Three Hands for Scorpio Read Online Free PDF Page A

until the door of our chamber closed behind us. Loosy and Hanna, beholding our unexpected return by the light of the two lamps that had been left burning, scrambled from their truckle beds to curtsey in open surprise.
    I waved them back to their comfort, and we went to our three stools beneath the window which, when unshuttered during daylight hours, looked out upon our world.
    â€œWe have done exactly what our mother warned against.” Bina smoothed the fine silk across her knees. “We have, perhaps, put an end to all our father is seeking to do.”
    Each was occupied with her own thoughts for a time. By the custom of our own land, a challenge should have been given the Gurly lout; and it was but paradoxical comfort that that had not been done.
    â€œI do not think”—Cilla mind-spoke—“that our mother herself would have sat silent to such insult. For a Gurly to speak so freely—!”
    â€œRemember,” Bina spoke aloud as if to give her words double import, “what Rogher reported of the teachings of the new religion, and also the actions of that so-called emissary of King Arvor. It might be that these Starkadders and he who travels with them are deliberately seeking to make trouble.”

    â€œIf so,” I said ruefully, “they have succeeded, and it is the three of us who have provided them with cause and means.”
    We offered no denial to that. Anger still warmed us, but it had cooled enough that we now also felt the prick of guilt. Too well we knew that no apology could cover this incident, the Gurlys being ever quick to take offense for far less than had just occurred.
    Our door opened to reveal Duty. Our erstwhile nurse advanced only a little way into the room and regarded us with the shut face that could still bring us to order.
    â€œWell, a pretty tangle we have before us now,” she observed.
    I made answer. “And you will say it is of our doing!”
    â€œPut no words into my mouth, my lady Tamara.”
    We stared at each other for a long moment; then Duty continued. “Your lady mother—perhaps my lord also—will have words for you. If you are wise, you will do some careful thinking before they come. The feast is near over—as it would be after the offense given by that sty-minded clansman and your offense taken. You all are to remain here and await the coming of my lady.”
    Await her we did, speaking no more for other ears to hear. Loosy and Hanna, on their beds at the far side of the room behind a tapestry-covered screen, made no sound.
    â€œThink of this,” I mind-spoke. “Perhaps what has happened was a planned ploy. King Arvor has but little power—the noble clans keep him on a tight rein. It could be that he is about to use this Chosen Forfind and what he teaches, to stir up his own form of trouble. He might wish to kindle anger between Starkadder and our father, and this Udo could have been especially selected for his nasty tongue and sent with our Gurly guests for that purpose.”
    â€œYes!” Bina nodded at her own impatient thought. “Someone does seem to have a need to make trouble between Starkadder and the High Warden of Alsonia.”
    Once set into words, the possibility seemed very clear to us. Cilla added a thought which at first appeared far from our musings over court intrigue until we realized that her suggestion gave a deeper and more sinister turn to the case.
    â€œMy dream—” she said aloud, very softly.

    Yes—that dream which had led her to design a pattern we now knew to have been of the Dark.
    â€œYet King Arvor is not known to meddle with Inner Matters.” Bina said slowly. “If his court holds one with Talent, it has never been reported.”
    Suddenly we heard a sound at the door that meant someone outside was turning a key. The scrape of it startled us to our feet. Were we being locked in?
    However, the key was being used for unlocking (had