Killashandra

Chapter 21

It was well that they had completed their investigations, for Elder Ampris returned twice, the first time issuing an unrefusable invitation to a quiet di

“Which means you’d better eat before you go,” Killashandra told Trag when Ampris had left them. “Especially if Elder Pentrom, a medical man with interesting views on nutrition, is attending.” She made a very small circle – thumb and forefinger overlapping – to indicate the size of the portion. “Trag, do you drink?”

Trag peered up at her. “Why?”

“The worthy Elders, Pentrom in particular. are currently under the impression that members of our profession must daily consume alcohol in substantial quantities to assist their unusual metabolism.”

Trag slowly straightened from the manual. His expression bordered on the incredulous. “Oh?”

“They are so frail, these Elders of Optheria” – Lars made a derogatory comment – “that I should dislike causing any of them distress. Prematurely, that is.”

“Or exposing yourself as a calculating fraud!” Lars suggested.

“Occasionally it is useful to spawn a helpful myth about our profession. Otherwise we’ll be stuck with water which, despite its high mineral content, is not purified because of the Optherian lust for nature untampered. It tastes as if it was decanted from the tank of the first long-range starship. The beer here is not bad.”

A flicker crossed Trag’s usually inscrutable face.

“Yarran beer?”

“Unfortunately no.” Trag’s preference raised him further in her estimation. “The Bascum brew is potable while the better beer is illegal.” She shot a knowing glance at Lars who gri

“They generally are. Your advice is timely, Killashandra,” Trag said, then appropriately sounded the B-flat.

Thirty-four crystals were in place when Elder Ampris appeared for the second time late that afternoon. There was no disguising the elation in his eyes at their progress. He was seething with the most excitement she had yet seen an Elder exhibit. Had he despaired of ru

“We will finish this tomorrow,” Trag told Elder Ampris, “with a further day to tune the new manual into the system, and to check the other three manuals for positive feedback. One minor detail on which Killashandra was unable to reassure me: Was the organ in use when the manual was destroyed?”

“I believe it was,” Ampris replied, his lids dipping to conceal his brown eyes. “I will of course confirm this. After the deplorable desecration, I myself conducted an inspection of the other manuals to be sure they were undamaged.”

“Elder Ampris, Killashandra Ree and I would consider ourselves derelict in our Guild obligation to Optheria if we failed to assure ourselves, and you, that your Festival organ is in full and complete working order.”

“Of course,” Ampris managed through clenched teeth. Then, in an abrupt alteration, he smiled tightly. “Most thorough of you.

“Can we turn on the main organ console from here?” Killashandra asked, wondering what had caused Ampris’s sudden change. “I admit that I am quite eager to hear it in all its glory.”

Ampris regarded her for a long moment before his thin lips widened in the original smile.

“For you to appreciate fully the versatility of the Festival Organ, you need some measure of comparison. Therefore I am delighted that you are able to attend this evening’s concert which will be performed on the two-manual Conservatory instrument.”

“Yes, of course.” Killashandra let pleased affability ooze through her voice. “Now that this installation is nearly completed, and with Trag here, I realize how much tension I’ve been under. It is always so much easier to share responsibilities, isn’t it, Elder Ampris?” she added gaily.

He murmured something and withdrew. Trag looked at her expectantly.

“When the inevitable can no longer be avoided, it is always wise to accept it gracefully.” She grimaced. “Though I have to admit I despise student concerts.”

Lars gri

“Frequently.” Trag carefully replaced the tools in their case, gestured for Lars to close the crystal container. Killashandra covered the manual, and taking a hair from her head, wet it and laid it carefully across one corner of the lid Trag gave a snort that she translated as approval.

“Hair of the dog that bit?” Lars asked.

“Where do you get these sayings?” Killashandra demanded, rolling her eyes in exaggerated dismay. Then she pointed to his pocket.

“I’d like to have a close look at that device,” Trag said. Lars withdrew the little jammer.

“Trag, I’m trying to get them to believe that it’s me distorting their monitors.”

Trag surprised Killashandra by placing his hand flat against her shoulder blade. “Not any more. But I would qualify. Sensible of you.”

“How many of the myths about crystal singers are derived from sensible precautions?” she asked Trag. “Or survival techniques?” Trag shrugged indifferently.

Lars deactivated the device as Killashandra opened the door panel and the three left the loft. Killashandra watched Trag to see if the acoustics of the Festival auditorium affected him. Trag did not so much as alter his firm stride or respond to the echoes his vigorous pace produced. The guards had to scurry to keep up with them.

Once inside the guest suite which Trag was to share with them, Lars switched on the Jammer before he passed it over to Trag.

“They’ve been replacing the monitors in the organ loft every day but a trill of crystal and they shatter.” Killashandra told Trag as she made her way to the beverage counter. “A cold glass of the Bascum, Trag?”

“Please.” Trag returned the jammer to Lars. “What sort of detector do they have at the shuttleport?”

“Isotope sca

“I was met by four Optherians . . .” Trag began.

“Who had been passed in. Oh, authorized perso

Killashandra had punched up sandwiches which she now passed to the men.

“We don’t have much time before di

“So do I.” Lars followed Killashandra, taking the jammer with him after an apologetic nod to Trag. “Trag is no threat to us, huh?” Lars murmured sarcastically, once they were in the unmonitored bathroom.

Killashandra shrugged and grimaced. “I didn’t think he’d cut up that stiff, but then, neither of us knew what lies the elders were spi

“I felt I was talking to a brick wall, Killa, until it came down.” Lars ran his fingers through his thick hair. “What would you have done if it hadn’t, Killa?”

“Well, it did and Trag has been converted. Now all we have to do is get word to your father. Just how many people would we have to get to safety? I mean, if Trag has that warrant for party or parties . . .”