amc.killashandra-第33章

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　〃I'll　supervise；〃　Lars　interrupted。　〃The　bleaching　must　be。。。〃
　With　a　quick　movement；　Teradia　placed　one　hand　across　Lars's　chest　and　eased　him　away　from　Killashandra；　a　look　of　mild　disdain　on　her　elegant　features。　〃My　dear　boy；　clever　you　may　be　in　some　of　the　ways　of　pleasing　a　woman；　but　this　is　my　art。。。〃　she　began　to　draw　Killashandra　away　with　her；　〃and　you　will　allow　me　to　practice　it。　e；　Guildmember；　this　way。〃
　〃Teradia；　that's　not　fair。〃　Lars　pushed　through　the　door　in　pursuit。　〃I'm　Killashandra's　bodyguard　…　〃
　〃Here　I　guard　her　body；　though　from　the　look　of　her　skin　and　hair；　you've　done　a　poor　job　…　Sun…bleached；　dry…skinned；　waterlogged　child。〃
　〃Teradia！〃
　For　the　first　time　Killashandra　had　seen　her　lover　rattled；　she　looked　more　keenly　at　Teradia。　There　was　a　twinkle　in　the　woman's　eyes；　though　her　expression　did　not　soften　at　his　exasperation。
　〃It　is；　of　course；　as　the　Guildmember　wishes。。。〃
　〃How　do　you　do　it；　Teradia？〃
　〃Do　what？〃
　〃Quell　him。〃
　Teradia　shrugged　delicately。　〃It　is　easy。　He　has　been　reared　to　respect　his　elders。〃
　〃What？〃　Killashandra　peered　more　closely　at　Teradia's　face。
　〃She's　my　grandmother；〃　Lars　said　with　a　disgusted　growl。
　〃My　pliments；　citizen；〃　Killashandra　replied；　trying　not　to　laugh　at　Lars's　disposure。　〃I　shall　have　your　artistry　to　support　me　this　evening　…　〃
　〃And　me！〃　Lars　was　emphatic。
　So；　under　Lars's　eyes　and　occasionally　with　his　help　and　pany；　Killashandra　was　soaped　and　bathed　and　massaged　and　oiled；　and　repairs　to　hair　and　nail　acplished；　Killashandra　fell　asleep　during　the　massage　and　later　Lars　fell　asleep　while　Teradia　tinted　Killashandra's　hair　and　dyed　her　eyebrows　dark　again。
　〃It　does　make　a　considerable　difference　in　your　appearance；〃　Teradia　said；　surveying　her　handiwork。　〃I'm　not　certain　which　bees　you　more；〃　she　added　thoughtfully。　〃You　are　a　striking　woman　in　either　guise。　Now；〃　she　went　on　so　briskly　that　Killashandra　did　not　have　to　make　any　reply　to　this　assessment；　〃we　don't　have　everything　back　from　hurricane　storage；　but　I　know　exactly　where　I　put　several　unusual　gowns　that　would　suit　your　style　and　rank。　e　this　way；　into　the　dressing　room。〃
　Killashandra　looked　over　her　shoulder　at　the　slumbering　Lars。
　〃If　he　fell　asleep　in　your　presence；　he　is　far　more　tired　than　he　would　ever　admit；　Killashandra　Ree。　We　will　leave　him　so　until　he　is　needed　to　escort　you　back　to　Olav　Dahl。〃
　By　the　time　Teradia　had　garbed　Killashandra　to　her　satisfaction；　which　had　nothing；　Killashandra　realized；　to　do　with　her　own；　Lars　had　awakened。　He　executed　a　double　take　at　the　vision　before　him；　presented　a　properly　stunned　expression　before　he　began　to　smile　then　nod　with　approval。
　〃In　there；　〃　Teradia　said；　flicking　her　fingers　to　direct　him　to　another　dressing　room　in　the　shop　portion　of　her　establishment。　〃We　can't　have　a　shabby　escort。　Not　that　any　will　notice　you。〃
　Killashandra　began　to　frown；　then　the　woman　winked　slowly　and　grinned。　〃That　one　is　too　sure　of　himself　by　half。〃
　〃He'll　need　it；〃　Killashandra　said　sadly。
　〃Oh？〃
　But　before　Killashandra　could　say　anything　more；　an　unclad　Lars　had　stormed　into　the　room；　waving　a　heavily　embroidered；　tissue　thin；　blue　shirt　and　equally　thin　blue　trousers。
　〃If　you　think　I'm　parading　about　like　a　stud　on　sale！　When　did　I　ever　have　the　need　to　display　…　〃
　In　one　long　stride　Teradia　reached　the　room；　and　scooped　up　a　pair　of　blue　briefs　that　had　evidently　fallen　to　the　floor。　She　flourished　them　under　his　nose　and　then　pushed　him　back　into　the　room。
　〃Well；　if　that's　the　case。。。〃
　Killashandra　stifled　her　giggles。
　〃You　only　wanted　to　take　the　limelight。。。〃
