Necessary Evils (Adventures in the Liaden Universe®?) Read Online Free PDF

am too harsh on Liadens and too lenient on the entirety of the Universe otherwise. And as it happens to call you the Beggar King was a lapse of accuracy, for on some worlds thieves and smugglers are guilded and acknowledged rather than hidden. Indeed, a city lacking a Beggar King is a poor one and likely more violent and dangerous as a result. If only the Council of Clans would give over its playacting . . . but there, you see--I am a Scout, after all, and far too aware that the Clan grandmother was a smuggler."
    Daav mused on that a moment, continued.
    "I, of course, do have that heritage, and the necessity to care for pilots; the others on Liad are . . . passengers, if you will. Almost wards. And until I am delm and able to make the clan's own direction closer to mine own, if I may, until then the city and the port will run as they do, with only the most minor meddling on my part. I do not despise smugglers and thieves as long as they are not bent on stealing my clan's goods and smuggling them away . . ."
    "And thus it is not politics nor society standing in the way of lunch. I am, alas, on my way to my posting and only stopped by to give you this." He produced a disk from his vest pocket and held it out.
    Clarence gave it due consideration before accepting it and stood weighing it in his hand. "More contacts?" he asked, and Daav inclined his head.
    "Indeed. The Portmaster, the Scout Commander, the Master of the Pilots Guild. With Korval general house passwords. If you have need--use them."
    Clarence tipped his head, and sent a blue glance as sharp as the edge of a knife into Daav's face.
    "What's the Balance?"
    Daav laughed, delightedly.
    "Asked like a Liaden! The Balance is only this: Keep your ears and eyes open--which you and I both know you will do. If you hear or see anything that might have bearing on the . . . continued harmonious flow of business--more pilots disappearing, eh? A incipient riot; rumor of an Yxtrang invasion--let those contacts know, would you?"
    "Yxtrang invasion," Clarence repeated. "You get those often?"
    Daav moved his shoulders. "It's a rich world. The defense net ought to be sufficient, but--ought to isn't always is."
    Another period of silence while Clarence communed with whatever loyalties and pressures of duty weighed upon him, then he nodded once, crisply, and moved over to the desk, slipping the disk into a drawer, and locking it with a thumbprint.
    "I can do that," he said, straightening. "So, where are you off to that you can't stop for lunch with a friend?"
    Daav hesitated, lifted his hand--let it fall.
    "Clarence. Your duty and my own lie at odds. We cannot be friends."
    "If you say so. Where I'm from, though, what I do on my own time is my business."
    "Ah. I will meditate upon that during my next tour of duty. To answer your question, though--I am returning to the Scouts, and will be gone for--a few years, if the gods smile. Perhaps, in fact, you will have moved to a more convivial posting by the time I return."
    Clarence snorted. "I think you'll find me right here," he said, and held out his hand again. "If you're on a deadline, don't let me keep you. Until again."
    It was a farewell such as he might have had from one to whom he had ties. And, Daav thought suddenly, meeting that wiry hand again with a will, he and Clarence were tied, dark to light, each the mirror image of the other.
    "Until again, Clarence," he said, and smiled.
    --END--
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NECESSARY EVILS
     

The House of vel'Albren
Jectova
    "There is someone new among the vines," the eldest rasped, though the speaking cup was between Pinori's palms, and half-raised to her lips. Being no fool, the youngest paused before she drank, and sent a frown to their middle sister, Katauba.
    She moved her fingers slightly, signing that Pinori should wait. It was rare enough this while that the Old One spoke at all, even with the cup in hand. That she spoke now, and out of turn, indicated a level of alarm that must engage her sisters'