Aldiss, Brian W - Helliconia 02 by Aldiss Brian W

Author:Aldiss, Brian W
Language: eng
Format: epub

Downriver, the scenery changed. First one bank, then the other, became the scene of intensive cultivation. The jungles were left behind. They had entered the land of the loess. The Lordryardry Lady slipped into Ottassol almost before its passengers realized, unused as they were to cities which had withdrawn their existence underground.

As Div supervised the unloading of goods onto the quay, Ice Captain Muntras took Billy below decks and into a now empty cabin.

'You're feeling well?'

'Excellent. It can't last. Where's Abathy?'

'Listen to me, Billish, I want you to stay quiet here while I transact a little business in Ottassol. I must see an old friend or two. And I have an important letter todeliver. There are clever Johnnies here, not just country bumpkins. I don't wish anyone to know of your existence, you understand?'

'Why's that?'

Muntras looked him in the eye. 'Because I'm an old bumpkin myself and I believe your tale.'

Billy smiled with pleasure. 'Thank you. You have more sense than SartoriIrvrash or the king.'

They shook hands.

The bulk of the Ice Captain seemed almost to fill the little cabin. He leaned forward confidentially.

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'Remember how those two treated you, and do as I say. You stay in this cabin. No one must know of your existence.'

'While you go ashore and get drunk again. Where's Abathy?'

A big hand came up in a cautionary gesture. 'I'm getting old and I want no fuss. I will not get drunk. I will return as soon as possible. I want to get you safe to Lordryardry, where you will be well looked after, you and that magical timepiece of yours. There, you can tell me about the vessel that brought you here, and other inventions. But first I have some business to transact, and that letter to deliver.'

Billy became more anxious. 'Krillio, where is Abathy?'

'Don't make yourself ill again. Abathy has gone. You know she was travelling only as far as Ottassol.'

'She's left without saying good-bye? Without a kiss?'

'Div was jealous, so I hustled her away. I'm sorry. She sent you her love. She's got a living to make, like everyone else.'

'A living to make...' Speech failed him.

Muntras took the opportunity to slip nimbly out of the cabin and lock the door from the outside. He pocketed the key, smiling as he did so.

'I'll be back soon,' he said reassuringly as Billy started to hammer on the door. He climbed the companionwaystairs, crossed the deck, and strolled down the gangplank. Across the wharf was a tunnel leading into the loess. A notice above it readLORDRYARDRY ICE TRADING CO. TRANSIT

GOODS ONLY.

This was a modest wharf. The main Lordryardry wharf was half a mile farther downstream, where the seagoing ships tied up, and a grander affair entirely. But here few eyes pried, and security was good.

Muntras walked down the tunnel and entered a checking office.

Two clerks, alarmed to see the owner arrive, stood up, hiding playing cards under ledgers. The other occupants of the office were Div and Abath.

'Thank you, Div. Will

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