But Caissa had not wished to travel from Demeathorn, certainly not in the exalted Lady Cinnas company, for she didnt much like the womans ruthlessness, brittle ways and excessive devotion to bizarre fashions, often including body changes. If such practices were essential for social acceptance outside Demeathorns system, Caissa preferred to stay with her father. Again, being candid, Caissa had lately become bored with a life totally devoted to days spent in hunting parties and evenings in parties discussing the days hunts.
The previous spring, Caissa had been tempted to travel to another system and had asked her sires permission.
Travel? Youve just got back from a visit to Red City. Oh, you mean star travel! Baythan had regarded his heir thoughtfully. Shes been nagging at you, has she?
Not recently, Caissa had truthfully replied.
For all of me, you can go wherever you wish. Although the karnsore season is about to start. You havent forgotten your wager with Rhondus of Rigel Four, have you?
Certainly not.
Baythan had smiled as he gave her shoulder a paternal pat, Good girl, Then go after the karnsore season. Do you good. Get your quota hunter status on different worlds. It sharpens the instincts.
During the excitement of that spectacular karnsore hunt and her triumph over Rhondus by three kills, Caissa forgot her half-formed resolve to travel. Rhondus had been a good loser, as befit his rank, and had invited her to join him in a hunt on his native planet. As Rigel Four was in the Lady Cinnas sphere of dominance, Caissa had pleaded duties which kept her on Demeathorn and tactfully introduced Rhondus to a Caverna with short-term contracts on her mind
Caissa had been very surprised when the next ministerial courier had brought her a cascade of magnificent, perfectly matched firegems. In a handwritten note, itself an unusual mark of favor for a womb-child who had disappointed her dam, Lady Cinna advised Caissa to choose only a man who could out-hunt her.
Caissa had chosen to be amused by the sly insult. Now, with Baythan promoting an heir-contract with a Cavernus who only hunted in caverns well enough lit to take full advantage of photophobic prey or rode after the fleet but timid rerbok, the High Lady Cinnas taunt rankled.
Hunting? Baythan had been dressed for hunting and he had not suggested that she join him. Caissa was alarmed. That could mean that the new Cavernus was already in the Blue City, had approached Baythan personally and probably been encouraged by her sire for that unspecified reason of reward.
Trin, Caissa called out, running to her dressing room as she stripped off her wrap, dress me quickly. The new Cavernus may be making a call
A fleeting look of surprise crossed the old dressers face to be replaced instantly by the appropriately intent expression of the devoted personal servant.
As she was being suitably arrayed in semi-formal morning attire, Caissa found time to run a computer check on the new Cavernuss public credit and property, hoping to find something positive about the applicant. Exact figures were not available without special coding but it was obvious that the Diolla Mines of Gustins inheritance produced a steady profit, the domestic satisfaction of his tenants and free miners was excellent and his assessed private wealth included valuable mining sites on two of Demeathorns four moons and active drilling in domed compounds on three methane atmosphere planets in nearby systems. She could extract a fine endowment in an heir-contract if she could only stomach the sire.
Trin had just finished winding green ocean stones into Caissas long, naturally black, plaited hair when Gustins arrival at her reception entrance was flashed on the screen of her inner chamber.
Depressing the release toggle, Caissa welcomed Gustin, keeping her words formal as she invited him to enter. He had come, she noticed as he stepped within range of the visuals in the reception room, properly garbed for someone wanting to negotiate an heir-contract. He carried a gift casket.
Caissa let him wait, observing with inner satisfaction his nervous pace, the occasional twitch he gave to settle the drape of a tunic which did not hide the fact that his shoulders required some padding. He was a shade knock-kneed and his calves in their ceremonial laces wanted more muscle before theyd display to advantage. Gustin was, as most young nobles, handsome of face and, aside from those minor deficiencies of shoulder-breadth and leg, well proportioned. What did not match his appearance was his mind, Caissa thought with a sigh.