Pirates Of Gohar

Chapter 27

Blade put his empty glass back on the sideboard and started rummaging in the closet for his raincoat. So far today he hadn't needed it, but London weather got no more trustworthy with the years.

«Oh, by the way, Richard,» said J from his armchair. «That brown suitcase in the closet is for you. There's something of yours in it.»

Blade pulled out the brown fiberglass suitcase with a Ministry of Defense insignia on it, then opened it. Inside was his ceremonial robe from Mythor, the pearls and shells catching even the dim light of J's study.

J laughed softly at the surprise on Blade's face. «We were at our wit's end to find something to do with it. It was hardly of much scientific interest, and the value of the individual pearls and shells would hardly be worth the trouble of tearing it apart. Also, it's quite lovely, and I felt it would be rather a crime to destroy it.

«It was Lord Leighton who suggested we give it to you. After all, the-Mythorans-gave it to you, so why not let the gift stand? I doubt if you'll be able to do more than wear it to a costume party, but we think you're the right person to have it.»

«Do you think there's any security risk?»

J shook his head. «There's nothing on it which looks noticeably different from Home Dimension materials. Chemical analyses don't show enough difference to give anyone a clue either. That was a surprise, but we checked it out thoroughly. Anyone who sees the robe hanging in your closet might wonder about your sexual preferences, but they certainly won't have any other proof.»

«That's certain enough. Good night, sir.»

«Good night, Richard.»

Blade went out, and when he reached the street he discovered, not much to his surprise, that it was raining. He hailed a cab and stood on the curb as it rolled toward him, suitcase in one hand and briefcase in the other.

It would be pleasant to have a souvenir of this last trip, other than his memories. It was rather a pity he hadn't been able to stay a few more days, to help Harkrat in what inevitably would be infernally complicated negotiations!

Most of the work was done, though. The Sarumi were no longer an immediate menace, Mythor was free and prepared to defend its freedom, and Kloret was dead. There was still the problem of sending the Maghri home, the question of Elyana's child, and Harkrat's refusal to declare an amnesty for the slaves of Kloret's galley. Blade suspected that while Harkrat wouldn't declare an official amnesty, those who'd managed to escape wouldn't be hunted very vigorously.

There was also the grimmer memory of Fierssa's death. It hadn't been entirely in vain, but Blade would have liked her around to see the victory she fought for.

And there was Rhodina, now settling down with her Sarumi husband in the house in Mythor they planned to fill with orphans. All his memories of her were good and warm, and not just the memories of their last night together. She was one of the finest women he'd ever met, and he envied Khraishamo his opportunity to get to know her better over the years.

For a moment, which lasted much too long, Blade desperately wished that Rhodina or someone like her was waiting for him at his flat.

Then the cab pulled up to the curb. Blade had to stop wishing, swing the suitcase in, and follow it himself.