Throy (24 page)

          “True. But why am I in this place to begin with? Whom am I fighting, and why?”

“As for the fighting, the reasons are unpredictable. I might be sitting quietly, thinking about something, when a lady comes over to talk. You resent the lady’s friendly attitude and give her hair a yank, and that is where the party begins.”

“Very good,” said Flitz. “I now know why you need me for an associate. You might as well explain the rest of it.”

Chilke frowned off across the river. “Just as you like. I have to go back a few years, when I was something of a vagabond, wandering here and there and - as I see it now - absorbing an education. I listened to dozens of old locators, explorers, fugitives from deeds no one remembered, not even themselves. They were lonely men and generally talkative, especially over a jug, and I heard many strange tales. After a time I began to take notes. In the end I had a dozen or so accounts of marvelous places and things. Are they true reports, or legends, or drunken fabrications? My guess is: some of each. The authentic cases are out there now, waiting for someone to

come find them.”

“And whom do you suggest for this investigation?”

“I thought that you and I could glance over the list and settle on a few good prospects. I think Glawen would let me take the Fortunatus; it will do us no good otherwise.”

Flitz kept her voice even. “You propose, then, that you and I should fly off into the far regions of space to track down the drunken tales you once heard in a saloon, while probably more than half drunk yourself and, in general, live a feckless irresponsible life.”

“Well, yes,” said Chilke. “That is the project, in a nutshell.”

Flitz heaved a sigh. “Eustace, don’t you think I have enough on my mind without having to worry whether or not you are insane?”

“Be assured: I am not insane!”

“That is the worst worry of all!”

          “Touché,” muttered Chilke.

Flitz rose from the couch. On sudden impulse she leaned over and kissed Chilke’s cheek. “Eustace, if nothing else you deserve that much for your valiant efforts.”

“One moment,” cried Chilke, struggling to his feet. “What about the appointment?”

“Not just now, Eustace.”

Flitz left the room. Chilke looked after her with a grin.

Chapter 6, Part IV

Three days passed. Chilke saw little of Flitz except in the company of others. He made no effort to seek her out, lest she think him importunate, but after a time, doubts began to color his thinking; was it possible that his restraint might be mistaken for complacency?

Chilke became impatient: both with himself and the dilemma. No more pussy-footing! Let the chips fall where they may!

The decision was rendered moot by the arrival of Bagnoli, the architect, and three senior L-B Construction engineers. They would sojourn at Stronsi House, while a residential complex was being erected at Bainsey Castle for the construction crews. Flitz brought in domestic service from Port Twang, but had more responsibilities than ever, or so it seemed to Chilke.

The newcomers conferred daily with Barduys and made frequent expeditions into the countryside. Glawen, who had been present at some of the conferences, kept Chilke informed. “These men are top L-B engineers. Barduys is starting up his Bainsey project; he is wasting no time. I have seen the sketches. They show a low irregular structure at the side of the crag. It is ponderous but impressive, and it seems to be part of the natural landscape. Storms can blast it with green water and the fabric won’t so much as quiver. During the evening the guests can look out across the slutes and watch the water-waifs skipping across the puddles. When the storms come and waves roar and foam seethes across the slutes, perhaps the guests will shiver a bit before they go to dine beside the great fireplace.”

“The reservation list will be long indeed,” said Chilke.

“Undoubtedly. Still, I’ve noticed something odd. Flitz takes no interest in the project. When Bagnoli or the engineers come into the room, she leaves.”

“That may partly be my doing,” said Chilke.

Glawen raised his eyebrows. “How so?”

“I decided that she was brooding too much, so I told her some locator’s tales; I mentioned Emperor Schulz, who owned the Great Nebula in Andromeda; and Pittacong Pete, who spoke an alien language; I mentioned Farlock, whom I met way out at the edge of the Reach, at a place called Orvil. Farlock had many wild tales to tell, but he could always document them and provide coordinates, unlike most of the things you would hear. I mentioned some of his tales to Flitz and said it might be nice if she and I became vagabonds and went off to investigate them.”

“And then what?”

“She said it sounded exciting, but that she’d have to think about it some more.”

