'It seems that words are extremely powerful,' she said.
'Indeed, lady.'
'You must have made a lengthy study.'
The Fool nodded. The power of words had sustained him through the hell of the Guild. Wizards and witches used words as if they were tools to get things done, but the Fool reckoned that words were things in their own right.
'Words can change the world,' he said.
Her eyes narrowed.
'So you have said before. I remain unconvinced. Strong men change the world,' she said. 'Strong men and their deeds. Words are just like marzipan on a cake. Of course you think words are important. You are weak, you have nothing else.'
'Your ladyship is wrong.'
The duchess's fat hand drummed impatiently on the arm of her throne.
'You had better,' she said, 'be able to substantiate that comment.'
'Lady, the duke wishes to chop down the forests, is this not so?'
'The trees talk about me,' whispered Lord Felmet. 'I hear them whisper when I go riding. They tell lies about me!'
The duchess and the Fool exchanged glances.
ht I'd forgotten it, for a minute there,' she said, lifting it out. 'You can come out now.'
He was barely visible in the brightness of day, a mere shimmer in the air under the trees. King Verence blinked. He wasn't used to daylight.
'Esme,' said Nanny. 'There's someone to see you.'
Granny turned slowly and squinted at the ghost.
'I saw you in the dungeon, didn't I?' she said. 'Who're you?'
'Verence, King of Lancre,' said the ghost, and bowed. 'Do I have the honour of addressing Granny Weatherwax, doyenne of witches?'
It has already been pointed out that just because Verence came from a long line of kings didn't mean that he was basically stupid, and a year without the distractions of the flesh had done wonders as well. Granny Weatherwax considered herself totally unsusceptible to buttering up, but the king was expertly applying the equivalent of the dairy surplus of quite a large country. Bowing was a particularly good touch.
A muscle twitched at the corner of Granny's mouth. She gave a stiff little bow in return, because she wasn't quite sure what 'doyenne' meant.
'I'm her,' she conceded.
'You can get up now,' she added, regally.
King Verence remained kneeling, about two inches above the actual ground.
'I crave a boon,' he said urgently.
'Here, how did you get out of the castle?' said Granny.
'The esteemed Nanny Ogg assisted me,' said the king. 'I reasoned, if I am anchored to the stones of Lancre, then I can also go where the stones go. I am afraid I indulged in a little trickery to arrange matters. Currently I am haunting her apron.'
'Not the first, either,' said Granny, automatically.
'Esme!'
'And I beg you, Granny Weatherwax, to restore my son to the throne.'