Helliconia Summer - Brian W. Aldiss [425]
‘Please make this brief, or the man will burst in upon us at this table,’ said CaraBansity. ‘We take it that you’re as great an orator as you are a general.’
Frowning, TolramKetinet said that Pasharatid would decide that two ships could never take Ottassol. His best plan would be to capture the queen and thus force Ottassol to submit to his demands. They should anticipate that Pasharatid would land somewhere to the east of Gravabagalinien, wherever a favourable beach presented itself. He would then march on Gravabagalinien with his men. He, TolramKetinet (who struck his chest as he spoke), declared that they must immediately muster their defences against this anticipated land attack. The queen’s person was safe in his keeping.
After a general discussion, the queen issued orders. As she spoke, rain started to drip down on the table. ‘Since water is my element, I cannot complain if the roof leaks,’ she said.
MyrdemInggala advised that defences should be built along the perimeters of the palace grounds and that the general should draw up an inventory of all weapons and warlike impedimenta available, not forgetting the armoury of the Vajabhar Prayer.
Turning to SartoriIrvrash, she ordered him and Odi Jeseratabhar to depart from the palace at once. They might have three hoxneys from the stables.
‘You are kind, ma’am,’ said SartoriIrvrash, although the expression on his volelike face suggested he thought otherwise. ‘But can you spare us?’
‘I can if your companion is fit to ride.’
‘I don’t think she is fit.’
‘Rushven, I can spare you as Jan could spare you. You advised him on the plan of divorcement, didn’t you? As for your new consort, I understand that she is or was a close friend of the villainous Io Pasharatid.’
He was taken aback. ‘My lady, there was much botheration … Many questions of policy were involved. I was paid to support the king.’
‘You used to claim that you supported the truth.’
He searched his charfrul absentmindedly, as if looking for a veronikane, then settled for rubbing his whiskers instead.
‘Sometimes the two roles coincided. I know that your kind heart and the king’s spoke for the phagors in our kingdom. Yet they are the chief cause of all human troubles. In summer, we have the opportunity to rid ourselves of them when their numbers are low. Yet summer is the time we squabble among ourselves and are least capable of seeing them as our ultimate enemy. Believe me, ma’am, I have studied such histories as Brakst’s Thribriatiad, and have learned—’
She looked at him not unfavourably, but now held up her hand.
‘Rushven, no more! We were friends, but our lives have changed. Go in peace.’
Unexpectedly, he ran round the table and clasped her hand.
‘We’ll go, we’ll go! After all, I’m used to cruel treatment. But grant one request before we leave … With Odi’s assistance, I have discovered something of vital importance to us all. We shall go on to Oldorando, and present this discovery to the Holy C’Sarr, in the hopes that it may merit reward. It will also discountenance your ex-husband, you may be pleased to hear—’
‘What is your request?’ she broke in angrily. ‘Be finished, will you? We have more important business.’
‘The request has to do with the discovery, ma’am. When we were all safe at the palace at Matrassyl, I used to read to your infant daughter. Little you care for that now. I remember the charming storybook that Tatro possessed. Will you permit me to take that storybook with me to Oldorando?’
MyrdemInggala stifled something between a laugh and a scream. ‘Here we try to prepare for a land attack and you wish to have a child’s book of fairy tales! By all means take the book as far as I’m concerned – then be off the premises, and take that ceaseless tongue of yours with