"Pleased," was Xexo"s comment, and his touch was oily*black*pungent. Exactly what one would expect of an engineer.
"We"ve four trainees but you can meet them later, Vagrian," Damia said. "You didn"t bring much with you," she added as Xexo casually slung the heaviest of the duffels out of the personnel carrier.
"Always travel light," Vagrian said, keeping his smile pleasant and his manner quiet, struggling to restore his composure and a public show of confident ease. He hauled out the other two.
"I"ll just "port them to your room," Damia said, and all three disappeared.
"I should have done that," Vagrian said.
"I know where the room is," she said with an engaging grin. Then she gestured toward the well-worn path to the house he could see sitting on its height. "Bit of a walk."
"Not in this marvelous air." He breathed deeply, catching himself before he had expanded his chest ostentatiously. "It"s like a fine wine."
"One of the fringe benefits," Afra remarked as they set out.
Aware that neither Xexo nor Keylarion were following, Beliakin looked around.
"Xexo isn"t happy with the B generator," Damia said, grinning at the vagaries of her engineer, "and Keylarion"s checking the coordinates for tomorrow"s cargo. Did anyone warn you that you"ll be put to work tomorrow and that we lift them straight from the mine yards?"
"Gollee Gren did mention big daddies," Vagrian said, "not that we lifted them from sites."
In his mind with alarming ease came a picture of the immense drone that he was to help shift the next day.
"Well, there"d be few cradles that size." While he responded as surprised as he was supposed to be by the size and tonnage of a drone full of ore, he felt no qualms at all about managing such weights. That had been his specialty ever since he"d diverted that mud slide on Altair. "Did I understand Gren correctly that your children have been helping you shift those things?"
Damia chuckled. "Only when they are old enough. In a merge with Afra and myself, we could add their strength without stressing them. I"ve seen your testings, Vagrian, and I must say that I"m impressed by your solo shifts."
"I"m not good at much else, though, in any other Talent range," he said, with what he thought was exactly the right note of modesty.
"You wouldn"t need to be," Afra said with a chuckle.
By then they had reached the steps up to the house, and Beliakin emitted a startled cry when Darbuls, slithers and c.o.o.nies charged out of wherever they had hidden themselves.
"Forgot to warn you, Vagrian," Damia said as she "ordered" the ma.s.s of striped, mottled, tabbied and plain-colored creatures to clear away. "Don"t tell me Gollee forgot to warn you about the menagerie."
"He mentioned horses." Beliakin was looking all around him, not wanting to step on someone"s favorite beast. . . unless one of Laria"s was identified to him.
Suddenly all of the beasts were sitting quietly, watching him; even the slithers had coiled their supple bodies into compact circles.
"Each of our children and their "Dinis have favorites, which of course are prohibited from going with them, so we inherited the whole zoo," Afra said, picking up one of the c.o.o.ns and stroking its creamy orange fur. "You don"t have an allergy to any of these, do you ?" He gestured to the herd.
"Oh, no, no. In fact, the only ones I recognize are the felines. I thought they didn"t like snakes." Vagrian had been able to stifle the brief panic he"d felt surrounded by so many strange beasts.
"Slithers are not precisely reptilian," Damia said, allowing one to twine itself about her forearm. "But they are the favored pets of our "Dinis. If you don"t care for them, just gently disengage any that try to cling to you. They take hints quickly."
"Yes, that"s good to know."
"They also stay outside," Afra said, "unless their "Dinis are here."
"I see."
"This way, Vagrian," Damia said, gesturing up the broad stone steps to the wide sheltering porch of the house. Three c.o.o.ns and two Darbuls followed her; none of the slithers did. "Our "Dinis are currently in their hibernatory, though you"ll meet the pairs my two remaining youngsters have. They"re out hunting. I gather you enjoy the sport?"
"Yes, I do," Vagrian said.
"And you ride?" Damia gave him a measuring look. "I suspect we can mount you adequately."
Ann Uthlhef I.
"Yes, I originate from Altair . . ."
"Yes, you"d ride, all right," Afra remarked approvingly.
"Your room is just up these stairs," Damia said. "If you"ll do the honors, Afra, I"ll get us something to snack on."
The room was certainly an improvement on his quarters in Blundell Tower, Vagrian thought, and Damia had neatly "ported the two smaller sacks to the wide bed and the large duffel to a luggage stand. The door to the right was ajar and showed the usual bathroom fixtures. It was, however, the view from the double windows of the room which got his full attention, showing a breathtaking panoramic view of the distant city and the sh.o.r.e it bordered.
"Never seen anything like it," Vagrian said quite truthfully, going to the nearest window and opening it. He took another deep breath of the exhilarating air. "Blundell never smelled this good."
Afra smiled. "Til leave you to get settled in."
Well? Damia asked pointedly when Afra joined her in the kitchen.
Interesting personality.
Dangerous personality with all that masculine charm. Damia gave a shudder. * had this awful sensation that he was Sodan come bac to haunt me.
Did you? Afra looked surprised.
Damia flushed. Well, he has a similar dynamic charisma and you can"t deny he"s decidedly attractive.
