Dancers at the End of Time (70 page)

He came out of the alley and pushed knee-deep through soft black dust until the ground rose and he stood on a hillock looking down on pools of some glassy substance, each perfectly circular, like the discarded lenses of some gigantic piece of optical equipment. He skirted these, for he knew from past experience that they were capable of movement and could swallow him, subjecting him to hallucinatory experiences which, though entertaining, were time-consuming, and a short while later he saw ahead the pastoral illusion where they had met Jagged on his return. He crossed the illusion, noticing that a fresh picnic had been laid and that there was no trace of the Lat having been here (normally they left a great deal of litter behind them), and would have continued on his way towards the mile-wide pit had he not heard the sound, to his left, of voices raised in song.

Who so beset him round

With dismal stories,

Do but themselves confound —

His strength the more is.

He crossed an expanse of yielding, sighing stuff, almost losing his balance so that on several occasions he was forced to take to the air as best he could (there was still some difficulty, it seemed, with the city's ability to transmit power directly to the rings). Eventually, on the other side of a cluster of fallen arcades, he found them, standing in a circle around Mr. Underwood, who waved his arms with considerable zest as he conducted them — Inspector Springer, Sergeant Sherwood and the twelve constables, their faces shining and full of joy as they joined together for the hymn. It was not for some moments that Jherek discovered Mrs. Underwood, a picture of despairing bewilderment, her oriental dress all dusty, her feathers askew, seated with her head in her hand, watching the proceedings from an antique swivel chair, the remnant of some crumbled control room.

She lifted her head as he approached, on tip-toe, so as not to disturb the singing policemen.

"They are all converted now," she told him wearily. "It seems they received a vision shortly before we arrived."

The hymn was over, but the service (it was nothing less) continued.

"And so God came to us in a fiery globe and He spoke to us and He told us that we must go forth and tell the world of our vision, for we are all His prophets now. For he has given us the means of grace and the hope of glory!" cried Harold Underwood, his very pince-nez aflame with fervour.

"Amen," responded Inspector Springer and his men.

"For we were afraid and in the very bowels of Hell, yet still He heard us. And we called unto the Lord — Our help is in the name of the Lord who hath made heaven and earth. Blessed be the name of the Lord; henceforth, world without end. Lord, hear our prayers; and let our cry come unto thee."

"And He heard us!" exulted Sergeant Sherwood, the first of all these converts. "He heard us, Mr.

Underwood!"

"Hungry and thirsty: their soul fainted in them," continued Harold Underwood, his voice a holy drone:

"So they cried unto the Lord in their trouble: and he delivered them forth from their distress.

He led them forth by the right way: that they might go to the city where they dwelt.

O that men would therefore praise the Lord for His goodness; and declare the wonders that he doeth for the children of men!

For He satisfieth the empty soul: and filleth the hungry soul with goodness.

Such as sit in darkness, and in the shadow of death: being fast bound in misery and iron; Because they rebelled against the words of the Lord: and lightly regarded the counsel of the most Highest."

"Amen," piously murmured the policemen.

"Ahem," said Jherek.

But Harold Underwood passed an excited hand through his disarranged hay-coloured hair and began to sing again.

" 
Yea, though I walk in death's dark vale,

yet will I fear none ill…
"

"I must say," said Jherek enthusiastically to Mrs. Underwood, "it makes a great deal of sense. It is attractive to me. I have not been feeling entirely myself of late, and have noticed that you —"

"Jherek Carnelian, have you no conception of what has happened here?"

"It is a religious service." He was pleased with the precision of his knowledge. "A conspiracy of agreement."

"You do not find it strange that all these police officers should suddenly become pious — indeed, fanatical! — Christians?"

"You mean that something has happened to them while we have been away?"

"I told you. They have seen a vision. They believe that God has given them a mission, to return to 1896 — though how they intend to get there Heaven alone knows — to warn everyone of what will happen to them if they continue in the paths of sinfulness. They believe that they have 
seen
 and 
heard
 God Himself. "They have gone completely mad."

