High Couch of Silistra Read Online Free PDF

Santh, slinging it over my left shoulder. The hulion, sniffing loudly, his head to the ground, disappeared around the first corner to our right. I let him go.
    M’lennin had not answered, but stood, watching Santh. His back was to me.
    “He is immense,” the Liaison said. “Twice the size of his sister.”
    “Males are often bigger than females,” I reminded him.
    “But not always,” said he, turning to face me. M’lennin and I are the same height. “Time has been easy on you,” he observed.
    “And you also,” I lied. I could see new lines upon his boyish face, and silver in his flaxen hair. I moved to join him where he had seated himself on the bottommost of the three steps that led up into the keep proper.
    “You did not answer me,” I reminded him, “when I asked of your affairs. I assume you have been profitably engaged? We have not seen you in Astria for more time than is customary.” I had not seen M’lennin since the end of the couch-bond.
    He shrugged. “You seemed to wish it so,” he said softly, examining his booted feet. “Should I have sought you there? When we parted, you wanted nothing from me that I could give. Nor has there been any amendment to the trade arrangements. They have stood unaltered since you took up control of the Well.” His eyes met mine. “Did you come here to try me again? I doubt your luck will be better now than it was then.”
    M’lennin had not changed. He was bitter, still, that he had not brought child upon me in the year I had spent with him, and hurt that his feelings for me were more than I could return. He had wanted me to himself, and had managed to acquire me for a year. When the year was over, I left with no regret. It had not been so for M’lennin. During that year he had tried to manipulate the trade balance in the Well through me. He had not succeeded. I had thwarted his plans in more ways than one. M’lennin was used to getting his way. I, also, like control of my situation. There was much discord between us.
    I did not answer.
    “If not my glorious body,” he asked again, “then what brings you here? And why alone? How will the Well fare without its Keepress?”
    “I came,” said I, snatching the opening, “because I have taken up the chaldra of the mother. It must be done without aid from the Well. I have the Day-Keeper’s leave to pursue this end. I would have your help. These things,” I said as I handed him the cube and letter, “were my lever with Ristran. He will pick them up from you. I need the copies, computer evaluation, anything that will help me discharge this chaldra.”
    M’lennin turned the cube in his hands.
    “How did you come by this? I thought there were no such viewers in Astria? You did not get it through me.”
    “It is old, before your time and mine. In my mother’s time we had looser standards. We had surveillance devices in the Well. My mother made the tape, and it was held for me. On it is the record of my conception. It shows my father. The chaldra involves—” I stopped, for he had raised his hand.
    “Estri, I have guests in the dining hall. This is a long and complicated story, it seems, and dinner lies cooling on the plates. I will give you what I can in the way of aid. Perhaps you can also aid me. Will you stay the night?”
    I nodded. I could see no way around it, though I knew he would exact his price.
    “Have you something else I might wear? And I would wash the trail dust from me before I meet your guests.” I plucked at my bloodstained tas jerkin.
    He got to his feet, lifting me from the step.
    “I have kept your things. They are in the room you had. I will walk you there, and you can tell me more of this chaldra.” He smiled, guiding me down the corridor, his hand at the small of my back. “It is an interesting twist, you coming here for such specialized assistance. I think I will much enjoy aiding you.” He chuckled.
    We stopped at the door to his sleeping quarters, and I waited while he