The Veil of a Thousand Tears by Eric Van Lustbader

Author:Eric Van Lustbader [Lustbader, Eric Van]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Tom Doherty Associates
Published: 2011-02-07T08:00:00+00:00

And I say there is a way to settle the dispute between the Nwerrrn and the Fellanngg Consortia,” Bronnn Pallln said.

“I can just imagine,” Dobbro Mannx chortled. “Have the regent declare both their claims null and void so your own Consortium can plunder the mineral-rich territory west of the Borobodur forest.” Then the solicitor-Bashkir guffawed and lifted a fat forefinger. “No, wait, you would have to be Prime Factor to do that.”

“But, if memory serves, the Pallln Consortium has a history of having the Stogggul ear.” Line-General Lokck Werrrent glanced over at Bronnn Pallln. “Isn’t that so?”

Pallln’s expression was sour, despite the festivities of the dinner party at Mannx’s opulent Eastern Quarter residence. These were fashionable affairs, held weekly with more or less the same personages, who would be treated to the marvelous cooking of the rotund Mannx’s chef, after which, sated and half-drunk, they would retire to the library—or the garden, in warmer weather—for a small-wager game of warrnixx.

The Line-General was obliged to remind Bronnn Pallln several times before Pallln mumbled, “True enough.”

“Then perhaps you would have no objection to a new member of the Great Caste making a small investment in—”

“Oho!” Mannx cried, “I do believe the Line-General has aspirations. Will you hang up your command to become a Bashkir?”

“I wish nothing of the sort,” the Line-General said. “A taste is all I am looking for.”

“Have a care, Line-General,” said Glll Fullom, the patriarch, aged and revered, of his First Rank Consortium. “Your status as Great Caste is still covered with birth fluid. It would be prudent to wait.”

Lokck Werrrent brooded in silence for a time, his thoughts like storm clouds boiling on the horizon. Since his fateful conversation with Star-Admiral Olnnn Rydddlin regarding the true purpose behind the promise to elevate Khagggun to Great Caste status he had his ear attuned for any signs that would prove Olnnn’s suspicions justified.

“Just what is your meaning?” he said, perhaps a bit too testily. “That we Khagggun are not up to elevation?”

“Not at all.” Glll Fullom seemed somewhat taken aback by the vehemence of the Line-General’s reply. “I was simply delivering what I considered prudent advice.”

A short, though slightly awkward silence ensued.

“Bronnn Pallln, in the matter of you and the regent,” Mannx said brightly. He had a knack for keeping a party going. “I distinctly heard a ‘but’ hanging in the air like a rotten quilllon.”

“No buts,” Pallln said rather too defensively.

“If you will excuse an inquiring mind,” Mannx said, “I must say I was rather surprised when Wennn Stogggul named Sornnn SaTrryn Prime Factor instead of you.”

“What’s the matter, don’t you like Sornnn SaTrryn?” the Line-General said, still with a touch of peevishness. Sometimes the loose tongues of non-Khagggun got to him. “I have heard nothing but praise for the Prime Factor’s abilities at mediation.”

“There are some,” Fullom said fruitily, “who believe the SaTrryn are already powerful enough without their scion being Prime Factor.” He dipped his finger into a bit of stew left on his plate, stirred it around.

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