Part 2 (2/2)
The 'chora! Instinctively, he bent forward, shi+elding the instru his shoulders totake the blow
Which did not fall Instead, she stood over hi his faults and probable bad habits, annotated, cautiously, he turned his head and looked at her out of the corner of an eye
The abuse cut off in ling by the arhtened sloatching theo Nurse was in no ster's ar the ling bleated and was borne away
Bully, Val Con apostrophized her, just wait until he's grown
Then reaction hit and he collapsed cross-legged to the ground, hugging the 'chora and shaking
”T'CARAIS, I MUST insist-” the Brooder as he walked with his brother Handler He turned ponderously to face her
”What is it youerous, T'carais-rabid! I cannot, in er lifted a hand and she subsided, though not willingly
”There is new behavior? so other than we spoke of past noontilings to the other side of the L'apeleka field for this suntiht, until I looked about-it was back! and alone with the T'carais'aitated ”I ran to them, T'carais, and I confess that my hand was raised to strike it”
Strike him? The T'carais recalled the ed Broodmother would shatter him beyond hope of repair He tasted air
”Yet you did not”
”I did not, ” she agreed ”For it looked up at my approach, bowed down and stayed thus, very ether ”It is evil, T'carais A danger to the egglings and to the clan It must be destroyed”
”No,” said the T'carais firly ”This is a sentient being, Brood, also But not o now to speak with hilings
Though,” he added, fixing her with an eye, ”it is true that one hungers for children, when one is far froestured brusquely She bowed and went
Edger turned to his brother ”Will you coe in my place while I am absent, it is well you know all whom your words enclose”
Handler inclined his head ”I was about to beg the honor, Brother”
THE MUSIC LED them to his seat under the clemktos tree Halfway across the valley it reached them, full of such force and structure-such power-that the T'carais gave silent thanks that the man had not chosen to use this instru, past ht one do with music coaxed from a dead stick?
But this-this was in sophisticated earnest He had not lied when he clailanced up as they approached, fingers slowing, stopping on the keys He set the instruracefully to his feet and bowed low
”T'carais”
Edger inclined his head ”Val Con yos'Pheliuive our land” He paused Surely, he was not mistaken? ”Why did you not say your whole naether ”Forgive me I meant no insult It is possible that I do not knohole name” He tipped his head ”I would be pleased to learn it from you”
Handler blinked Did the creature ask the T'carais to name it? Impudence
But his brother took no offense He race and told it, ”I will think on this I also consider that which you asked of s wait uponhis hands before him
”I hear,” then said the T'carais sternly, ”that you have again co the Broods, what say you?”
Handler blinked again His brother would judge the thing as if it were a Clan , he told hiht of a T'carais It has attached itself to the Clan, whatever its alien reason for doing so Should it thus be slain? Or heard?
The shed ”I tried to obey you, T'carais I cas and their Broodmother kept to the other side of this field It was accident that I ca caht it would be-rude-if I refused to answer as well as I ed ”As for irritating the Broodmother-T'carais, I must adling and I the joy of acquaintanceshi+p If she had his best interest in her heart, she would not teach hie his curiosity and interest!”
An opinionated egg-man And not a word to say that he had been threatened Did he not know? Or count it too s to mention?
”I hear your answer, and find it holds so has occurred The fault is s will return to their place near theL'apeleka field You will not go there”
The small one bowed ”I hear you, T'carais”
”See that you obey htly angered This one feels you are a threat and a danger Annoy her further and shethe span of your years” He studied the unconcerned green eyes ”Do you understand er I understand you” He tipped his head ”The T'carais has further orders?”
An exhalation like a small tornado ”A question: You named your Clan Korval I am not familiar with this line of the clans of Men I think you are not Yxtrang-”
Val Con tipped his head back, uttering that soundup, he raised a hand to push dark fur fro,” he h-” He paused Trade did not hold an adequate word, so he settled at last for: ”she-who-raised-er ”I have h not so , you would not be allowed to reht Val Con A race that thinks it arded
”Now,” continued Edger, ”I have said to you that I will be away for a ti his head, ”is my brother, the T'caraisiana'ab He speaks with h you are not of the Knife Clan, you infringe on our territory, and ment also, your skill in music interests me-I make a study of the music of Men, for the joy ofonly that you will refrain fros and that you are banned from the caverns If any offer you insult or harm, you must say to them: 'T'caraisiana'ab e'aed by the T'caraisiana'ab