A Lesson for the Cyclops by Jeffrey Getzin Page B

smashed?”
    The Cyclops froze, surprised at being pulled into the act. Then without intending to, she held up two fingers and said, “Two. He broke two of my teacups.”
    D’Arbignal’s eyes hardened and his orange blade leapt forward, a small spray of blood shot from Alfredo’s chest, where D’Arbignal had carved a circle the size of a copper coin.
    “That’s one,” he said, with no mirth in his voice this time.
    Again, he struck, and Alfredo was defenseless against him. Again, blood sprayed, leaving behind a second circle.
    “And that’s two.”
    D’Arbignal glanced at the Cyclops, and then raised an eyebrow.
    “Oh, why not?” he said. His rapier darted forward again, in a semi-circular slashing motion, leaving behind a curved cut on Alfredo’s torso.
    When viewed together, the two circles and the curved slash resembled a crude drawing of a smiling face.
    “What can I say?” D’Arbignal said. “I’m in a good mood.”
    The crowd’s reaction to this was mixed. Some laughed at D’Arbignal’s jest, but others gasped at the the carnage.
    Alfredo roared, charging at D’Arbignal. D’Arbignal responded with a dizzying series of parries and ripostes, and then suddenly, Alfredo’s rapier was flying through the air only to land point-first precisely between Conchinara’s feet. Terrified, she leapt back, but collided with one of the haulmen and fell to her knees.
    “That wasn’t an accident,” D’Arbignal said, eyes blazing.
    Now Alfredo dropped to his knees, too, surrendering, his hands raised upwards, pleading.
    “Spare me!” he cried.
    Conchinara grabbed the rapier from the ground and tossed it to her husband. “Alfredo, here!”
    But Alfredo just let the rapier fall to the ground.
    “You know,” D’Arbignal said to Conchinara, “you’re not a very nice person.”

Chapter 30
    “You’ve been fucking my wife!” Alfredo spat defiantly, still on his knees.
    “I think you’ve got that backwards,” D’Arbignal quipped. “I never laid a hand on her. I swear it.”
    “Liar! Every night, Conchinara disappears. Every night, you’re nowhere to be found. Every night, she comes back to our tent smelling of another man. You’ve been fucking my wife!”
    Alfredo sprang at D’Arbignal, who retreated a step, rapier at the ready.
    “No, I haven’t,” D’Arbignal said patiently. “My evenings have been otherwise engaged.”
    Alfredo glanced at his own rapier, Conchinara still holding it out to him. D’Arbignal waved his hand in a be-my-guest gesture. Alfredo looked torn between fear and pride, but at last, accepted the weapon from his wife. However, he kept the weapon lowered at his side.
    “Engaged? Engaged by what?” he said, spittle dotting the corners of his mouth.
    D’Arbignal grinned. “I’m so glad you asked.”
    He spread his arms wide to the audience.
    “Ladies and gentlemen, it is my pleasure to announce the second act! Prepare for thrills and chills as I introduce Madame Maria (formerly known as the Cyclops).” He extended his hand to the Cyclops, who hesitated only momentarily before coming to him and taking his hand.

Chapter 31
    Alfredo looked confused. “You’ve been fucking the freak?”
    D’Arbignal shook his head.
    “You shouldn’t have said that,” he said. He was grinning, but it seemed forced. His eyes were cold.
    D’Arbignal reached into his bag and withdrew several small objects. He held them aloft in the light to reveal that he held three large rubies. A collective gasp issued from the audience. Conchinara looked at the stones with unconcealed avarice.
    “Marco,” D’Arbignal called out. “I’ve produced what I promised. Do you still agree to the terms of our wager?”
    “Wager?” Alfredo said. “What wager?”
    Marco stepped forward, wringing his hands. His forehead was dotted with perspiration, and his eyes shone. His voice had a giddy tremor in it as he said, “Yes, we are still on for our wager.”
    “ What wager?” Alfredo said