"But perhaps they have had this vision, Amelia."

"Do you believe in God now?"

"I have never disbelieved, though I, myself, have never had the pleasure of meeting Him. Of course, with the destruction of the universe, perhaps He was also destroyed…"

"Be serious, Jherek. These poor people, my husband amongst them (doubtless a willing victim, I'll not deny) have been duped!"

"Duped?"

"Almost certainly by your Lord Jagged."

"Why should Jagged — you mean that Jagged is God?"

"No. I mean that he plays at God. I suspected as much. Harold has described the vision — they all describe it. A fiery globe announcing itself as 'The Lord thy God' and calling them His prophets, saying that He would release them from this place of desolation so that they could return to the place from which they had come to warn others — and so on and so on."

"But what possible reason would Jagged have for deceiving them in that way?"

"Merely a cruel joke."

"Cruel? I have never seen them happier. I am tempted to join in. I cannot understand you, Amelia.

Once you tried to convince me as they are convinced. Now I am prepared to be convinced, you dissuade me!"

"You are deliberately obtuse."

"Never that, Amelia."

"I must help Harold. He must be warned of the deception."

They had begun another hymn, louder than the first.

There is a dreadful Hell,

And everlasting pains;

There sinners must with devils dwell

In darkness, fire, and chains.

He tried to speak through it, but she covered her ears, shaking her head and refusing to listen as he implored her to return with him.

"We must discuss what has been happening to us…" It was useless.

O save us, Lord, from that foul path,

Down which the sinners tread;

Consigned to flames like so much chaff;

There is no greater dread.

Jherek regretted that this was not one of the hymns Amelia Underwood had taught him when they had first lived together at his ranch. He should have liked to have joined in, since it was not possible to communicate with her. He hoped they would sing his favourite — 
All Things Bright and Beautiful
 — but somehow guessed they would not. He found the present one not to his taste, either in tune (it was scarcely more than a drone) or in words which, he thought, were somewhat in contrast to the expressions on the faces of the singers. As soon as the hymn was over, Jherek lifted up his head and began to sing in his high, boyish voice:

" 
O Paradise! O Paradise!

Who doth not crave for rest?

Who would not seek the happy land

Where they that loved are blest;

Where loyal hearts and true

Stand ever in the light,

All rapture through and through,

In God's most holy sight.

O Paradise! O Paradise!

The world is growing old;

Who would not be at rest and free

Where love is never cold…
"

"Excellent sentiments, Mr. Carnelian." Harold Underwood's tone denied his words. He seemed upset. "However, we were in the middle of giving thanks for our salvation…"

"Bad manners? I am deeply sorry. It is just that I was so moved…"

"Ha!" said Mr. Underwood. "Though we have witnessed a miracle today, I cannot believe that it is possible to convert one of Satan's own hierarchy. You shall not deceive us now!"

"But you 
are
 deceived, Harold!" cried his wife. "I am sure of it!"

"Listen not to temptation, brothers," Harold Underwood told the policemen. "Even now they seek to divert us from the true way."

"I think you'd better be getting along, sir," said Inspector Springer to Jherek. "This is a private meeting and I shouldn't be surprised if you're not infringing the Law of Trespass. Certainly you could be said to be Causing a Disturbance in a Public Place."

"Did you really see a vision of God, Inspector Springer?" Jherek asked him.

"We did, sir."

"Amen," said Sergeant Sherwood and the twelve constables.

"Amen," said Harold Underwood. "The Lord has given us the Word and we shall take the Word unto all the peoples of the world."

"I'm sure you'll be welcome everywhere." Jherek was eager to encourage. "The Duke of Queens was saying to me only the other day that there was a great danger of becoming bored, without outside stimulus, such as we used to get. It is quite possible, Mr. Underwood, that you will convert us all."

