Part 7 (1/2)

Val Con snapped half-erect, cloak billowing over one arm, air-braking and tipping Araceli and Tolanda was fourth, fighting rotation. Shan was laughing.

The hill loomed. Val Con ducked into his coc.o.o.n to preserve speed; snapped out at the crest, catching an over-the-shoulder grin from Shan. They charged downhill neck-and-neck with Tolanda; and left them in the dust as the Terran began braking for the corner.

Again Val Con stood, gripping the rollbar tightly; again the cloak went from a bright orange stream to an inflated airfoil.

Again Araceli picked up ground on the leaders.

Cries of ”Foul! Foul!” hit them as they whipped past the pits.

Their opponents, faced with a common enemy, charged harder down the long straights, took more risks, tried-with some success-to emulate Korval's airbrake, using s.h.i.+rts and vests. But Araceli was a clear second, Tolanda third and the former second, fourth.

The lead changed hands several times on the tenth lap.”Two more laps to win it!” Shan yelled.

Val Con nearly groaned. His arms ached; he was sweaty; his hands within the gloves were raw; his legs throbbed with strain. Two laps-an eternity!

They crossed the start/finish line, lapping several slower racers, and came even with the first place craft just before the braking zone.

Val Con leapt for the bar and blinked: the other skimmer was still even with them, trying to take the coming corner at exactly the proper angle.

Execution fell short. The other craft s.h.i.+vered; started to spin-Araceli was past, taking the lead by two skimmer-lengths.

They held that minor lead through the eleventh lap, but the second place craft was showing its speed and inching closer.

Korval threw everything into the turns, dove a little further into the corners, waited a little longer on the straights. Val Con concentrated on the pattern of his movements, grooved in after this hard hour, and ignored the ache in his arms and legs.

They skidded into the tree tunnel nearly two full lengths ahead-Shan yelled, but the words were ripped away by the rus.h.i.+ng wind, and Val Con saw the green skimmer charging them from inside the corner, a would-be human airbrake frantically trying to regain control.

Shan choked the jets, trying to throw Araceli clear of the charge, fighting spin and time was too short- Val Con leapt to the bar, arms wide: ”Left, Shan! Left!”

Araceli snapped left as Val Con's cloak ballooned and the green skimmer missed them by a hair, the pilot struggling with the stick, trying to avoid the second place craft, just coming into the curve...

They were through; out into the straight, and Val Con folded himself into a fairing for the last time.

Araceli roared as Shan opened the throttle for the long run and Val con sweated inside the cloak, hearing sounds-sounds of many people, shouting; and, closer, the sound of another skimmer, gaining; a shout from Shan as they slewed sideways and- ”We won! Brother, we won!” Shan was pulling the cloak back from Val Con's head, grinning hugely. ”It worked!”

”Of course it worked,” said Val Con, somewhat crossly, as they began the victory lap, and sighed. Shan was steering one handed and waving at the crowd as wildly as they waved at Araceli. Val Con's arms felt too heavy to wave at anyone.

”Shan?” He called above the roar.

”Yes, my blueblood?”

”We're not going to make a habit of this, are we?”

Shan laughed. ”No, denubia. Why push the luck?”

THE WINNER'S CIRCLE was crowded. Val Con and Shan managed to squeeze to their sisters' side;each accepting a gla.s.s of wine and a kiss.

The Right n.o.ble Lady Kareen yos'Phelium approached and bowed to Shan-the bow of Clanmember to First Speaker.

”Well raced, my Lord,” she said, quite audibly. ”You and your brother are a credit to the Clan.”

Shan blinked, inclined his head, murmuring a civil, ”Thank you, Lady Kareen.”

The old lady was bowing to Val Con now: Clanmember to Delm.

”You are precipitate, Aunt,” he chided softly.

”I think not,” she returned. ”A ring does not make a Delm. You are Korval, whether you judge yourself ready or no. You will do as you deem wise and necessary. For the Clan. It is as it should be.”

”Ah.” He smiled. ”Let us have peace between us then, Lady.”

”Of course,” said the Right n.o.ble. ”How else?”

Anthora's fairlove leaned over, whispering in her ear. She laughed softly and linked her arm in his; waving at her eldest brother as they moved off toward the pleasure-tents.

Shan raised his gla.s.s in salute; lowered it to drink-snapped his eyes to Val Con's face as he felt the younger man start.

”if the family will excuse me,” Val Con murmured, sketching a bow toward all. ”I am reminded of a previous appointment.” He was gone, slipping through the crowd like an orange wraith.

Shan, watching from his tall vantage, saw a lady start forward-a blur of dark hair and bright eyes; hand outstretched in welcome. Val Con's arm slid around her waist and he began to turn her toward the pleasure-tents-then his cloak swirled suddenly wide, hiding both from Shan's view.

He glanced down to find Nova's eyes on him.

”The reason Lady Kareen heard of Val Con frequenting a tavern in s.p.a.celeathers?” she murmured. ”Is he courting a barmaid, brother?”

He sipped. ”She seems a very nice barmaid.”

”Shan-”

He sighed and tried to break her gaze, without success.

”All right,” he said grumpily. ”I'll talk to him.” He raised his gla.s.s. ”Later.”

Fellow Travelers

Adventures in the Liaden Universe #2 Sharon Lee and Steve Miller

Where the G.o.ddess Sends

TIME AGO ONE went out from Circle, sent by the Mother's Own Word. The one was called Moonhawk, and she knew neither the face nor the name of what she went seeking.

The course of Seeking wound through the land and through the seasons and brought Moonhawk to a place that stank of Evil.