blushed happily. They held hands and billed and cooed just like any other turtle doves, and Flynn marveled at the change that came over Toby Shreck in Clarissa's company. The hardened news-hound became almost human.
    "Heads up," Flynn said sharply. "Company's coming."
    They all looked around quickly as Evangeline Shreck came over to join them, the impressive masked figure of the Unknown Clone looming at her side. Clarissa shrank a little closer to Toby, but kept her chin up. Toby slipped a supportive arm around her waist. Everyone bowed and smiled politely to everyone else, and Toby appropriated a tray of drinks from a passing waiter. Everyone took a glass of champagne, except the Unknown Clone.
    "Relax," said Toby. "Lift the mask and have a sip. No one's going to notice; they've got their own problems. And I already know you're Finlay Campbell."
    Evangeline looked at him with something like shock, while the Unknown Clone stood very still, one hand resting at his belt where his sword should have been.
    "That camera had better not be recording," he said finally. Flynn quickly shook his head. The masked face turned back to Toby. "How long have you known? And how is it such a juicy piece of news has