L’Eglise de St. Holmendis. A portion of the ancient oratory is incorporated in the crypt of a nineteenth-century Gothic restoration made according to the theories of Biilg. This portion is shown to men only. Behind the altar is a large and exceptionally inspiring mural of the Christian knight Donander, who fell in battle against the heathen, ascending to Heaven.
Chateau. (Open 9 to 11.30 a.m. and 2 to 4 p.m. (from 1 October to Easter), 6 p.m. (Easter
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to 30 September). Admission:IF. There is also a Son et Lumiere in summer, French 8.30, English 9.45 p.m. Admission: 1.50 F.)
Little remains of the stronghold of Dom Manuel, and nothing of his tomb, whose ornate monument was razed during the Revolution. The existing structure is mainly the work of Florian, fourth Due de Puysange, restored according to Biilg, and looks about as one would expect. It houses a museum which includes some interesting relics (among them two balls said to have belonged to Jurgen the pawnbroker, an iridescent shirt of undoubted antiquity whose radioactivity cannot be accounted for, a chastity belt in pristine condition bearing the arms of Alianora of Provence, and a set of specifications for a solar system initialled “K”) as well as an inexplicable collection of manuscripts and other scribblings by some obscure American writer.
The remnant of the original building is known as the Room of Ageus and contains three unusual windows.
Other Things to See
Pont de Duardenez. This bridge over the river is a favorite spot for anglers, whose catches are occasionally of a unique variety of blind fish.
Hotel Freydis. Look into the courtyard of this somewhat peculiar inn for a sight of ten amusing small statues.
Poul and Karen Anderson
ROBERT A. HEINLEIN
Guest of Honor, World Science Fiction Convention, 1976
Your universe is ruled by common sense: Though on the road to glory Waldo saw Magic incorporate the Devil’s law,
Your empire’s logic holds by pounds and pence;
And though your misfits build a crooked house, Or by their bootstraps find the door to summer, Though double stardom trap a passing mummer,
Your roads will only roll where trade allows;
And men must sell the moonlunch isn’t free. If starship troopers march, and blowups come (Solutions with no satisfying sum)
Can citizenhood win the Galaxy?
But fear no evil: for, these things above, Each life-line still binds time enough for love.
Karen Anderson
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Iratzabal’s hoofs were shod with bronze, as befitted a high chief, and heavy gold pins held the coils of bright sorrel hair on top of his head. In this morning’s battle, of course, he had used wooden pins which were less likely to slip out. As tonight was a ceremonial occasion, he wore a coat of aurochs hide dyed blue with woad, buttoned and cinched with hammered gold.
He waved his spear high to show the green branches bound to its head as he entered the humans’ camp. No one spoke, but a guard grunted around a mouthful of barley-cake and jerked his thumb toward the commander’s tent.
Standing in his tent door, Kynthides eyed the centaur with disfavor, from his unbarbered hair to the particularly clumsy bandage on his off fetlock. He straightened self-consciously in his sea-purple cloak and pipeclayed linen tunic.
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“Greetings, most noble Iratzabal,” he said, bowing. “Will you enter my tent?”
The centaur returned the bow awkwardly. “Glad to, most noble Kynthides.” he said. As he went in the man realized with a little surprise that the centaur emissary was only a couple of fingers’ breadth taller than himself.
It was darker inside the tent than out, despite the luxury of three lamps burning at once. “I hope you’ve dined well? May I offer you anything?” Kynthides asked politely, with considerable misgivings. The centaur probably wouldn’t know what to do with a barley loaf, and as for winewell, there wasn’t a drop within five miles of camp. Or there had better not be.
“That’s decent of you, but I’m full up,” said Iratzabal. “The boys found a couple of dead .. . uh, buffalo, after the battle, and we had a fine barbecue.”