“I hope not,” Tharma said.
“Calm of you to go to sleep with that on your mind.”
“I trust Dritta. See what DNA you can get off that bottle.”
“Everyone will be gone by the time we find out, but we'll do it.”
The attacker had willingly removed his helmet. His mind was a blank. Not a great surprise for Tharma, considering what Hasso had been telling her about his suspicions of a Lyhhrt in hiding.
Yet, there were many home-grown telepaths who could have done this mind-work.
You smile now but you will not
smile later.
It just was possible that Osset was not carrying out his threat.
Though the Saints know that if it had succeeded, I may well have been lunging about with hiccups and giggling fits ⦠far from not smiling
. And Gorodek may even had nothing to do with this.
Maybe so. But Tharma did not try to sleep again.
She broke the fast with her usual bowl of yagha-root tea and some soured curd, and went down to the holding cells where she found her attacker taking his. There was no basin for him to sleep in and he was propped in a corner with his tail curled around him. He was looking very ragged, and did not want to meet her eyes.
She opened his door with the pressure of a fingerprint and squatted before him as it rolled shut behind her. “Old man,” she took off her helmet and set it on the floor, “do you know who I am?”
He did not look up. “I know now.” He took his last lick of the yagha bowl as if he would never eat again.
“You have a name?”
“I am Aggar.”
“Where do you work?”
“I unload freight from the railroad cars.”
“I am the Supervisor of Security in this Court Center, where I try to keep people safe. You didn't know that, did you? I have never harmed you, so you have no reason for coming to my room to put drugs in my water. Is that true?”
“Yes.” Eyes down to his yagha bowl wishing for more.
“Now, Aggar, you tell me who sent you to my room.”
“Nobody.”
“What! Then whyâ”
“I dreamed,” Aggar said almost eagerly, gulping air as he gulped yagha. “My dream told me, if I did this trick, everyone would say how clever I was.”
“Eki! I understand.” Tharma sat back. “Then where did you get the drug bottle?”
“It was in my hand when I woke.”
“Yes,” Tharma said, picked up her helmet and got up to close the cell door behind her. Freight-handlers were a rowdy lot, but not subtle enough for a trick like that. No legal way to esp out the trickster, and every other way too risky for that dim mind.
“Give this fellow some more of that yagha and a slice of glauber, Constableâeh, go ahead. I've never seen a scrawnier freight-handler!”
Outside the Security offices was a cluster of chapels for six or seven of the world's religions. Tharma had just faith enough to swear by the Saints, and she chose their chapel to rest in and think.
She found an empty space and accepted a communication wafer. She set it into her gill-slit where it emitted words of wisdom from the Saints. Khagodi languages in spoken form are a late development and do not take well to recording. The Saints who addressed her in bland croakings did not go near enlightening the great puzzle, of which this attack was not the biggest piece, or have the vigor of her own favorite, Saint Gresskow of the Seven Bastards, who had earned sainthood by refusing to have her fetuses aborted after a violent rape; Ekket's case made the legend particularly pertinent. Gresskow had refused the abortion allowed by law because of the eternal problem of infertility on Khagodis: there never have been more than seventy-five million people on the world.
Gresskow's bastards had begotten fifty children and become the only male saints of Tharma's religion.
But: the total number of the bastards had been nine. Two had been violent rebels who were punished by being dropped into Screaming Demons Chasm, where their anguished cries resounded forever.
Tharma was well aware that in Screaming Demons Chasm, which the locals pretended was haunted to lure outworld
tourists, the demons were only echoes. But except for those two there were no other demons in Khagodi culture. No tricksters, no Underworld gods. Only giant eggs in plenty, bearing multitudes.
She wondered if the Lyhhrt had become these demons, out of their anguish had truly made a rebellion that was not merely an empty threat, on the worlds where they had become known, in the midst of hot lives far from their own cold sightless world. Whether the attack on her had been part of it. Or if there really were Qumedni here, ready to find mischief among the stodgy Khagodi, or make it.
Qumedni had been very fond of tweaking the Ungrukh at one time, but the Cats had discovered that joining three or four tens of their telepaths could send a Qumedon somewhere else fast, and none had been heard from since. Hasso was sure that the presence he had felt was not one.
But I believe that there is at least one other Lyhhrt here, and I am only an ordinary woman. Not someone with a real talent or great importance in this world ⦠a district supervisor who has risen as far as she can go. I might become Prime if Ravat retires or transfers, but I doubt I will wait that long ⦠.
