Degrees of Separation by Sharon Lee & Steve Miller

Author:Sharon Lee & Steve Miller
Language: eng
Format: epub
Tags: liaden, bakery, low port
Publisher: Pinbeam Books
Published: 2018-01-14T16:00:00+00:00

THREE

Liad

The melant'i plays that Serana had purchased had proved a valuable resource, giving insight into how the Liaden Code of Proper Conduct might–and might not–be used to one's own advantage.

For instance, the Code stated only that a child of the clan summoned home by the delm may enter the house by the front door, which would seem adamantine.

However, the melant'i plays illustrated the power of may.

May permitted choice, and thus Don Eyr paid off the taxi at the corner, and walked round to the servant's door, where, as a child, he had been accustomed to going and coming, so as not to risk affronting the delm with his presence.

Serana, in her guise as his bodyguard, walked half-a-step behind his left shoulder.

He found the small door in the wall, and pressed his palm against the plate. There came a small click, and he stepped inside, Serana ducking in behind him.

He made certain the door had sealed, then paused to take his bearings.

"The kitchen," he said, looking up at her, "is to the left."

She gave him a smile, and he started forward–and stopped as a woman stepped quickly out of the left-hand hallway.

She was a neat, elderly woman, her grey hair in a knot at the back of her head. She was wearing a house uniform of puce and green–Serat's colors.

"Who–" she began; and stopped, staring.

"Mrs. ban'Teli," he said, showing her his empty hands. "It is Don Eyr."

"So it ever was, Don Eyr," she said, coming forward to put her hands in his. "You look well, but–Child, whatever are you doing here?"

"The delm has called me home," he said, smiling at her.

"Has he?" This seemed to concern her; her fingers tensed on his. "Why?"

"He forgot to put down the reason in his letter," he said lightly, noting that she was trembling slightly, and also that the collar of her uniform was somewhat frayed, and her apron had been carefully mended with thread that did not quite match.

"You are a son of the House," Mrs. ban'Teli said then. "You should come in by the front door."

"Yes, and so I would have done," Don Eyr assured her, "save that I wished to see you first, and also to ask if you will give my poor Serana some tea in the kitchen, while I go to the delm."

He stepped slightly aside, and Serana came forward, offering a very nice bow.

"Madame," she said, gently, in her Letitian-accented Liaden. "I have heard much about you, and am pleased to meet you at last."

Mrs. ban'Teli performed a quick inventory, eyes bright, and bowed in her turn.

She looked back to Don Eyr.

"I will be pleased to bring your companion to the kitchen and see her comfortable," she said, which was also, he thought, a promise to ask many questions. That was expectable; he and Serana had agreed between them that all such questions would be met with truth. The kitchen staff did not bore the delm with the business of the kitchen.

"Come," said Mrs. ban'Teli, "both of you. We will see Lady Serana settled, and for you, sir, we will call Mr.

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