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denied it. The blacklash from my own inertia works another's will." A-grimace,
pretender of a smile, came and went. "I should read with greater care my own
writtings." He studied me a moment, his countenance abstracted. "I wonder
periodically whether you understand half of what I say. The time takes new
shape with alacrity. You yourself have experienced such moments."
"I know it," I rejoined, but I felt no sympathy for his plight. I knew that he
would not have it otherwise. That is the feeling that sustains upon the edge
of the abyss. One walks the ledge, upon the substance of its simplicity. The
life right rules. I nodded. I had been there. "Often in such times, one is
offered a choice. It has been my experience that the option of stepping out of
the circle is repeatedly given, though few seem ever to take it. Take it,
Khys."
He crossed his arms. "Tonight we will sup here. Then you will accompany me to
view the off-worlders."
"You cannot deprive the cahndor so cruelly." I spoke of uris.
"I have done so," he observed. "It equals the weight upon the two of them."
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231
"You cannot go through with this," I decried him. "The circumstances "
"The circumstances demand this accounting," he interrupted. "You are thinking
that they could have done no different, given their natures and customs. And I
say to you that I can do naught else, given owkahen and life right. Do not
plead for them to me. I will not hear you. I have spoken of their disposition
before witnesses, and that disposition stands." It was in his most ringing
voice that he intoned those words. Having done so, he rose up from the sill
and took couch.
After a time, I went and joined him. He lay on his stomach, his head resting
upon folded arms, and his reality was heavy, upon his spirit. So might mine
have been, I thought, finally discarding the rumpled short-length I had worn
since M'tras abducted me from the Lake of Horns. Much had happened in those
five days. Tomorrow, I recollected as I rolled to Khys's side upon the couch
silks, was the day he had given as deadline to M'ksakkans. But he had not
waited. He had reclaimed me, aforehand.
His eyes were closed, his breathing regular. He had not pulled the silks
around him, but lay atop them. It seemed to me he was asleep. I sought dimness
from the entrapped stars, and they obeyed me, all thirteen. I wondered at the
new one, at what it might know of its origin. But that wondering made me
shiver, and I forsook it. I took pleasure in their obedience to my will. I
thought I might seek some enlightenment from Khys in sleep. I found instead
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oblivion, and missed the moons's rise over the Lake of Horns.
Carth woke me. I had not known him possessed of a key. Upon the gol table was
the service he had brought for the dharen. Khys did not stir. Carth, his hand
upon my arm, asked a thing. Appraising Khys's chest, I doubted that he still
slept. But I rose and accompanied Carth through the double
232
Janet E. Morris doors into the hall. I stood there hugging myself, my feet on
the cool stone squares.
"What?" I demanded in a whisper. The evening laid long shadows in the dharen's
hall. The few ceiling stars seemed conspira tori ally dim.-
"I saw to the cahndor's comfort," he said upon breath. "I wanted you to know."
"What if Khys takes your generosity from my mind?" I suppressed a smile.
"He did not forbid it," said Carth, his brow furrowed.
"That is true," I allowed. "Now, if you could heal their wounds and remove
their bands, you might have made some creditable start upon the reparations
due them. And their freedom perhaps you might consider giving that back to
them."
"Estri "
"Carth, I find it difficult to look upon you." And I pushed back through the
doors and closed them upon his shadowed form. Leaning against their locked
expanse, I sought calm. I dared not even consider how my work lay in the time.
"I mentioned to Carth Chayin's needs," I said softly to his prostrate form.
"He found it in his heart to see to them." Then I pushed away from the doors
and sought his wardrobe for wrap. By the time I reached it, he had risen.
I stood there in quandary before my belongings. The white Galeshir silk I had
so favored had been lost to me. Liuma had worn it to her death. I was still
undecided when he came and joined me.
"This is for you," he said, indicating a tas bundle next to my ors.
I opened it and found a tas breech, band, and tunic. "My thanks," I breathed.
"I also, as I had promised, found you a circle partner. But I doubt you will
have time to try him," he said, taking up his dark robe.
WIND FROM THE ABYSS
233
"What mean you?" I asked, my pleasure swept away by his portent-heavy
demeanor.
"It is my hope that you will be able to answer your own questions soon."
"May I get another white robe from the fitters? Mine is nowhere about."
"You may get what you wish from them," he said, eyeing me curiously.
To divert myself, I tried the breech and band. While I was about adjusting the
lacings, Khys sought his meal.
He allowed, from the table, that since I had no robe, I might belt one of his
about me.
I felt strange in the voluminous dark web-work. I could have pulled it twice [ Pobierz całość w formacie PDF ]