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remodeled, subjected to a dozen modifications and improvements as each
land-baron in turn attempted to impinge some trace of his identity upon the
hereditary manse. Morningswake therefore lacked a definable style and showed a
different aspect from each perspective. The roof of the central structure
stood tall and steep, with a dozen high-pitched dormers, a curious little
observation deck overlooking Wild Crake Pond, and along the high central ridge
a line of black iron ghost-chasers in the shape of trefoils. From either flank
extended a rambling two-story wing with verandahs at each level; the double
colonnades were overgrown with arabella vine. The framing timbers were gadroon
from Fairy Forest; the exterior clapboards were green-
gum, equally durable; the interior stairs, balusters, floors, moldings and
wainscotings were ironwood, pearl sachuli, verbane, Szintarre teak. The
chandeliers, furniture and rugs had been imported, not from
Olanje (the products of which were considered cheap and unsubstantial), but
from one of the far Old
Worlds.
The central structure enclosed the Great Hall which was the heart of
Morningswake, where the family celebrated important occasions, entertained
guests and took its evening meal in an atmosphere which
Schaine remembered as portentously formal. Everyone dressed for dinner; the
table was laid with fine porcelain, silver and crystal; the conversation was
confined to dignified subjects and lapses of decorum were not tolerated. As a
child Schaine had found these dinners tedious and she could never understand
why Muffin was not allowed to dine in the Great Hall where his fancies and
drolleries would certainly have enlivened matters. But Muffin was excluded; he
dined alone in the kitchen.
When Schaine was eleven her mother drowned in a boating accident on Shadow
Lake. Dinners in the
Great Hall became subdued rather than merely decorous, and Uther Madduc
inexplicably to
Schaine turned gruff and unreasonable; frequently she had been aroused to
anger and even rebellion.
Not that she did not love her father; Schaine was too warm not to love
everything connected with her life;
still Schaine had decided that her father must be taught a lesson on how to
get along with people and how not to be so arrogant with the Uldras,
specifically poor Muffin.
Uther Madduc at this time had been a man of remarkable appearance, straight
and tall, with thick gray hair worn in a style of elegant simplicity, clear
gray eyes, features of classical regularity. He had been neither easy nor
gregarious. Schaine remembered him as a man of brooding imagination and sudden
impulses, simultaneously calm and restless, lacking all talent or taste for
frivolity. His rare angers were cold and controlled, and diminished without
perceptible aftermath; neither Schaine nor Kelse had ever
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incurred punishment at his hands except possibly on that last climactic
night if being sent to an expensive boarding school on Tanquil could be
reckoned as punishment. Really, thought Schaine, I was an arrogant feckless
self-important little wretch& And yet, and yet&
Kelse and Gerd Jemasze had flown south in the Morningswake cargo carrier to
salvage the Apex and the
Sturdevant. With them flew two of Gerd Jemasze s cousins and a pair of Ao
ranch-hands. An automatic cannon had been mounted on the cargo deck, to fend
off sky-shark attacks. Elvo Glissam had not been invited to join the party,
and he had not volunteered his services; instead he and Schaine enjoyed a
leisurely breakfast under the green-gums. Elvo Glissam told Schaine:  By no
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means feel that you must entertain me; I know you have a hundred things on
your mind.
Schaine grinned.  I m not worried about entertaining you. I ve already shown
you a wild erjin, as I said
I d do and whatever the hundred affairs on my mind, I don t intend to consider
them for several days, if ever. In fact, I may very well decide to do nothing
at all for the next month or two.
 When I think back now, said Elvo Glissam,  I can t believe it all happened.
And yet it did.
 It s certainly one way of getting acquainted, said Schaine.  On a five-day
march, a certain intimacy is almost unavoidable.
 Yes. At least with you, and with Kelse. Gerd Jemasze I don t know. He puzzles
me.
 Me no less, and I ve known him all my life.
 I d swear that he enjoys killing Uldras, said Elvo Glissam.  It seems
churlish to cavil at his motives. He brought us home alive as you predicted.
 He s not bloodthirsty, said Schaine.  He just doesn t consider the Hunge
human beings, especially when they re attacking us.
 He amazes me, said Elvo Glissam thoughtfully.  Killing just isn t one of my
skills.
 You did yourself credit, said Schaine.  Kelse and Gerd both respect you, and
I do too, so don t go agonizing over imaginary deficiencies.
 Oh, I m not agonizing. Still, I can t believe I did anything noteworthy.
 You made no complaints. You did your share and usually more of whatever work
was needful; you were always cheerful. I think that s all very commendable.
Elvo Glissam made a careless gesture.  Inconsequentialities. I m back in an
environment I prefer, and whatever good qualities I possess will go back into
hiding.
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Schaine looked off across the South Savanna.  Do you really like it here at
Morningswake?
 Yes, of course.
 And you re not bored?
 Not with you here. Elvo Glissam s glance was unmistakably ardent.
Schaine smiled absently off across the distance.  It s been very quiet at
Morningswake since my mother died. Before, there were parties every week. We
always had guests, from other domains, from Olanje, or even off-planet.
Several times a year the Aos would organize a karoo. Often we d go up to Twin
Lake
Lodge, or Snowflower Lodge in the Suaniset Crags. There was always excitement
and fun before my mother died. You mustn t think we live like hermits.
 And then?
 Father became well,  recluse is too strong a word. Then I went off to
Tanquil, and for the last five years Morningswake has been very quiet. Kelse [ Pobierz całość w formacie PDF ]