“Explain,” said Xau.

“People think me a freak,

a weird gluttonous creature

controlling hundreds of servants,

seeing through their eyes,

hearing what they hear,

ruling my city-kingdom—

“Skills akin to the demon’s,

but vile though I am,

I do not force my servants.

They choose to obey me.

My offspring might not

exercise such restraint.”

Xau bowed. “You are greater

than your reputation.”

“More hideous yet wiser?”

She laughed, a sixfold creaking.

Xau waited until she was done,

then said quietly,

“You have great power.

You could have wielded it

to shatter men’s lives.

But you did not.”

“Thank you, King Xau.”

Six eyes considered him.

“Is there anything else

you would ask of me?”

“May we know your name?”

Six different notes

sounded from six mouths,

and then again, and again,

a strange and lonely sound.

“That is what I name myself.

Leave me for now.”

Xau bowed again and left.

FRAUGHT

Donal waited for Xau

in thick-falling snow,

white settling over the paths,

the steps of the west entrance

to the Hidden Queen’s palace.

His ears grew numb, his breath plumed

as he stamped back and forth—

he’d fucked up—

the Hidden Queen had made

that much abundantly clear—

“Warmer indoors,” said Fergus,

chief of his guards,

pacing Donal on his left.

Donal gave him a look

and Fergus shut up.

Xau took just long enough

for Donal’s short temper

to shorten further.

“Well?” said Donal.

“Did you learn any more?”

“Not about Queen Fian.”

“Shit,” said Donal.

“I should have fucking killed her

when I had the fucking chance.”

“Yes,” said Xau.

Straightforward. Blunt.

Donal grunted,

set off on the path

that circled the palace,

headed nowhere, needing to move—

he’d let Fian lead him

by his balls not his brains—

had known for years

that she was ambitious, even vicious,

yet never doubted her loyalty—

Connol hadn’t liked her—

Connol. Shit. Shit.

Halfway round the palace,

he stopped, turned to Xau.

“We don’t even know

what the fuck Fian did.

How can we mount a defense?”

Xau shrugged.

“Strengthen our kingdoms.

Rule as best we can.”

Donal spat in the trodden snow.

“That’s not much use.

What do we do right now?”

“Pack. Get our horses.

Go to Black Mink Falls.”

“Why the fuck would—

That’s two days’ ride.

If the snow lets up.”

Xau said quietly, “You look ragged,

as if you haven’t slept in a week.

We, I, am worried about you.

I think the excursion might help.”

“Traveling through

a fucking snowstorm

is going to help?”

“Maybe,” said Xau. “A horse ride.

Fresh air. Nothing better.”

∗

The ride proved rough,

the camping rougher,

the waterfall overrated

(an apathetic trickle).

The hills snow-swept, desolate,

slate escarpments slick with ice.

The few trees gleamed,

branches bright-burnished.

The company good.

MONSTER

Six-eyed, six-mouthed, unnamed, unknown,

beneath the sand, he dwelt alone.

By night he hunted desert prey,

then in his cave slept light away.

His touch a trap that linked his mind

to any creature he would bind;