To Storm Heaven - Esther Friesner [59]
“And I will take full responsibility before Captain Picard for having introduced the medicines to the Ashkaarians.” “Thanks, but there’s no need for that either. It’s done. If there are any consequences to be accepted, I’ll take them. It was in a good cause.” He sighed wearily. “I’m glad we’ve broken the back of this epidemic so quickly. Now we can get back to our initial mission. I only hope—” He didn’t finish the thought. Hope of finding n’vashal was too closely tied up with the possibility of failure. So many dead ends, and so many lives in the balance— The Orakisan ambassador understood without his having to say another word. “Commander Riker, the Ashkaarians revere the Lady of the Balances, the keeper of harmony. They believe that in all deeds, there is weight to sway the Lady’s scales for good or evil. What we have just done for them has dropped the balance of life in our favor. If prayers of thanksgiving for their lives and their children’s lives carry any weight at all, this Lady of theirs must surely give us the lives of my people in payment, to restore the balance of the universe.” “You sound as ready as the Ne’elatians to adopt the Ashkaarians’ faith,” Riker remarked.
Lelys’s face darkened. “If I do, I will do it from my heart, in truth, not merely for show.” “I meant no offense, Ambassador.” As suddenly as it had come, her scowl was gone.
“None taken. I apologize, Commander. We are all tired, and fatigue often makes me short tempered. But with the sickness stemmed, we can resume our initial purpose here, as you say. Let us take our success against the fever as a favorable omen, one that promises us the swift, equally successful conclusion to our search.” “If I had a glass, I’d drink to that with you,” Riker said affably.
“Why should we not go downstairs and see if Sekol can provide us with some refreshment, then?” Lelys suggested. “The inn is no longer a hospital ward; business is nearly back to normal.” Riker bowed and offered the Orakisan his arm. “At your service.” They left the room in high spirits, despite how tired they both felt. The heavy door dosed behind them, sealing the chamber in silence for the space of half a dozen breaths. A scrabbling sound came at the window. The little casement, cracked open just enough to admit the fresh, cold mountain air, now swung back outwards on its hinges and a tall, thin body slipped inside.
Avren the shepherd stood in the space between the two narrow beds, breathing hard after his exertions and brushing off the plaster dust that still clung to his clothes. He no longer wore the bland, empty expression of a simpleton, and he had left his shepherd’s hat and crook behind him on the small outthrust roof just under the chamber window where he had lain hidden, listening, all this time.
His eyes were keen and alert, sweeping over the little room with the cool, searching gaze of a hunting hawk. When he caught his breath after the wriggle and scramble through the little window, he flung himself down on his belly to ferret around under the beds, examining every stick of furniture and every comer of the room closely.
His search turned up nothing, but his disheartened look lasted only an instant. A slow smile spread itself across his features. He reached into the pouch at his belt and drew out a device that was almost identical to the mirror-like object of Ma’adrys’s mother. “Udar Kishrit,” he said, his voice low and terse. “Urgent.
Immediate response required.” The device hummed briefly, then stilled. In the time it took to count to five, Udar Kishrit’s voice emanated from the glimmering circle. “Yes, Avren.
What is it? This isn’t the agreed-on time for your report.’” “I know that. I have information that I believe you’d do well to have immediately. I’m in one of their rooms at the inn and—” “In one of their rooms?” The head of Ne’elat’s council repeated the agent’s words, stunned. “You fool, get out of there before you’re discovered!” Avren chuckled. “What would they discover?