“Eh, Supervisor, you've found a good quiet place for yourself.” Ravat had come in soundlessly and settled in beside her. He civilly refused the wafer and said, “I heard what happened last night. That was sharp work.”
“Thank you, Director, but it would have been sharper to have found the source.”
“Yes, but you are unharmed, and that is most important. I'm sorry I cannot give you any time off, with so much happening.”
“I will be glad to have some when this affair is over,” Tharma said. “In the meantime I would like a favor.”
“Ask.”
“I worry about the young woman Ekket, and I would
like to assign an officer to guard her and perhaps even escort her when she leaves here.”
Ravat looked at her wisely, “That young one who stood guard for you, a new one, isn't it?”
“Head of her class, yes. And I can spare her now that some of the guests have gone.”
“If you find her so trustworthy, certainly,” Ravat said, and left her to her Saints.
But Tharma gave the demons one more thought.
Suppose that foreign drug was deadly to Khagodi? She had heard of no cases of such poisoningâand no one was likely to test it. And unwillingly she had come to know that Gorodek was probably sterile.
Would that be worth poisoning me?
The report suggesting that Gorodek might have Kartenat's Syndrome did not mention him by name, but was identified by number.
I am the only connection to it.
And only a Lyhhrt telepath could find that out ⦠why? Something to put away for the future? And if that was so that Lyhhrt could be hiding anywhere here, even in someone's body ⦠.
Eki, Tharma, you have more questions than there are answers and some may never be found. But I was right to choose Dritta ⦠yes, and her work is cut out for her ⦠.
Hasso felt that in these past few days he had been broken and badly patched together. He said to the Lyhhrt, “Neither of us has gained much by coming here.”
The Lyhhrt said, “A few hours ago there was a triV news report that the Lyhhrt ambassadors on Fthel Four had been called home. I don't know what that means.”
“It's useless to bring the matter to the Council now that Gorodek has made that announcement. People all over the world will be hissing over it ⦠but no one takes a Lyhhrt threat seriously.”
“Gorodek does,” The Lyhhrt had wrapped himself in his wrinkled cloth again. “There are so many factions now on Lyhhr that even I could not tell friend from enemy. But I know that Lyhhrt is mine if he is working for Gorodek.”
“What will it matter? He must leave soon to lead his forces, and so will we.”
Tomorrow ⦠and Ekket?
“I will never be safe as long as that other is alive.”
“Surely he will leave with Gorodek.”
“Sooner or later we will meet.”
Hasso stared. “Please don't think in that way. You may be destroyed!”
“So will that Other,” the Lyhhrt said calmly. “Two more dead Lyhhrt that your world will not miss.”
Hasso had no rational word to answer this. He wanted to say,
I found a friend in you that I valued
, but he knew that he could never be the kind of other the Lyhhrt needed, and turned away to open the glass doors and step out onto the esplanade.
Around the mesa fifteen or twenty of the giant flying reptiles called greater thouk were lifting off in practice for their winter flight to West Oceania. The lesser thouk was common in Burning Mountain, but these vast-winged airbeasts here had been thought of as Lesser Known Thouk until the New Interworld Court was built, and they were found in increasing numbers.
Lifting off in light morning haze and barely flapping their huge translucent wings the thouk were one by one swooping into the canyons where Hasso had been wishing he could wander as he looked down from the mesa, before the strange
voice
spoke.
There was nothing to stop him from doing this exploring
in the mind of a thouk, that one drifting so smoothly almost touching the canyon walls ⦠as in a dream he took off his helmet and focussed his mind to launchâ
The thouk stopped dead in midair and flapped furiously.
Hassoâmagnifying glass
again
âfound himself trapped beating his wings staring unseeing along with
someone
examining bones, wing membranes, blood vessels, muscles, digestive system, mechanics of flightâ
what is fear
?âand freed now suddenly flying, twitching head and tail to made sure they were working ⦠Hasso himself watching the
not people
yes, if people could fly they'dâ
:Hasso?:
The Lyhhrt had seen or felt nothing of this.
Hasso backed into the room and slammed the door panel into its socket. He was trembling, angry at himself for his fear which had doubled itself along with the thouk's.
:You tell me what is that, Lyhhrt
!:
The Lyhhrt answered aloud but quietly, “That
voice
you seemed to hear up on the mesa, was that it?”
“No no! It was using my eyes and mind to examine that thouk! Stopped it in mid-air! AndâI thinkâdecided that it was not a
person,
and I foolishly began to say, âYes, if people could fly they'd travel much more easily.' Who was I speaking to? Everything has gone wrong since I came here. I hope I am not going crazy as well!”
