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Rianlle once more was speaking, and everyone about the table fixed their gaze
upon that unnaturally handsome face. "Nevertheless, all will no doubt sort
itself out. Accommodation between our two realms must be achieved. An
imbalance now exists, and I refer to the unfulfilled contract in regard to
Dwan Jar, the Whispering Ridge. If a trisme will facilitate the hoped-for
equilibrium, then I must give the matter serious consideration."
Efraim laughed and shook his head. "Trisme is a responsibility I do not care
to assume at the moment, especially since Your Force displays such clear
misgivings. Indeed, your perceptions are remarkable; you have correctly
defined the situation here. Scharrode is a welter of mysteries which must be
resolved before we can move onward."
Rianlle rose to his feet, as did his retinue of eiodarks. "Scharrode
hospitality is as always correct, and induces us to prolong our visit, but we
must take our leave. I trust that Your Force will make a realistic assessment
of past, present, and putative future and act to the best interests of us
all."
Efraim and Lorcas went out to the parapets of Deistary Tower and watched as
Rianlle and his retinue climbed into the rented(1) aircar, which a moment
later lifted high and flew north.
Lorcas had retired to his refectory to take a furtive meal; then he planned to
sleep. Efraim remained on the parapets looking off over the valley, which in
the light of half-and presented so entrancing a vista that his heart missed a
beat. From this land the substance of his body had been drawn; it was his own,
to nurture and love and rule, for all foreseeable time; yet how useless! how
forlorn! Scharrode was lost to him; he had broken the crust of tradition.
Never again could he be a Rhune, nor could the damage be mended.
He would never be a whole man in Scharrode, nor elsewhere; never would he be
content.
He studied the landscape with the intensity of a man about to go blind.
Light slanting down across Alode the Cliff illuminated a hundred forests;
the irradiated foliage seemed to glow with internal light: bitter lime,
intense gray-blue given pointillist fire by scarlet seedpods, dark umber,
black-blue, black-green. Surrounding stood the great peaks, each named and
known in ancient fable: aloof Shanajra bearded with snow, who, resenting the
mockery of the Bird Crags, turned his face to the south to stand forever
brooding; the Two Hags Kamr and Dimw, rancorous above Danquil, enchanted and
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sleeping under a blanket of murre trees; there, Whispering Ridge, coveted by
Rianlle, where the Fwai-chi walked to their sacred places among the Lenglin
Mountains. His land forever, his land never; and what was he to do? In all the
realm was but a single man he could trust, the Port Mar vagabond Matho
Lorcas. Gosso might or might not interpret his offer as an admission of
weakness. Rianlle's not too subtle threats might or might not be intended
seriously. Singhalissa might yet intrigue with sufficient finesse to cause him
woe. Efraim decided that he must, without further delay, call together
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eiodarks, to assist him with his decisions.
The landscape dimmed, as Osmo dropped behind Alode the Cliff. Furad hung low
in the sky over Shanajra.
A slow step sounded on the marble flags; turning, Efraim saw Sthelany. She
hesitated, then came to join him. Together they leaned on the parapets. From
the corner of his eye Efraim studied Sthelany's face. What transpired behind
that clear pale brow; what prompted the half-wistful half-mocking twist of the
lips?
"Mirk is near," said Sthelany. She glanced toward Efraim. "Your Force no doubt
has thoroughly reconnoitered the passages which lead here and there about the
castle?"
"Only in order to protect myself from the surveillance of your mother."
Sthelany shook her head smilingly. "Is she really interested in your
activities?"
"Some female of the household has demonstrated that interest. Could it be
you?"
"I have never set foot in a mirk-way."
Efraim took note of the equivocation. "To answer your question precisely, I
have indeed explored the mirk-ways, and I am arranging that they be
interrupted by heavy iron doors."
"Then it would seem that Your Force does not intend to exercise the
prerogatives of rank?"
Efraim arched his eyebrows at the question. He responded in what he hoped to
be dignified tones: "I certainly do not intend to violate the persons of
anyone against their will. Additionally, as I'm sure you know, the passage to
your chambers is blocked by masonry."
"Indeed! Then I am reassured once and once again! It has been my habit during
mirk to sleep behind triply locked doors, but Your Force's assurances make
such precautions unnecessary."
Efraim wondered: did she flaunt? Did she entice? Did she tease? He said: "I
might change my mind. I have adopted certain off-planet attitudes and they
prompt me to confess that I find you fascinating."
"Psssh! These are matters we must not discuss." Sthelany, however, showed no
sign of outrage.
"And what of the three bolts?"
Sthelany laughed. "I cannot imagine Your Force engaging in such an outrageous
and undignified escapade; the bolts are evidently unnecessary." [ Pobierz całość w formacie PDF ]