wifa gold, too . . . and she altered her voice appropriately,
sniffing. He might just humour me where he wouldn’t do a thing for
himself. If you’ll excuse me?” Both men had stood when she did, and now
Gallian strode to open the door for her as she sailed gracefully out,
grinning mischievously as she left. Gallian returned to his guest,
shaking his head.
I’ve never gone against my father before,’ he said anxiously, his
expression unhappy.
Nor would I urge you to do so, lad. I appreciate your doubts, but can
you doubt what Chalkin will do?” No, I can’t,’ and Gallian sighed,
turning back to the Fort Lord Holder with a resolute expression. I
suppose I should get accustomed to making decisions, not merely carrying
them out.
Paulin clapped him on the shoulder encouragingly.
That’s it exactly, Gallian. And I’ll guarantee, not all the decisions
you’ll be called upon to make will be the right ones.
Being a Lord Holder doesn’t keep you from making mistakes: just make the
right wrong ones!” Paulin grinned as Gallian tried to absorb that
notion. If you are right most of the time, you’re ahead of the game.
And you’re right in this one for the good reasons which your father
declines to see.
Gallian nodded his head. Then he asked more briskly, Will you have
some wine now, Paulin?” You’ve your mother’s way with you,’ Paulin
said, accepting the offer. Which you will find is an advantage …
Not, mind you, that I in any way imply a lack in your father’s manners.”
No, of course not,’ Gallian agreed but he smiled briefly, then cleared
his throat. Ah, what happens to Chalkin when he’s removed? I mean,
it’s not as if he could be dropped on the southern islands, is it?” Why
not?” Paulin replied equably. Not,’ he added hastily when he saw
Gallian’s consternation, that he would be placed on the same one as the
murderers. There is a whole chain an archipelago of them .
Aren’t they volcanic?” Only Young Island, otherwise they’re tropical
and quite habitable. But one is certain then that the . . .
ah . . detainee cannot leave and cause ructions. Which Chalkin would
certainly do if he was allowed to remain on the Mainland. No, the most
sensible and most humane solution is to put him where he can’t do any
more harm than he’s already done.” Then who’s to take over managing
Bitra?” His children are too young, certainly, but there’s an uncle,
not much older than Chalkin at that. I heard a rumour though that
Vergerin and Chalkin had played a game, the stakes being an uncontested
succession.
My father mentioned that, too, early on when impeachment first came up.
Said he ought to have insisted that Vergerin stand in spite of what the
old Neratian Lord wanted. Chalkin’s spouse is Franco’s sister, you
know.” I’d forgotten that. Amazing,’ Paulin added.
Franco’s totally different, but then his mother was Brenton’s first
spouse.
They were discussing the ever-interesting problem of heredity when the
door suddenly opened and Thea came in, almost bent double.
Great Stars, mother!” Gallian rushed to assist her. Why, what’s the
matter? You’re so flushed She slammed the door shut, waved aside her
son’s help and collapsed in her chair with laughter.
What’s so funny?” Oh, your father, dear. .. She wiped tears from her
cheeks and some of the flush’ came away, too. She looked at the
handkerchief and rubbed her cheeks more vigorously, still laughing.
We did it! He’s going to the warm. I left him writing to ask for
Richud’s hospitality. I said I’d have e message pennon flown, but your
rider would take it, wouldn’t he, Paulin? When he takes you back to
Fort?” Indeed, he will . or rather I’ll take it to Richud myself and
ask him to connive with us to keep Jamson from knowing what’s happening
off the island,’ said Paulin, grinning with relief.
But why are you laughing, Mother? And why the face paint. Gallian
demanded.
Well, and she flitted her handkerchief, beaming at the two.
What he wouldn’t do for himself, he’d do for his ailing mate, she said,