Lair of the Lion

me." He smiled at the memory, his gaze shifting hesitantly toward his mother.
    "And once when we didn't have enough food, and madre was crying because she was so hungry and she had given me the last of our food, he brought us all kinds of things to eat."
    His voice became stronger. "He taught me how to ride a horse."
    "He taught my son, too," another servant chimed in.
    "And he cared for old Chanianto until he passed on," another said. "Remember how he washed him and kept him clean? He even fed him soup when the old man was too weak to feed himself."
    The atmosphere in the room had changed subtly. The servants were smiling at Betto.
    Sarina went to her husband, put her arms around him, and held him close to her, fiercely protective. Then it was Betto who was weeping. He crushed his wife to him and wept as if his heart were breaking. Dantel's mother made a soft sound of distress. Tears glittered in the eyes of several other servants looking on.

    Dantel ran to wrap his arms around the old man's legs. "It's all right, Betto!" the boy exclaimed. "I love you!"
    "Forgive me," the old man said, his voice ragged, his throat raw and clogged with tears.
    "I meant none of those foul things, Dantel. You're a good boy, much loved by all in the palazzo. Much loved by me. In truth, I don't know what happened to me, why such filth spewed from my mouth. I'm so ashamed." He sat down abruptly on the gleaming marble tiles, his knees giving out, carrying Sarina to the floor with him.
    The old woman clung to him, holding him close, laughing a little at the absurdity of two elderly servants sitting on the floor. Crying over the terrible fright to both of them, Betto put a hand to his head. "Brigita, forgive me. I don't know what happened. I knew your madre and your padre. They were wed in the Holy Church." He shook his head, holding it in his hands, groaning in abject humiliation.
    "I was bad," Dantel burst out. "I was playing with the statue, and I knew it wasn't mine. I dropped it, Betto." He began to weep again. "Don't cry, Betto. It isn't your fault. I did take it."
    "Betto is ill," Isabella said, ruffling the boy's hair to comfort him. "You didn't steal, Dantel, and we all know it. Betto just needs to rest, and we'll all look after him. Sarina will need your help to carry things to him and entertain him while he's resting. Run off with your madre and comfort her while we get Betto into bed. Later you can help Sarina bring his food to him. It is time we all served Betto and repaid his many kindnesses."
    "I will," Dantel said staunchly, looking very important. He reached for his mother's hand.
    "Call me when you need me, Sarina, and I'll come right away."
    Isabella and Brigita both reached for Sarina and Betto at the same time, helping the couple get to their feet. As Betto staggered, still holding his wife tightly, Isabella felt anew the presence of the dark, malevolent entity. She felt a swell of venom, of concentrated hatred directed solely toward her. Pressing a hand to her midsection, Isabella turned her head toward the entrance of the room, looking up toward the ceiling as if she might actually see her enemy.
    Brigita and Dantel took three steps toward the wide entryway to the room. Isabella leapt after them, her warning dying on her lips. She was too late. The beast was crouched in the large hall, its eyes fixed on mother and son, a snarl on its face, the tip of its tail twitching as it lay in ambush.
    It was a huge lion, with a magnificent mane that surrounded the massive head and draped down the length of its back, wrapping around its belly.
    Several of the servants screamed. Some ran back into the large room and attempted to hide behind furniture, while others stood frozen and began praying loudly. Immediately Isabella felt the surge of glee, of power. Two of the men caught at swords hanging on the wall, arming themselves and standing their ground reluctantly. They looked absurd, a pitiful defense against such a mighty enemy.
    "Stop!" Isabella hissed. "All of you, be silent! Hold perfectly still." She began to move very slowly, inching her way around Sarina and Betto, ignoring them as they both made a grab at her arm to stop her.
    Isabella was trembling violently, but she knew it wouldn't matter where in the room she was if the beast should decide to attack. The lion was capable of mauling or savaging everyone there. Its speed was undisputed. It was huge, invincible. The two swords were ridiculous weapons against the animal