          “Extraordinary!” mused Glawen. “She acts as if you and she were barely acquainted.”

“My fault again,” said Chilke modestly. “I have backed off, to give her room to make up her mind.”

“All is explained,” said Glawen.

On the day following, Bagnoli and the engineers moved north to the residential complex erected at the Bainsey site by an L-B task-force.

          Two days later, Flitz approached Chilke where he sat on the terrace, writing in a notebook.

Flitz asked curiously: “What are you writing?”

“Oh - just notes and recollections.”

“Can you help me with an errand?”

Chilke closed the notebook and rose to his feet. “I am at your service. What do you need?”

          “Lewyn wants me to fly some samples north to Bainsey. He would like you to come with me.”

“A sound idea. When do we leave?”

“Now.”

“Give me five minutes.”

The two flew north in the ranch flitter. Flitz wore tan trousers, ankle boots and a dark blue tunic. She seemed somewhat wan, as if she were tired, and had little to say. Chilke made no effort to intrude into her thoughts. After a time she turned to examine him. “Why are you so taciturn? Are you like this all the time?”

Chilke was taken aback. “I thought perhaps you preferred quiet.”

“Not total quiet.”

“For a fact, there is something I would like to discuss.”

“Oh? What is that?”

          “You.”

          Flitz smiled. “I’m not all that interesting.”

Chilke waved his hand around the landscape. “Look out there! Miles and miles; rivers and prairies and mountains: all belonging to Felitzia Stronsi. Doesn’t that make you feel interesting, and even important?”

“Yes, so it does. I had never thought of it before. But it is true.” Flitz pointed. “See that yellow mastic bush down there? If I chose, I could land the flitter, destroy that bush, and no one would be bold enough to question my motives.”

“Such power is heady. But before Felitzia destroys the mastic bush, she should do something about her water-waifs. They thumped poor Eustace Chilke and enjoyed every minute of it!”

“Apparently they wanted to teach Chilke a good lesson.”

“Perhaps, but it won’t always be so easy. When her new hotel is operating and some nice old ladies go out on the slutes to enjoy the view, they will also be thumped.”

“First of all, it is not Felitzia, but Lewyn Barduys, who is building the hotel. He can build hotels wherever he likes so long as Felitzia is not involved.”

          “Then no more need be said. When the ladies come to show you their bruises, refer them to Lewyn Barduys.”

The flitter flew north. Flitz indicated clouds at the eastern horizon. “Another storm is on the way. The construction crew will learn something new about the site.”

To the east the gray-green ocean converged upon the line of flight and then, ahead, the black expanse of the slutes became visible.

          The flitter landed near a dozen temporary buildings which had been set up: dormitories, a refectory, storage and multi-purpose sheds. Chilke and Flitz alighted, and Chilke brought out the two cases which were to be delivered to Bagnoli. Chilke put his fingers to his mouth and whistled. Thus alerted, one of the workers brought up a carrier and took away the cases. Bagnoli emerged from the refectory, waved his hand to acknowledge the delivery and the mission was accomplished.

Chilke turned back to the flitter. Flitz stood to the side, looking across the site of the old castle, where earth-moving machinery was now at work. Her face seemed pinched; the cool damp wind ruffled her hair. Clouds rolled close overhead and drops of rain were beginning to fall. Flitz’ voice seemed to come from far away. “I feel her as if she were still down there, the bedraggled little girl. I hear her wailing, or maybe it is her ghost.” Flitz turned away; Chilke found himself with his arms around her, making soothing noises and stroking her hair. “Poor little Flitz! It is different now; I am taking care of you. The hole is just a hole, and a ghost is not reasonable. Why? It is simple. If there is no dead body, there is no ghost. Felitzia was saved; she is now the wonderful clever Flitz who is decidedly alive, I am happy to say. In fact she seems quite warm and snug.”

Flitz laughed, making no effort to draw away. She said: “Eustace, for a fact you are habit-forming. Don’t ask me what I mean, because I am as puzzled as you are.”

Chilke bent his head and kissed her; somewhat to his surprise she reacted without constraint. Chilke repeated the gratifying process. He said: “If nothing else, it settles the nerves.”

