He considered the others as he waited outside the captain’s cabin with the savage Touchstone. ‘Him’s busy,’ said Touchstone. ‘Call us soon.’ Questor Ro did not reply. In the glory days no savage would have dared address an Avatar directly. They would have approached on their knees, then touched their heads to the ground. Every address would begin with the words Lord hear your servant. In this way discipline was maintained, and lower orders understood their place in the world. Indeed, in the opinion of Questor Ro, they were far happier for it. Clearly defined borders of behaviour were the cornerstone of any civilization. Talaban seemed to understand none of this, and allowed savages to address him as an equal. He had even journeyed among the barbarians, living in their squalid tents. Questor Ro shuddered inwardly. There was almost no doubt in his mind that Talaban had Vagar blood. Added to which he was young, barely two centuries old. He had not lived long enough to understand fully the need for maintaining fear among the sub-races.
But then his mother had also been well known for her fey behaviour, refusing to have a child until her eightieth year, when she – despite her crystal-inspired youth – was close to becoming barren. It had been the cause of many rumours, and had brought considerable humiliation upon her 300-year-old husband. Most Avatar females lost the ability to carry children past the age of seventy, and few males past the age of two hundred could sire them. No, the consensus was that she had fallen pregnant during her travels. Few Avatar women made long journeys of any kind, and then only from necessity. She, on the other hand, had apparently travelled for pleasure, visiting the outer cities of the empire. Questor Ro could readily imagine what pleasures she had found among the vulgar races who peopled the cities. Soon after she returned she announced her pregnancy.
Her son’s current behaviour only served to fuel Ro’s suspicions. Talaban was too close to the Vagars who served him. He was even popular, which was a situation no Avatar should achieve. Vagars respected discipline, they reacted best to fear. Popularity, as far as Questor Ro was concerned, merely showed weakness in areas of leadership. It surprised Ro that the General could not understand these obvious flaws in Talaban’s nature. Added to this there was the fact that Talaban had never married. And since he was fast approaching the age when his seed would no longer be strong it was an added insult to the Avatar race. Every citizen should sire Avatar children. What future for the Avatars without them?
‘Him’s ready now,’ said Touchstone. Questor Ro had heard nothing, but the savage opened the door. He stood back as Questor Ro entered – which was at least something!
Ro stepped inside. Talaban was sitting at his desk, but he rose as the Questor entered. He moved round the desk to greet his guest. Like most of the warrior caste Talaban’s movements were graceful, always in balance. The soldier towered over the short stocky mage. The two men opened hands in the Avatar greeting. Questor Ro bowed, halting the movement a few inches short of the required angle. Not enough to be insulting, but sufficient to show Talaban he was displeased. If the warrior noticed the discourtesy he did not show it, but returned the bow smoothly, offering the perfect angle.
‘How is your work progressing?’ asked Talaban. Questor Ro cast a glance at Touchstone, who had sat down on the floor by the door.
‘It is not seemly to discuss such matters before inferiors,’ said Questor Ro. His slender hand tugged at the twin forks of his blue beard, signalling his rising irritation.
Talaban said nothing, but Touchstone rose and silently left the room. ‘Be seated, Questor,’ said Talaban, returning to his chair.
Ro glanced at a guttering lantern, then transferred his gaze to the cold crystal globes set into the wall. ‘I once journeyed to the western lands in one of these vessels,’ he said, sadly. ‘They were impressive then. No storm could touch them.’
‘Times change, Questor. Now how is your work progressing?’
‘I expect better results by tomorrow,’ said Ro. ‘Our probes need adjustments – minor adjustments,’ he added swiftly, seeing the concern on Talaban’s face. ‘We are not entirely aligned.’
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