Part 31 (1/2)

Jarrod was relieved that he hadn't said that it was impossible. ”How much?” he asked.

”Well, you won't have to pay the workmen's wages, food and lodging, but we're talking about a very sub- stantial structure and, even without the stone, there are a lot of materials to be bought. You are also asking for some design innovations.”

”How much?” Jarrod pressed.

Greygor looked over at his friend. ”About five hun- dred thousand crowns, wouldn't you think, Moresby?”

”Sounds about right to me,” Yarrow concurred.

165.

”One thing's obvious to me, though. We'll have to be there when he builds it.”

”Out of the question,” Jarrod said.

”Only way you'l! get it built,” Yarrow replied matter- of-factly. ”You're no expert on site selection, there are always surprises along the way and you want something that will look up-to-date a century hence. We'll have to experiment.”

Greygor nodded his agreement.

”If I could get you out there, and it's a very big if, entailing a trip through the void on a unicom that could easily kill you, you would have to rough it in a wilder- ness without food or shelter. Why would you want to do that?”

”I can't answer for Moresby, but for me, buildings are my children,” Chatham explained. ”They are what I leave behind to keep my memory alive, the mark that says that I was here and did something worthwhile in my time,” He smiled ruefully. ”I'm a good maker of plattes, better than most I think, but I hate to compro- mise, to settle for the second-rate and, as a result, there aren't a lot of my children around, most of them are modest and some I took on because I needed to eat.

I'm ashamed of some of those- Now you offer me a chance to do something major, something designed to last for centuries, and you ask why I'd be willing to take risks?”

”And you?” Jarrod asked of Yarrow.

”I'm bored of working for men like this puffed-up little baron with the manners of a swineherd. No, I take that back. I've know some civil swineherds. I like the challenge of this project. Being able to do something no one's ever done in a place that no one's ever done it- And I don't mind going to the grave with no one know- ing that I've done it.” He stopped. ”One thing, though,”

166 he said, pointing a finger at Jarrod. ”I want my name large and clear on that castle.”

Jarrod smiled. ”Done,” he said. ”If the two of you are prepared to take the risks and I can't do it without you, I don't see that I have much of an option. The final decision, however, belongs to the unicorn. He may not agree to take you; indeed, he may not want to have anything to do with the project. Unicorns look on buildings as prisons.”

”I see,” Greygor said doubtfully. ”You have to ask the unicorn.”

Jarrod caught the sideways glance he gave to Yarrow.

”Don't worry,” he said. ”I'm not mad. The unicorn and I can communicate.” He smiled briefly. ”I'm afraid that I'm the victim of my own self-importance. I a.s.sumed that everybody knew that.”

”I had heard something like it,” Yarrow admitted, ”but I thought it was just an embellishment by the bal- lad makers. Well, I suppose you'd better go and ask him.”

”I'm afraid I can't do that. He's not at Stronta and I don't know when exactly he'll be back. I think we'll have to proceed on the a.s.sumption that he'll agree and try to have everything ready by the time he shows up.

I'll be happy to pay you for the work you do,” he added quickly, ”even if we don't get to build the place this year.” He saw the look of disappointment on Greygor's face and of skepticism on Yarrow's. ”What's the first step?” he asked.

Yarrow stretched. ”You and Chatham will have to work on the plans and I'll scout about for sources of wood and materials. Folks will a.s.sume that I'm making inquiries for Baron Hyde.”

. ”Good,” Jarrod said. He turned to Greygor. ”When can we start?”

The man thought a moment. ”I'll make some prelim- 167.

inary sketches from what you've told me and you can come back tomorrow afternoon. Or I could come to you.”

”I don't think that would be wise. The Outpost is as full of gossip as a bathhouse- I'd as soon come here if that won't cause trouble with your neighbors.”