　He　poked　his　head　around　the　door。　〃Not　when　I　know　Torkes's　proclivities。　Then　again；〃　he　paused　in　the　act　of　withdrawing　his　head；　〃he　probably　has　the　cruiser　packed　with　his　boys　so　I'm　safer　here　than　in　City。〃
　〃Who　needs　the　bodyguard　then？〃
　〃Shall　we　have　a　mutual　assistance　pact？　I　read　those　were　once　very　popular。〃
　〃Done！〃
　Lars　slammed　open　the　door；　strode　across　the　room；　and　gathered　her　into　her　arms；　beaming　down　at　her。　〃If　you　spoil　her　dress　or　make…up。。。〃　Teradia's　mock　anger　subsided　as　she　became　aware　of　the　atmosphere　between　them。
　Lars　ached　to　kiss　Killashandra　as　badly　as　she　wanted　to　have　his　lips　on　hers。　He　sighed　deeply　and　let　her　go。　〃You　look　regal；　Killashandra！　But　I　think　I　liked　you　even　better　on　the　beach　at　Wing！　Then　you　were　mine　alone　to　enjoy！〃　His　voice　was　low；　his　words　meant　for　her；　his　sentiment　unhindered　by　his　grandmother's　presence。　〃You　have　outdone　yourself；　Teradia。〃　He　pulled　the　woman　close；　and　kissed　her　cheek。
　Killashandra　felt　relief　that　there　would　be　another　sane　and　well…adjusted　person　to　help　Lars　when　she　had　returned　to　Ballybran。
　〃Now　we　had　better　go；　Killashandra。　The　cruiser　will　have　docked！〃
　Killashandra　thanked　Teradia　as　warmly　as　she　could；　wishing　that　the　woman　did　not　dismiss　so　casually　her　genuine　gratitude。
　As　they　started　to　retrace　their　steps　to　the　Harbor　Master's　residence；　Killashandra　was　instantly　aware　of　an　alteration　in　the　ambiance。　Far　below　the　squat　bulk　of　the　cruiser　jet　did　much　to　explain　the　change；　looming　as　it　did；　gross　and　menacing；　its　white　ovoid　hull　diminishing　the　graceful　fishing　vessels。　The　slanted　superstructure；　the　little　nodules　of　its　armaments；　and　the　sprouting　whiskers　of　its　munications　and　surveillance　equipment　added　to　its　menacing　presence。
　Killashandra　unconsciously　hugged　Lars's　arm。　〃That　is　a　very　deadly　looking　machine。　Do　they　have　many　of　those？〃
　〃Enough！〃
　〃Can　Nahia　and　Hauness　escape　it？〃
　Lars　chuckled；　relieving　his　own　tension　and　reducing　hers。　〃The　Yellowback　is　smaller　and　faster；　highly　maneuverable　and　could　slip　through　reefs　that　would　ram　the　cruiser。　Once　they're　away；　they're　well　away。〃
　Killashandra　could　see　the　ing　and　going　on　the　ramp　leading　to　Olav's　…　people　bearing　tables；　chairs；　seating　cushions；　baskets　of　fruit；　bowls　of　fruit；　jars；　several　men　staggering　under　loads　of　provender。　Killashandra　had　been　expecting　another　beach　barbecue；　with　its　pleasant　informality。　It　had　not　occurred　to　her　that　there　might　be　no　beach　at　North　Harbor；　nor　would　the　Elder　have　been　entertained　in　the　casual　setting　she　had　so　much　enjoyed　at　Wing。　She　groaned。
　Lars　squeezed　her　hand。　〃What's　wrong？〃
　She　gave　a　gusty　sigh。　〃State　occasions！　Formality！　Scrapes　and　smiles　and　total　boredom。〃
　Lars　laughed。　〃You'll　be　surprised。　Pleasantly。〃
　〃How　will　your　father　get　away　with　it？〃
　Lars　grinned　at　her。　〃You'll　see。〃
　What　she　first　saw　was　the　disposition　of　guards；　lining　the　route　up　from　the　harbor；　spaced　neatly　and　stiffly　about　the　Residence；　and　armed。　She　had　seen　very　few　stun　rifles　in　her　life　but　she　could　recognize　them。
　〃What　was　he　expecting？　Civil　war？〃
　〃Elders　usually　travel　with　a　considerable　entourage。　Especially　in　the　islands。　We　are　so　aggressive；　you　see。〃　Lars　spoke　with　deep　sarcasm　and　she　took　in　an　anxious　breath。　〃Oh；　don't　worry；　Killa。　I'll　be　circumspect。　You'll　not　even　recognize　me　as　your　impetuous　lover。〃
　She　cocked　an　eyebrow　at　him。　〃I'll　expect　a　return　of　that　lover　as　a　reward　for　my　evening　with　Torkes。　And　why　is　it　Torkes？　I　thought　he　was　in　charge　of　munications。〃
　Lars　choked　back　a　loud　laugh；　for　they　had　neared　the　first　sentry。　〃Elder　Pedder　is　afflicted　with　motion　sickness。〃
