She was momentarily stunned for physical injuries were quickly corrected and deformities simply unknown. She sternly reminded herself that he had been in a crash, had had no surgical treatment to mend injuries sustained weeks before and she must be discreet and tolerant.
Then the man whistled in an incredibly complex glissando. The voluble round aerial creatures smothered him in iridescent strands. In a matter of seconds, they flitted away and he was clad in the most gorgeous raiment she had ever seen, his unsightly injuries masked.
Coelura, a passive ovoid indigenous life form. That hard-won data flashed through Caissas mind. Coelura! The only thing that distinguished Demeathorn! Fashion was of major importance to the High Lady Cinna. She would have prized as invaluable the garment the man now wore.
Coelura, spinning iridescent garments, had been the product of the Yellow Triad City. And was coelura the reason the Oriolis had been expelled from the Triadic Cities? Why? Snippets of information began to mesh. She had assumed that coelura were no longer available. Could this island flock be all that remained? Was her sires mission to rediscover coelura? With bitter certainty,
Caissa knew that a coelura garment would satisfy that unfulfilled clause in Baythans heir-contract with the High Lady Cinna
Caissa was seized suddenly with an anguish so cruel and a rage so deep that she nearly burst into tears. Baythan had sounded so positive of success. If he knew of coelura, how could he put such joyous creatures in jeopardy to the fashion-hunger of the galaxy?
Coelura trilled her a reassurance which eased that stabbing, unfilial accusation. They swirled ecstatically about the man they had clothed in splendor. In splendor, and more, for now he was close enough for her to distinguish that other difference about him. Crippled he might be, walking slowly to disguise a halting stride, but in his face, handsome in feature, was a serenity, a self-awareness that she had never before observed in any of her acquaintance.
Some heretofore unexperienced compulsion caused her to extend her arms forward, palms up, in respectful greeting. She smiled, a smile as warm and genuine as his, totally unprompted by propriety or protocol.
You survived that dreadful crash! she said, wondering how anyone in his present state could be as happy as he.
Barely, he replied, indicating by a slight nod of his head the damaged side of his body.
Your signal was so very faint that I despaired of finding anyone alive.
The signal, my lady, has been on for so long I had despaired of its being heard at all.
He clasped her hands as equal to equal as naturally as if they had met under formal conditions. The faintest squeeze of his-strong left hand emphasized the irony of his words.
You didnt expect to be rescued at all? Inadvertently her eyes went to his throat which the highnecked gown covered.
I am now found.
Her ear caught the note in his voice that augured ill for those who had not searched until they found him. Or perhaps he was not, as she had assumed by his manner, a body-heir.
I have been considering the construction of a boat to take me back to the mainland. My absence might precipitate matters. Would your vehicle possibly carry two?
Of course … but not now.
Oh?
Caissa cleared her throat, aware of his amusement at her hesitation.
I neglected to check my fuel tanks before leaving Blue City … and, when he smiled kindly at such a lapse, she went on purposefully. My own fault but I had not intended to come so far and then heard your distress signal.
How far will the remainder of your fuel take you? His expression became concerned and the flowing blue-green of his robe turned grey.
By tomorrow, when the solar batteries have charged, I can transport you anywhere you wish.
Even to interdicted territory?
Rescue missions are exempt.
His smile deepened and his robe brightened, too.
And how do you explain your overnight absence to the Blue City Guardians?
With any plausible story I care to concoct on my way back, she replied with a shrug and a smile to belie a callous indifference to truth and authority. Do not worry on my account. I am only pleased to restore you. She faltered then, feeling a blush suffuse her face as if she were an undisciplined adolescent for she was not conducting his rescue in a proper way. I brought my medical kit, she added, reaching for it.