Lee, Sharon - Liaden 11 - Mouse and Dragon

“Once again, Korval is shown to be a champion of Liad.”

Aelliana sipped her tea, her brain racing. Ran Eld had signed a note—signed a note after he had been made clanless, ceding half the worth of Mizel's most profitable venture to a—Port tough? It made no sense. Unless . . .

She put the teacup back into its saucer with an unsteady clatter. Unless he had been at peril of his life and snatched at any straw, in order to preserve himself?

“Well, younger brother!” Lady Kareen said, not sounding pleased at all, “Your luck holds firm.”

“So it would seem,” Daav answered cordially. “Who could have looked for such good fortune?”

“And the contract with Bindan? Has your luck stretched to that?”

“Bindan expresses dismay that the clan's daughter Samiv tel'Izak has been exposed to—unsavory elements—while in the company of her affianced husband. It is Bindan's pleasure to suppose that it would tarnish the luster of the clan's jewel to continue the contract, thus it has been rendered null. I expect that Mr. dea'Gauss will be hearing from Bindan's man of business, if he has not already done so.”

Lady Kareen was seen to take a deep breath.

Daav held up a hand. “Peace, sister. It is done.”

“I see that it is. Has the delm in his wisdom decided to allow yos'Phelium to wither?”

“Perhaps,” Daav said, matching her tone for acid. “Certainly it must come under consideration, given the disappointing recent yields.”

“Now, that, I cannot allow,” Er Thom yos'Galan said, softly. “Pat Rin is growing quite accomplished.”

Daav inclined his head gravely. “So he is. Thank you, brother, for reminding me.”

“I see.” Lady Kareen placed her cup on the table and stood. “I have done my duty, futile as it is. Good-day to you, Pilot-Scholar Caylon. Cousin. Young brother.” She bowed to the table in general, and moved across the room, waving Thodelm yos'Galan back to his seat.

“I can find the door, Cousin. Do not trouble yourself.”

He followed her, however, leaving Aelliana alone with Daav.

“I—” Unable to restrain herself any longer, she reached out and grasped his hand, immediately receiving a potent stew of irritation and relief, spiced with too many lesser emotions to identify.

“Daav, tell me true—is your clan in danger on my account?”

His fingers tightened on hers and he looked seriously into her face.

“Korval is in no danger on your account. It is true that there will be penalties to pay, though it was Bindan who resigned the contract. I trust that Mr. dea'Gauss will hold us from utter ruin. In any case, that outcome was mine and mine alone.”

“Part of your clumsy solving?”

“The greater part, if you will have it.”

“Does she mind,” Aelliana asked, carefully. “Pilot tel'Izak?”

Puzzlement reached her, followed by a bolt of understanding, and a flitter of amusement.

"Pilot tel'Izak herself said to me that she felt we would not suit. I believe we parted on terms, as we should have, for she is a fine pilot and holds copilot's duty close.

“Now,”—he slipped his hand free, and leaned forward slightly—“do you wish to go to Jelaza Kazone? You may, you know, guest here, with Er Thom and Anne and young Shan, if you think it will suit you better.”

“No!” she cried, and bit her lip. “If you please, Daav, I would prefer to stay with you.”

He closed his eyes briefly, and inclined his head. “That is what you shall do, then. Come, let us find my brother and make our excuses.”

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Liaden 11 - Mouse and Dragon

Chapter Nine

The heart keeps its own Code.

—Anonymous

Daav's house nestled at the far end of the valley, a hollow square, glimpsed briefly as they crested the hill, with a tree soaring out of the center. Perhaps, Aelliana thought, there was also a garden in that inner court. Korval's Tree was—somewhat taller than she had expected, its arms reaching high and wide across the pale sky.

“I thought you said that your house was less grand than Trealla Fantrol.”

“And so it is! Jelaza Kazone is quite old, and while I do not say that the roof leaks, it fails to approach the first level of elegance. Historically, Korval has preferred its comfort, indolent breed that we are.”

Aelliana smiled, and hesitated slightly before asking a question that had just lately come to concern her. “Will I meet your sister again at Prime Meal?”

Daav turned his head, both eyebrows up and an expression of nearly comic horror on his face. “Good gods, whyever would you?”

“It is yos'Phelium's house that I am to guest in,” she pointed out.

“Ah, I see! Never fear that you will meet Kareen between kitchen and small parlor! She lives in the house at Grand Lake, and ventures out to the country but rarely. I fear that it is only myself, and a few staff, and of course Relchin and Lady Dignity to bear you company. You may find us a bit thin—how could you not? Immediately we are to house we will ask Mr. pel'Kana to assign a car to your exclusive use, so that you are not wingless.”

“You must not stint yourself,” Aelliana protested. “I—surely there are taxicabs.”

“Surely there are,” Daav said dryly, “and not the least need for you to summon one. yos'Phelium owns . . . several cars, Aelliana. You need only indicate which one will suit you best. In truth, you will be performing a service for the House. I have my favorite, you see, and do not give the others the attention they deserve.”

She considered him. “And if I choose this one?”

“Why, then, I would be obliged to point out that—while it is a satisfactory car in many respects—there's scarcely sufficient room to carry oneself, a passenger, and a very small box. For one who may be expected to visit the city in pursuit of shopping, it may prove to be less than ideal. There is in the garage an extremely nice vehicle, with a larger cargo space, very light and responsive to the stick, which I think you may find more suited to your needs. Though the choice is, of course, entirely your own.”

Aelliana bit her lip until the urge to laugh aloud had somewhat subsided.

“That was very well done,” she said, when she was certain of her voice.

“Thank you,” he answered gravely.

“But I would not dream of depriving you of your favorite car,” she said, as he slowed to make the turn into a hedge-lined lane.

“Thank you,” he said again, and this time she did laugh.

She had been made known to Mr. pel'Kana, who bowed grandly, and solemnly agreed with Daav's suggestion that the “blue car” be assigned to her use. That detail retired, her hand- and voice-prints were filed with the house, then she followed Daav upstairs and down a hallway to the midpoint, where he paused and stepped back, gesturing that she should proceed him.

“I hope that this apartment will win your approval. However! If it does not, please speak out immediately. There are others available.”

There was something in his voice, or in the air between them. She felt her fingers twitch toward him and folded them into her palm, placing the other hand against the plate. The Jump pilot's ring sparkled on her finger in the soft light, then the door opened and she stepped inside.

Her first instinct was to cry out that it was too precious a place to house her. The worth of the rugs alone!—not to say the couches, or the clutter of knickknacks on the mantle. Well into the room and to the left was a closed door, doubtless leading to the bedchamber itself; next to it, a compact kitchen nestled inside an alcove. So much she saw in her first glance.

It was the second glance that taught her that the furniture was, if not precisely shabby as Clan Mizel knew shabby, then at least well-used and even worn. The wooden walls were dark, perhaps with age.