Star Trek: The Next Generation: Masks by John Vornholt

Author:John Vornholt
Language: eng
Format: mobi
Tags: Science Fiction, Star Trek, Fiction
ISBN: 9780671741396
Publisher: Pocket Books
Published: 1989-01-02T08:00:00+00:00

“What are we going to do at this place called Cottage Meadow?” Deanna Troi asked Medicine Maker.

The jeweled green serpents angled in her direction, and the healer continued walking. “There will be many people there, every citizen and subject of importance. Piercing Blade has won a rank of nobility second only to that of the king. But where is the king? Where is Almighty Slayer and where is the Wisdom Mask?”

The two walked in silence for the moment through the Lorcan dawn. They were at the end of the procession, having given up their ponies to Captain Picard and Piercing Blade. Apparently the band was approaching a well-known crossroad where they were likely to meet other travelers, and it was deemed necessary for the leaders to have mounts. Deanna welcomed the walk.

Medicine Maker trailed behind a bit to gather some sprouts and herbs. He stuffed the cuttings haphazardly into a leather bag slung over his shoulder, then caught up with Deanna.

“Our task won’t be easy,” he admitted. “We have to convince everyone we meet that Lorca can have a ruler who doesn’t wear the Wisdom Mask. In my opinion, Almighty Slayer has been absent so long that he has abdicated the throne.”

“What if he is at the fair wearing the Wisdom Mask?” she asked.

Medicine Maker clenched his fists. “All the better. Then Piercing Blade will challenge his right to wear it.”

Deanna nodded solemnly. “What if somebody else has found the Wisdom Mask and is wearing it?”

“The same,” answered the Lorcan.

“So we may be marching into battle.”

The Herbalist’s Mask turned toward her. Beneath the serpent eyebrows, a pair of very dark eyes glared at her. “You are free to do whatever you wish. Let’s hope the others are easier to convince than you.”

“I’m sorry,” Deanna admitted. “I shouldn’t be critical. I know you believe in the rightness of your cause and I respect that.”

Medicine Maker’s big shoulders heaved as he sighed. “You are not going to make a very good page. We should get you a different mask. What skills do you have?”

How could she explain her job in terms the Lorcan would understand? Deanna wondered. Finally she shrugged and said, “I play cards very well.”

The Lorcan chuckled, and his voice echoed warmly within his mask. “Then we’ll get you a Gambler’s Mask. But be careful, or Cold Angel will win it from you.”

“How many masks can a person have?” she asked.

“We have a saying,” answered Medicine Maker. “ ‘A person can have a hundred masks, but he can wear only one.’ ”

Deanna nodded appreciatively and they walked in comfortable silence for a few moments.

“Is it true,” he asked, “that where you come from, people go without masks?”

“That’s right,” she replied.

“Don’t your faces get cold?”

The Betazoid laughed out loud, enjoying the spontaneous release. “Yes, they do.”

“Then it’s absurd not to wear masks.”

“But it can’t be cold like this all the time,” Deanna insisted. “What are the summers like on Lorca?”

It was Medicine Maker’s turn to laugh. “This is summer.”

“Oh.”

“At least you knew enough to bring masks with you.

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