Indeed.” lantine dropped his hand from the smoothly waxed upright.
Lesnour, who’d lived well past the hundred mark, had designed and
executed Benden Hold’s murals and had been famed for his use of colour.
He’d also compiled a glossary of pigments available from indigenous
materials, a volume which lantine had studied and which had certainly
helped him at Bitra.
Lady Jane pushed open the wooden door into the sleeping room, which was
not large but still generous in size. He could see the large bed, its
four posts carved with unusual leaves and flowers: probably taken from
Earth’s botany. She pointed at the back to the third room of the suite:
a private toilet and bath. And the whole suite was warm.
Benden had been constructed with all the same conveniences that Fort
Hold boasted.
This is much more than I need, Lady Jane,’ lantine said, almost
embarrassed as he dropped his carisak to the floor of the day room.
Nonsense! We know at Benden what is due a man of your abilities.
Space,’ and she gave a graceful sweep of her hand about the room, is so
necessary to compose the thoughts and to allow the mind to relax.” She
did another complicated arabesque with her hands and smiled up at him.
He smiled back at her, trying to act gracious rather than amused at her
extravagant manner. Now, the evening meal will be served in the Great
Hall at eight, and you’ll dine at the upper table, she said with a firm
smile to forestall any protests. Would you care to have someone put at
your disposal to help with your materials?” No, thank you most kindly,
Lady Jane, but I’m used to doing for myself.” Maybe he could have
borrowed Leopol for a few weeks? There was certainly enough space for
the boy to be accommodated in with him.
So she left, after he had once again expressed his profuse thanks for
the courtesies.
He prowled about the rooms, then washed his hands and face, learning
that the water came very hot out of the spigot.
The bath had been carved out of the rock, deep enough for him to immerse
himself completely and sufficiently long to lie flat out in the water.
Even the Weyr had not such elegant conveniences.
He unpacked his clothing so that the wrinkles would hang out of his good
green shirt and began setting up his workplace.
And then sat down in one of the upholstered chairs, plunked his feet
down on the footstool, leaned back and sighed. He could get accustomed
to this sort of living, so he could! Except for the one lack – Debera.
He wondered briefly if Lady Jane would flutter while she posed for him.
And how would he pose her? Somehow he must put in the flutter of her,
but also her grace and charm.
He wondered what instrument she played with those small hands. If only
Debera weren’t so far away lantine might not have been pleased to know
that Debera was at that very moment the subject of discussion between
the Weyrleaders at Telgar.
No,’ Zulaya was saying, shaking her head, she has more retrieved the
relevant chart from the storage cabinet and brought it to the table.
K’vin hastily cleared a space. Then look along the Kahrainian coast
where the Armada had a long stop for repairs.” That’s all been gone
over so often And not much retrieved. Anyway, it’s not so much what we
find but more that we went for a look,’ Zulaya said with a droll grin.
The entire Weyr?” Well, the fighting wings, certainly. Leave the
training ones here, give them responsibility . . . and see how they
like it.” J’dar had better be in charge,’ K’vin said, glancing to see
if she agreed.
She shrugged. J’dar or O’ney.” No, J’dar.” Oddly enough, she gave him
a pleased smile. He hadn’t expected that, since she had specifically
named O’ney, one of the oldest bronze riders. He tried to defer to her
judgment whenever possible, but he’d noticed that O’ney tended to be
unnecessarily officious.
Now, this is as far as grubs had migrated on last winter’s check,’ she