Helliconia Summer - Brian W. Aldiss [354]
Ice Captain Muntras called a one-wheeled sedan. He and AbathVasidol climbed in and off went the sedan, pulled by two veterans of the Western Wars, who had between them two-and-a-half arms, three legs, and about the same number of eyes.
In this style, they creaked through the underground lanes of Ottassol and eventually entered Ward Court, where daylight shone down brightly from the square of sky overhead. At the bottom of a flight of steps was a solid door with a sign above. They climbed out of the cramped conveyance, the veterans accepted a coin, and Muntras rang the doorbell.
It was hardly to be expected of a man in his profession that Bardol CaraBansity, deuteroscopist, should show surprise, whoever called on him; but he did raise an eyebrow at the girl while shaking the hand of his old acquaintance.
Over wine, which his loving wife served, CaraBansity professed himself delighted to instal AbathVasidol in his household.
‘I don’t suppose you will wish to carry hoxney carcasses about, but there are less alarming jobs to be done. Good. Welcome.’
His wife appeared less delighted by the new arrangement, but said nothing.
‘Then, sir, I shall be off, with grateful compliments to you both,’ said Muntras, rising from his chair.
CaraBansity rose too, and this time there was no mistaking his surprise. Of recent years, the Ice Captain had developed leisurely habits. When delivering his fresh ice – of which the CaraBansity household and its corpses consumed a fair share – the trader generally settled in for a long pleasant talk. This haste must have some meaning, thought CaraBansity.
‘In gratitude for the introduction to this young lady, I will at least ride with you back to your ship,’ he said. ‘No, no, I insist.’
And he did insist, to such effect that the discomfitted Muntras found himself in no time with his knees pressed against the deuteroscopist’s knees and their noses almost touching, and nowhere to cast his regard except into the eyes in front of his, as they jolted in a sedan towards the TRANSIT GOODS ONLY Warehouse.
‘Your friend SartoriIrvrash,’ the Ice Captain said.
‘Well, I trust?’
‘No. The king’s dismissed him and he’s disappeared.’
‘Sartori disappeared! Where?’
‘If people knew where, it would not count as a disappearance,’ said Muntras humorously, dislodging one knee.
‘What happened, for beholder’s sake?’
‘You’ve heard about the queen of queens, of course.’
‘She came through here on her way to Gravabagalinien. According to the newsletter, five thousand hats were mislaid, having been thrown carelessly into the air as she arrived at the royal dock.’
‘JandolAnganol and your friend fell out over the Massacre of the Myrdolators.’
‘And then he disappeared?’
Muntras nodded his head so gently that their noses scarcely touched.
‘Into the palace dungeons, where others have gone?’
‘Very likely. Or was clever enough to flee the city.’
‘I must discover what has happened to his manuscripts.’
Silence between them.
When the sedan chair reached the warehouse, Muntras said, resting his hand on the other’s sleeve, ‘You are too kind, but there is no need for you to get out.’
Looking as confused as possible, CaraBansity climbed out nevertheless. ‘Come, I know your ruse. A good one. My wife can become better acquainted with your pretty AbathVasidol while you and I have a quiet farewell drink aboard your boat, eh? Don’t think I didn’t grasp your scheme.’
‘No, but—’ While Muntras was anxiously paying off the sedan men, the deuteroscopist was marching in his ponderous way towards the dock where the Lordryardry Lady was tied up.
‘I expect you have a bottle of the Exaggerator aboard?’ inquired CaraBansity cheerfully, as Muntras caught up with him. ‘And how did you acquire this young lady you have so kindly deposited with me?’
‘She’s a friend, of an old friend. Ottassol’s a dangerous place for innocent young girls like Abathy.’
There lay the Lordryardry Lady, with two phagor guards nearby, wearing armbands bearing the name of the company.
‘I’m sorry, but I cannot let you aboard,