Not at all my type.
It"s not a laughing matter, Afra. Young Naja Numto"s just the age to be bowled over and ready for an infatuation.
He"ll be an equal shoc*{ to our three Aurigaean lads, Afra said with a teasing glance. He"s not a threat we can warn them about.
He"s so much on his best behavior, Damia said thoughtfully. Maybe it"ll last. I can"t imagine why Father thought he"d do for us. When Laria . . . Damia paused and turned wide eyes on Afra, who grinned knowingly back at her. He did? And she sent him packing? My father sometimes exhibits very poor judgment for a Prime. Did Mother know?
If she did, she was perhaps too hopeful and not as astute in her reading of Vagrian"s character as I would have thought.
Damia regarded her husband with a measure of dismay. He is absolutely the wrong sort for Laria, especially after all she"s been through with the wayward Vanteer. How could Father have been so stupid?
Don"t thinly he was stupid, m"dear. I thinly he was so glad he"d found a strong T-2 inetic to ease the load at Clarfthat he sent the man ahead without preparing Laria at all. Afra poured cold Aurigaean wine for them both. Damia absently accepted the gla.s.s and took a slow sip of the dry vintage. I"d venture to say Vagrian blew it. Probably too^ the trouble to charm Lionasha, ignored Vanteer and then made a fool of himself trying to impress Laria. He"s only just discovered his Talent, and you know how wit-less that can make someone.
It hasn"t made Numto, Clunen or Deferson witless.
They"re younger by a few years, whereas I"d be very surprised ifYoshu^"s big younger brother hasn"t been having his way with any girl he chose on Altair. If-and we can always confirm this with Gollee, Afra went on, holding up one hand, Vagrian made a b.a.l.l.s of meeting Laria, and they"ve sent him to us to ... ah ... adjust. . .
Of course they have. Damia scowled into her winegla.s.s.
Then let"s see how well he performs and what we can do. Neither your father nor Gollee would have sent him here unless he has real ability that they wish to channel and save.
Damia was too accustomed to Afra"s sense of justice and common sense to ignore his comments.
Small wonder he wanted Morag and Kaltia away before Vagrian arrived, she murmured. Can you imagine the impact he"d"ve had on Morag?
With no trouble at all, Afra said with a chuckle. He"s descending. "I thought we still had some of that Brie-type cheese left, or did Morag eat the last of it?"
"I"ve pate and the local soft cheese," Damia was saying, having Tki I Hum and I swiftly "ported crackers and spreads from the larder and cold store, while Afra opened a second bottle of white wine to add to the one they had nearly finished, as well as other liquors.
"What"s your preference, Vagrian ?" Afra asked. "There are two local lagers that are quite palatahle and something the miners drink that they call "bitters." "
"Isn"t that an Altairian white?" Vagrian asked, pointing to the wine.
"Indeed it is," Damia said, smiling approval. "One of our perks as Tower staff. You can order anything in when we"ve empty drones returning. And we have them in fleets," she added in a weary tone.
"Let"s go into the lounge. Sunset"s rather unusual here on Iota," Afra said, the indulgent host, and carried the drinks tray while Damia and Vagrian followed.
They were still on broad conversational topics when Petra and Ewain arrived, their Darbuls and c.o.o.ns at their heels. Sim, Dar, Kev and Su followed, each with just one slither.
Thanf^you, dears, Damia said, nodding and smiling before she introduced her youngest aloud to their house guest. He"ll need time to become accustomed to the slithers, 1 thmf(. Reptiles on Altair are too dangerous to be considered pets.
When they wished to, Petra and Ewain could be the epitome of well-behaved children. Attuned to parental att.i.tudes, they a.s.sumed that pose and pa.s.sed snacks, then politely urged Vagrian to try some that they preferred. His inquiry about what they hunted on Iota met with such explanations and eagerness for him to join them that Damia was able to go out to the kitchen with the "Dims to finish dinner preparations.
The hunting topic was pursued during dinner because Vagrian- with every appearance of good nature-was quite happy to compare his forays as a young hunter on Altair with the experiences of Petra and Ewain. Listening with an acute ear for any false tone, Damia had to concede that Vagrian was not exaggerating his prowess. Both she and Afra knew that some of the game he had pursued on Altair was a good deal larger and more dangerous than anything on the coasts or mountains of Iota Aurigae.
"We"ve nothing like ballbites and beartards here on Iota," she said at one point.
"Frankly, it"s never been the size of permissible prey that"s attracted me, Damia," Vagrian replied with perfect sincerity, "but the skill the hunting requires. If you do hunt here for the table, I"d be very happy to take part, if you"ll tell me what is and is not permitted."
"What"s your weapon of choice?" Petra demanded, her eyes keen, mouth half open awaiting his answer. Damia was relieved that Petra was still a trifle too young to be seriously affected by Vagrian"s good looks. After all, her older brothers were just as attractive.
But, Afra put in wryly, merely brother.?.
"What"s available?" asked Vagrian with a shrug.
"Just about anything," Afra said, "from slingshot-" " " i "Slingshot? You can bring down prey with that?" Vagrian"s surprise was not feigned.
