Part 49 (1/2)
The Healer stepped back, placed his hand over his heart and bowed ”Peace unto you, Pat Rin yos'Pheliuan
But the Healer was gone
PIN'WELTIR HAD GONE so another appoint-but as Pat Rin yos'Pheliuements of a mere acquaintance? He did note, privately, that pin'Weltir had not recalled this second appoint his brash lordshi+p's purse by a considerable nu the early departure of a guest not much missed in his absence, Pat Rin counted this first party in his own establishment a success He was quite sincerely exhausted by his hostly duties, yet exhilarated
The last, late-staying guest bowed out, and the door locked, Pat Rin moved down the hall to the room he had made his study There, as he expected, he found his foster father, seated in Pat Rin's reading chair, thoughtfully gazing at the ivory-and-green carpet
Pat Rin hesitated in the doorway Luken looked up, face roguish in the soft yellow light
”Well, boy-dear! Well, indeed A race and style! I daresay you will sleep the day through, now”
”Not quite now,” Pat Rin murmured
Luken smiled ”A bit in the upper key, is it? Nevera party three tihed ”Verily, Lord Pat Rin shall be nothing ht bear with so slight a fellow”
”Now, there,” Luken said, with sudden seriousness, ”you touch near to a topic I wished to bring before you I wonder-have you thought of entering the lists at Tey Dor's?”
Pat Rin blinked, and drifted into the rooainst the desk and looked down into his foster father's face
”I had never thought of co at Tey Dor's,” he said then ”Should I have?”
”You ht find that you ish to do so,” Luken said, ”as you consider theaffect you wish to sustain For I do not think, boy-dear, that you would do very well in a long-teret or as mushroom”
”Ah” Pat Rin smiled ”Lord Pat Rin shall be flaer ”Lord Pat Rin, if you will perrant that's a happier thought,” his son said after a moment He inclined his head ”Allow ”
”Surely, surely” Luken paused beforeNova takes lessons at the dramliz school now-and has passed the preliminary for third-class pilot”
Pat Rin inclined his head ”She was by a three-day gone, with a gift for the house We drank tea and she caught me up with her news”
”Ah?” Luken said ”And how do you find yourselves aligned, if an old ht ask it”
”We are-comfortable,” Pat Rin said after a ht be,but-she remembers both sides of theincident, and we have, thereby, an understanding”
There was a small silence ”Good,” Luken said, simply, and pushed himself out of the chair Pat Rin leapt forward to offer hihed
”I daresay the two of us a Pat Rin's hand ”But you must have pity on an old man and allow me to seekwith him toward the hallway ”I will summon a cab”
”assuredly you will, sir!” Luken turned suddenly, face serious ”Lord Pat Rin will have servants to attend to these sht,” Pat Rin retorted, with spirit, ”for those who are uests But if Lord Pat Rin should ever fail of attending the father of his heart personally, I shall know hi, no matter his accomplishments”
Luken paused, then extended a hand to cup Pat Rin's cheek ”Sweet lad” He let the hand fall away and smiled, softly ”Call for the cab, then, and be welcome”
Quickly, Pat Rin stepped back into his study andback, he saw Luken fra once more upon the Tantara
”Father?” he said, abruptly
Luken looked up, face mild ”Child?”
Pat Rin cleared his throat ”I-do you mind?” he blurted ”The carpet-it is yours; the treasure of your Line It should-”
Luken held up a hand ”Peace” He glanced down at the ivory-and-green design, sain eraceful Even, I allow it to be a fa of such a treasure, than my son?”
Pat Rin's eyes filled ”Father-”
”Nay, I'll brook no argument, willful creature! Hark! Is that the cab?”
It was Luken fastened his cloak and together they went down the steps to the walk Pat Rin opened the door and saw his father comfortably disposed That done, he handed the driver a coin
”Good-night, boy-dear,” Luken said froht, father,” he returned, stepping back fro”
The cab pulled away, accelerating s, dark street
Appendixes
A Partial Liaden Dictionary Including novels through Plan B Fro in Futures