“You are not crazy, Archivist, but I think you have attracted a very odd friend.”
At noon Tharma called on Dritta once more. “Have you been able to rest, Dritta?”
“As much as I needed, thank you, Supervisor.” Dritta had an air about her of limitless calm, and Tharma envied it deeply.
“I am going to ask something you may refuse.” She paused, thinking how to put it. “I am trying to make sure everyone either goes home or remains here peacefully. The young lady Ekket needs protection and I have got permission from Prime Ravat to free you for the purpose. You may need to escort her to her home country.”
Dritta considered for one beat. “I believe I could do that properly.”
“Good. Bring her here, then.”
Â
Â
Ekket's shame and humiliation still showed in her swollen eyes and trembling mouth, but Tharma trusted the spark she had shown in her defiance of Gorodek. She noticed the lock on Ekket's helmet and was relieved that she did not have to put on her own.
“I know you have had a difficult time, dems'l, but I must go forward with this case while those concerned are still here. The young woman I sent to bring you will be your guardian until you are safe. I have to ask, do you want to charge Gorodek for what he has done?”
“No,” Ekket said immediately. “It wouldn't make me feel better and it would only make Gorodek angrier.”
“Would you rather go home?”
“Never. I'd rather be in Screaming Demons Chasm than with my mother.”
“We narrow the choices. Hasso's stepmother Skerow would be very happy to have you stay with herâ”
Ekket, shyly but with firmness, said, “There is a young man who caresâwe care for each other very much. His parents offered me their shelter before I was dragged away by
my mother and that awful Sketh. They have sent word that they still ⦔
“So, and where do these people live?”
“In Port Dewpoint, a short way down river from Burning Mountain.”
“My old territory and Hasso's. I will see what arrangements â¦
” Alas for Hasso! But he knew he had no claims
⦠.
Â
Â
That was the easy part. Dealing with Gorodek would be somewhat harder. Tharma was trying to decide which of his attendants would listen to reason. Osset was not the one, if only because her own anger would get in the way. But then she would not be the one to deal with him. Someone smooth from Vannar's office â¦
“Eh, Supervisor!” Ravat burst in on her. “We have another situationâ” He stopped to swallow air.
“What now?”
Ravat calmed himself. “The Isthmus States Federation governors were to leave today, but they've received instructions from their Joint Executive Council to warn Gorodek that if he brings armed forces near their shoresâ” another swallow, “I can't believe thisâthere might be a war!”
“I doubt that will happen,” Tharma said quietly.
“If we can't settle this and keep them apart I'm afraid the damned fools are going to battle it out right here!”
“They have no weapons. The extra security we hired left on the midnight barge, but we can deputize some of our clerking staff. The Isthmus people are not upset without some reason: Gorodek owns property there that's believed to have been an Ix headquarters at some time ⦠a West Sealander holding outland territory, always a bone in the craw of the Federation.”
“I see you have been speaking with Hasso.”
“He knows what's going on.” She switched on display screens. “Hall of Communication, is it?”
“Yes.”
“They have their helmets on, no microphones. Banging on the floor with walking-sticks, they seem to have lost their voices and will burn out soon. Has Vannar given orders?”
“He has no idea what to do!”
“You want to separate the combatants and send them home as soon as we can pack them up. I'll make up a squad. Dritta and my aide Kewar are the strongest women here, I can find another one or two.”
“Good.”
“I can think of a few things you might have Vannar tell Gorodek, if he has the nerveâor I will call in Osset and tell him myself.”
“Thank you, Tharma, you are invaluable. Faugh, you have such a musty little closet for an office, we must stir up those builders to give you some real space.”
Tharma sent for Osset. She was drinking a bowl of tea, not too spiced this time. With effort she kept her face expressionless and she was sure he was doing the same.
“I am sure you are glad to see me in good health, Courtier. Do help yourself to a bowl of tea.”
“No thank you, I don't drink it. You wanted to tell meâ
“First I want to say that we will continue to investigate the murder of Sketh. Then I will tell you this, Osset, and you must tell your Governor: in her country Ekket is a child who can be married off by her parents. In your country it may be legal to force sexual attentions on a bride, but a young person of Ekket's age is too young to marry in your country. I know what your laws say. For legal purposes right now, Ekket is not a child and may go where she wishes, and while she refuses to press charges against your Governor, neither will she agree to go with him under any circumstance.
If he cannot accept that decision I will have my superiors repeat it to him.”
Osset left without a word.
So, Ravat, I did your work for you.
Vannar, I did your work for you.
Sleep, sleep ⦠Tharma, you need sleep.