Helliconia Summer - Brian W. Aldiss [636]
‘Yes, yes, I’m sure that’s so.’
‘We also do a trade in occhara, sir, if you would care for a free pipe. Your lady friend is a regular customer.’
‘Yes, bring me a pipe, man, thank you, and what of a lady called Toress Lahl? Is she here?’
‘She’s expected.’
‘All right.’ He went through into the rear room. Insil Esikananzi was resting on a couch, smoking a long-stemmed pipe. She looked perfectly calm, and regarded Luterin without speaking.
He sat by her without a word, and presently the young Odim brought him a lighted pipe. He inhaled with pleasure and immediately felt a mood strangely compounded of resignation and determination steal over him. He felt he was equal to anything. He understood now Insil’s expanded irises, and held her hand.
‘My husband is dead,’ she announced. ‘Did you know that? Did I tell you what he did to me on our wedding night?’
‘Insil, I’ve had enough confidences from you for one day. That episode in your life is over. We are still young. We can marry, can make one another happy or miserable, as the case may be.’
Wreathing herself in smoke, she said from the centre of it, ‘You are a fugitive. I need a home, I need care. I no longer need love. What I need is occhara. I want someone who can protect me. I want you to get Asperamanka back.’
‘That’s impossible. He’s dead.’
‘If you find it impossible, Luterin, then please be quiet and leave me to my thoughts. I am a widow. Widows never last long in winter …’
He sat by her, sucking on the occhara, letting his thoughts die.
‘If you could also kill my father, the Keeper, this remote community could revert to nature. The Wheel would stop. The plague could come and go. The survivors would see the Weyr- Winter through.’
‘There will always be survivors. It’s a law of nature.’
‘My husband showed me the laws of nature, thank you. I do not wish for another husband.’
They fell silent. Young Odim entered and announced to Luterin that Toress Lahl awaited him in an upper room. He cursed and stumbled after the man up a rickety stair without a backward look at Insil, certain that she would remain where she was for some while.
Luterin was shown into a small cabin, before which a curtain did duty for a door. Inside, a bed served as the only furniture. Beside the bed stood Toress Lahl. He was astonished at her girth until he remembered that he was much the same size.
She had certainly grown older. There was grey in her hair, although she still dressed it as she had done ten years ago. Her cheeks were rough and florid with the abrasion of frost. Her eyes were heavier, although they lit as she smiled with recognition. In every way, she seemed unlike Insil, not least in the kind of calm stoicism with which she presented herself for his inspection.
She wore boots. Her dress was poor and patched. Unexpectedly, she removed her fur hat – whether in welcome or respect he could not tell.
He took a step towards her. She immediately came forward and embraced him, kissing him on both cheeks.
‘Are you well?’ he asked.
‘I saw you yesterday. I was waiting outside the Wheel when they let you free. I called to you but you did not look my way.’
‘It was so bright.’ Still confused by the occhara, he could think of nothing to say. He wanted her to make jokes like Insil. When she did not, he asked, ‘Do you know Insil Esikananzi?’
‘She has become a good friend of mine. We’ve supported each other in many ways. The years have been long, Luterin … What plans do you have?’
‘Plans? The sun’s gone down.’
‘For the future.’
‘This innocent is again a fugitive … They may even try to blame me for Asperamanka’s death.’ He sat down heavily on the bed.
‘That man is dead? It’s a mercy …’ She thought and then said, ‘If you can trust me, Luterin, I could take you to my little hideout.’
‘I would only be a source of danger.’
‘That’s not what our relationship is based on. I’m still yours, Luterin, if you will have me.’ When he hesitated, she said pleadingly, ‘I need you, Luterin. You loved me once, I believe. What choices do you have here, surrounded