McCaffrey, Anne – The Coelura

“Caissa, as my body-heir, I have the right to request you to consider your first contract to further our mutual interests.”

Caissa acknowledged that right.

“Would you consent to a contract with Cavernus Murell? I can assure you that the privileges of such a contract far outweigh any other that I have recommended to you.”

Caissa made the filial obeisance before she looked at Murell. She was very nearly undone by the twinkle of his eyes.

“What form of contract, my sire?”

“With so much at issue, Baythan,” said Murell, “I must insist on a body contract of five standard years to ensure the health of that heir.”

Baythan was visibly startled. Caissa knew that he must be rapidly assessing the value of this double commitment to the Oriolii, whether it would improve or hamper his own designs and whether he dared insist that Caissa approve such a long heir-contract.

“Sire Baythan,” said Caissa, drawling. She pretended to study Murell’s face and figure with a calculating eye. “I should be an undutiful heir not to do everything in my power to support you at this moment.” But her eyes sought Murell’s as she spoke.

The fingers of her sire’s right hand twitched briefly in recognition of her unexpected capitulation. Baythan gave Caissa a sudden searching look of suspicion before he, too, smiled with every evidence of pride in her filial submission. He took a step forward to get the attention of the two Rulers, approaching to make his request. Caissa, who dared not look at Murell when her heart was singing as loudly as coelura, watched the faces of the Rulers. She thought that Red Ruler smiled as he listened to Baythan.

“You wear coelura,” whispered the Caverna to Caissa in the accomplished voiceless way of their rank.

“A life-debt, my lady,” Caissa replied and smiled at the girl who would now be in a double relationship to her.

The Caverna’s eyebrows puckered slightly in perplexity.

“When I whistled coelura to spin two lengths, I thought one was to fulfill a contract debt.”

Both girls heard Murell’s chuckle.

“No, a life-debt, Anvral,” said Murell.

“You rescued Murell.” Anvral shot a look of gratitude to Caissa and then one of anger to the Cavernus. “Why didn’t you let me know?”

“After my ‘accident,’ discretion seemed the wiser course. You were proceeding very well, Anvral, without my assistance.” Murell’s eyes gleamed with friendly malice.

Then Baythan raised his hands for silence. He announced the double contract. As the Great Hall buzzed with agitation, Murell was beckoned forward. The two Rulers, Murell and Baythan watched the writer amend the document.

“How did you meet Baythan?” Caissa had a few questions of her own.

“He rescued me,” said Anvral, her eyes crinkling with laughter though she kept her face composed, “from an amphibian when I was searching for Murell. Are rescue missions to interdicted areas a genetic trait in your line?”

“My sire is known to be fortunate,” Caissa replied with discreet sincerity. This girl was not as unsophisticated as Baythan had been led to believe.

“Caverna Anvral,” said Blue Ruler, “body-heir Lady Caissa, your signatures are required.”

“I would like to scan the document first,” said Caissa as she approached the writing table.

“A wise lady,” said Red Ruler with a hint of a smile tugging at his sad lips.

Caissa knew enough about such contracts to flick through the first paragraphs about obligation, responsibility, damages and sanctions applicable if the obligations were not fulfilled. The paragraph concerning her sire and Anvral gave two years of body-heir provision. In small but quite legible script, the writer had added the conditions stipulated by Murell.

The third paragraph she read slowly for it outlined the end of the interdiction of the Oriolii and stated that coelura fabric would again be available for export and at a price per spin that made Caissa’s eyes widen. Murell’s name had been substituted for Anvral’s as Comptroller. Official garments would be supplied to ranking Cavernii (so that had been Baythan’s reason for her to contract), Triadic Rulers and their body-heirs at need and at no expense. Yellow Triad City was to be restored, an enormous credit balance advanced to replenish and refurbish Oriolii Caverns and surface facilities. Yellow Triad Ruler was to be nominated by the Oriolis Cavernii that candidate to be accepted by Red and Blue Rulers. The writer had added only one line to this clause: the supply of coelura fabric would not exceed one spin per adult coelura in any Demeathorn year.