Crystal Heat

5

In the office wing of the Erzainzala, Lylunda sat with her head against the cushions of the comfortable chair, her eyes closed as she listed to the horrible bland noise no one with ears could call music. In this small waiting room there was nothing else to do. She tried not to think of the look on Grinder’s face when she called him to let him know what was happening. He smoothed it out and said with a genial smile that he knew she wouldn’t buy herself loose with his business and he wanted to hear what this was about as soon as she got back. Come over to the house, he said, and tell me exactly how it went.

She was sweating. She pushed back the hair that was sticking to her face. If I go in Grinder’s house, chances are I won’t come out again. Joj’ the house! If 1 go back through the Izar’s gate, I won’t see free air…

“Elang-mun?”

Who else, taik? She got to her feet, followed the young woman down a short corridor and into the side door of a large corner office.

The man had the broad body and big head of a highbred Jaz, with dark hair still and the perfect silver streaks above his ears that marked his caste. She stared at him and knew her mother hadn’t lied. This was her father; neither of them could mistake that. Her face was a female image of his.

He glanced at her then looked at the pile of fac sheets on the desk in front of him. He took up the first, lifted his head again. “You are Lylunda Hang. Daughter of Meerya Elang.”

“Yes.”

“Read this. I acquired it. It was not sent to me.”

She took the sheet, glanced down it. Her name. Her description. Description of her ship. A short summary of her activities for the past five years. Jaink be blessed, they’d missed a few things that would make her unwelcome in just about any stratified culture, let alone here. A request from the Kliu Berej to the Dukkerri of Hutsarte that she be sought for and, if found, turned over to the Kliu for unspecified crimes against the economy.

She returned the paper to the desk and waited.

“You’re cautious,” he said. “Good.” He tapped a sensor, dropped the sheet into a sudden hole in the top of the desk, and watched it reduced to its constituent atoms. “To this point special notice has not been taken of that request. The minimum was done as a courtesy, government to government. Official records were searched without result and the Kliu so informed. If they are persistent and reach the right official, there might be difficulties. Should an order come from the Duk’s desk, I could not ignore it.” He hesitated. “I find you interesting,” he said finally. “If the world and life were different, I’d like to spend a while talking with you. As it is…” He tapped the sensor board. “Alert Eketari,” he said, then turned back to Lylunda. “Your connection with Grinder Jiraba makes it imperative that you get away immediately. I will see to that.”

“I expect you will. If you’re finished with me?” She stood. “I’d like a Courier to escort me back to my apartment. I have things there that I’ll need.”

“We’ll deal with that in a moment. Walk to the clan shield on the side wall, then back to your chair.”

“Why?”

“Because I’ll have you whipped if you don’t. Walk.” – He kept her walking about the room for several minutes: About midpoint in her peregrinations, while her back was turned to the door, a woman came in.

“You can sit now, Lylunda. Answer Eketari’s questions.”

“What is your name?” The woman’s voice was soft, barely audible.

Lylunda looked at her father. His face was unreadable, not a muscle twitching. She drew in a breath, let it out as she turned to face the woman. “Lylunda Elang.”

“Lylunda Elang. Say again.”

“Lylunda Elang.”

“Tell me what your friends call you.”

“Greet me, Luna. As you would a friend.”

“Kex zu, Eka. That what you want?”

“Say again.”

“Kex zu, Eka.”

“Kex zu, Luna.”

The woman’s voice was changing, becoming more and more like Lylunda’s; it had happened so gradually, she hadn’t thought about what it meant, but understanding came like a slap in the face. She swung round to confront her father. “She’s supposed to take my place, isn’t she. To fool Grinder into thinking I’m tucked in and waiting for him. Well?”

“It pleases me that you’re intelligent, Lylunda, though you do talk too much. I brought you here because I wanted to see you, that’s the truth. And because it became clear to me that you’ll probably get ground up and thrown away if you stay here. And because I don’t wish to face the choices you’re forcing on me. Ekateri-mun, do you have sufficient material?”

“I think so, Anaitar-jaz.”.

“Excellent. Jaink bless you, daughter. May you fare well.”

Lylunda saw the stunrod, started to protest. Before she got any words out, her father shot her.

9. Worm at Work