Silent Songs by Kathleen O'Malley & A. C. Crispin

Author:Kathleen O'Malley & A. C. Crispin [O'Malley, Kathleen & Crispin, A. C.]
Language: eng
Format: epub, mobi
Amazon: B009MT420Y
Published: 0101-01-01T00:00:00+00:00

CHAPTER 13

Human History

"The Simiu's smart, too," Arvis sang. "She's already learned how to maintain the hatchery's water system."

Atle listened as his son massaged him, marveling at the youth's changed demeanor. In the short time they'd been separated, Arvis had grown. His body was more developed, his musculature more defined, and his poison patches glowed. More importantly, his son's growth was mental as well as physical.

"But I'm worried," Arvis continued. "She's not eating."

The youth was struggling to understand complex problems. Even now, during the massage, when he would've normally worked in silence to concentrate on his task, Arvis could not keep still. Capturing the Simiu had awakened his conqueror's heart. Atle's pride almost erased the pain of his other children's deaths.

"Her keepers have offered her eggs with half-grown embryos, insect larvae, and even marinated meat from the river animals," Arvis sang, "but she won't eat."

"What would you like to do about that?" Atle asked.

His son seemed confused, but finally said, "Couldn't she live with us? I could take care of her. . . and make her healthy. I wouldn't neglect my own tasks!"

Atle's skin glowed. His son was a Chosen, and craved his own captive, craved to be her master. "She is the only one of her kind here--that makes her terribly valuable."

The youngster said nothing, merely continued the massage.

"Perhaps ... we could bring her here in the evenings," the First sang, "so you could train her. Later, when we take others, she could be yours."

"But," Arvis murmured, "the Industrious can't own anything."

"Yes, of course," Atle agreed. He'd have to do something about that. He would introduce a new law at the next Council meeting.. .. "We'll bring the Simiu here at night, nevertheless. She mustn't die. She'll be your responsibility."

151

Arvis flushed. "She'll eat for me, sir, and be well behaved, too. I think she likes me."

Atle sighed, pleased. All the young Chosen thought their servants "liked"

them--if the servants were smart, they fostered that fantasy. Life was easier that way.

"And she's so strong," Arvis repeated, never pausing in his attentions. "As strong as three males ... in breeding prime!"

Arvis' innocent enthusiasm brought the First up short, and he rolled up on one narrow hip, stopping the massage. "And what do you know of the strength of a male in breeding prime, son?"

To the First, breeding was a private, sacred thing. Unlike most servants, neither Arvis nor his sister had ever helped at a mating. How could his son have come by this knowledge?

Arvis blushed furiously.

"I'm not angry." Atle deliberately dampened his color. It was too soon for the Chosen to be breeding here. Something had to have happened in the hatchery .. . where the Simiu worked.

The Industrious servant was so nervous, his song became a whistle.

"Lene . . . uh, told me ... not to tell.. .."

Atle's hindbrain surged with emotion. When he'd returned to his family, Arvis had flooded him with questions about Lene. While many of them were the puzzlings of a child baffled by the politics of

Download

Copyright Disclaimer:
This site does not store any files on its server. We only index and link to content provided by other sites. Please contact the content providers to delete copyright contents if any and email us, we'll remove relevant links or contents immediately.