The People of The Wind by Poul Anderson
Author:Poul Anderson [Anderson, Poul]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Tags: Sci-Fi., Science Fiction
Publisher: Signet
Published: 1971-01-21T00:00:00+00:00
X
Ferune of Mistwood reported in at Gray, arranged his affairs and said his goodbyes within a few days.
To Daniel Holm: âLuck be your friend, First March-warden.â
The manâs mouth was stretched and unsteady. âYou must have more time than â thanââ
Ferune shook his head. The crest drooped ragged; most feathers that remained to him were lusteriess white; he spoke in a mutter. His grin had not changed. âNo, Iâm afraid the medics canât stimulate regeneration in this case. Not when every last cell got blasted. Pity the Imperials didnât try shooting us full of mercury vapor. But youâd find that inconvenient.â
Yes, youâve more tolerance for heavy metals than humans do, went uselessly through Holm, but less for hard radiation. The voice trudged on: âAs is, I am held together by drugs and baling wire. Most of those who were with me are already dead, I hear. But I had to get my powers and knowledge transferred to you, didnât I, before I rest?â
âTo me?â the man suddenly couldnât hold back. âMe who killed you?â
Ferune stiffened. âCome off that perch, Daniel Holm. If I thought you really blame yourself, I would not have left you in office â probably not alive; anyone that stupid would be dangerous. You were executing my plan, and bloody-gut well it worked too, khâhng?â
Holm knelt and laid his head on the keelbone. It was sharp, when flesh had melted from above, and the skin was fever-hot and he could feel how the heart stammered. Ferune shifted to handstance. Wings enfolded the man and lips kissed him. âI flew higher because of you,â Ferune said. âIf war allows, honor us by coming to my rite. Fair winds forever.â
He left. An adjutant helped him into a car and took him northward, to the woodlands of his choth and to Wharr who awaited him.
âPermit me to introduce myself. I am Juan de Jesus Cajal y Palomares of Nuevo Mexico, commanding His Imperial Majestyâs naval forces in the present campaign. You have my word as a Terran officer that the beam is tight, the relays are automatic, this conversation will be recorded but not monitored, and the tape will be classified secret.â
The two who looked out of the screens were silent, until Cajal grew overaware of the metal which enclosed him, background pulse of machinery and slight chemical taint in the air blown from ventilators. He wondered what impression he was making on them. There was no way to tell from the old Ythrian â Liaw? Yes, Liaw â who evidently represented civil authority. That being sat like a statue of grimness, except for the smoldering yellow eyes. Daniel Holm kept moving, cigar in and out of his mouth, fingers drumming desktop, tic in the left cheek. He was haggard, unkempt, stubbly, grimy, no hint of Imperial neatness about him. But he scarcely seemed humble.
He it was who asked at length: âWhy?â
â¿Por que?â responded Cajal in surprise. âWhy I had a signal shot down to you proposing a conference? To discuss terms, of course.
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