Helliconia Summer - Brian W. Aldiss [500]
‘Uncle, little Ghufla can do his arithmetic so well …’
‘Uncle, I am so shamed that I must tell you of yet another infidelity when we are private together.’
‘Darling Unky, stop a while while I tell you of my terrifying dream in which some terrible shining creature like a dragon came and devoured us all.’
‘Do you admire my new dress? I could dance in it for you?’
‘Have you news from my creditor yet, please?’
‘Despite your orders, Kenigg kicks me and pulls my hair and makes my life a misery, Unky. Please let me be your servant and escape him.’
‘You forget those who love you, darling Eedap. Save us from our poverty, as we have pleaded so often.’
‘How noble and handsome you look today, Unk Eedap …’
The merchant showed neither impatience at the constant supplications nor pleasure at the forced compliments.
He pushed slowly through the thickets of Odim flesh, the odours of Odim sweat and perfume, saying a word here and there, smiling, permitting himself once to squeeze the mangolike breasts proffered by a young great-niece, sometimes even going so far as to press a silver coin into a particularly protruding hand. It was as if he considered – and indeed he did – that life could be got through only by sufferance, dispensing as few advantages to others as possible but nevertheless retaining a general humanity for the sake of one’s self-respect.
Only when he was outside, as Besi closed the gate after him, did Odim display emotion. There, pasted to his wall, were two posters. He made a convulsive clutch at his beard.
The first poster warned that the PLAGUE was threatening the lives of the citizens of Uskutoshk. The PLAGUE was particularly active in ports, and most especially in THE RENOWNED AND ANCIENT CITY OF KORIANTURA. Citizens were warned that public meetings were henceforth banned. More than four people gathering together in public places would be subject to severe punishment.
Further regulations designed to restrict the spread of THE FAT DEATH would be introduced shortly. BY ORDER OF THE OLIGARCH.
Odim read this notice through twice, very seriously. Then he turned to the second poster.
THE RESTRICTIONS OF PERSONS IN ABODES ACT. After several clauses in obscurantist language, a bolder clause stood out:
THESE LIMITATIONS as regards houses, demesnes, lodgings, rooms, and other Dwellings apply in particular to any household where the Householder is not of Uskuti blood. Such Persons are shown to be particularly liable to conduct the Spread of the Plague. Their numbers will henceforth be limited to One Person per Two Square Metres floorspace. BY ORDER OF THE OLIGARCH.
The announcement was not unexpected. It was aimed at doing away with the more bohemian quarters of the city, where the Oligarchy found no favour. Odim’s friends on the local council had warned him of its coming.
Once more, the Uskuti were demonstrating their racial prejudices – prejudices of which the Oligarchy was quick to take advantage. Phagors had been banned from walking untended in Sibornalese cities long ago.
It made no difference that Odim and his forebears had lived in this city for centuries. The Restrictions of Persons in Abodes Act rendered it impossible for him to protect his family any longer.
Looking quickly about him, Odim tore the poster from the wall, screwed it up, and thrust it under his suede coat.
This action alarmed Besi almost as much as the captain’s oath had done the previous evening. She had never seen Odim step outside the law before. His unswerving obedience to what was legal was well-known. She gasped and stared at him with her mouth open.
‘The winter is coming,’ was all he said. His face was drawn into bitter lines.
‘Take my arm, girl,’ he said huskily. ‘We shall have to do something …’
The fog rendered the quayside a place of beauty where a copse of swaying masts