　The　sentry　who　had　been　watching　them　approach　from　the　corner　of　his　eye　suddenly　pivoted；　ported　his　weapon；　and　stared　with　impartial　malevolence　at　them。　〃Who　goes　there？〃
　〃The　crystal　singer；　you　fool；〃　Killashandra　replied　in　a　loud　and　disgusted　tone。　〃With　her　bodyguard；　Lars　Dahl。〃　When　Killashandra　would　have　proceeded　she　was　stopped　by　the　weapon。　〃How　dare　you？〃　She　darted　forward；　grasped　the　weapon　by　its　muzzle；　and　levered　it　forcefully　to　the　ground。　The　surprised　young　sailor　panicked　and　relinquished　his　weapon。　〃How　dare　you　threaten　a　crystal　singer？　How　dare　you　threaten　me？〃
　Killashandra　was　seized　by　a　violent　surge　of　real　anger　at　the　archaic　and　inane　formality。　She　didn't　hear　Lars　trying　to　soothe　her；　she　barged　past　two　more　sentries　who　came　to　assist　their　mate；　she　would　have　gone　through　the　officer　who　came　hurrying　up　the　ramp；　flanked　by　three　additional　guards　on　either　side。　She　paused　momentarily；　seething　at　this　additional　obstacle。　The　officer　had　either　encountered　Elders　in　a　tearing　fit　or　he　instantly　recognized　an　elemental　force。　He　barked　an　order；　and　the　barricade　suddenly　became　an　escort　which　fell　in　behind　the　officer　and　Lars；　who　had　managed　to　keep　at　Killashandra's　heels　as　the　enraged　crystal　singer　stormed　forward　to　the　Residence　seeking　the　initiator　of　this　additional　affront。
　Here　Lars　took　the　lead；　adroitly　indicating　the　way。　She　heard　an　exchange　of　urgent　shouts。　She　had　a　confused　vision　of　more　guards　snapping　to　attention；　and　another　pair　hastily　opening　the　elaborately　carved　wooden　doors　…　which　despite　her　involvement　in　anger；　she　recognized　as　magnificent　panels　of　polly　wood。　Then　she　was　in　the　formal　reception　antechamber　of　the　Residence；　and　she　remembered　thinking　that　the　tip　of　this　iceberg　was　the　business　end。　She　continued　her　angry　progress　right　to　the　shallow　tier　of　steps　that　led　down　to　the　main　level。　With　an　alert　and　wary　expression；　Olav　was　half　way　across　the　floor　to　greet　her。　Behind　him　Elder　Torkes　was　seated　on　a　high　wooden　chair；　members　of　his　staff　standing　about　the　room；　conversing　with　several　islanders。
　Automatically；　Killashandra　gave　the　assembled　one　quick　glance　before　she　proceeded　toward　Torkes。　〃Did　I　spend　weeks　on　a　deserted　island　to　be　stopped　and　questioned　by　an　armed　minion？　To　have　a　weapon　thrust　in　my　face　as　if　I　were　an　enemy？　I〃　…　and　Killashandra　nearly　bruised　her　breast　bone　as　she　thumped　herself　with　rigid　fingers　…　〃I　am　the　one　who　has　been　assaulted　and　abducted。　I　am　the　one　who　has　been　at　jeopardy　and　you　…　〃　Now　she　pointed　an　accusing　finger　at　Torkes；　who　was　regarding　her　in　a　state　of　shock。　〃You　have　been　safe！　Safe！〃
　Afterwards　Lars　told　her　that　she　had　been　magnificent；　her　eyes　visibly　emitting　sparks；　her　manner　so　imposing　that　he　had　been　breathless　with　astonishment。　What　operatic　role　had　she　been　using？
　〃I　wasn't；〃　she'd　replied　with　a　rueful　smile；　for　the　effect　of　her　dramatic　entrance　had　more　than　satisfied　her　rage。　〃I've　never　been　so　angry　in　my　life。　A　weapon？　Pointed　at　me？〃
　Torkes　heaved　himself　out　of　his　chair；　his　expression　that　of　a　man　confronting　an　unknown　and　dangerous　entity　and　uncertain　which　course　to　take。　〃My　dear　Crystal　Singer　…　〃
　〃I　am　not　your　dear　anything。〃
　〃Your　experiences　have　unnerved　you；　Guildmember　Ree。　No　aggression　was　intended　against　you；　merely　…　〃
　〃　…　Your　wretched；　suffocating　need　for　protocol　and　an　irrelevant　show　of　aggression。　I　warn　you〃　…　and　she　waggled　her　finger　at　him　again　…　〃I　warn　you；　you　may　expect　the　most　severe　retribution〃　…　she　caught　herself；　in　her　rage；　she　had　been　on　the　point　of　revealing　too　much　to　Elder　Torkes　…　〃from　my　Guild；　reparation　for　the　callous　and　undignified　way　in　which　I　have　been　treated。〃
　Torkes　r