Part 38 (1/2)
”I believe you,” he said to the wounded pilot's hot eyes, and looked thoughtfully at the Terran
Fro the guards, who parted to adray, his leather glea as if new-made
”It's him!” shouted the man who had been the wolf pack leader, and was silenced by his guards
A Proctorhis hands up to halt the newcomer
”Sir, this is the scene of a death by misadventure; I must ask you to leave unless you-”
”Ah, is it a death?” The man's face displayed such joy that Shan sed, revolted ”I must see for myself!”
The Proctor ned assent and the three of them strode across the room to the covered form
”Your Lordshi+p is to understand that this isunpleasant,” the first Proctor said ”The nose has been forcibly crushed into the brain by a blow”
”That is of no matter,” the newcolances, then bent and lifted the covering back Shan rose to his feet, eyes on His Lordshi+p's proud, eager face, gloith an anticipation so- ”What nonsense is this?” the man shouted ”This is not he!”
”I am hereSuzan, help me stand Jabun, I am here!”
The voice was barely a croak, nearly inaudible The bloodied figure gained his feet, rim-faced co-pilot
”The dead ritted out, and Shan stepped back, giving Jabun clear sight of his victi forward one step, hatred plain in his comely face, then froze, as if he had abruptly understood what he had done
”Speaking to a deadbreath ”Look on h, one Balance insufficient” He swayed and Shan asped
”You, who deal in life and death-you will be the death of all you are pledged to hold!”
A gasp ran through the roole in the close air of the poolroo
Jabun stood as if struck; and Shan heard a ahtened, inforth
”Jabun, you are the last delm of your House The best of your line shall lifemate a Terran to escape your doom The rest of your kin will flee; they will deny their name and their blood, and ally themselves arehousemen and fisherfolk for the safety such alliances buy!
”Hear me, Jabun! In my blood is told your tale-witness all, all of you see hian Suzan, but Shan doubted Ren Zel heard her worried murmur, lost as he was in the dubious ecstasy of a full Foretelling
”It is Jabun the pod-pirate,” he cried, and Shan felt the hairs raise on his ar his own researches ”Jabun the thief! Jabun the murderer! Beware of his House and his money!”
The poolroom was so co in his ears
Jabun was the first to recover, to look around at the faces that would not-quite-return his regard
”Coed and Balanced , the shame of its station has no doubt broken its wits We have no duty here It is beneath our melant'i to notice such a one”
”Then why,” came the voice of the ive us a cantra piece to beat him to death?”
Jabun turned and stared at his questioner, ht leather ”Proctors, silence that person”
”Perhaps,” and ”I fear I must ask you to remain here with us, Your Lordshi+p We have soht illuminate for us”
”I?” Jabun licked his lips ”I think not”
”We have authority here, sir,” the second Proctor said, and stepped forward, beckoning ”This way, if you will, Your Lordshi+p”
”Of your kindness, pilots,” Ren Zel dea'Judan said, his Liaden slurring and out of ot hi out none-too-steadily to touch his co-pilot's sleeve
”Tell Christopher,” he ed, and his Terran was blurred alize The hall-his pilots-I did not know It is not done ”
Suzan patted his knee ”It's OK, pilot You leave Chris to me”
Shan nodded, reached into his sleeve and pulled out a card He held it out to Suzan Fillips, who blinked and shook her head Patiently, he held the card extended, and looked seriously into her eyes
”Should you find yourself at risk over this incident,” he said, ”use the beam code on the card”
She licked her lips ”I-”
”Take It” The wounded pilot's voice was barely audible, but the note of co The woers and slid it immediately into her licensepocket
”Good,” said Ren Zel, and Shan sa only a wounded pilot, with no trace of the power of Foretelling, nor voice of command
There was a clatter at the door Shan looked around and spied Vilt and Rusty of his own crew, raised a hand, and then glanced down at Ren Zel dea'Judan
”Pilot, I offer you contract: A Standard year's service on the Dutiful Passage, after which ill renegotiate or, if you wish, you will be set down on the world of your choice”
Ren Zel sed, and looked up to ed ”I am dead”
”No,” Shan said, in earnest Terran ”You really must allow my skill to be better than that”
Almost, it seemed that the wounded boy smiled The lids drooped over the fevered eyes