The Bodelan Way by Louis Trimble

Author:Louis Trimble [Trimble, Louis]
Language: eng
Format: epub
ISBN: 9781440553356
Publisher: Prologue Books
Published: 1974-07-15T00:00:00+00:00

IX

They reached a high, thick wall and were passed through a gate that had no visible means of being opened and closed. Inside the Compound was an extensive area of low trees and bushes and sprawling areas of trimmed grass. It was very Bodelan, despite the trees looking more Earth-like than a comparable tree on Bodel. Well hidden was a squat building, typical of what Endo identified as two centuries’ old Bodelan architecture.

Inside, the building was lighted by modern methods, but the furniture also looked to Endo like something from an historical exhibit — heavy, ugly, functional without being aesthetic. The guide disappeared, leaving them in a large foyer.

Endo said to Borg, “Why is everything so out of date?”

Borg said, “It is always the taste of the Ambassador that determines such matters. This one likes antiques.”

“Or is antiquated,” Klovka said.

She was right. The Ambassador met them, tottering through an ornately carved doorway. “I am Polto,” he said. “Ah, The Margil.” Like the guide, he made obeisance.

He was the most ancient Bodelan Endo had ever seen. Close to four hundred spans, perhaps a little more, he was stooped, his bristles gone, his heavy chest caved in so that his large lower torso protruded, overlapping his wide belt. He wore the Bodelan costume of briefs and crossed belts, and in addition he sported an open vest made of varicolored lace.

Endo glanced at Borg. He clearly knew Polto. They met, clasping shoulders and then bumping them in the male-meet-male ritual. Endo was bemused. Borg was much the younger; yet he treated Polto as an equal, not deferring to him in any way.

“It is good that you could welcome us,” Borg said formally.

“It is good to have you to welcome.”

“They are hungry and tired from their journey,” Borg said. “You will have the matter attended to.” His voice was a quiet command.

“It is arranged,” Polto said. “But perhaps the Lornan female would prefer her own kind. Her transfer to their mission can be safely arranged.”

“I appreciate your concern,” Klovka said. “But I prefer to remain with my friends for the moment.”

Polto obviously approved of her Bodelan speech, bowed, and disappeared. Only then did Endo realize that no introductions had been made. He looked at Borg thoughtfully, wondering just who he might be and what exact role he was playing in all this.

A Bodelan, wearing the broad crossed belts and knee-length trousers of the servant of centuries before, appeared and made obeisance to first Borg and then Margil. When he spoke, he addressed himself to Borg.

“I beg leave to be followed.”

They followed him up a flight of curving stairs and along a corridor. First Margil and then Borg left them. The corridor continued, went through a heavy door and became another corridor going at right angles to the first.

“They must be putting us in the far garden,” Cressa remarked.

“They wouldn’t put us in the Bodelan area,” Endo said. “A modern Ambassador might, but not one who likes tradition the way Polto seems to.”

The servant stopped suddenly, made an almost military right turn, and opened a door.

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