The rain now fell at a slant. Chilke and Flitz climbed into the flitter and flew south.

Chapter 6, Part V

At Flitz’ instruction Chilke dropped the flitter upon the summit of a barren hill, with a tall forest spreading away to the south.

“I want to talk with you,” said Flitz. “Now is as good a time as any. No, Eustace, please do not distract me.”

“Speak on,” said Chilke.

“Lewyn Barduys has been kind to me, in ways that you can’t imagine. He has given me everything - including a quiet affection which has demanded nothing in return. I thought that it would always be this way, and I wanted

nothing more.

“Then, something changed. I don’t know how or why, but I began to feel restless. I discovered that I was bored with construction. As for the wilderness lodges, which fascinated Lewyn Barduys, I was barely lukewarm. If Lewyn noticed the difference in me, he did nothing to interfere.

“Then Eustace Chilke appeared, with his friend Glawen Clattuc. I barely noticed them at first. One day Eustace made a reckless proposal. He suggested that he and I become vagabonds, and go off to explore romantic places where no one had wandered before. It was a proposal of startling verve, which at first I could not relate to reality.

“Naturally I did not take him seriously, no more than he did himself. Eustace was like a song-bird in a cage, warbling the sweet songs of Never-never Land just to stay in practice. If I had agreed to his foolishness, he would have suffered a heart attack.

“Time went by but the idea would not go away. I began to ask myself if I wanted to become a vagabond why should I not do so? It might be fun, especially if I traveled in comfort, perhaps with a congenial fellow vagabond. It seemed only fair that Eustace Chilke should be notified that the position of fellow vagabond might well be open.”

“And now - I am notified?”

“You are so notified and you can apply at any time.”

“In that case, I apply for the position.”

“Very good, Eustace,” said Flitz. “I’ll put your name on the list.”

Chapter 6, Part VI

Glawen and Chilke stood leaning on the balustrade which surrounded the terrace, watching evening settle upon the landscape. The sun was half an hour gone behind a bank of clouds; sunset colors were fading fast, through a mournful gamut of all the browns, from amber through mahogany into the ranges of umber and a few sad streaks of old rose.

Glawen and Chilke discussed events of the day. Barduys is now in a wheelchair,” said Glawen. “He is vibrating with energy; he’ll be walking tomorrow, and before the week is out he’ll want to be off and away to Cadwal, to take care of what he calls ‘unfinished business.’”

“He has not defined this ‘business’?”

“Not in so many words. He has mentioned Dame Clytie and Smonny, and he may well have Namour and the

Flecanpraun in mind.”

“This ‘business’ sounds interesting.”

“More than interesting. When he asked if we cared to be on hand - disguised and incognito - I accepted with pleasure. I hope that I have represented you correctly?”

“Of course. What is the program?”

“Barduys wants to travel aboard the Fortunatus from here to Pasch, on Kars, where Barduys maintains a terminal to house his various space transports. We will leave the Fortunatus, transfer to a larger ship, and continue to Cadwal. First we assist Barduys in his ‘business,’ then we report to Bodwyn Wook, and accept his commendations, if he is in a good mood.”

Chilke stood watching the flow of the slow river, where the embers of sunset were reflected. Presently, as if musing aloud, he said: “I expect that Kathcar has described the Fortunatus to Bodwyn Wook in exact detail.”

Glawen nodded somberly. “Sooner or later we will have to give it up.”

“Sooner or later,” agreed Chilke.

Glawen’s attention was caught by an overtone in Chilke’s voice. “What do you mean by that?”

“Nothing substantial.”

“And the non-substantial?”

“The ideas are almost as frail.” Chilke stirred and straightened, stood with his hands on the balustrade. “One or two possibilities have crossed my mind.”

“Such as?”

Chilke laughed and performed a gesture half airy, half diffident. “The ideas are no more than glimmers. Since this is Rosalia, I will say they are as skittish as wind-waifs.”

“Hm,” said Glawen. “How do you catch hold of them yourself? But don’t answer; just start over. What are these remote ‘possibilities’?”

“A few days ago I spoke of Flitz. I mentioned my admiration for her many superlative qualities. Do you remember this conversation?”

          “Yes, to some extent.”