Clan and Crown

Coincidence or design? Rick wondered. After all, when they first came to Tran they'd been set down not far from Dravan, and this was the main road west…

Tylara pointed and looked afraid. "The children," she whispered.

Yeah. Our kids are down there- He pointed and nodded. "Yes, I think you're right, that's where we established the orphanages," he said. "Not too far from where the ship first set us down. Les, are we sightseeing?"

"Maybe a little," Les said. "Do you mind?"

"Not at all. Except if you go much farther west I'd appreciate it if the ship isn't seen. Our army's out there somewhere. They just won a big battle with Westmen-those are nomads from the high plains above the big escarpment. The Westmen already think there was too much wizardry for it to have been a fair fight."

"So if they see the ship, they might think it's impossible to make an honorable peace, so they may as well die fighting?"

"Something like that, yeah."

"No problem," Les said.

The lights below shrank rapidly, and now there were clouds below them. After a few moments the screen changed, zooming in on the plains below. They passed the Littlescarp, and the scene on the screen changed rapidly, as if the camera were searching the high plains. Then it stabilized on camp fires, and zoomed in again.

Tylara stirred. "That is the host of Drantos," she said wonderingly. There was terror in her eyes. She started to speak, but Rick pulled her to him and kissed her.

She looked startled for a moment, then nodded understanding.

I know, my darling, Rick thought. There is our army, the most powerful force you've ever seen, down there below like toy soldiers, down there where it would be like child's play to throw skyfire at them. But don't say it, don't even think it too loud- "How does Yatar rule those with such power?"

She asked softly. "Or-does Yatar rule the sky-folk?" Rick shook his head. "I don't know," he said softly.

Not even if you translate the question into modern theology. Is there a God? Is there any reason for ethics? Does the universe care one lick whether people are decent or beastly to one another?

"He rules your heart, my love," Tylara whispered. "And that is enough for me."

The screen brightened, then changed to a map of the eastern part of the settled region of Tran. At least this settled region, Rick told himself. He'd never learned just how far west this continent was inhabited, or whether the other continent was inhabited at all.

The map stretched from Rome to the Westscarp, and as Rick watched, a numbered grid superimposed itself. "If you wouldn't mind," Les said. "It would be well to get on with our cargo collection."

That would be for the recorders. There'd be damned little cargo at the University, but Rick thought Les must have a way to deal with that. More interesting was how he carefully didn't mention Gwen in the hearing of the ship…

The ship settled into the hills above the University. Les sent Rick and Tylara out, then joined them a few moments later. He was carrying his suitcase and the control box. The ship whined and rose into the dawning sky.

"Well, here we are," Les said. "What's down there?"

"My University," Rick said. "Gwen is the Rector." Les whistled in exaggerated respect. "Oh-ho. Well, we'd best get on with it. Looks like a long walk. Should have set the ship down closer."

Tylara chuckled. "Captain," she said, "one might almost doubt your love for the Lady Gwen. You complain of a few stadia we must walk. What of the tales of lovers who would swim boiling seas or walk ten thousand leagues to join their ladies?" -

There was a pause long enough to worry Rick. Then Les laughed. "They may have had more difficult journeys," he said. "But none of them ever had a longer one."

36

The messenger from the Roman pickets brought word to Gwen Tremaine just as the True Sun rose. A skyship had been seen.

She put on a robe and covered her hair with a snood, and went to her office before she had tea.

"It was as you ordered, lady," the decurion said. "We watched the hills, and we saw it descending, not so bright as a star. I have never seen its like before."

"Few have," Gwen said.

"The cohort now searches those hills for any gifts the sky-folk may have left. If we find any, we will bring them to the University. Have you more orders, lady?"

"No. Thank you, Decurion." She opened a desk drawer and took out a bag of coins, and shook several into her hand. "Buy wine for your unit, and say they have done well."

"Thank you, lady."

As the Roman left, Marva brought tea and biscuits.

"Join me," Gwen said. She indicated a chair. Marva sat and poured the tea.

"It is good news, Lady Gwen?"

"I don't know, Lady Marva. I truly don't know."

This is my life, Gwen thought. To be in this office, to govern this University. To teach these people, and watch as their lives improve. It is my life. She twisted her fingers together. This must endure. I've got to do something. Did it really land? And who?

Suddenly she stood, gulped her tea, and ran to her apartment on the floor below. What should I wear? There's nothing here- By mid-morning she'd turned her closets into chaos, and brought both Marva and herself to tears. Get hold of yourself, girl! Suppose it is Les. Do you want him to see you like this? Send Mary for a stiff drink. Two, she deserves one for herself. And put on your regular working gown. It's the best you have except for the blue one Larry gave you, and that's too formal for daytime- And the children! If it's Les he'll want to see his son.

And if it's a Shalnuksi executioner? It can't be- "Lady Marva?"

"Yes, my lady?"

"Have Nurse take the children to the Roman f or-tress. She's to keep them there until I send for them. You go with them."

"Is there-do you fear the sky-folk?" Marva asked. "But will they not be like-the others we have known?"

"I don't know," Gwen said. "And I'm afraid-"

"I will see to the children," Marva said. "Then I will return."

"No! Stay at the fortress-"

"My lady, not even the fortress will prevent us from skyfire. My husband told me that many times. But I can ask the commandant to send the children beyond the hills-"

"No, that's silly," Gwen said. "There will be no skyfire. All the same-do have Nurse take the children to the fortress."

There was a knock at her office door. "Come," she called.

Larry Warner came in. "First time ever," he said. "Nobody in your outer office. Why?"

"I sent-"

"Never mind. I know," Warner said. "The Romans sent word. They're on their way in now."

"Who?"

"Cap'n Galloway, Lady Tylara, and a starman."

"A starman?"

"Yeah. All human. I described the Shalnuksis to the centurion, and he said it surely wasn't one of them."

"Larry, you shouldn't have described-"

"Oh, shove the secrecy up sideways! It's their planet, they have a right to know what's threatening it!" He gripped his hair with both hands.

"You'll be as bald as Telly Savalas if you go on doing that," she said. She giggled despite herself.

"Good to see you laugh," Warner said. "Now you keep your head and let me worry about mine." He drew his binoculars from beneath his professorial gown. "They ought to be just about at the town gates," he said. "Should be able to see 'em from your balcony there in a minute. Gwen-it's probably Les."

"I know."

"What'll you do?"

"That's what I don't know." She eyed him warily. "Are you about to give me advice?"

"No, ma'am." He winked at her. "You have to play this hand yourself, and I don't need to say it's important. Naw, all I was going to say is if you need somebody to watch your back, I'm available. I won't draw on the Captain for you, but short of that-"