[ Pobierz całość w formacie PDF ]
[1/11/2005 6:59:48 PM]
MASKE:THAERY
Really, your desires exceed reality! Forty-five toldecks is more than
adequate compensation, for the present at least!
Very well. I am not a man to wrangle over a few toldecks. Perhaps you will
write me out a contract.
Please use my stylus and this paper which I have brought for the purpose.
Nai the Hever allowed himself to chuckle. For once you must trust my good
faith. Shall we now discuss
Ramus Ymph?
Jubal came to the end of his account, and for several moments there was
silence in the room, as Nai the
Hever, standing beside the windows, mulled the matter over. Then he returned
to his chair and fixed his quicksilver eyes upon Jubal. What conclusions do
you draw from these events?
Jubal deliberated a moment or two. The Waels are not to be trifled with: I am
convinced of this. They are a most peculiar people, with urgent problems, but
their religious convictions if this is the proper term impel them to aggravate
these problems.
Then you consider their convictions impractical?
Jubal shrugged. I don t see the need for so many jin trees but then, I am not
a Wael. Perhaps they know their own needs best; for a fact they think
different thoughts than I do. I am still bewildered by what I
have seen. I suppose that I might have been confused by mentalistic tricks,
but if not, what then? It gives one pause to wonder.
Quite so, said Nai the Hever. In addition to these metaphysical mysteries,
several practical matters call for explanation, and these may be the most
significant aspects of the entire episode. For instance, how could Ramus Ymph
hope to nullify the hostility of the Nationals, even in concert with the
People s Joy
Tourist Agency? How could he coerce us, the Thariots? Who would supply such
forceful persuasion?
The Pan-Djan? suggested Jubal without conviction.
They would hardly want to introduce new foreigners to Maske, said Nai the
Hever.
A pity that we can t put a question or two to Ramus Ymph, said Jubal.
Perhaps Husler Wolmer might yield the information.
Page 112
ABC Amber Palm Converter, http://www.processtext.com/abcpalm.html
Nai the Hever nodded. I am considering such an inquiry. In fact
Jubal raised his hand in quick remonstrance. Please do not ask me to return
to Eiselbar; the music still
file:///G|/Program%20Files/eMule/Incoming/maskethaery.html (160 of 170)
[1/11/2005 6:59:48 PM]
MASKE:THAERY
rings in my ears. This time send Eyvant Dasduke.
Eyvant Dasduke? I cannot spare him, and I am beginning to appreciate your
objectivity, blunt though it may be. In fact, I already have in mind another
mission for you. But enough for today. You are exhausted and in no mood to
learn of new tasks.
True. But I must discuss another matter. By fault of Ramus Ymph, Droad House
is in ruins! Since
Ramus Ymph is now no more than a garden ornament, without financial
resources
Nai the Hever showed a crooked smile. Do not deceive yourself! He is far more
than you suppose! The
Ymph ilk will make the most of him!
Then I must demand a settlement from the Ymphs!
Nai the Hever stared in speechless wonder. Finally he asked: Do you value
your life?
Certainly.
If you put such a demand to the Ymphs in their present frame of mind, you
will be dead almost immediately, and your blood will be used to fertilize the
soil around Ramus Ymph.
Jubal started to protest, but Nai the Hever would not listen. Think no
further along these lines.
Tomorrow report to Eyvant Dasduke, and he will instruct you.
And my back pay?
Render an account to Eyvant Dasduke.
Jubal departed Hever House. Nai the Hever returned to his study, where he was
presently joined by
Mieltrude, and the two spoke at length.
What of Jubal Droad now? asked Nai the Hever. Do you still find him so
odious?
Mieltrude gave her shoulders a flippant jerk. He is obstinate, forthright and
sometimes acts the swashbuckler& Still, for a Glint he is tolerable enough. He
is actually a rather pleasant young man.
I was wondering if you had noticed, said Nai the Hever drily.
Chapter 20
Jubal waited at the Jiraldra, a fashionable pavilion beside the Marine Parade.
The time was sunset; the sky
file:///G|/Program%20Files/eMule/Incoming/maskethaery.html (161 of 170)
[1/11/2005 6:59:48 PM]
MASKE:THAERY
glowed with melancholy colors. A russet-red spark showed under a far ledge of
cloud; it guttered and vanished; Mora was gone. In the east Skay at the full
pivoted upon the Cham, its rotundity emphasized by a gradation of colors:
frosty yellow over the upper limb, gold at the circumference, melting
peach-rose below.
Jubal glanced at his watch and rose to his feet; Vaidro was known for his
punctuality. And there he came, along the Marine Parade, his figure
silhouetted against the face of Skay.
The men exchanged a two-fingered tap on the shoulder: the ordinary Glint
salute. Vaidro said: You have been busy since our last meeting.
I have had an interesting voyage and to some degree I have adjusted our score
Page 113
ABC Amber Palm Converter, http://www.processtext.com/abcpalm.html
against Ramus Ymph.
An exact balance between offense and retribution is hard to attain, said
Vaidro judiciously. You feel that a deficiency still exists?
Droad House is a ruin. The heirlooms and trophies are gone; the family
documents are ashes. I can only rebuild the house, and maybe after three
hundred years, it will regain something of its character.
This is an ambitious goal in itself, said Vaidro. Where will you find the
money? I have certain funds, but not a fraction of what would be required.
Jubal pointed across Duskerl Bay, toward the Cham. Just under that high ridge
Gawel the Ymph maintains his palace. It is he and the other wealthy Ymphs who
should repair the damage, but Nai the
Hever tells me that such a hope is self-delusion.
If anything, he understates the case, said Vaidro. The Ymphs have suffered
a vicious humiliation; they would resent your request.
[ Pobierz całość w formacie PDF ]