Universe Twister - Keith Laumer [189]
"Never saw—" the old man quavered, waving back the other brother. "What can you mean? You were raised together! You've seen each other almost daily for the past twenty-one years!"
"Father—I think I understand," Sisli cried, thrusting herself between Lafayette and her male relatives. "Poor Tazlo feels it wouldn't be fair to marry me, in his condition!"
"Condition? What condition?" Father said querulously.
"In the fall—when he broke his wing—he suffered a blow on the head, and he's lost his memory!"
"A likely tale," the elder brother growled.
"How did he happen . . . unh . . . to fall in the first place?" the younger brother grunted, massaging his stomach, wrist and shin simultaneously.
"Yes—how did you happen to fall, Tazlo—you of all people?" the old man asked. "An expert wingsman like you."
"It's a long story," Lafayette said shortly. "You wouldn't understand—"
"Please—how can he tell you?" Sisli protested. "He remembers nothing."
"He remembered how to kiss unsuspecting young females," the younger brother growled.
"Look, fellows—why don't you just forget that? It was a mistake, I admit it. I'm sorry if I caused any misunderstanding—"
"Misunderstanding? This silly goose came rushing up to us, blurted out the glad tidings where half the eyrie heard her! We'll all be a laughingstock—especially if we go off and leave you here in her chamber, unchaperoned!"
"Well, then, I'll go elsewhere. I'm not looking for trouble. Just direct me to the nearest telephone—"
"Nearest what?" three voices chimed as one.
"Well, telegraph station, then. Or police station. Or bus station. I have to get a message through—"
"What's he talking about?"
"He must be raving."
"I think Wizner Hiz ought to know about this."
"No! Tazlo hasn't done anything!" Sisli spoke up. "He'll be fine—just as soon as you go away and leave us alone!"
"Not likely," Younger Brother said grimly. "You come with us, girl—and I'll see to it Haz is moved to a bachelor nest—"
"He needs me! Now get out—both of you—and Father, if you side with them—"
"I never take sides," the old man said quickly. "Calmly, my child. We'll take the matter under advisement. Something will have to be done. In the meantime—suppose we simply keep the entire matter, ah, confidential, eh? No need to give sharp tongues fodder to gnaw on."
"Then you'll have to leave Tazlo here," Sisli said flatly. "If he leaves, everyone will know that . . . that something's amiss."
"Bah, the chit is right," Younger Brother said.
"Tazlo—hadn't you best lie down?" Sisli said, taking Lafayette's hand.
"I'm fine," Lafayette said. "But they're right. I can't stay here." He turned to the three male members of the family—except for himself and Sisli, the room was empty.
"Where did they go?"
"Umm." Sisli looked thoughtful. "Father's hurrying along to his uncle Timro's perch, probably to discuss the situation over a cup or two of bool cider; and Vugli and Hinky are standing about twenty feet away, talking. I don't think they're too well pleased. But you know that as well as I, Tazlo."
"How did they get out?"
"They just . . . went, of course. What do you mean?"
"I looked for a . . . door," Lafayette stumbled over the word. "I can't find one."
"What's a door, Tazlo?"
"You know: the part of the wall that moves—swings out, or slides sideways. I can't seem to think of the word for it in Thallathlonian."
Sisli looked interested. "What's it for, Tazlo? Just decoration, I suppose—"
"It's to get in and out by. You know. A door!"
"Tazlo—you don't need a dooor—whatever that is—to go out. I think that bump on your head—"
"All right then: how do you go out without a door?"
"Why—like this . . ." Sisli turned to the wall, and stepped to it—through it. Lafayette saw her advancing foot sink into the solid wood, followed by her body, the tips of her trailing wings disappearing last, leaving the wall as unbroken as before. He jumped after her, ran his hands over the grainy wood. It was solid, slightly warm to touch—
Sisli reappeared