"We return to our own world, sir," Sergeant Sherwood told him mildly, "as soon as we can."

"We have been into the very bowels of Hell and yet were saved!" cried one of the constables.

"Amen," said Harold Underwood absently. "Now, if you'll kindly allow us to continue with our meeting…"

"How do you intend to return to 1896, Harold?" implored Mrs. Underwood. "Who will take you?"

"The Lord," her husband told her, "will provide." He added, in his old, prissy voice: "I see you appear at last in your true colours, Amelia."

She blushed as she stared down at her dress. "A party," she murmured.

He pursed his lips and looked away from her so that he might glare at Jherek Carnelian. "Your master still has power here, I suppose, so I cannot command you…"

"If we're interrupting, I apologize again." Jherek bowed. "I must say, Mr. Underwood, that you seemed rather happier, in some ways, before your vision."

"I have new responsibilities, Mr. Carnelian."

"The 'ighest sort," agreed Inspector Springer.

"Amen," said Sergeant Sherwood and the twelve constables. Their helmets nodded in unison.

"You are a fool, Harold!" Amelia said, her voice trembling. "You have not seen God! The one who deceives you is closer to Satan!"

A peculiar, self-congratulatory smile appeared on Harold Underwood's features. "Oh, really? You say this, yet you did not experience the vision. We have been chosen, Amelia, by God to warn the world of the terrors to come if it continues in its present course. What's this? Are you jealous, perhaps, that you are not one of the chosen, because you did not keep your faith and failed to do your duty?"

She gave a sudden cry, as if physically wounded. Jherek took her in his arms, glaring back at Underwood. "She is right, you know. You are a cruel person, Harold Underwood. Tormented, you would torment us all!"

"Ha!"

"Amen," said Inspector Springer automatically. "I really" must warn you again that you're doing yourself no good if you persist in these attempts to disrupt our meeting. We are empowered, not only by the 'Ome Secretary 'imself, but by the 'Osts of 'Eaven, to deal with would-be trouble-makers as we see fit." He gave the last few words special emphasis and placed his fists on his waistcoated hips (his jacket was not in evidence, though his bowler hat was still on his head). "Get it?"

"Oh, Jherek, we must go!" Amelia was close to tears. "We must go home."

"Ha!"

As Jherek led her away the new missionaries stared after them for only a moment or two before returning to their service. They walked together up the yellow-brown metal pathway, hearing the voices raised again in song:

Christian! seek not yet repose,

Hear thy guardian Angel say;

Thou art in the midst of foes;

Watch and pray.

Principalities and powers,

Mustering their unseen array,

Wait for thy unguarded hours;

Watch and pray.

Gird thy heavenly armour on,

Wear it ever night and day;

Ambush'd lies the evil one;

Watch and pray…

They came to where they had left the locomotive and, as she clambered onto the footplate, her hem in tatters, her clothes stained, she said tearfully. "Oh, Jherek, if there is a Hell, then surely I deserve to be consigned there…"

"You do not blame yourself for what has happened to your husband, Amelia?"

"Who else shall I blame?"

"You were blaming Jagged," he reminded her.

"Jagged's machinations are one thing; my culpability is another. I should never have left him. I have betrayed him. He has gone mad with grief."

"Because he loses you?"

"Oh, no — because his pride is attacked. Now he finds consolation in religious mania."

"You have offered to stay with him."

"I know. The damage is done, I suppose. Yet I have a duty to him, perhaps more so, now."

"Aha."

They began to rise up over the city. Another silence had grown between them. He tried to break it:

"You were right, Amelia. In my wanderings I found Brannart. He plots something with the Lat."

But she would not reply. Instead, she began to sob. When he went to comfort her, she shrugged him away.

"Amelia?"

She continued to sob until the scene of her party came in sight. There were still guests there, Jherek could see, but few. The Iron Orchid had not been sufficient to make them stay — they wanted Amelia.