"Sure," Ewain said nonchalantly. "Get most of the avians that way. Head shots that don"t bruise the edible parts."
"Bow and arrow?" Vagrian asked now.
"Yup, and spear now and then against the bigger scurriers," Petra said, and then grimaced, "though that"s kinda overkill. I mostly stick to my twenty-two." " : "Head shots?" Vagrian asked.
"If I don"t have a clear view of the eye."
"Will I be safe out hunting with this pair?" Vagrian asked their parents.
"We haven"t eaten a guest yet," Ewain answered, giggling.
After dinner, Petra, who was in charge of evening stables, asked if Vagrian wanted to come along.
"We"ve turned most of the ponies out," Petra explained.
"And you"ve a favorite mount?" Vagrian asked.
"Yes, I"m allowed to ride Saki now. She was Laria"s special mount, but she"s such a brilliant ride we"ve all used her until our legs get too long." She spared a glance at Vagrian"s legs. "You"re much too tall already."
3 G.
"Which is Saki?" Vagrian asked as they entered the stable.
"Here she is," Petra said, and turned to the first box on the right. "Isn"t she beautiful?" She held her hand out flat and Vagrian had a brief glimpse of a tidbit that quickly disappeared into the mare"s eager mouth. When Vagrian stepped closer, the mare backed up, ears flat.
Once more unexpectedly startled, Vagrian wondered if the animals in this unusual household were also telepathic. The diverse herd that had startled him in front of the house had immediately withdrawn and sat in patient order until released. And now this mare seemed to sense his keen, and inimical, interest in her.
"She"ll behave better when she sees you more often," Petra said airily. Then she tugged at Vagrian"s sleeve. "The horses are farther down and I"d say China will be up to your weight. She"s very sure-footed, which you need in our hills, and quite onward bound."
Seeing a bucket of horse pellets, Vagrian took a handful, determined to make a positive impression on this mare. The dappled gray accepted his offering quite willingly and allowed him to stroke her neck and scratch her ears. When Petra clicked twice, China stepped back and he got a good look at her.
"Good bone and strong hindquarters," Vagrian said appreciatively, and when Petra gave him an approving glance, left his a.s.sessment at that. He was going to have to be very careful in this household, even in its stables. He must certainly remember that all of the Lyons wereT-1"s. He wondered if such ratings extended to the animals. He would try to make friends with at least one of the c.o.o.n cats. They were an expensive import on Altair, so he had little direct experience with the breed. Canines were another matter, since he"d used dogs in hunts. He wondered how close to canines the Darbuls were.
"So what are our duties now?" he asked Petra.
"Oh, we just check to be sure their water bowls haven"t clogged, and clear out droppings. We didn"t hunt today, so we don"t have to check for prods or scratches. We have to be careful about them here on Iota. Lots of odd stuff even the horses born here can"t handle. There"s the medical kit." She pointed to the green box on the wall. "Everything"s marked in Hive case you need to use something and no one"s here to help. Though we always hunt in pairs at least."
"Wise," he said. "So let"s clean the boxes."
Petra went to an elongated object held by brackets to the wall at the entrance, and she pointed to a similar affair on the other side. "Xexo did "em and these vacuum brooms save so much trouble. Try to lift only the droppings. Too many shavings mean you gotta empty more often."
Vagrian had not seen such a handy device before, since Altair tended to use old-fashioned methods on its farms. However, following Petra"s advice, they had cleaned up the droppings in a fraction of the time such a task usually took. Then she showed him where to empty the now filled containers: a large tank.
"It processes the manure for use in agriculture," she said, deftly handling the transfer. Having watched closely, Vagrian repeated the process. "Hey, you"re good," she declared approvingly. "Do it wrong and it"s all over you."
"I"m doing my best to make a good first impression," Vagrian said.
"Oh, you"re doing all right," she said, so airily that Vagrian once more tightened his guard. "Oh, don"t be so silly. n.o.body here imposes even if we are T- 1 "s. It"s such bad manners. Just keep on my mother"s good side," she added in a whisper. "That should be easy for you." And with that cryptic remark, she motioned for him to replace the gadget on the wall.
Although the minor job he had just completed with Petra had required very little effort, he felt tired as he climbed the steps back up to the house.
"You look all in," the girl said, c.o.c.king her head up to him as he held the door open for her. She frowned. "If you got here late afternoon, it"d"ve been twenty-two hundred hours at Blundell. You"d better get to bed. Tomorrow you"ll be initiated into transporting big daddies, and they"re something else again."
Damia appeared in the hall. "I apologize for forgetting the time difference, Vagrian. And all of us handle the big daddies first thing when we"re well rested. Sleep well."
Though the dismissal was kindly meant and Vagrian could not deny that he was tired, he wasn"t too pleased to be sent to bed like an adolescent who wouldn"t admit to fatigue.
The next morning after an excellent breakfast, he joined Damia and Afra in Iota Aurigae"s Tower. If the views from the house had been splendid, the positioning of the Tower in a gap of the mountains gave breathtaking panoramas of the foothills, which culminated in an immense range of snowcapped crests and endless ridges.